New hope for downtown nightlife New hope for downtown nightlife (January 28, 2005)

Themed lounges to open soon

By Roseanne G. Pereira

A bright and bustling European restaurant and dance club and a mellow Asian-influenced lounge are expected to give downtown Mountain View a jolt of new energy. Both the Monte Carlo, located at 228 Castro St. and the Buddha Lounge across the street at 251 Castro St. are set to open within a month.

"Some of the positive effects will be drawing more people to the downtown shops. Other businesses will benefit, "said Ellis Berns, Mountain View's economic development manager.

In addition to retail stores, other restaurants may benefit in the long term, said Carol Olson, president and CEO of the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce.

"The Monte Carlo has been a destination site, so people will come to Mountain View from other areas. They might stop into one place, think 'that other restaurant looks cute too. We should try it next time,'" predicted Olson.

Both spots also have the advantage of being located within walking distance of the Mountain View Performing Arts Center. "This gives people a place to go to before or after a show," added Berns.

The two additions are expected bolster the concentration of nightlife spots in downtown. People will be able to hop between them in addition to the existing Irish pubs, Molly Magee's and St. Stephen's Green, said Sara Zigler, owner of the Buddha Lounge.

While both the Monte Carlo and the Buddha Lounge want to attract a professional crowd, they offer very different atmospheres to their clientele.

The Monte Carlo is a palatial structure with pillars, a balcony and huge dance floor. It will include a coffee bar open in the morning as well as live music, two bars and a full dinner and lunch menu.

"I've been doing this all my life," said owner Mark Savinovic, whose family ran restaurants in Austria and Germany before opening the Ragusa Restaurant in Los Altos.

"We want people to sit down and have a drink, then go dance (in) a lively atmosphere. We're trying to bring a European flair to Mountain View," said Savinovic.

As in Europe, people will still be able to get food at 1 a.m., added Savinovic.

Across from the Monte Carlo, the former billiard pool hall named 251 Castro will reopen as the Buddha Lounge. Zigler said she plans to create a tranquil atmosphere where people can head for a drink after dinner.

Decorations include dimly lit candles, Asian tapestries on the walls and strings of silver beads dangling from the ceiling. The lounge will include a 60-foot island bar, crowned by a 60-foot pagoda roof and a patio in the back. Live bands and dance music will be scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights.

Zigler knows some customers will miss the pool tables, but is willing to sacrifice the tables for what she sees as a better overall investment. "For every one person mad about it, there will be ten people who like the place even more now," said Zigler.

Both locations are now being afforded a fresh start following previous liquor license difficulties. The Limelight, which is being replaced by the Monte Carlo, closed in August 2003. Just prior to its closure, the city accused its owners of violating their liquor license and not doing enough to prevent their customers from disturbing downtown residents.

Both Zigler and Savinovic say they hope to sidestep such problems in the future by hiring guards to enforce a dress code and ensuring that underage people cannot enter their establishments.

E-mail Roseanne G. Pereira at rpereira@mv-voice.com

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