Bay Meadows

Block 34 is a kitchen and bar coming soon to downtown San Mateo. Chef Rick Richardson has spent the past 25 years working alongside Chef Hubert Keller at Keller’s acclaimed French restaurant Fleur de Lys in San Francisco, but now he’s moving south to launch Block 34, a San Mateo restaurant that offers his take on casual-modern American cuisine using food prepared with seasonal ingredients from local purveyors. Rick Richardson is a partner along with Devin Aloise and Alex Anderman, creating a dream team at Block 34. (pictured left to right)

‘We are looking to bring a fun & hip eatery to San Mateo that will offer American Cuisine that is both straightforward and modern.’ – Block 34

Block 34 has a soft opening coming up on July 9th and is set to open to the public on July 16th at 34 E. 4th Ave. in the space formerly occupied by Pasta Primavera. Including outdoors, there will be seating for around 120 + community seating with a dinner menu to start, and expanding to a late night menu, lunch and brunch menus. The 34-foot bar will host 7 signature cocktails, 10 California brews + 24 wines on tap. More to come on their Happy Hour special menu items.

The team behind Block 34 shared their unique concept with us, making them stand out in San Mateo: We hand build the finishes in the restaurant.  The massive wood wall that is made for recycled fence board cut into 34 inch boards.  Bar made from fence board cut into 17 inch (1/2 of 34) and 8.5 inch (34/4) pieces with a metal top we hand made.  Oyster bar made from metal.  Host and take out stands made from recycled cutting boards and butcher blocks.  Wait staff will take orders using mini iPads.

Some of the dishes Block 34 is excited to introduce (and we are excited to taste):
Baked Clams Casino, Bacon Piquillo Pepper & Anchovy ButterDouble Onion Soup Gratinee, Creamy Truffled Onion Velouté, Leeks & Gruyère
Bacon Crusted Sea Scallops, Black-eyed Peas, Pork Belly & Pickled Red Onion

Name 3 dishes that would describe San Mateo:
Raw bar featuring the freshest oysters, clams & shrimp.
Fried Bacon Mac & Cheese Balls.
Funnel Cake Ice-cream Sundays.

Get to Know Block 34:
After a long day I pour myself a…Nice glass of whiskey
If I could collaborate with any chef in the world, it would be: Fernand Point
When I brunch I order: Corn Beef Hash with Poached Eggs
3 things I love about San Mateo: Best Small Town for Food in US according to Rand McNally, The weather & being very close to SF in the middle of Silicon Valley.
Current secret obsession is: Opening a restaurant
What inspires you: The World

Get connected with Block 34 and be in the know on progress by joining the mailing list, like them on Facebook follow them on Twitter and Google+.

Show us your next meal at Block 34, and make a recommendation for our community! As we develop community, we want to see how you live or play at Bay Meadows. Share your fun lifestyle photos with our community by using #baymeadowslife in our Fame x Frame Photo Contest. You could WIN $50 or our Grand Prize of $500 at the end of 2014 and be featured in a live pop-up photo gallery exhibit. Click here for official rules. Each month, Bay Meadows will select one photo to WIN a $50 gift card at Whole Foods Market San Mateo. Simply hop on instagram or twitter at tag us using #baymeadowslife or submit up to 10 photos per month to photos@BayMeadows.com .

Be sure to follow Bay Meadows on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. We’ll be sharing your Bay Meadows story!