My Silicon Valley: Maha Ibrahim
If you really want to get to know a place, seek out a local. In Silicon Valley’s case, Maha Ibrahim, a longtime Peninsula denizen and Sand Hill Road venture capitalist.
“Silicon Valley has attracted technologists and entrepreneurs from all over the world, and we’ve seen the fruits of that in the diversity of cuisines and the stores we all now frequent,” she says.
As a general partner at Canaan Partners and mother of two elementary school-age boys, Ibrahim’s weekends veer toward the casual (think Gap and Lululemon), and revolve around time spent with her family. She and her attorney husband, who met as undergrads at Stanford University, settled in Hillsborough in 1998, soon after she earned a doctorate in economics from MIT.
Living and working in the area all these years, Ibrahim is well versed in where to go and what to do. Here are some of her favorite places to dine, shop and play.
Doughnut joint: “Royal Donut Shop in Burlingame. While their selection is broad, I stick to the basics — I usually get just a glazed doughnut. The kids like sugar raised, and the same with my husband.” 1090 Burlingame Ave., (650) 344-7854.
Sandwich spots: “Sandwiches are always big for us on weekends. There are three places, probably in this order. One is Little Luca in Burlingame, which makes a great barbecue tri-tip sandwich with yummy horseradish mayo. Their sandwiches are the size of my leg, and they’re very good and there’s always a line. The next one is also in Burlingame — it’s Bonne Sante. And the third is becoming so much more popular on the Peninsula now: Ike’s.” Little Luca: 1809 El Camino Real, Burlingame, (650) 697-8389, www. littleluca.com. Bonne Sante: 1184 Broadway, Burlingame, (650) 342-1529. Ike’s: 650 E. Third Ave., San Mateo; (650) 375-8900.
Date-night destination: “A good friend of ours runs Locanda Positano in San Carlos, and it is fabulous. His name is Enzo Rosano. He’s from Napoli, so the food is incredibly authentic. I’m partial to creamy dishes, and he has this dish with noodles, cream sauce, sausage and peas — the strozzapreti pasta. It’s really yummy.” 617 Laurel St., San Carlos, (650) 591-5700. www.locanda-positano.com.
Favorite decor store: “We’ve used interior decorators a few times, and House of Values in San Mateo carries the brands that decorators would want. They are bare bones in terms of their own decor in order to keep prices down. They do have some samples, but for the most part, people go there to look through the catalogs and then order. And they will advise customers based on the customers’ aesthetics. It’s a fantastic place — and they’ll deliver for free.” 2565 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo, (650) 349-3414. www.houseofvalues.com.
Must-visit museum: “The Cantor Center at Stanford, which has the Rodin sculptures outside. My 7-year-old son was just at the Anderson Collection (next to Cantor) for a field trip, and he loved it. Just loved it, and has begged me to go back.” Stanford University, 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford, (650) 723-4177.
Outside interest: “I started walking the Dish (trail) in 1988, when I was at Stanford, maybe every other day. It was my way of getting away and just not hearing the noise. Now we sometimes take the kids; the walk is about 3½ miles.” 400 Reservoir Road, Stanford, (650) 723-2560. http://dish. stanford.edu.
Top ice cream shop: “Cream. They have one in Palo Alto and one in San Mateo. I concentrate less on the ice cream and more on the cookies. I like anything with chocolate, pretty much. Chocolate chip with double chocolate chip cookies, or something like that. If I’m going to have it, I’m going to have it — really indulge.” 440 University Ave. Palo Alto, (650) 3212390; 134 S. B St., San Mateo, (650) 344-2736. www.creamnation.com.
Oldies but goodies: “It’s amazing that the Stanford haunts that I went to 25 years ago are still there — Zott’s in Portola Valley, and the Oasis and Dutch Goose in Menlo Park. It’s tradition to go. There are so many (dining) choices available, but sometimes, you just want a good burger and a good beer.” Zott’s: 3915 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, (650) 854-4004. Oasis: 241 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, (650) 326-8896. Dutch Goose: 3567 Alameda de Las Pulgas, Menlo Park, (650) 854-3245.
Workout recommendation: “Dethrone in Burlingame is a CrossFit-like place. It was started by my neighbor, and his workout classes are 45 minutes, and I am dead by the end of them. For me, when I need efficiency — a quick in and out — it is the greatest place.” Dethrone Basecamp: 261 California Drive, Burlingame, (650) 376-3206. www.dethronebasecamp.com.
Candy fix: “I have many favorites, but the closest one to me is Powell’s Sweet Shoppe in Burlingame. I am a gummy candy gal — Swedish fish, gummy bears, jelly beans. And sometimes I will throw in a Tootsie Pop. Those used to be my favorite. I even wrote my Stanford application about Tootsie Pops.” 1166 Howard Ave., Burlingame, (650) 344-4478. www.powellsss.com.
Fun for all ages: “I’m a big fan of water parks, like Raging Waters in San Jose. How can you not like a water park? They’re just so much fun. I love them. I feel like a kid when I go. They bring out the 5year-old in me.” 2333 S. White Road, San Jose, (408) 238-9900. www.rwsplash.com.