Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • 14

4-LOCAL THE OAKLAND TRIBUNE SUNDAY, January 24, 1999 Anselmo's: bistrolike experience in auto showroom Broadway Auto Row. in downtown Oakland at Anselmo's restaurant, you can walk into one facility and shop for a Jeep, a sports car or a family sedan while dining with a hearty bowl of sweet potato soup. Mediterranean tuna salad or a last Italian sandwich made of berbed goat roasted peppers and filled zucchini along with fruit sorbet and espresso brownies. Anselmo's restaurant, an up-scale Italian sandwich bar co- -owned by Stan Williams and Steve Slmfrls located inside Simi's auto showroom that dis--' plays models from his 10 dealerships on Broadway. the First Presbyterian Church, the Humanist Center and Valdez Senior Towers, Anselmo's is con-; venientty perched at the loot of PU1 Hill on the corner of 27th and Broadway.

Anselmo's intends to. "become a leader in the revitalization ofs Broadway and Auto Row," said restaurant developer and food services Stan W11-. Williams met Shiu two years ago alter reading a newspaper -story of Simi's plan to provide a Oakland shoppers. Tf all the people of Oakland will work with Mayor Jerry Brown and the schools to help eradicate crime and turn out better educated kids, we can help make this a successful business location Simi said. Our main image problem is one of perception, that's why I've invested so much here, because I want to show everyone that I have faith in Oakland and Anselmo's will be at the center (tf Oakland's concourse delegance," said Slml showing Ms vintage auto collection in die restaurant's museumlike rear showroom.

His collection has a 56 London Cab, many models (tf Mercedes and a '90s model (tf a Buk Reatta formerty owned by Supervisor Mary King. Simi and Williams have ere- a villagelike ambiance that will attract many people to shop on Broadway, King said. mno vouwus srf Iwant Oaklanders to realize A. Anselmo's Cafe on Broadway In Oakland Is situated within a car dealership. Steve Simi (seated) that I found out while traveling and StanWUliams are co-owners of the throughout the world that only Zurich, Switzerland, comes close--- to fast servia; not fast foodWU- selmos dining area and bar at matching our natural beauty." Hams said.

A. 2735 Broadway. saM; V. I have ahrays wanted to com-; Encouraged byhls frienris ShMpl to make Internet bine these two business George Vukasln, who owns Peer- tlnhniques avallabto to be able to accomplish this less Coffee which supplies a preakBM, lunch and bar In the city I love.and It makes staple of roast brewed for An- ft The gleam of the floors, win- dows and Oxturesand lacquered; furniture matches the gleam of A Simi's 56 red Corvette that is cated oily a few feet from the patrois. "We want to remind our pa-irons that the premium we place on this restaurant's cleanliness and sparkle is reflected in take out orders and our commitment' WO Oakland restaurants debuting this month showcase innovative landmark adaptive reuse efforts.

Anselmo's Cafe occupies a portion of a renovated auto show-, roan (m Broadway at 27th Street-. much-needed food service for the cisco Chronicle and New York neighborhood alter the closure of Times for customers. J's Because no walls separate the Simi, 5, was bau in Oakland customers from the cars, an and he collects vintage ears, renoV. Italian bistrolike dining expert-rates old buildings and revitalizes ence of a seamless showroom Is commercial districts, fo- "Where else dan you enjoy hearty salad and soups from a menu of fresh seasonal Ingredi-. ents while browsing for a new car," Williams said.

selmos, and state Senator a family friend of 40 "years, Simi starting purchasing auto dealerships on Broadway to-keep automobiles available for The bay entrances were framed ty piers topped with ele-. palepto v. Wood-fraiMd transom wln with round-topped panes: spanned the length (tf the -1 spanned the length of 1 rfhe bar wall piece Is actually; building; creating a rythmlc pro- a window frame from an old torian house in The same bity treatment also says. 'WeVc used doors covered The bar wall piece Is actually I 'tj economic and marketing sense," said Simi. who has relocated the headquarter offices of his 10 franchises to the second floor of the building overlooking An- Landmarks JOWNtCOCNTRYCUHth CC3 GoodNews A Sacramento native, Williams has lived here for 15 years.

When discovered that Williams had developed restaurants for Steak and Ale. Hardrock Cafe, Planet Hollywood and others, he proposed a co-ownerhlp to'utlllze their mutual strengths. -After two years of meticulous -renovation of the building built in the original wood and brass fixtures, replacing portions of the orldnal porcelain tile floor and added a wrought-lron fenced patio for outdoor eating on the new Broadway promenade. VThe lacquered, handmade tables, the flags and banners sporting family crests that Simi; brought back from Sienna In Northern Itaty hang above the black marble decor with large bouquets of fresh exotic plants and flowers along with copies of The Oakland Tribune.San Fran- r-tr" CoagratubtioH to our own Aaroa JohuM on your contract with Beit Aitut'd And a fbnner prtdf the $31 marlt(i jdexlgas tables, iind some cW building near Jack London Vestment to revitalize Auto Row. i- r.

iii 1945, the Puccini fmiiy an-of the chairs anne from the Square Is the focatioi for the small, brick-paved plaza n(W quired the building for their West Sunday school roorn of oiu? latest Everett A Jones Barbeque fraits the showrodm, offerlng Coast Crab Co. operations; they rhiiryh seating for cafe take-out. In 1W ideilw Store Simi fo i996, histato Fserratioh and Secaid Street -FAIA was retained to res tury bar from the old Dahlke 1024 anH uncni 12 mnnth rc- Cultuml Survey researchers missing elements and correct ln- Saloon on 7th Street have(tocted eommereIala(y appropriate alteraUons made stoing the original BcauxArts ttvity nt thu inraHnn datintf hack over, the bqu the bar from the detafl 'Fortunately, most original lnte- township of Oakland consisted appearedand portions Of the s. promises, rior features remained intact, ta: cowaTd th The 31wpclrBosi appointed flooring (with Records show that early ratob- reviewed and approved the i llshments the Included at 1 1 am uii thc UndmarkTAdvlsoiy at 11 we will dty8 BoU. Restaurant owner Everett follows in rothy King the footstep (tf her mother and eight 5 siblings in opening this latest location, out ute8." she sai Barbecue lovers square white porcelain tiles), wood-paneled balcony and box-beamed ceiling, The current structure was Prominent architect Benjamin -1 built in 1925 by arcMtect Clay McGreer (best known for Berke-Burrell for warehouse magnate ley's Shattuck Hotel and down- Voikert 0.

Lawrence. town Oakland's landmark In additloi to ffs Broadway suff photo Cathedral Building designed the frontage, the building faced the The Anselmo's restaurant lias opened Tn a renovated facility, which The Oakland Tri- Southern 1 pass star building at Webster and Broadway. bune flies described as state of, tlon (since demolished) on First the art. on comer laments on corner tocluded a dry goods store and a hotels loau. Flic ohotos show a olaza area One feature a ramp leading betweentbestatioh and the io the rooftop for vehicle parking building A series ofbayS.

each was considered quite an lnno- accommodating a different shop vatlon at the time. faced the plaza. Posters and memorabilia from her own blues collection mark 1 the decor and many salvaged items have been incorporated flubughpuC, a.m.i serve free barbeque for 30 min-, should not in For PsnMMWl bsiiafioa Wifsrpreofbg ll mum (UiSlFlKUTIM luiusi uii nooi nmuam 1-800-362-6488 a niw iwiwiii atw, AtWOBNTEMMnOMKtTnCOMMMV I Esgbsrsd SIERRA SPRAY FOAM mm v- 1 a an rtulinatuig! OOMlMaenOMlM (925)837-9000 taMMMTIkMMMn than uqr other home Kouity compeny in America 24-tar inlKlM from AmericAll electronic eecurity company with etatc-of-the-ait central nation monitoring of- i Bay Bm Bet line HUE i I foJJ 000 11DT-1D12 Get Hill-court college basketball coverage only in Sports vmudtMB.