The Bywater is David Kinch's new Los Gatos casual restaurant. If you don't know, David Kinch is the owner of Manresa, our 2 star Michelin rated restaurant featuring Louisiana comfort food cuisine. The Bywater opened January 12, 2016.
The new Bywater is open for both lunch and dinner and a two happy hours, one starting at 2:30pm ending at 5:00 and a later happy hour starting at 9pm until closing. This is a very different restaurant from the elegant (and quite pricey) Manresa. Kinch states that he's going for a "hang out after work" kind of vibe featuring a lively bar and some down-home Louisiana classics like a shrimp po-boy or a raw bar with some shrimp, crabs or clams.
In addition to the cuisine and bar, the Bywater will feature live entertainment in the space that seats 10 at the bar and includes 30 tables.
Make sure to visit the back patio area for a more casual atmosphere. Go there for happy hour and enjoy a lower price cocktail or other beverage and an appetizer.
The restaurant is located about a block away from the Safeway restaurant. Parking is in the back and there is some limited parking on North Santa Cruz.
The back of the restaurant will offer some additional seating, weather permitting. We're not sure if the outdoor seating will be offered year round or not yet.
Bywater features a Happy Hour (2 actually) Tuesday - Saturday from 2:30PM to 5:00PM and again from 9:00PM to closing. There are specialty happy hour foods and beverages.
We did a drive-by of ASA Los Gatos this morning, September 30, 2019. We see progress! There is no sign on the building yet, but there is a sign posted next to the Best Western sign along Alberto Way.
There were chefs in the kitchen working away and a delivery truck in the drive dropping off boxes, all of which indicating progress is being made. Check out more details here.