TREVESE RESTAURANT has called it quits after a 2-1/2-year run. Sept. 6 was the restaurant's last day. "We were done in by the economy," said Michael Miller, Trevese's executive chef and co-owner. "We did the best we could and hung on as long as we could."

Miller, who named the Los Gatos restaurant after his wife, Therese, and son, Trevor, said his eye-popping $24,000-a-month rent and inability to grow his local customer base were largely responsible for the closure.

The high-style restaurant was located in the landmark Coggeshall Mansion and earned a devoted following for Miller's inventive take on American food and expert service. Miller's cooking garnered a Michelin star as well as high marks from local critics, including me. But Miller said the restaurant didn't develop a strong enough local clientele to sustain the business. He said the restaurant was a favorite for special occasion dinners but couldn't generate enough regular business week in and week out.

Trevese employed about 25 people, all of whom stayed on to the end after the impending closure was announced, he said. "We had a great party after it was over."

For his part, Miller is looking for work, perhaps out of the area. "Have Michelin star, will travel," he joked.

Grant Sedgwick, who owns the Coggeshall Mansion, lamented the restaurant's closure and called it "a victim of the times." He said he's actively looking for a new tenant, but has no prospects at the moment. Previously, he'd announced plans to remodel the building and add retail space in front of the property.

The Victorian Queen Anne building was constructed in 1891 and has housed a restaurant for more than 30 years. Before Trevese opened in March 2007, the Chart House restaurant occupied the building for decades. Years before that the building was once a funeral home.

Salsa Sighting

Redwood City hosts its second annual Salsa Festival on Saturday, Sept. 26, noon–8pm. Amateur and professional salsa chefs will compete for a $500 grand prize as well as other awards. Salsa award categories include "most creative," "best fruit salsa," "best mild salsa," "best hot salsa" and "people's choice." There will be live music on three stages, a salsa tasting, a tequila tasting and free dance lessons, too. Check it out at www.ci.redwood-city.ca.us/events/salsafest.html.

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