History



Founded in 1947, Shadowbrook has been known for "Romance in Dining" since the beginning. Continue reading to discover the interesting history behind this truly unique restaurant. The heart of Shadowbrook is a log cabin originally built as a summer home in the 1920s, and later enlarged by an English family, who added what is now known as the “Fireside Room,” with its hanging balcony and Swiss chalet decor. Eventually they sold the home to another family, who, for unknown reasons, abandoned it a few years later.

			Ed Philippet (left) and Brad Macdonald at the Shadowbrook bar in 1947.
When the restaurant’s original partners discovered the house in 1944, it stood in ruin. It took those entrepreneurs three years of painstaking work to restore the structure. Then they set about hacking a steep path out of the tangled underbrush, carrying every piece of furniture and equipment down the treacherous hillside.

	The original Shadowbrook menu.
Finally, in the autumn of 1947, redesigned, redecorated, and with a dining capacity of 50, Shadowbrook opened for dinner. It was immediately popular. In 1958, the cable car was added. In 1972, new owners added the cupola entry and deck by the river, and replaced all furnishings with authentic antiques from the era of the original structure. For the first time in its history, the restaurant remained open year-round.

		The Shadowbrook’s amphibious “Duck” on Soquel Creek, filled with Miss California Pageant contestants and Brad Macdonald at the helm.
In 1978, current owners Ted Burke and his partner Bob Munsey purchased Shadowbrook. The following year, they joined the former Garden Room Annex to the main building, turning the roof into a comfortable outside cocktail deck. Two years later they enclosed the outside dining patio for year-round comfort in a greenhouse setting. In the mid 1980s the Shadowbrook’s wine cellar was added, to allow for proper storage of wines, and a significant expansion to the wine list. A bakery was also added so that the kitchen can provide the finest in desserts and breads, including wedding cakes. During the late 80s there were a number of improvements made to Shadowbrook which its guests don’t see, including plumbing, wiring, and earthquake protection. The latter proved a very worthwhile investment, as Shadowbrook experienced virtually no damage during the big quake of ’89, save a broken bottle of wine or two. In 1992 the lush hillside above Shadowbrook was landscaped with new plantings. After this was completed the walkways were refurbished, and the old waterfall was re-established. A powerful generator was also added, enabling Shadowbrook to continue full operation, including the Cable Car, during power outages which occur occasionally during the winter months. Fall of 1994 brought the addition of the Redwood Room, which sits atop the kitchen, with a view of the chef’s herb garden. The Redwood Room’s ceiling and walls are built with an abundance of first-growth redwood, recycled and milled from large antique wine tanks. Late in 1997, and with some construction materials needing to be delivered by helicopter, The Rock Room bar and lounge at the landmark Shadowbrook Restaurant was completely renovated. Now, lunch and light dinners, in addition to appetizers and desserts, are being served in the bar and patio area. The bar, which had been the only part of the building still in its original 1947 condition, was dark and low-ceilinged before. In the renovation, some ceilings were raised as much as 10 feet, and a dramatic skylight was installed to open up the space and provide more light. A food preparation area with a wood-fired oven was added to make the bar area a place for light meals. A state-of-the art sound system was installed for background music and live entertainment. Accomplishing a large-scale renovation without losing a day of business was no easy task. Because of its location, perched on a steep slope dropping off to Soquel Creek, there wasn't much room to work in and materials delivery was difficult - hence the use of helicopters for some large items, including a wheelchair elevator that transports patrons from the remodeled entry to the main dining level of the restaurant. All the redwood used in the new bar was taken from large, antique wine vats, which were recycled and re-milled specifically for the project. With over 50 years of history, Shadowbrook is one of the most unique restaurants in the west. Come see for yourself.