The seafood cioppino from Corner Table in Redwood City. Courtesy Corner Table.
There’s a new restaurant in Redwood City that aims to be in your corner for whatever dining need arises, whether it be a morning coffee and pastry, weekend brunch or evening appetizers over drinks. Corner Table opened Sept. 2 with an all-day menu of food and beverages in the former Old Port Lobster Shack space at Woodside Plaza.
Jin Lee opened Corner Table next door to her longtime Japanese eatery Sushi Plus, which has grown into a neighborhood favorite over the years. Having seen the community evolve, Lee – a native of South Korea – saw an opportunity to open a restaurant with a personal touch.
“I like Redwood City – it’s in the middle of the Peninsula and not too busy,” Lee said. “I noticed there’s not many Korean food options here so I decided to open Corner Table.” Wanting to pay homage to both California and Korea, Lee decided on a “California fusion” concept where people can enjoy a hearty meal, quick bite with friends or something in between.
Corner Table offers flatbreads, small bites, salads, burgers and Korean chef’s specials, plus a small breakfast menu available from 8:00-11:00 a.m. Diners will also find coffee, cocktails, boba, wine and draft beer. The eatery emphasizes local partnerships, featuring beer from San Carlos’s Blue Oak Brewery, coffee beans from Andytown Roasters and grab-and-go pastries from Woodside Bakery.
So far, the most popular items reflect the fusion concept: bibimbap, kimchi fried rice, quinoa chipotle salad and their take on the San Francisco-invented seafood cioppino. Get a taste of Korean cafe culture by ordering their popular honeycomb latte, featuring chunks of crunchy, buttery honeycomb, alongside a croffle, a dessert popularized in Korea that takes a freshly baked croissant and presses it into a waffle.
The restaurant has been well-received by the community so far, with online reviewers appreciating the variety of menu offerings. “My goal with opening Corner Table is to provide good food in a family-friendly environment, since I’m raising my kids here,” Lee said.
The sense of community extends to the business. When asked about balancing two restaurants, Lee was quick to note the advantages. “With Corner Table and Sushi Plus open side by side, I’m able to operate similar hours and more importantly, retain staff members and keep them employed.”
Corner Table, 20 Woodside Plaza, Redwood City; Instagram: @cornertable.redwoodcity. Open Monday-Thursday from 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., and Sunday from 7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
