![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Rustic House re-energizes Los Altos downtown
Anoushka Buch
One of the restaurant’s most popular items, the “Fried Po’ Boy” combines sandwich and salad in a brioche burger that encapsulates fried shrimp and a spring mix salad. To go with the setting of the eatery, Rustic House serves the burger with thick handcut potato fries and a housemade coleslaw.
March 20, 2018
Though alive with excitement during the day, the streets of Los Altos downtown at 8 p.m. are quiet and dark. The stillness of the area is interrupted, however, by a bar-and-grill that, from the outside, seems to be the only space pulsing with conversation, alight with activity.
Rustic House recently opened on a corner of Main Street, right in the hub of Los Altos’ downtown. Surrounded by grab-and-go cafés and miscellaneous shops, the bar-and-grill stands out, its sit-down dining a refreshing break from the always-on-the-move feeling of the downtown.
Adults have the opportunity to sit at the bar, right in the center of the restaurant. The restaurant features a rustic theme, in conjunction with the restaurant’s name.
Oaky wood tables paired with dimly-lit yellow lamps help the space live up to its name: everything about the decor is truly rustic with a unique old-style, austere charm.
The restaurant is especially known for its oysters, as the restaurant’s oysters are featured on a separate menu. Descriptions of each oyster selection include the imported location of the seafood as well as the history of their cultivation. Oysters come in multiples of three, shells resting on a bed of ice; the restaurant provides well-paired condiments and garnishes as well.
At its peak, 8 to 9 p.m., the space is abuzz with diners ranging from rowdy young adults seated at the bar to quieter older couples in their sixties. While seeing children at the bar-and-grill is rare, Rustic House takes care to include a kids selection on their menu with simpler options like buttered pasta and chicken strips.
The central theme of the restaurant is seafood; however, Rustic House offers a variety of other options like sandwiches, grilled seafood and unusual pizzas. Specifically, the grill’s appetizers display the most diversity: dishes range from the grilled artichoke ($11) to sautéd scallops complete with bourbon butter sauce ($16).
The grilled artichoke appetizer offers a vegetarian change from the primarily fish-themed menu. Served with garlic lemon aioli, the simple dish helps a customer start their meal off on the right note.
To establish a consistency with the ambience and name of the restaurant, most categories feature a ‘rustic’ item. These dishes tend to be the stars of their respective selections, offering an option that is a new spin on an ordinary recipe. For example, the ‘Rustic Pizza,’ for $24, is topped with three different cheeses, fig preserves and prosciutto.
To end the meal on a sweet note, Rustic House keeps it simple by offering three dessert options: s’mores, key lime pie and cheesecake.
Rustic House’s opening was a remarkable addition to the Los Altos downtown, and its atmosphere and food are family-friendly; overall, the restaurant offers an inexpensive, sophisticated yet lively experience.
