The new year marks the 38th anniversary of Chef Chu’s in Los Altos—38 years of outstanding Chinese food that has kept the restaurant thriving, and 38 years of boundless energy that has made owner/chef Lawrence Chu a culinary mega-luminary and a remarkable contributor to the community.
With the success of the restaurant so intertwined with the popularity of its owner, it is hard to say which drives the other more. But spend a few minutes watching Lawrence Chu in action, gaze at the steady stream of people entering his restaurant or better yet, savor a delicious meal, and you’ll realize you’re experiencing something special.
Specializing in Hunan and Szechuan cuisine, Chu’s extensive menu brims with delectable dishes that are infused with a diversity of flavors. Favorites include the potstickers (freshly-made in-house daily), Candied Pecans with Prawns, Wok-seared Salmon with Spicy Black Bean Sauce, Pan-seared Black Pepper Steak, and Steamed Sea Bass with Ginger and Green Onion. The restaurant’s delectable culinary creations have kept it a perennial favorite for everyone from residents to visiting pro athletes and even heads of state.
In addition to his demanding role as restaurant proprietor and chef de cuisine, Chu has somehow found the time to earn an abundance of other credits that include writing a best-selling cookbook (“Quick, Healthy, Simple, Delicious”), teaching a regular series of cooking classes, and supporting a long list of community-oriented projects, including the YMCA and local hospital fund-raisers. Chu is also a co-founder of the Asian Chefs Association and, venturing further out, has also begun leading annual culinary tours of China.
The restaurant’s story continues to unfold with the next generation. Lawrence’s son and daughter, Larry and Jennifer, are now also adding their energy to the operation of the restaurant. Charming, talented and dedicated, they are clearly continuing the Chu tradition of excellence in hospitality.
— Rita Vanderaa
Hours:
Mon-Fri, 11:30-9:30; Sat-Sun, 12-10.
Address:
1067 N. San Antonio Rd. (at El Camino Real)
Los Altos
More Info:
(650) 948-2696; www.chefchus.com
Other:
Chinese New Year Banquets
Join the Chu’s in celebrating entry into the Year of the Rat. Offered on Wednesdays in February, these multi-course dining extravaganzas are a delicious and fun way to share Chinese culinary traditions with the chef himself!
Culinary Tour of China
This year, in October, Lawrence Chu will lead a group through China and Tibet, including a stop at Chef Martin Yan’s Culinary Arts Center and a visit to Hong Kong. Call for further information.
