Maurice Carrubba has revived the beautiful Mount Hamilton’s GrandView Restaurant & Venue since taking over ownership and re-opening last year. Along with the success of the restaurant, a new venture has also came along—three months ago Carrubba bought a farm across the street. We sat down with him to talk about the restaurant and the importance of acquiring the farm.

Name: Maurice Carrubba

Occupation: Owner of GrandView Restaurant & Venue

What are your views on healthy food and healthy cooking?

We take it very seriously, and that’s why we are building the farm here. The GrandView Farms, which is located right across the street from the restaurant, will be providing local, sustainable and organic produce for the restaurant.

How do you implement the farm into your restaurant?

You know, we have been in the restaurant business since the late 1990s and we have been buying local/sustainable for years. When the opportunity to buy this parcel across from the restaurant came up we jumped on it. And, wow, this is our opportunity to grow on our own for the restaurant.

What are your plans for the future regarding the farm?

Starting next year, in February, we will be shooting videos of the farm and how the farm production is happening. The videos will be linked to our website, and the farm’s website. The following year we will be having educational classes. This will be a place where kids can come and do projects, and eventually have Christmas trees. My long-term goal is to not only serve the restaurant, but also the community.

How long have you lived/worked in San Jose?

I’ve been living in San Jose for nine years.

At what point did you decide to stay in San Jose and pursue your career?

We have restaurants in Palo Alto, Stanford and Half Moon Bay. This opportunity came up through a realtor and we looked at it and checked out the history, and we fell in love with the place. We decided it would be a great time to revive it again. So we turned it not only into a restaurant, but also a venue.

Why do you think the restaurant has been successful?

Since day one—we opened up a year ago—it has been well received. I’m very happy with the amount of interest there has been and the people who have visited the restaurant. It takes a small village to run a restaurant. Everyone needs to be on the same page and driving for the same goals. When we assembled our team here, from our chefs to our general manager and staff, people left their old jobs because they believed in the vision of the GrandView. I’m proud of them because it shows in our reviews, our repeat customers. And it shows in our staff when you come up here.  People take a sense of pride and ownership in their jobs.

What is your goal for the restaurant?

When people make a commitment to drive up and see us, forget about the view because the view is there, but we want to make the experience the best that it can possibly be .

What do you like most about San Jose?

I love the weather. I love the people. I love the food options that are in San Jose.

If you could change one thing about San Jose, what would it be?

I think San Jose could use some more destination restaurants. The GrandView is one of them.

What San Jose event do you most look forward to every year?

I like going to the events that Little Italy hosts. I enjoy going to the Sharks games. I also enjoy going to Christmas in the Park. I enjoy going to community events.

What do you when you’re not working?

I spend time with my family. I go fishing and hiking. I like to work on projects and those are my hobbies. I like to create.

Who is the most interesting person you know in San Jose?

I got to say in this business you meet people of all walks of life, from professional athletes, doctors, whether they are blue collar or white collar. I find a lot of people interesting, whether they are famous or not famous. I treat everybody the same. I don’t care what you have or you don’t have. This job requires a lot of hours and creativity, and you have to be a people person.

What is the best perk of owning the GrandView restaurant?

Sharing it with all the locals and the community, in general. Not only for the GrandView, but also for the farm. One of the most special things to me is that we get to share this whole place with everyone.