Steamer’s Bids Farewell: Final Dish to Be Served This Christmas Eve. It’s time to say goodbye to Steamer’s Grillhouse, which was just voted the No. 2 restaurant in town overall and the Best Seafood Restaurant in Los Gatos for 2024 by the Los Gatan readers. The famous restaurant where locals have celebrated milestones over the decades is closing after 45 years, according to the Matulich family.
Originally a small café on North Santa Cruz Avenue, Steamer’s later relocated to a free-standing structure in the old Old Town district. It soon attracted those who enjoy raw shellfish, fresh seafood, and some delicious clam chowder. Before they moved to their current location across University Avenue in 1999, I recall eating there a lot in the late 1980s.
In a previous interview, Paul Matulich revealed that the demolition of the original café elicited strong feelings from devoted patrons. “I got engaged there, so people came to me and said, I want table so-and-such,” he added. “I had a man purchase my whole bar for his residence. People have a remarkable emotional bond with the location. The children and even grandchildren of those who once worked here are now returning to visit.
Matulich had just opened Courtside when he founded Steamer’s in 1979 with his sister Linda and brother Mark. His brother was employed at a Sheraton in Hawaii at the time. Outside Gilroy, his sister ran a tasting room. He had previously worked with restaurant owners to create Palo Alto landmarks like Sundance, and he believed it would be beneficial to have a company the siblings could run together. His sister has been in charge of the office and bookkeeping ever since.
Paul’s true passion was cooking, which called for a dedication that is difficult to come by. He once remarked, “It takes a certain mindset to want to serve the same exquisitely plated dish over and over again.” Matulich made a joke about how his famous dishes, such as linguini with crab, prawns, and mushrooms in garlic lemon butter sauce, paid for his two children’s college educations.
The Matulichs were raised close to Salinas. According to Matulich, “my mother was Italian, straight off the boat.” It’s possible that she was born on the boat! We grew up in an agricultural environment and learned about meat from my father, a Croatian butcher. We spent our entire childhood in the kitchen. We got to meet Foxy Lettuce and all the other vegetable farmers. All of us attended Palma High.
He claims that his family was active in the distribution of alcoholic beverages in the early years of Steamer’s Café. One of the Mondavis stopped by the year we started and suggested that we set up a wine bar. It’s a novel and significant idea. People will purchase wine by the glass if you open a variety of Italian wines. We had great success with imports at the time, and people were still drinking stuff like Mateus and Lancers. Indeed, we rose to the top of California’s Soave Bolla sales charts!
Thanks in part to its cocktails, the restaurant was a huge hit. In Mexico, they even had personalized glassware blown.
At Steamer’s, pasta played a significant role in tradition, and Matulich still uses the same Italian pasta maker he purchased in 1982. He even traveled to North Beach, San Francisco, to study under Tony Gemignani of Tony’s Pizza Napoletana.
At this Los Gatos mainstay, it’s time to have a last pie and a dish of seafood linguini, or whatever caught your fancy.
The Matulich family has stated that despite the town’s changes over time, they always maintained a feeling of belonging and connection. They are incredibly honored to have participated, I’m sure of it.
“We want to thank you for your smiles, and your support,” they said in a press release distributed to their diners on Sunday. Thank you to all of our amazing employees, both current and former, for your commitment, enthusiasm, and for making Steamer’s the friendly and inviting place it has always been.
Even though this chapter is coming to an end, the memories we have of one other will always be cherished. We appreciate you letting us serve you for 45 amazing years, and we are really proud to have contributed to this community’s history. We welcome you to join us in celebrating Steamer’s legacy throughout these last few weeks as we get ready to bid goodbye. Let’s all salute to the amazing journey we’ve taken together, the milestones, and the memories.
Even though it’s sad, everything nice must end. It would be wise to have one final margarita.
Until the last dinner is served on Christmas Eve, Steamer’s Grillhouse will remain open Wednesday through Sunday.
Lunch 11:30am-2:00pm
Dinner 4:30pm Until Last Reservation (8pm)
Call (408) 395-2722 to secure your seat for the final act.
