Ragoots in Morgan Hill gets backing from RDA, South County
Housing and patrons
Morgan Hill has an alternative to fast-food eateries, a
restaurant appealing in its menu as well as its atmosphere.
Ragoots opened in downtown just two weeks ago and is already
doing a booming business. Open for lunch and dinner Monday through
Saturday, the rustic-chic destination specializes in affordable
California gourmet cuisine
– with a little extra fun. Ever hear of
”
cheesecake pops?
”
They’re round balls of dessert on a stick
– perfect for the sweet tooth on the go.
Ragoots in Morgan Hill gets backing from RDA, South County Housing and patrons
Morgan Hill has an alternative to fast-food eateries, a restaurant appealing in its menu as well as its atmosphere.
Ragoots opened in downtown just two weeks ago and is already doing a booming business. Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, the rustic-chic destination specializes in affordable California gourmet cuisine – with a little extra fun. Ever hear of “cheesecake pops?” They’re round balls of dessert on a stick – perfect for the sweet tooth on the go.
“It’s been amazing,” said co-owner Collene Issacs. “It’s been crazy.”
Issacs and business partner Elaine Stoddard had planned a “soft opening,” that is, one without advertising or fanfare, but the low profile hasn’t kept the crowds away.
The menu might have something to do with that, and the fact that the women have hired a full-time pastry chef. Hot and cold sandwiches start at $6.95 and include such selections as Sicilian Tuna Salad, Grilled Veggies and Portabella or the Slim Bob – grilled ground beef served with smoked gouda, caramelized onions and Dijon mustard spread on a peppered roll.
Then there are entrees such as Flat Iron Steak or Rotisserie Chicken and specialty pastas such as Tuscan Grill or Smoked Salmon and Proscuitto Fettuccini. Gourmet appetizers, salads (try Asian Fusion), Flatbread “Pizettes,” and delectable deserts fill out the menu. Even the sodas (Hank’s Genuine Gourmet Root Beer) and cappuccino are gourmet.
The restaurant also serves a variety of wines, champagnes and English ales, including Leal’s merlot and Eschol Ranch cabernet. Wine and cheese are a predominant theme and there is seating both inside and al fresco, sidewalk cafe-style.
Issacs and Stoddard are both longtime Morgan Hill resident, but come from two very different lives that seem synergistically suited to this common venture. Issacs retired early after making it big in the Silicon Valley dot-com boom as co-founder of an Internet company in 1995. Stoddard has a diverse background in food services and is a trained sommelier.
The two entrepreneurs had wanted to make Ragoots a reality for 10 years, but they started seriously planning for the venture three years ago. They both studied different concepts in restaurants and food, from New York to Europe.
“We think we understand the demographics of Morgan Hill,” Issacs said, taking a rare break after the lunch rush this week. Sitting at one of the many granite topped tables on an antiqued leather chair, Issacs talked about the venture inside the spacious, casual restaurant while Stoddard filled orders with the help of a half dozen other staff workers.
Issacs said they will be specializing in take-out as well.
“Most people here have two incomes, two kids, and at the end of a long day they have to do soccer or music,” Issacs explained. “They’re looking for something that’s healthy, not McDonald’s or Burger King, something with a nicer gourmet flair. We’re an alternative to the Safeway deli counter.”
Apparently, the restaurant is just the kind of fare the City of Morgan Hill wants in their downtown. The city’s Redevelopment Agency awarded the restaurateurs a $28,000 matching grant to upgrade the outside facade of the eatery, located on Third and Monterey streets.
“Now downtown Morgan Hill is looking better everyday and tasting better, too,” said Morgan Hill Mayor Dennis Kennedy during a recent grand opening of Ragoots.
Landlords South County Housing are happy with their new tenants as well.
“It’s always great to have tenants and great when they make a positive contribution to downtown,” said Jack Foley, spokesman for South County Housing. Above the restaurant, South County manages a 13-unit affordable apartment building for what Foley calls “single resident occupancy.”
Before its latest incarnation, the space below was for years an art store and gallery. Before that, the entire building was a hotel that South County Housing bought and converted to what it is today.
Ragoots is located at 17305 Monterey Road in downtown Morgan Hill. For more information call 408-201-9200.
