A pergola and fully equipped outdoor kitchen in Menlo Park — built-in gas grill, bar seating, dual refrigerators, custom lighting, and granite countertops that turned an underused backyard into the most-used entertaining space on the property.
The owners of this Menlo Park home had a backyard that wasn't doing much. They came to us with a vision for something that could actually be used — a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and pergola that would make the backyard the most-used spot on the property. The goal was a space good enough for everyday use and serious entertaining, built to the same standard as the inside of the home.
A real outdoor kitchen requires thinking through every detail before anything goes in the ground. Underground electrical, gas, and ethernet lines all had to be run from the house to the kitchen area. Appliance selection, counter layout, storage, lighting, and weatherproofing had to be figured out up front — because once a kitchen like this is built, you don't go back and redo it.
We delivered a complete outdoor kitchen and pergola that turned the backyard into a real extension of the home. The kitchen is built around a 42" built-in gas grill connected to the home's natural gas line, with a double side burner alongside for simultaneous cooking. A drop-in cooler, two outdoor refrigerators, and generous counter space make it work as well for a casual weeknight cookout as a Saturday dinner party. The bar area with seating anchors the social side of the setup, while Thunder White granite countertops and a reclaimed brick exterior give the kitchen a finish that's both refined and built to weather the outdoors. Under-counter lighting and integrated outdoor fixtures make it just as inviting at night. A pull-out trash cabinet, dedicated drawers, and a full pantry with shelving keep everything organized and out of sight when it's not in use. The pergola pulls everything together — shade, structure, and a sense of enclosure that makes the whole space feel like a room, not just a yard.