Memories Of Sanctuary Bistro
We celebrated completing 4 successful years of running Sanctuary Bistro on August 1, 2018. We have learned a lot from the start and owning a restaurant and it is not for the feint of heart. There has been laughter and tears... joy and utter fear. But lots and lots of love!!!Barry has worked 19,800 hours. (Traditional 40 hour work week is 8,340 hours in four years)We went from a staff of 5 to a team of 13. We have been able to get benefits for our full time employees. Improvement is a slow but steady.We have been able to donated donations to various non profits around the Bay:Animal PlaceVegan OutreachFFACHouse Rabbit SocietyFarm SanctuaryThree Hearts FarmHarvest HomeHen HarborPreetirang SanctuaryUnited Poultry concernsUpswing AerialBay Area WildernessLindsay WildlifeSumatran Orangutan SocietyFix our FeralsMiyoko Rancho CompassionFood Empowerment ProjectReuse Because you Can't recycle the PlanetStresscareLa Raza Centro LegalStresscareTranslifelineMiddle East Children's AllianceFresh ApproachSeed the COmmonsBreast Cancer ActionGirls GArageBeagle Freedom ProjectYoung women's Freedom centerJYCABAWARORCA networkGoatlandiaCommunity Concern for CatsSomos MayfairSave a BunnyBlack Rep. TheaterAnd many more....We have fed approx. 126,000 people not including to gos and or catering. Our babies- went from babies to kids: starting at 1 and 4 years to now: 5 and 7 years. We published a cookbook. Help us celebrate: what is your memory/fact for @sanctuarybistro we are celebrating with a day off and look forward to your memories!!!! (Photo by @worldofvegan )I would love to share your favorite memories from Sanctuary Bistro... Share them in the comments below.
- Jennifer Jones Horton
Memories from some of our guests on the mailing list!
"Congratulations Sanctuary Family, We are really proud you have chosen us as one of your family farms! Best wishes," - Monica and Andy Olson, Olson Farms
"We adopted our little girl when she was just a day old in a last-minute adoption. My parents live on the East Coast and just happened to be in town wh
en it happened. When the baby was just 5 days old, we brought her to Sanctuary to celebrate. You brought us a little dessert with candle. This photo is on my parents' mantle now. :)Photo: Roxane and Dave with Madeline Hazel (seated), Roxane's parents Jorge and Susan (standing)
Thanks for being there!" Roxane A.
"Happy Birthday! I want Barry to have more time off!!!! Don’t want him to burn out! Labor of love no doubt and... See ya," - Ross
"Our favorite memory is coming to the restaurant on Saturday mornings, bedraggled from playing with the dogs at Pt. Isabel Dog Park, and enjoying a lovely, healthful breakfast while the dogs chill in the (shaded) car. And Barry always sticking his head out to say “hi”. It means a lot to have a personal connection with the chef. Many blessings on four wonderful years - may there be decades more! - Ken and Linda
"Happy Anniversary Jennifer! To you & Chef Barry both your personal 10 year anniversary
& the 4 years of the restaurant. Thank you Sanctuary Bistro! I heard about It from a woman who I was on a jury with & Have been coming to the restaurant for more than the 2 years since then. I appreciate the community that you have created and the good food.
The best to you" - Jude
"Jen, Barry, Congratulations! On both anniversaries, yours and the Bistro's! Wishing you many more years of joy in all you do!With admiration and gratitude" - Patti B., Even Vegans Die
"CONGRATULATIONS! Thank You Chef Barry, Jennifer and all the staff at Sanctuary Bistro. You are simply the BEST!" - Karin S.
"I have many wonderful memories.. celebrating my and my friend's bday, having a late bite after UpSwing's Winter Showcase featuring the Teens Who Fly but my favorite memory was the community fundraising event sponsored by Sanctuary Bistro in support of UpSwing Aerial Dance Company where we danced on and off the steps and railings in front of the restaurant to dancer/singer Hannah Dworkin singing accapella a medley of songs including Blue Moon and Fly Me to the Moon." - Cherie Carson, Upswing
"We came to Sanctuary for the first time in February of 2016 for my boyfriend's birthday. The 6 of us were delighted with the outstanding cuisine! We also enjoyed wonderful conversation with you, our host, and the lovely harp and vocal music!" - Elizabeth Stuart
"I remember when we had a belated birthday brunch, for my son, and when I told Jennifer about it--she brought out a dessert, complete with a candle. The extra touch, and Jennifer's excitement made it a really special day." - Alma Busby-Williams
"Your food is spectacular and you made our favorite top ten list of restaurants around the world on our first visit last year. It was so hard for us to decide on what we wanted to eat we just kept on coming back to try everything on the menu and there's our first suggestion." -Michael and Gina
" I discovered SB by virtue of asking the chef of another restaurant where they liked to eat out on their night off. She said Sanctuary Bistro. I had never heard of it but after checking it out on line I was stoked to try it. It is now part of my Wednesday routine whereby I drop by a bakery to get my weekly toasting bread and on to SB for those lovely mix-and-match lunches with 25% off wines! My friends know I go there and ask to meet me from time to time. Feels great to share it with others.
An East Coast friend came out to visit and upon returning home reciprocated by calling SB to purchase a gift certificate for me knowing my fondness for the place and my routine. Jennifer was speaking with him as I walked in that Wednesday and she handed me the telephone. What an amazing, unexpected surprise! Who said there’s no free lunch?!
I met Eric Cohen of Justice Grace Vineyards at a wine tasting SB was hosting. Besides wine we shared an interest in meditation and had a great conversation that evening. Some time later I was able to visit him at his winery and learn about the process of making my favorite beverage even helping a little and enjoying that purple stain on my fingers!
"Great community building, great food and great drink. Onward…" - Ross, Berkeley Zen Center
After two years apart, my brother and I reunited over your artichoke dip. We live far away from each other, but quickly caught up over delicious food. While sharing stories of travel, love and lessons learned, I believe we devoured about three tubs that night... and
Though I've been vegan for ten years, this was my husband's first year. He had struggled with cravings and was worried about Thanksgiving. That's when I decided to surprise him with your meal. The look of his face was priceless when he realized a vegan dish of mashed potatoes could be just as delicious dairy free! Thanks for the memories!" - Madison