San Carlos: Izzy’s on the Peninsula reopens with reimagined menu, redesigned space

It’s a legacy Bay Area restaurant with a new look, new menu and new name.

The popular Izzy’s in San Carlos has officially reopened as “Izzy’s on the Peninsula” after a major renovation undertaken by the owners, the DuVall Family Restaurant Group, with the designers from the Gachot Studios.

The group, with a flagship in San Francisco’s Marina district, was founded in 1987 by famed Bay Area restaurateur Sam DuVall. Both restaurants are named after saloon keeper Isadore “Izzy” Gomez, a colorful figure on San Francisco’s Barbary Coast in the early decades of that century. The second generation now runs Izzy’s.

Designers from Gachot reimagined Izzy’s impressive square footage in San Carlos as many separate dining and drinking spaces. (Photo courtesy of Izzy’s/Cole Keister) 

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In San Carlos, the transformation gives a light, airy and sophisticated look to the 7,500-square-foot restaurant. Seating has been created for 245 guests, with new private dining spaces, a classic bar and lounge, new garden patio and Isadore’s Table, a new semi-private space in the main dining room.

Executive chef Vincent Castillo added new, shareable appetizers, from small bites like Deviled Eggs and Crudite from the Garden with Green Goddess Dressing to Dungeness Crab Hushpuppies, Fritto Misto and slow-braised Oxtail Jam with Sourdough Toast Points.

The signature lineup of steaks and chops, which includes sourcing from Creekstone Farms and Flannery Beef, features “The Gomez,” prime rib with Izzy’s potatoes and creamed spinach and the Steak au Poivre. A classic Shrimp Scampi joins the Snake River Trout and the Atlantic Salmon with bell pepper piperade and pickled fennel on the seafood menu.

At the newly reopened Izzy’s on the Peninsula, a signature entree on the steaks and chops menu is “The Gomez,” prime rib with Izzy’s potatoes and creamed spinach. (Photo courtesy of Izzy’s/Michelle Min) 

New on the dessert menu are Glazed Crullers made to order and a seasonal Roasted Pear Bread Pudding.

Now that the San Carlos renovation is complete, the group is undertaking a similar project in San Francisco. The Steiner Street restaurant is expected to reopen sometime this fall.

Details: Open nightly at 5 p.m. for dinner at 525 Skyway Road, San Carlos; www.izzysonthepeninsula.com