Redwood Cafe opens in Oakdale. Owner launching globe-touring company from restaurant
You’d think opening a brand new restaurant and expanding his brand to a whole different city during a global pandemic would be enough of a challenge for Bob Campana.
But the Redwood Cafe owner has barely opened his new second location, while still running his existing Modesto eatery and catering business, and he’s already planning the next big thing — an international food and wine touring travel company.
But before he starts jet setting around the world the former pool contractor welcomed the public into his new Oakdale Redwood Cafe this week in The Reata building on Third Street. The downtown Oakdale site has been renovated to create a unique, upscale space with a large banquet hall and outdoor patio.
Much like the original Redwood Cafe on Dale Road in northwest Modesto, the Oakdale space has an eclectic, wood-and-metal themed decor. But you’ll find more intentional cowboy touches, as well as a few intentionally different items on the menu.
While renovating the space, detail-oriented Campana sweat the small stuff — from the cut metal accents to the lighting at each table. That attention to detail has been one of the reasons for his success as a restaurateur, he said, and soon he hopes also as a travel guide.
“I’m in the good memories business,” said Campana, who launched his Modesto events business in 1994 and Redwood Cafe in 2012. “I think COVID made everyone reflect on their best memories and most valued experiences. People don’t want to hold off on things anymore, because it could happen again. So whether it’s a nice meal or traveling abroad, people are saying I’m not going to wait.”
New Oakdale restaurant will have unique menu items
A voracious traveler, Campana said he’s been around the world four times. But even without a passport, diners can get their own mini around-the-world tour at the Oakdale restaurant. Like in Modesto, the wide-ranging menu has an Italian lean with some other cuisines sprinkled in. The menu will rotate seasonally, and specials are offered daily.
Campana’s travel adventures help inform some of the dishes like the pork schnitzel and the shrimp and grits. The menu also includes pastas, pizzas, soups and salads. Entrees run from $33 to $55 (the latter for the 8-ounce filet mignon).
Executive Chef John Fisher, who oversees the menu at both locations, said while many of the proteins — from short ribs and rib eyes to salmon and scallops — will be the same, their preparation and accompanying sides will be different between the restaurants. Also a handful of items will be totally different so people can have distinct dining experiences between the two places, he said.
The staff of more than 20 at the new restaurant has been training at the Modesto location for months now. The Oakdale restaurant has a main dining area that can seat just under 100 and lots of nooks and crannies for more private dining. That includes a large wine cellar room and a private chef’s table overlooking framed vines from the home of The Reata owners John and Ann Maddox.
Diners enter the restaurant through what used to be an open courtyard that has since been converted into an open, airy enclosed bar. To keep things more Oakdale, a large bull’s head has been installed above the bar. While the menu and ambiance are upscale, General Manager Wyatt Smith said dusty blue jeans are definitely welcome inside.
“Redwood Cafe has grown over the years and this is a continuation of that growth,” Smith said. “It’s still causal, but getting more refined. We have good plates with no pretense.”
Touring company going to Europe, Australia, beyond
And the epicurean adventures at Redwood Cafe will soon extend beyond the menu. Campana said he will launch his touring company reservations from the restaurant. Redwood Tours will start with food and wine excursions to Napa and wine country this fall, but then as soon as international travel opens again more fully they’ll head to Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Campana bought the company from an Australian food and wine writer, who will help run the Southern Hemisphere trips. But he plans to lead many of the tours himself as well, and after each of the 7- to 10-day excursions to meet winemakers and chefs he plans to add the favorite dish from the excursions to the Redwood restaurant menus.
“I want you to escape when you come to my restaurant. It’s safe and warm and something different from your everyday life,” Campana said.
Redwood Cafe, at 160 N Third Ave. in Oakdale, opens at 5 p.m. and seats its last diners at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information call 209-322-2464 or visit www.redwoodcafemodesto.com.
