CALIFORNIA COMFORT lafayette's booming restaurant scene
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Crispy Fried Chicken Yummy Mac n Cheese Mind-Blowing Burgers Dreamy Foie Gras Big Breakfasts Velvety Pasta
GETAWAY TO MAGICAL Mendocino So Close and Yet So Far FIVE CANDIDATES CAMPAIGN FOR CITY COUNCIL
NEW ECONOMIC STUDY MAPS WALNUT CREEK’S FUTURE
meet three TASTEMAKERS PASSIONATE ABOUT FINE WINE
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FALL 2018
BATCH & BRINE
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california comfort It's a good time to be a foodie in the East Bay. As the region’s culinary reputation expands, restaurateurs are stepping up their game. Local chefs are pushing the Lafayette dining scene forward in exciting ways with menus featuring everything from wild boar pâté and honey fried chicken to duck confit fries and creamy mac n cheese. Here are some great places to eat.
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in this issue
FALL 2018
15 TALK OF THE TOWN Statistics from a new economic study set the stage for Walnut Creek’s future. A look at the latest retail openings and closings downtown. Craft beer is having a heyday. Meet five candidates running for two city council seats. Build your library with these books from Bay Area authors.
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where & when From museum fashion exhibits to Cirque de Soleil’s Volta to the revival of Miss Saigon, the Bay Area’s fall art and theater season reveals an impressive line-up.
the tastemakers Meet three Northern California luminaries who share a passion for fine wine.
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41 MAGICAL mendocino Escape to this enchanted place on the Northern California coast where the redwood forests converge with the Pacific Ocean, and many chic resorts welcome pets.
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As the East Bay’s culinary reputation expands, local chefs are pushing the Lafayette dining scene forward in exciting ways. Here we introduce you to some great places to eat.
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DINING GUIDE A definitive resource to eating at the area’s top restaurants for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and beyond.
GET READY
for fashion envy
A M A ZO N B O O K S BANANA REPUBLIC FREE PEOPLE JA N I E A N D JAC K K E N D R A S COT T LU LU L E M O N AT H L E T I C A M AC Y ’ S NORDSTROM NEIMAN MARCUS P E LOTO N SEPHORA ZARA
+ MORE
Located At S. Main Street & Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Walnut Creek
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BroadwayPlaza.com
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FALL ISSUE 2018 Publisher Pam Becker Kessler Editor Lauren Kessler Art Director Carrie Wallahan website Cale Finta
Sunday, October 21, 2018 • Downtown Lafayette Live Music - Healthy Lifestyles Fair
8am 5K • 8:15am 10K • 8:45am 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk Dogs and strollers welcome for 10K and 2 mile only.
Register online at LafayetteChamber.org/ResRun
Photography Rachel Capil Alexxa Grace Bob Brittain Jessica Freels Sarah Grunder Scott Hein Josh Isaacs Kyle Luman Brian Murphy Anne Rabe contributing writers Deborah Burstyn Lynn Carey Aziza Jackson Sophie Johnson Kathryn McCarty Fran Miller Alison Negrin Robert Stankus Dale Tafoya Ani Tascian operations intern David Kessler Kessler Communications, Inc. Walnut Creek Magazine PO BOX 5550 WALNUT CREEK, CA 94596 (925)212-5146 email: info@walnutcreekmagazine.com
No print or online material from Walnut Creek Magazine may be reproduced without written consent. walnutcreekmagazine.com
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STEPS AWAY from world-class shopping, dining, and entertainment.
The Heritage Downtown is excited to announce our Partnership with the Lesher Center For the Arts - Providing Downtown Entertainment for all Walnut Creek Active Seniors! Complimentary ticket to our next event, A Christmas Carol, for Walnut Creek Active Seniors!
December 8th | 2:00pm Please call or email jshively@theheritagedowntown.com Reception before show with complimentary refreshments from Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea.
(925) 943-7427 1785 Shuey Avenue â?˜ Walnut Creek, CA 94596 â?˜ theheritagedowntown.com
Dialogue snapshot suburbia In the online neighborhood forum Nextdoor, the conversation Rages on, but DOES go too far? It’s a great place to find moving boxes, college couches, and lost pets. It’s helpful for wildlife sightings. It’s useful for police updates and restaurant tips. But is it OK to broadcast a driver’s name, make and model of vehicle, and license plate on Nextdoor? Here are some highlights from a recent debate. Post on August 22, 2018: “Young adult driver terrorizing our neighborhood!! Beware. This kid drives 70 MPH on Stone Valley Road. He revs his engine and drives out of control. I had enough today! I followed him home and confronted him. I asked him to slow down and be respectful to neighbors. He was polite. We shook hands. I went to the sheriff’s office, filed a complaint and shared a description: male, 5’x 6”, 20-year-old, Middle Eastern descent. Drives without a shirt on. Aviator sun glasses.”
“We spoke about this. I apologized and promised not to be loud because people I care about live in the area. It’s ridiculous to post my license plate, home information, and personal description. I ask you to take this post down due to privacy concerns. Though my car may be louder than others, it doesn’t mean I put others in harm. There are people who do triple digits in exotics up and down Stone Valley Road.
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If you want to take part in the community, act like an adult instead of stirring a ruckus within the town. Thank you.”
“Your community is worried about your safety as much as ours. I'm glad to hear you intend to drive mindfully. Seeing your car wrapped around a tree is what your community wants to avoid. Your warning is a gift, please drive safely.” “Sorry but you need to delete this post. You posted his license plate, he’s entitled to privacy.” “He was in front of me today and on another car’s rear end. The car turned and he gunned it up the road. We should all pay him a visit...” “Publicly shaming a neighbor is not OK. You spoke to him and to the police. You said he was polite and I see his polite response. Perhaps we should put out a warning about you.” FEEDBACK TO SHARE ABOUT OUR STORIES? SUGGESTIONS FOR WHAT TO COVER? Email us: info@walnutcreekmagazine.com
“I applaud you. If you hadn’t posted, this would have been just another wreck less driver. I’m a cyclist who rides local roads and my co-riders have been hit by cars.” “They’re not fat shaming or critiquing his hair. They’re putting him on notice. He’s lucky not to injure someone and he’s making others feel unsafe.” “This post reminds me of my days living in a communist country where neighbors’ turn you into the government because of a statement you made. Please control your urge to be neighborhood cop.” “This is about dangerous behavior, nothing else. The solution is to just stop.” “Good job speaking to the driver. Sounds like he was respectful, and as you said, shook hands. Posting his personal information is unnecessary. Give him a chance to prove he was listening. Honestly, if we had that conversation and then you posted this...I would make a point to rev the engine.”
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Publisher’s Note
COMING up...
Fall is definitely my favorite time of year. It brings with it a flood of childhood memories from Franklin, Michigan where fall meant the opening of our village’s historic cider mill. I can still hear the churning mill, taste the fresh cider, and smell the fried donuts. Fall marks a time for change—not just the seasons and colorful leaves, but making time for impactful rituals like cleaning out closets and donating bags of goods to local charities, volunteering at community events, and warming the souls of family and friends with big pots of soup. Plus is there any better weather?
THE BEST OF WALNUT CREEK 2018 READER’S CHOICE AWARDS
VOTE NOW FOR YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT, SHOP, PLAY!
While we wait for the rain, it’s a good time to celebrate our amazing communities at festivals near and far. One of our favorites is Lafayette’s Art & Wine Festival where thousands of Bay Area residents party on the streets each year in September. Walnut Creek’s Magazine’s beer booth set a record, pouring 30 craft kegs over two days. Thank you to all of our friends who made it happen. As Lafayette’s food scene expands, and friends open new restaurants, we decided it was high time to check it all out and share it with our readers. As it turns out the roster is pretty stacked; generations of local chefs are stepping up their game and turning out incredibly tasty comfort food. Dig in. You may not plan to rent a place or get a job in Walnut Creek, but for the thousands of people who live here and commute to other cities for work, a new economic market study is guiding city officials on creative housing and employment solutions for the future. In this issue, we share some of the study’s findings.
WALNUTCREEKMAGAZINE.COM
RESERVE YOUR ADVERTISING SPACE IN OUR MOST CELEBRATED ISSUE OF THE YEAR
Above all, we introduce you to the five candidates running for a four-year term on the Walnut Creek City Council and competing for two open seats. We share their views, in their own words, so you can get to know them. On a local, state, and national level, if you want to create change, VOTE on November 6. This is a good time to reflect on the past and look to the future. It’s fall after all. Until we meet again, wishing you a delicious season,
Contact: publisher@walnutcreekmagazine.com
or (925) 212-5146
Pam Becker Kessler publisher@walnutcreekmagazine.com
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live from the runway
the dancers of diablo ballet
You’re Invited to a Dazzling Macy’s Holiday Fashion Show Celebrating the 25th Anniversary Season of Diablo Ballet
Saturday
NoV. 17th • 10:30AM Second Floor Dress Department, Macy’s Walnut Creek
Coffee bar, treats, swag bags, and more. FREE EVENT. RSVP REQUIRED:
diabloballet.org
Contributors
Fran Endicott Miller is a freelance travel and feature writer who enjoys exploring Northern California destinations, eating great food, sipping fine wine, and sharing her finds with readers. When not on the road, you can find Fran hiking the open space with her two gorgeous labs.
jessica freels has been taking photos since she was eight years old. Her passion is sports photography because it lets her shine a light on the talented young athletes in our community. A long time Bay Area resident, she resides in Walnut Creek with her son Jake and beloved pooch.
Deborah Burstyn is a freelance journalist who has worked as a staff writer for The Washington Post, Newsweek, the Contra Costa Times and the California wine industry. A longtime Walnut Creek resident, when not writing you can find her in the Open Space or in an art museum.
has been part of the Bay Area theatre scene for over 20 years. Her award-winning plays have been performed on stage in NYC, LA and Chicago. As the theatre columnist for Walnut Creek Magazine, she delivers the best in the Bay Area to our readers.
kathryn G. mccarty
CORRECTIONS: “Coming out of the Green Closet� (Summer, 2018) local cannabis advocate quoted in story was Laurie Light (not Laura), and the new cannabis healthcare provider in Shadelands Business Park is Radicle Health (not Radical).
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talk
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STUDY MAPS CITY’S FUTURE | COUNCIL CANDIDATES WEIGH IN | HAPPENINGS TO KNOW ABOUT
CONNECTIVITY
A New Economic Market Study Helps Map Walnut Creek’s Future Path
W
By Deborah Burstyn alnut Creek’s economy is terrific now. That’s the good news from the city’s recent Economic Market Study. The not-so-good news is that our business sector has too many eggs in too few baskets. Five, to be exact; healthcare, retail, professional services, hospitality, and financial services. Together these five categories represent 71% of the city’s jobs. ➤
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talk
Fun Facts Based on City of Walnut Creek population figures which excludes the Walnut Creek population who reside in the unincorporated county areas.
52,314 people commute to Walnut Creek for work but live somewhere else.
23,621 people live in Walnut Creek but commute to work somewhere else.
9,508 people live and work here.
63,220 jobs in Walnut Creek are spread across multiple sectors generating $9.4 billion in annual economic output.
Want to know more? View the entire Economic and Market Study on the city website: walnutcreek.org.
“Economies narrowly specialized tend to be more vulnerable to economic shocks,” warns the report’s summary page. Over the next ten years, Walnut Creek faces new challenges due to changing economic conditions and technology trends, and increasing competition from nearby communities. Jessica Cole, the city’s head of Innovation and Economic Development explains, “The last Walnut Creek strategic economic development plan was created in 2004. A lot of things have happened since then. Our economic market study is a look in the mirror—it tells us where we were and where we are today. Based on that knowledge, where do we want to be tomorrow? Now we have statistics to help plan the future.”
Integration Two years in the making, the report combines the efforts of city staff and an outside consulting firm. “We are in great shape financially, but what got us here, won’t get us there,” says Cole. "There" meaning future financial stability through industry diversification. Connectivity is key in the future. Walnut Creek’s transportation system is good, thanks to BART and freeway access, but it can be improved with more sidewalks and bike lanes. The free shuttle bus, from Pleasant Hill BART to Shadelands Business Park, is a good example of public/private connectivity, says Cole. So is the LimeBike rental program. ”Since January, the bike system has logged over 20,000 rides.” Look for electric bikes on city streets soon. “Someone who works at the Genome Institute can hop on a bike Friday at 4 pm and go over to CaliCraft Brewing. There they might meet people who work at Kaiser or ARF. There’s wonderful connectivity in that shared space,” she says. At the other end of town, plans are in the works to enlarge the plaza in front of the Lesher Center of the Arts for outdoor events, as well as plans to construct a Main Street mini park, for a community gathering space.
Tech Connectivity also means increasing the city’s overall internet speed by installing dark fiber and offering free Wi-Fi downtown. It’s about creating live/work environments, artisan lofts,
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pop-up tech hubs, and even urban agriculture. According to the report’s findings, one potential deterrent to attracting tech-oriented industries may be the city’s median age—48.6 years. Even when you exclude the senior community at Rossmoor, Walnut Creek’s population is older than the rest of the East Bay. Tech-oriented companies tend to like places with young educated work forces. Healthcare is currently the city’s biggest employment sector, equating to 28% of all jobs. Retail remains strong at $2.2 billion in annual sales, while auto represents 28% of the city’s revenue. It is expected the auto market will decline due to on-demand ride services, short term dealer rentals, and autonomous vehicles. And retail will continue to face online shopping challenges.
Housing Expect continued construction of new apartments downtown as the best way to manage responsible growth and to preserve the character of existing neighborhoods. “We want to maintain a balanced community that includes extended family members,” says Cole. “We want to grow responsibly through thoughtful growth, with places for everyone to shop, everyone to play, and everyone to work.”
What happens next? The hope is that the study morphs into a new strategic plan for the city. Cole and her colleagues plan to collaborate with local business groups such as the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, Walnut Creek Downtown and Shadelands Property-Based Improvement District to transform the report’s ideas into the Walnut Creek of tomorrow. “We don’t want a plan that gathers dust,” Cole says, “We want a plan that comes to life.”
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On the Horizon
Happenings, announcements and things to know about
Transition continues on Locust Street with a few high profile vacancies. City officials site multiple factors, namely that property owners are holding out for ludicrous rents and electing instead to leave buildings vacant rather than negotiating leases. On the vacant Lark Creek front, city officials admit they haven’t been able to land another Bradley Ogden caliber chef to operate the city-owned restaurant space, but say they are getting closer to securing a new tenant. STAY TUNED! Popular paint studio Canvas and
Cabernet relocated to a new space inside The Practice on South Main. Renew Cryotherapy moved to Forma Gym as Crio Wellness Studio. The grab-and-go juice spot, Urban Remedy, closed its tiny outpost adjacent to Veggie Grill. But don’t despair, trendy Denmark-based Joe & the Juice is opening on Locust Street where D. Delucchi Fine Jewelry is currently located. The long-awaited construction of Napa Valley’s Bounty Hunter next to Va de Vi is about to begin, adding another restaurant to Brian Hira-
hara’s expanding culinary portfolio. Speaking of which, Hirahara also tells us development of his muchanticipated food hall, The Foundry, will begin in 2019. Heritage Eats, a new internationally-inspired fast casual opened at Broadway Plaza dishing up wraps, bowls, and tacos. Craft beer lovers are buzzing about Walnut Creek’s growing brew scene. Rotator Taproom opened on Pine Street and Mike Hess Brewing Co. is pouring at the other end of town in The Orchards.
GOT SCOOP? EMAIL IT TO US AT INFO@WALNUTCREEKMAGAZINE.COM.
HOWL-OOO-WEEN! TRICK OR TREAT at an evening of mad fun for little ghosts, goblins, and their families. Come in costume (if you dare!) get your face painted, listen to spooky stories, and meet some creepy crawly friends and not-so-scary animals. October 25, 5:30-8:00PM, Lindsay Wildlife Experience, lindsaywildlife.org. CALLING ALL GHOULS AND GOBLINS! And princesses and superheroes! Downtown Walnut Creek invites you to creep through the streets and gather up goodies from local businesses. October 27, 2:00-5:00PM, starting location Lesher Center, walnutcreekdowntown.com. Bring your little ones to Broadway Plaza for a very cool COMMUNITY HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT. Everyone is encouraged to wear costumes. October 31, 5:30-7:00PM, broadwayplaza.com.
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Restore Your Health In a Matter of Minutes
on the horizon Fresh produce at wholesale prices is available for seniors at Market Day on the second Tuesday of every month in Civic Park. The citysponsored event promotes health and wellness for older adults at affordable prices. Details: Cash Only! November 13 & December 11, 10:30am-12:30pm, Civic Park Community Center, Walnut Creek.
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Sharing a meal with family and friends is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Feed Your People offers big-batch recipes from chefs and cooks including Alice Waters, Bryant Terry, Gonzalo Guzman, Joyce Goldstein, and Tanya Holland. You’ll find dumpling dinners, vegetarian suppers, meatball fund-raisers, soup swaps, and chili cook-offs.
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Bud Crawl Find out what the buzz is all about. Take a tour of San Francisco cannabis dispensaries with Green Tour and learn about the science, history, agriculture, and benefits of cannabis. greenguide.tours
B Suburbia
ackyard barbecues, block parties, yard work. The shag carpeting and mile-high hairdos may be gone, but much about the East Bay suburbs photographed by Bill Owens for his iconic Suburbia collection remains the same.
The Way We Were BY DEBORAH BURSTYN
“Everyone was moving to the suburbs; a vet could buy a house with $2,000 down. A two-car garage, a swimming pool, and a Kenmore washer and dryer…all of the things that come with the good life.”
A selection of Owen’s images are on display at a free exhibit in UC Berkeley’s North Gate Hall. While not a traditional gallery, the photos and their intriguing captions are on view along the corridors of the historic 1906 building as part of an ongoing series on documentary photography sponsored by the Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. The exhibit celebrates a new edition of Owens’s acclaimed book Suburbia, first published in 1972. During the late 1960s, Owens was working as a full-time photographer. His assignments took him deep into the heart of the East Bay’s flourishing suburban communities including Walnut Creek, Danville, Pleasanton, Dublin as well as Livermore. Fresh from two years overseas with the Peace Corps and a visual anthro-
"Tupperware Party, 1971" Bill Owens
on the horizon
pology studies major at San Francisco State, Owens saw the rituals of an emerging suburban culture, as much as art and social science as photojournalism. While other photographers of the era, like Diane Arbus, focused their lenses on urban life, Owens photographed a vital shift he saw in how America lived taking place in the East Bay suburbs. And while critics at the time were mocking the suburbs for their conformity, Owens saw the happiness and freedom suburbanites felt in their flight from the cities to new affordable family homes. An entrepreneur and Hayward resident, he went on to found Buffalo Bill’s, America’s first brewpub, and the American Distilled Spirits Institute, an organization he still helps run at age 80. Owen’s is working on a new book about the ill-fated 1969 Rolling Stones Concert at Altamont. He’s a National Endowment for the Arts and Guggenheim Fellowship recipient. Through January 7, Monday-Friday, 8am – 6pm. Hearst and Euclid Avenues on the UC Berkeley campus.
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MEET THE CANDIDATES Four hopefuls challenge incumbent Cindy Silva for a seat on the Walnut Creek City Council. Get to know the people who may impact the city’s future. Vote November 6.
CINDY SILVA Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Silva was first elected in 2006, and served as mayor in 2010-11, and again in 2012-13. Silva sits on multiple commissions and task forces, in both the public and non-profit sectors. She is seeking her fourth, four-year term, on the council. Political Party Affiliation: Declined to state. “Under the California Constitution, local government is non-partisan. This is why local government enjoys a higher level of public satisfaction than Sacramento or D.C. My job as a councilmember is to represent all members of our community.” Measure A Height Limits: “The 1985 voter-approved initiative has done what residents wanted when they put it on the ballot: to control growth. Others point out that changes to Measure A could facilitate better local jobs. Clearly, any changes to Measure A will require community discussion and a vote of the people.” Prop 10 Rent Control: “Affordability has been among my top priorities. In the last 15 years we have built 330 units of affordable housing. If I’m re-elected, I will continue this priority, regardless of the outcome of Proposition 10 at the state level.” Downtown Specific Plans: “The West Downtown Plan took seven years and encompasses 190 acres. It sets the stage for the future.” Cannabis: “Let’s wait and see about opening brick mortar locations in Walnut Creek.” Why are you running? “I am running for re-election because I care deeply about the community and believe I can use my experience to make a real difference as we go forward. Among our accomplishments: the All-Abilities Playground at Heather Farm; the new pool at Larkey Park; new police staff; a ‘down payment’ of $14 million for pension liabilities; an attendant-assisted parking program, and creation of homelessness task force with county and local officials.”
IMAN NOVIN Serving his second term on the city’s planning commission, Iman Novin is a principal at Novin Development, a real estate development firm. A resident at the Lyric apartments, Novin is on the board of the WC Chamber of Commerce and Trinity Center.
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Party Affiliation: Local races are non-partisan. I believe in working with other council members to accomplish what is important for residents. That said, I am a lifelong Democrat. I believe it is important for our city council to reflect the diversity of our community. Right now, it’s composed of four Republicans and one Democrat. Two of my Republican opponents recently changed their party affiliation to ‘decline to state.’ The majority of Walnut Creek residents are moderate democrats and the current council makeup does not reflect the population. This is one of the reasons why I’m running.” Downtown Specific Plans: “These are vision setting documents so we are not ‘spot’ zoning in the future. We need to honor the past and look to the future when considering projects and make certain new developments include community benefit programs from developers.” Measure A Height Limits: “As a current planning commissioner, I understand the importance of balancing growth and preserving character. Walnut Creek voters need to decide whether they want to repeal Measure A. It was appropriate at the time it passed, but may need to be revisited for specific opportunities in a nuanced way. New office space hasn’t been built in Walnut Creek since 2001, primarily because of Measure A. We need high paying jobs, and that requires new Class A office space.” Prop 10 Rent Control: “I do not support the repeal of Costa Hawkins. California is in the middle of a housing crisis driven by lack of supply. In parts of the Bay Area, we added 10 new jobs for every one new housing unit. There’s no denying those hurt most are lower income renters. I agree with David Garcia of the Turner Center, “In the absence of Costa-Hawkins you introduce a tremendous amount of uncertainty. If I’m a developer I need reasonable assurance.” Some investors use bad tactics to force tenants out to increase rents and flip properties. This is not fair, especially to seniors and lower income households. We need provisions to protect vulnerable tenants from unjust evictions.” Cannabis: “It was 64% voter approved, but where we stand on it today, is not the will of the voters.” Why are you running? “I am running because Walnut Creek is a special place and we all want to keep it that way. We have to plan for growth in a smart and balanced way and understand the needs of our neighborhoods. I will bring a fresh voice and vision to the city council and proven experience to balance competing interests. Elections are about the future. The decisions we make today will guide the direction of our community for years to come.”
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meet the candidates
MATT FRANCOIS Land-use attorney Matt Francois served on the city planning commission for ten years, 2007-2018, before entering the city council race. He resides in Walnut Creek’s Parkmead neighborhood. Political Party: “I am not registered with either party but have belonged to both major political parties at different points in life and found good ideas come from both sides.” Measure A Height Limits: “Whether it’s amended or repealed is for the voters to decide. I understand we don’t have the large contiguous office space that larger companies desire. I would be open to asking the voters to revise the Measure A height limits, but only in very specific locations that do not adversely impact traffic or views of Mt. Diablo.” Downtown Specific Plans: The plans represent good city planning for the future, but the West Downtown Plan did not include infrastructure planning. It should have been a part of the plan. We need to provide work force housing for teachers, police, nurses, and firefighters so they can live where they work.” Prop 10 Rent Control: “In recent years, the Bay Area has seen tremendous job growth, without matching housing growth, which has led to the escalation of home prices and rents. While rent control might seem a simple solution, it doesn’t actually solve the problem. In fact, it makes it worse. Studies show rent control makes housing more expensive by limiting supply. It also serves as a disincentive to the improvement or redevelopment of property. In a recent study, a UC Berkeley economist warns that passage of Proposition 10 would worsen the state’s already significant housing shortage. I do not support Proposition 10.” Why are you running? “I am running because I care deeply about this community and want to help steer it toward a prosperous and successful future. My wife Samantha and I moved here nearly 20 years ago because we found a desirable place to live and raise a family. We were attracted to the top schools, the parks and open space, the active downtown, and the arts and recreational amenities. I am running to maintain our quality of life; preserve the integrity and personality of our neighborhoods; address traffic and parking issues; create good paying jobs for residents; and maintain balanced budgets without raising taxes.”
SPENCER DRESS A Northern California native, Spencer Dress moved to Walnut Creek in 2012 and recently graduated from St. Mary’s College with a BA in Politics. Dress wants to bring a new, young voice to city government. As a millennial, Dress embraces
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creative ways and technology to help solve growing city issues such as traffic, parking, and homelessness. Party Affiliation: “I’m a Democrat and proud of it.” Measure A Height Limits: “I believe Walnut Creek and its residents would benefit from an open and transparent discussion where all members of the community would be able to voice their opinions. Let’s put Measure A on the ballot.” Prop 10 Rent Control: “Yes. Local Government should have control over their own city.” Cannabis: “The actions taken by the council will assure there will be no future for a brick and mortar store.” Why are you running? "It’s time for Walnut Creek to start looking toward the future. We have thrived and will continue to thrive as a retail destination, but we need to start focusing on creating a city where 87% of our workforce doesn’t have to commute outside for work. By starting today, we can make sure the Walnut Creek of the future is one where our kids and our grandkids can live, work, and enjoy everything that is great about our city—our parks, open spaces, arts and recreation, and unmatched quality of life. It’s time for the city and its leadership to cease being comfortable with the status quo. We owe it to our residents to make sure Walnut Creek is a place where we can all live, work and thrive.”
REBECCA BYRD A Walnut Creek resident since 1997, Rebecca Byrd entered the city council race to get involved and tackle issues like traffic and transportation. A project management professional, Byrd grew up in a military family and has lived all over the world. She loves Walnut Creek’s weather and considers it a highly desirable place to live. Byrd says her biggest contribution to the city was her work on the construction of John Muir hospital. She entered the council race to “mix things up and create change.” Party Affiliation: Registered Democrat. Measure A: “Is it worthy of a citizen vote?” Rent Control: “Good for some reasons and not so good for others.” Why are you running? “I am running for city council to offer my 25 years of skills as a certified Project Management professional to the citizens of Walnut Creek. There has been a trend in city politics that the insiders run the city and that it is impenetrable, there is a need to change this and get some new faces onto the council. That is why I am running.” –Pam Kessler Sources: Candidates responded to questions in writing for this story. Other comments included here are sourced from responses to questions posed at the Walnut Creek Chamber’s Candidate Forum at Scott’s Seafood in September.
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good reads
Books by Bay Area Authors by lynn carey
Almost Everything Notes on Hope Ann Lamott
(Riverhead, October 2018) In a time when despair and uncertainty surround us, Marin’s Lamott has written a book about finding the hope and wisdom buried deep within. She says the events of late 2016 sent her into dark places until she remembered the importance of hope. Reviewers say “Almost Everything” is insightful, funny, candid, and shows the light at the end of the tunnel.
Lessons from a Dark Time and Other Essays
A Little Tea Book: All the Essentials from Leaf to Cup
He Could Be Another Bill Gates
(illustrator) (Bloomsbury, October 2018)
A rom-com set in San Francisco is the perfect antidote to the news. When Anna’s husband leaves her and their children, a 16 year-old son, who’s on the autism spectrum, and a five year old daughter, who might be gifted, her heart breaks so badly she doesn’t think it can be repaired. Then Anna meets a single dad who also has a special needs son. It could be true love… but not if their ex-spouses have any say.
(University of California Press, October 2018)
Sebastian Beckwith, Caroline Paul and Wendy McNaughton
San Francisco’s Hochschild is many things; social activist, journalist, historian and lecturer. In this new compilation, he updates over two dozen essays and pieces of reporting from his long career. They range from a California gun show, to a Finnish prison, to a Congolese center for rape victims, to a day on the campaign trial with Nelson Mandela. Hochschild, a co-founder of Mother Jones, also shares his love for writers like Mark Twain.
A former firefighter-turned author, San Francisco’s Paul is also a tea-enthusiast. For this charming and sometimes sassy book, she teamed up with tea expert Beckwith, cofounder of In Pursuit of Tea, a purveyor of premium teas to some of the finest restaurants in the country. The cultural and political history of tea is peppered with photographs, as well as fun charts and illustrations.
Adam Hochschild
Donna Levin
(Chickadee Prince, October 2018)
Family Trust Kathy Wang
(William Morrow, October 2018) The patriarch of this Silicon Valley-based family has long alluded that he’s worth a fortune, and now that he’s dying, his relatives want to know how his money will be divided. Los Altos’ Wang tackles all things in her first novel; family, immigrants, Silicon Valley culture, sibling rivalry, gender inequality, secret cameras, and even a fancy yacht. She also questions just what do parents owe their children and what do children owe their parents?
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dog parks
DOG PARK CONFIDENTIAL When your pooch wants to play, take her on an adventure in the East Bay Hap Magee Ranch Park, Danville
Del Valle, Livermore Does your dog
Just minutes from I-680, this beautiful 17-acre park sits under the foothills of Mt. Diablo, separated from the surrounding residential area by mature trees. Walking trails, picnic grounds, playground areas, plus a dog park.
like to hike? There are 3,900 acres to do it in. Is she a swimmer? People and pooches can take a dip in the lake year-round. A roasted hotdog lover? Dogs are welcome at the park's 150 camp sites. Does she love to boat? Rent a rowboat or patio boat, your dog can come along on your fishing expedition.
Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, Richmond Water-loving dogs can splash to their wagging tails' delight at this 21acre park with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin County. Humans can fly kites, watch birds and picnic here, but for dogs, it's all about the off-leash access to the water.
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Sunol Regional Wilderness, Fremont Wilderness is right. There's perhaps no place else you can go in the East Bay that seems so far away from the world and yet be within a 30-minute drive of Fremont and even closer to Pleasanton.
Dog visitors can spend their time there sans leash. How's that for fancy-free? You and your dog can explore the gorgeous region and Alameda Creek.
Redwood Regional Park, Oakland The trails at this stunning park are canopied with trees, providing a shady haven on a hot day. Redwood Regional Park is another East Bay park that allows dogs to be off-leash as long as they're on voice command. Nearly every walker and jogger along these wide trails has a dog, and at some points, the trail is even wide enough to toss a ball around.
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where & when f a l l ar t s | t h e a t e r | da n c e | e x h i b i t s
Curtain Call
SAN FRANCISCO’S HISTORIC GOLDEN GATE THEATRE GETS A FACELIFT
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When the curtains go up on the fall season, theatergoers will get their first look at the newly remodeled SHN Golden Gate Theatre. An architectural standout since it first opened in 1922, the theater has been updated with all of its original splendor restored. ➤
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“We wanted to ensure the theater remained the very best in class,” said SHN CEO Greg Holland. “And with the refurbishments, the Golden Gate has taken its place as the theatrical gem of San Francisco’s mid-Market area.” Updates were grounded in historical research — a new color palette, plush carpeting, customized lighting, rich stage drapery, newly accessible restrooms, and state-of-the-art air conditioning. For most of its early years, legendary RKO Company managed the theatre, converting it into a movie house in 1954 and tearing down much of its original grandeur. RKO closed the Golden Gate in 1972, leaving the building to an uncertain fate. Then in 1979, SHN, a preeminent Bay Area theatrical company, purchased the theater and embarked on multimillion dollar renovations. Over three decades later, it was time for another touch-up. Holland says the neighborhood surrounding the theater is also undergoing a transformation of its own with major players like Twitter, Zendesk, and WeWork bringing new energy to the area. 1 Taylor Street, shnsf.com.
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where & when
With Jewish and Muslim fashion exhibits on display at two different venues, San Francisco is the destination this fall for anyone interested in learning about what style and clothing reveals about culture.
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Contemporary Muslim Fashions showcases the vast diversity of Muslim dress codes around the world and explores how women who cover their heads, and those who do not, have become style arbiters within their communities. High-end fashions, streetwear, and modest designs traversing cultures and religious interpretations. Through January 6, de Young Museum, SF, deyoung.famsf.org.
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Veiled Meanings: Fashioning Jewish Dress travels to San Francisco from The Israel Museum in Jerusalem for the first comprehensive look at a world-renowned collection of Jewish costumes—spanning the 18th to 20th centuries—drawn from over 20 countries around the world. The exhibit is a unique testimony to bygone communities, to forms of dress and craft that no longer exist, and to a sense of beauty that still has the power to enthrall. Through January 6, The Contemporary Jewish Museum, thecjm.org.
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where & when
Contributing Writer Kathy McCarty
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Jenna is a small town Waitress searching for a recipe to happiness and a way to escape her loveless marriage. When she enters a baking contest in a nearby county, the town’s doctor offers a taste of a better life. The show features original music and lyrics by six-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles. October 16 – November 11, Golden Gate Theatre, SF, shnsf.com.
Town Hall Theatre opens its new season with the Bay Area premiere of The Revolutionists, a bold and irreverent comedy by Lauren Gunderson about four badass women during the French Revolution. Through October 20, Lafayette, townhalltheatre.com.
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Inspired by stories of rust belt workers in the blue-collar heart of America’s steel industry, Lynn Nottage’s Sweat focuses on a group of factory workers who share laughs, hopes, and cold beers as a recession looms. Through Oct. 21, ACT Theater Company, SF, act-sf.org.
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Cameron Mackintosh’s new Broadway revival of the hit musical Miss Saigon tells the story of a young Vietnamese woman orphaned by war. She is forced to work in a bar where she falls in love with an American G.I. before the two are torn apart by the fall of Saigon. Through November 4, Orpheum Theatre, SF, shnsf.com.
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Bedford Gallery opens its fall season with Her Room/Her World a series of prints and paintings by New York artist Portia Munson. At the center is a large installation titled Pink Room, consisting of thousands of discarded pink products created by manufacturers to appeal to women and girls. Through December 16, bedfordgallery.org.
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where & when
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Joy Carlin directs the West Coast premiere of Center Rep’s romantic comedy about a young man with Asperger's Syndrome who takes Dancing Lessons from a Broadway dancer. In a surprising twist of fate, the man discovers his instructor is suffering from an injury that may permanently impact her dancing career. October 19 – November 17, Lesher Center for the Arts, WC, lesherartscenter.org.
Spinning history, theater, and gender, Men On Boats is based on the adventures of a 19th-century American explorer and a one-armed Civil War veteran. Playwright Jaclyn Backhaus’s provocative comedy is performed by a cast of femaleidentifying actors who explore historic myths of male conquest on the waterways of the American West. October 17 – December 16, ACT, SF, act-sf.org.
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Diablo Ballet opens its landmark 25th Anniversary Season A Swingin’ Holiday performed to the 16-piece Diablo Ballet Swing Orchestra. The program also features Carnival of the Imagination choreographed by Robert Dekkers. November 9 – 11, Del Valle Theatre, WC, diabloballet.org.
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12 Samantha Rose Cardenas is Thoroughly Modern Millie in this 1920s musical romp. Produced by Contra Costa Musical Theatre, a small town Kansas girl bobs her hair, raises her hemline, and moves to New York City in search of a new life amongst the madcap world of frisky flappers. October 12 – November 10, Lesher Center for the Arts, WC, lesherartscenter.org.
13 Celebrate the life and legacy of two of the 20th century’s most influential designers at The World of Charles and Ray Eames. This inspiring exhibition surveys the careers of the husband wife duo who were driven to create a better world. The 380 works on display—multimedia installations, photographs, furniture, products, films, and artwork—bring the Eames’ ideas and playful spirit to life. October 13 – February 27, Oakland Museum of California, omca.org.
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where & when
14 VOLTA CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
The big top returns to San Francisco when Cirque Du Soleil soars into city by the bay with Volta, a captivating voyage of self-discovery inspired by the adventurous spirit of street sports. This extraordinary performance weaves acrobatics with visually striking themes that celebrate cultural differences and individual qualities in a world where technology often isolates people. November 15 – January 6, Under the Big Top at AT&T Park, SF, cirquedusoleil.com.
15 Witness the work of Jackie Sibblies Drury—one of the brightest voices in American theatre today—as she tackles questions about society and race in Fairview, a thrilling and unpredictable theatrical experience. October 4 – November 4, Berkeley Rep, berkeleyrep.org.
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16 The West Coast premiere of Everything Is Illuminated tells the story of a young Jewish American writer who journeys to Ukraine on an unforgettable journey to find the woman who saved his grandfather from the Nazis. November 9 – December 9, Aurora Theatre, Berkeley, auroratheatre.org.
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Inspired by the internet meme of Women Laughing Alone With Salad, playwright Sheila Callaghan explores gender stereotypes, relationships, and sexism, with a healthy side of humor and mixed greens. October 12 – November 11, Ashby Stage, Berkeley, shotgunplayers.org.
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weekend getaway
Magical Mendocino
Escape to an enchanted place on the Northern California Coast It seems plucked out of a storybook. It's where New England style meets California living and redwoods converge with the Pacific Ocean. A weekend in Mendocino transforms, and it’s only a three and half hour jaunt away. You’ll find dramatic scenery, picturesque storefronts, and fabulous places to stay. And if hitting the road means bringing your furry best friend, the north coast is calling with plenty of dog-friendly resorts. BY PAM KESSLER ➢
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mendocino
Boonville Begin your adventure on Highway 128 in Boonville, where you’ll find a welcoming general store, little boutiques, and good eats. The town’s architecture is eclectic and friendly—a mix of quaint buildings some dating back to the turn of the century. Grab a sandwich with the locals at Mosswood Market, then browse the shelves at Farmhouse Mercantile—bits of decor, kitchen tools, and linens. Head to Hendy Woods State Park for a retreat among the giant redwoods.
Pennyroyal Farm Herds of goats—all with their own names—produce the rich milk that create the world-class goat cheeses at Pennyroyal Farm. (They do sheep cheeses too!) Daughter of the founders of Navarro Wines, Sarah Cahn Bennett founded Pennyroyal Farmstead with her friend Erica after graduating from UC Davis. Take a tour of their amazing farmstead, sip their delicious wines, and savor their creamy cheeses. It will leave you with a lasting memory. pennyroyalfdarm.com
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Anderson Valley Back on Highway 128 to Mendocino, you’ll drive through the Anderson Valley wine region, renowned for its Pinot Noir grapes that thrive in a place where the sun, the wind and the soil meet. Tasting standouts: Navarro Vineyards Robust Pinot Noir wine is the centerpiece sipped while surrounded by sprawling hills of gorgeous vines. They also produce refreshing whites, old-vine zinfandel, and crisp rosé. navarrowine.com Toulouse Vineyards One of Mendocino County’s best kept secrets, Toulouse turns out beautiful Burgundian-style pinots and rose’s. Take your pup and grab a seat at a picnic table. toulousevineyards.com
Goldeneye Winery In 1996, Margaret and Dan Duckhorn established a winery here to make a Pinot Noir that could rival Merlots produced by Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley. Sit on the patio overlooking the vineyards, sip exquisite pinots and savor a cheese or charcuterie plate. goldeneyewinery.com
STAY
Little River Inn Savvy travelers know fall is a good time to pack the corkscrew and the hiking boots for
an adventure on Northern California's coast. As the temperatures slide, hotel rates dip, and nature takes on a colorful glow. A good place to recharge is at the Little River Inn. Pull up an Adirondack chair, breathe in the ocean air, and savor exceptional seafood. Pets are welcome at this historic, family-run coastal retreat, and dog-friendly rooms come with patios and fireplaces. A golf course, spa, and cocktails at Ole’s Whale Watch Bar complete the experience. littleriverinn.com
Pets are greeted with open arms at this eco-chic resort on the Mendocino Coast. Most rooms come with ocean views, fireplaces, and big patio decks. The only eco-vegan coastal resort in California, whether you are vegan or not, a respite at Stanford Inn is truly a remarkable experience filled with fragrant garden aromas and crisp coastal air. Seasonal vegetables emerge in tasty vegan recipes like Sea Palm & Root Vegetable Strudel—local sea palm, carrots, and onion wrapped in sesame phyllo with broccoli, shiitake, and cashews. Stretch in yoga classes, dip in the solarium pool, rent a bike, or take a walk to the coast. stanfordinn.com
E AT
Wild Fish Don't leave Mendocino without eating at this tiny seafood hideaway. If you’re staying at Little River Inn, the resort’s lawn ends at Wild Fish. Gaze out the dining room windows at the waves crashing below while feasting on fresh fish caught just a few hours
Photo by Rex Gelert
Stanford Inn
earlier. Make sure to order the creamy crab bisque and the raw platter stacked with ceviche, mussels, and oysters. wild-fish.com
Ledford House On Highway One, a few miles south of Mendocino in the town of Albion, you'll find this picturesque spot perched on a cliff. An elegant dining room serves a French Country–inspired menu: try a saucy lamb shank or peppercorn encrusted filet mignon. The bar has one of the best views on the coast. Enjoy your dinner to the sounds of nightly live jazz. ledfordhouse.com
Cafe Beaujolais Clapboard inns, cottages, and B&B’s dot Mendocino’s picturesque streets. Inside a charming Victorian surrounded by a white picket fence is one of Mendocino’s top culinary destinations,
Café Beaujolais. Its storied cuisine lives deep in French roots serving eclectic twists on seared foie gras, ranch steak tartare, and ribeye slathered in bone marrow butter. Photographs on the mint-green walls pay homage to local ranchers and farmers. cafebeaujolais.com
Trillium Cafe Another gem in the heart of the village, this restored cottage overlooks Big River Bay. If the weather's nice, sit outside on the dog-friendly patio. Menu highlights include braised short ribs and grilled pork chop with gnocchi and squash. Don't skip dessert: both the chocolate Kahlua torte and fresh Meyer lemon napoleon are worth the splurge. trilliummendocino.com
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mendocino
Eggheads At this popular Fort Bragg hole-in-the-wall, the focus is on eggs. With two dozen omelets, countless Benedicts, and endless scrambles, it’s hard to get a table. Try Dorothy's Revenge: a poached egg with fresh Dungeness crab and bacon smothered in champagne hollandaise sauce. fortbraggrestaurants.com
downtown Fort Bragg serves a wide selection of beers and expansive pub menu. Order the ‘sampler’ for a taste of what’s on tap. Ukiah Brewing Co. & Restaurant and Anderson Valley Brewing Company are also local favorites. northcoastbrewing.com
PLAY
Russian Gulch State Park
Pacific Star Winery
You can go on a one hour stroll here or a full day hike. If you're looking for something leisurely with ocean views, take the onehour Headlands Trail to the park's famous sinkhole, Devil's Punchbowl. If you're up for more action, take the Fern Canyon Trail for an up-close look at the waterfall, about a seven-mile journey. parksca.gov
Take a drive north of Fort Bragg on the spectacular coast highway and stop at the only winery on the California coast. Located on a bluff above the Pacific Ocean, the views are simply breathtaking. They also do some nice wines to sip and savor with a picnic outdoors. pacificstarwinery.com
Botanical Gardens One of the few public gardens in the country on the coast, Mendocino’s botanical gardens are next-level. Stretching across 47-acres, you'll find rhodo-
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dendrons, fuchsias, dahlias, magnolias, and succulents. Another bonus: on-leash dogs are welcome. gardenbythesea.org
Noyo Harbor This picturesque Fort Brag village is the place to watch local fisherman reel in their catch. Grab a seat at a waterfront fish house, order a pint of craft beer, a bowl of steaming clam chowder and an order of fish n chips. Hit the fish market to pack up sea delicacies to take home.
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Whale Watch From November through February, you can watch gray whales migrate from Alaska to Baja California. They return north February through April. These gentle giants tend to swim very close to shore. If you want to get up close and personal, book a whale-watching boat charter.
DRINK
North Coast Brewing Company This beloved craft brewery in
Feast Mendocino At this inaugural event, celebrate fungi, farming and fermentation at restaurants, wineries, and mycologist-led fungi treks. County-wide celebration takes place November 2-11, go to visitmendocino.com.
eat + drink Photo by Jessica Freels
CULIN A R Y D ESTIN A TI O N | W INE LU M IN A R IES | D INING GUI D E
The Hideout
CALIFORNIA COMFORT
I
LAFAYETTE’S BOOMING RESTAURANT SCENE BY PAM KESSLER AND FRAN MILLER
t's a good time to be a foodie in the East Bay. As the region’s culinary reputation expands, restaurateurs are stepping up their game. Local chefs are pushing the Lafayette dining scene forward in exciting ways with everything from wild boar pâté and honey fried chicken to duck confit fries and creamy mac n cheese. Here are a few places worth giving a try.
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The
Hideout
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sincerity. We love good food,” says Meyers. 3406 Mt. Diablo, hideoutkitchen.com.
If you're the type who suffers major FOMO over a delishlooking dish your tablemate ordered, this hidden gem may become your new go-to for California comfort food. Rosie Meyers and her brother JB Balingit opened The Hideout three-anda-half years ago in the back of a strip center off Mt. Diablo. The wood trussed dining room and eclectic design create a welcoming vibe for meals at communal tables. On weekends, the front patio is packed with Bay Area foodies craving the house waffle sandwich: fried steak, cheddar, eggs, doused in sausage gravy. At dinner, they pack the tables for crispy honey fried chicken. “It’s all about making people happy. We grew up in a Philipino culture known for its hospitality, family, and
Photo by Cody and Natalie Gantz
Photo by Jessica Freels
eat + drink
Sideboard Everything is made from scratch here, even the ketchup. Massive English muffins and morning buns burst fresh from the oven. Foodies line up for inventive breakfast eats, like the savory baby spinach salad topped with poached eggs or the torpedo roll stuffed with scrambled eggs and avocado. Dinner means buckets of fried chicken prepared to-go in picnic baskets for families to enjoy in the adjacent plaza park. Husband and wife culinary team, Chef Erin & Ford Andrews, opened their first Sideboard in Danville ten years ago, pioneers in the fast casual dining movement. Their eclectic style and
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devotion to tasty seasonal food has made both restaurants a big hit. “You’ll notice there are no signs at Sideboard. We’re a neighborhood secret and a community hangout. People come for the coffee and stay for the food,” says Chef Erin. 3535 Plaza Way, sideboardkitchen.com.
RÊVE Bistro Tucked away in a little strip center off Moraga Road, black and white checked table cloths and crystal chandeliers create a lovely ambiance at Laura and
Chef Paul Magu’s dreamy Parisian bistro. A classically trained French chef, Magu brings serious culinary training to his cuisine, with previous stints at Paris’ Gerard and at San Francisco’s Ritz-Carlton. Temptations are endless starting with housemade wild boar pâté, duck foie gras, and oysters mignonette. Tender caramelized scallops, sublime steak frites, steamed mussels and coq au vin all burst with incredible flavor. A private outdoor patio is a lovely spot to sip a flute of Domaine AllimantLaugner or Cremant d'Alsace on a crisp fall day. 960 Moraga Road, revebistro.com.
eat + drink
Postino
American Kitchen From its inventive eats to its well-curated selection of brews, family-friendly American Kitchen has become a popular Lafayette spot. Run by long time Lamorinda residents Victor Ivry and Sariah May, the menu emphasizes American comfort food. A favorite is the simple slaw pulled pork sandwich with caramelized onion, arugula and goat cheese. Other mainstays include grilled
Photo by Jessica Freels
This effortlessly hip restaurant put Lafayette on the culinary map in 1998. Postino delivers an elegant rustic Italian dining experience from its Carr Jones historic building. Chef Stewart Beatty started on the line in 2001 and became head chef in 2010, a pioneer in the farm-totable food movement. Beatty’s fall dinner menu features an heirloom tomato, applewood bacon, shaft blue cheese wedge salad that pairs perfectly with his braised short ribs and provolone polenta. Fish, duck, and pasta also grace the menu along with an impeccable collection of wines. 3565 Mt. Diablo, postinorestaurant.com.
Cowgirl jack cheese sandwiches and creamy mac n cheese. Tasty salads, a kid’s menu, huge outdoor patio, plus s’mores night. 71 Lafayette Circle, american-kitchen1.com.
Metro It’s hard to believe this hip slice of San Francisco-like dining is located in a bustling suburban shopping center. A twinkle-lit patio is surrounded by Mulberry trees and trellised vines. Inside, a sleek stainless-steel-topped bar creates a decidedly urban vibe. Zagat-rated and Michelin Guide recommended, Metro has made a mark on the Lafayette food scene. The current menu features a mix of seasonal California-French dishes ranging from a Dungeness crab “parfait” with navel oranges and cucumber puree to a grilled ribeye with smashed fingerlings. Mainstays are tuna poke, peach bruschetta, and crispy Brussels sprouts. 3524 Mt. Diablo Blvd., metrolafayette.com.
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eat + drink panded the outdoor patio to an all-season pavilion of coastal allure. 1005 Brown Avenue, locanda-positano.com.
Barranco Carlos Altamirano’s latest spot for modern Peruvian cuisine sits on a corner of Mt Diablo Boulevard with a sweeping outdoor patio. Chef and owner of seven restaurants—notably
Roam Artisan Burger At this burger spot, Joshua Spiegelman and Lynn Gorfinkle have taken an American staple and flipped it into something exceptional—humanely raised, hormone-free, grass-fed beef, bison and turkey burgers, along with veggie burgers from scratch. “We created a place where our customers can come after a workout, eat a quick, delicious, and healthy meal, and not feel bad about it,’ says Spiegelman. Buns are custom baked locally, pickles are made in-house, and you won't find a drop of corn syrup here. Nine burger combinations are featured on the menu, or create your own. They do truffle-parmesan fries and zucchini onion haystacks on the side plus a farmer’s market salad. 23 Lafayette Circle, roamburgers.com.
Locanda Positano It might not sit above the Tyrrhenian Sea, like its namesake
coastal town, but Locanda Positano authentic food rivals only what an Italian mamma can make. Carmela, owner Enzo Rosano’s Naples-native mother, gives rich pillows of gnocchi new meaning tossed with fresh mozzarella, tomato, and gorgonzola. A traditional lasagna comes covered in veal Bolognese, and the house linguine is smothered in black mussels, Manilla clams, rock shrimps, and sea scallops. Chops, steak and fresh fish round out the menu, along with an ample selection of Italian and California wines. Rosano transformed the former Artisan Bistro space on Brown Avenue into a seashore oasis and exPhoto by Kristen Loken
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Walnut Creek’s Parada Kitchen—Altamirano named Barranco after his favorite seaside destination in Lima known for its fresh fish and tapas. Long tables line the restaurant’s concrete floor creating a communal dining vibe. The food’s eclectic and bold flavors show up in cebiches, antichucho (skewers), and bocaditos (snacks). Dishes are meant to be shared and sipped with Piso Sour cocktails. 3596 Mt. Diablo, barrancokitchen.com.
eat + drink
The Ghaben/Gonzalez clan brings decades of culinary experience to their new Lafayette outpost. Best known for La Ultima and Hubcaps, the family also operates East Bay locations of Mel’s Diner and Black Bear Diner, along with Walnut Creek’s Broderick Roadhouse. Their latest showpiece, Batch & Brine, opened on Mt. Diablo Boulevard over the summer. “Batch & Brine is excited to join the growing dining scene in Lafayette,” says Rolla Ghaben. “Our food is rooted in our family’s passion for bold flavors.” Burgers are the main event here—nine crave-worthy creations. Other staples include house-made pastrami sandwiches; kale, beet, cauliflower salads; and duck confit fries. The open and airy space features custom-painted murals and a large bar. Outside on the patio, lounge chairs around fire pits provide a nice spot for a craft cocktail created by mixologist Casey Carr. 3602 Mt. Diablo, batchandbrine.com.
The Cooperage Four years ago, The Cooperage burst onto the Lafayette dining scene packing their patio with both locals and out-of-towners. Slow-cooked meats emerge from the in-house rotisserie ovens. A lively bar pours cocktails during weekly happy hours, and weekend brunch features sweet and savory favorites: benedicts,
Photo by Chris Andre
Batch & Brine
huevos rancheros, brioche French toast. Lunch is all about big salads and burgers. “This is a place for families, couples, and singles of all ages,” says new General Manager Jonathan Allen. 32 Lafayette Circle, thecooperagelafayette.com.
CHOW A community gathering spot in the heart of La Fiesta Square, Chow is all about seasonal comfort fare at reasonable prices. The outdoor patio has a great vibe (and heat lamps) to enjoy a relaxing brunch of poached eggs on avocado toast,
prawn Louie salad at lunch, or a steaming dish of pot roast at dinner. Finish it off with a piece of decadent chocolate cake. An on-site market sells prepared foods to go and a nice selection of organic veggies. 53 Lafayette Circle, chowfoodbar.com.
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the
TASTEMAKERS 4
Meet Three Northern California Luminaries
Carolyn Wente Tim Jochner Joel Petersoa Passionate About Fine Wines BY FRAN MILLER
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walnut walnut creek creek // fall fall 2018 2018
only a handful of wineries. The industry did not grow until the South Livermore Valley Plan passed in 1992—an initiative which protected the vineyards and the open space from encroachment by residential development. It was a renaissance for our region. We supported our new neighbors, excited to see Livermore wineries receiving accolades for vintages produced in this beautiful region.
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tastemake r
Carolyn Wente 3 w e n t e v i n e ya r d s L iv e rm or e
F
ew family businesses survive past a third generation. Wente Vineyards is run by members of its fourth and fifth generations. As CEO, Carolyn Wente follows in the footsteps of founder, C.H. Wente, her great grandfather, who planted roots in the Livermore Valley 135 years ago. Today thanks to her efforts, the Wente brand is associated with a whole lot more than just wine.
You also oversee an awardwinning restaurant, a summer concert series, and a championship golf course. What is the best way to experience Wente? I am an active outdoors-type so I would suggest taking a vineyard tour or going on a hike with a viticulturist followed by a wine blending seminar where you can handcraft a bottle of wine. If the day is planned right, it ends with a meal at The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards followed by an outdoor concert. Of course a round of golf on our Greg Norman designed course with lunch and a wine pairing is a great alternative. Many California wineries are being acquired by large corporations. How has Wente managed to remain family-owned? We are committed to being family-
What changes in the Livermore wine industry have you witnessed over the years? I was born into the wine business in the 1950’s. My father and grandfather were champions of the California wine industry and encouraged others to plant vineyards and start wineries. There were fewer than 100 wineries in California prior to the 1970’s when a fairly rapid expansion of the industry began. In the Livermore Valley, there were
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tastemakers owned. We consider ourselves stewards of the business with an understanding that we want to be in the business, not that we must be in the business. Therefore, I think each generation has grown the business and left it to the next one to bring passion and energy, love, and success. Each generation has been a part of the journey.
Wente recently launched a “Make Time” campaign aimed at inspiring people to unplug. What led to this effort? Since day one, our winery has been about bringing people together. Whether that be through a shared bottle of wine at the dinner table, or a golf game, or a summer concert. These experiences help people to
form meaningful connections, to avoid distractions like cell phones and instead make time for things that matter like real human connections. Do you have a favorite wine? Of course, I love all of our wines. And I love food, people, and entertaining. So every one of my favorite wines
plays a role in the season, the cuisine, and the occasion. I think my favorite wine is the glass in my hand at the time I am enjoying it. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir are my go to food wines with the greatest versatility for a wide range of flavors and food styles.
L
ong before it was known for its walnut trees, Walnut Creek was known for its grapes. A preeminent growing region in the late 1800’s, grapes were the single largest moneymaker for local farmers before Prohibition decimated the industry. The area's rich soil and temperate climate produced abundant crops. With the opening of their new 10,000-square-foot winery and tasting room in north Walnut Creek, Tim Jochner, and his wife Courtney, are turning back the clock at Shadowbrook.
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tast emaker
Tim Jochner 3
shadowbrook winery wa l nut c reek
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You enjoyed a successful career in the financial services industry. Why start a winery? When we bought our house on Shadowbrook Court, Courtney suggested grape vines to landscape the barren hillside. So we planted them, and a few years later harvested the grapes, and made a batch of wine. While the wine wasn’t great, picking grapes and making wine with friends was a wonderful community experience. We decided to learn how to produce wines that could someday rival Napa Valley vintages. It was 2005 when our deep dive into the
agriculture business began complete with animal hazards, water, noise and pesticide restrictions, plus plenty of red tape. I have a newfound respect for farmers; farming is hard work.
club members, but you can also find Shadowbrook on the list at Moresi’s Chophouse in Clayton and Postino’s in Lafayette. Rocco’s, Massimo’s, and Total Wine also carry limited varietals.
We equate winemaking with Napa, Sonoma, and Livermore. Walnut Creek? Not so much. What makes Contra Costa County a good region for growing grapes? I like to say we were Napa before Napa. The Walnut Festival started here in 1911 as the Grape Carnival to celebrate farmers’ most profitable agricultural crop—grapes. Walnut Creek’s Mediterranean climate is similar to the Rutherford region and best-suited for Bordeaux varietals. We produce very fruit-forward wines, with plenty of tannin and structure, but the varietal character of Walnut Creek’s fruit shines through without lingering soil and mineral aftertastes. Our vineyard’s proximity to Mt. Diablo, means not only unbelievable views, it also plays a big role in cooling the grapes at night, something vines love to thrive
Many of your wines are consistent award-winners. How does it feel to be ranked among the best in the business? Our goal from the beginning has been to make great wine, from grapes grown in Walnut Creek, that could rival the best in the Napa Valley. We continue to do that year after year. Napa quality wines are produced right here.
How many cases do you produce annually? Where can Walnut Creek Magazine readers find Shadowbrook wines? In 2005 we were licensed to produce 1,000 cases, however at our new Northgate Road tasting room and winery, we can do 4,000 cases. We grow and produce Chardonnay, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Petite Verdot, Zinfandel and Viognier. We bottle Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and red blends. Most of our wines are sold directly to wine
Shadowbrook's new tasting room is the first to open in
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Walnut Creek since Prohibition. What can we expect? Our new tasting room is spectacular, rivaling some of the finest. We installed a processing system with state-of-the-art fermentation tanks that are the first of their kind in the United States. I’ve traveled all over the
country, yet to find a more beautiful place than Walnut Creek. The climate, and big city amenities with small town charm, are really hard to beat. This winery project is meant to celebrate Walnut Creek by giving it another feather in its cap.
ta stema ker
Joel Peterson 3 r av e n s w o o d w i n e r y S ONOMA
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tastemakers
B
etting on the underdog Zinfandel grape, wine industry maverick Joel Peterson founded Ravenswood in 1976 and won big. Educated as a clinical laboratory scientist with a degree in microbiology, the Point Richmond, California native started making wine as a sidehustle while working full-time in cancer research at Sonoma Valley Hospital. Peterson didn’t retire until 1992 when his wine brand began to dominate the California Zinfandel market. And although he has since sold the label, Peterson continues to work in the wine industry as consultant to the 100+ growers who produce grapes for Ravenswood’s library of wines. How did your interest in wine originate? It started at a young age. My mother enjoyed sipping and sharing French wines at dinner. My father took our family’s wine passion to the next level founding the San Francisco Wine Sampling Club where I began tasting wines alongside him. As a young adult, I pursued a career in science while using my knowledge of European wines, vineyards, and vintages to consult for the Bay Area’s wine community on the side. Eventually I apprenticed with Joseph Swan—one of California's premier craftsmen of fine Zinfandel and Pinot Noir—and learned the art of winemaking as practiced in Bordeaux and Burgundy. What drew you to Zinfandel? I came to see the older vines as the most European grapes in California; Zinfandel is a
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Photo by Tony Albright
grape that shows the reflection of terroir the best. It was my hope to make wine similar to that made in Europe but with a Californian twist; small open-topped redwood fermenters, hand punchdowns, extended macerations, native yeast, gentle transfer, minimal processing, and small French oak aging—all done by hand. The Ravenswood logo is one of the most recognizable in the wine world. How did it come about? On a fall day in 1976, as ravens taunted from tree branches above, I worked doggedly to bring in four tons
of grapes before a looming thunderstorm hit. Remarkably, it was pouring all around me, but I never got wet. It was like the ravens protected me. The fruit crushed that night produced the first bottles of Zin to bear Ravenswood’s signature ring of ravens. I told the logo’s designer, David Lance Goines, the raven story and he created a logo with three intertwined ravens in a triskelion. It’s become one of the most tattooed images around. After a 2001 sale to wine and spirits juggernaut Constellation Brands, how have you
maintained Ravenswood's “no wimpy wines” vision? As part of the deal, I stayed on as head winemaker, making wine decisions alongside the new owners. For the ensuing 15 years, I enjoyed a large amount of independence, as well as all the support a large organization affords. When it was time to retire, Gary Sitton, Ravenswood’s current Director of Winemaking, had the knowledge to uphold my standards for the brand. I still stop by to check on the grapes and taste the wines with Gary. You’ve had a storied career. What continues to motivate you? Wine has been my passion for as long as I can remember. When I decided to retire from Ravenswood, I knew I wasn’t done, so I started a smaller venture, Once and Future, which I make at Bedrock Wine Co. cellar, owned by my son, Morgan Twain-Peterson, MW.
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Dining Guide where to eat now Edited by Anneli Rufus
These listings include advertisers and non-advertisers at the discretion of Walnut Creek Magazine. We suggest that you phone the restaurants ahead for reservations, current hours, and days of operation. All listings are in the (925) area code, unless noted otherwise. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please write to us: Dine, Walnut Creek Magazine PO Box 5550, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 or email us at info@walnutcreekmagazine.com.
AMERICAN
BREAKFAST JOINTS / BURGERS / SALADS / BARBECUE BACK FORTY TEXAS BARBECUE: Meat is king here - from
steak and sliced brisket to chicken and ribs, much of it cooked according to Austin-style family recipes.100 Coggins Dr., Pleasant Hill, 935-1440, backforty.us.
YOUR
t u C n l a W•••••••••••••••r•e••e••k ACGfNcOP North Locust Street, Between Giamona and Lacassie
OPEN YEAR ROUND
Market Hours: 9am-1pm
BUTTERCUP: At this family- run restaurant, it’s all about savory homemade meals. Besides big breakfasts, Buttercup dishes up lunch and dinner. And on Fridays, they serve Matzo Ball soup. 660 Ygnacio Valley Rd., 932-2763, buttercupgrillandbar.com
CORNERS TAVERN: Upscale comfort food served in a spirited atmosphere. Get communal around the 30-seat bar or hang out in the lounge alcoves with mussels, sliders or garlicky shrimp. Great collection of craft beers. 1342 Broadway Plaza, 948-8711, cornerstavern.com.
DENICA’S: There’s a lot to love at this north Walnut Creek
restaurant starting with the mouthwatering pastries lining the bakery’s shelves. Other show stoppers include Benedict four ways and big salads. 2280 Oak Grove Rd., 945-6200, denicascafe.com.
KATY'S KREEK: With 12 kinds of Eggs Benedict, a full bar and
brunch served every day, this is the place to satisfy your cravings. If your taste buds prefer the sweet, Katy's is famous for its blintzes and Swedish pancakes. 1680 Locust St., 946-0949, katyskreek.com.
LETTUCE: A salad emporium that loads farm-fresh produce into generously sized classics and creative new inventions. Locals love the Napa and Pink Lady salads. 1632 Locust St., 933-5600, lettucerestaurant.com.
Harvest Festival
Activities All Month Long Come In Costume!
•••••• M��e
Markets ••••••
Orinda on Saturdays
22 Orinda Way (in front of Community Park)
9am-1pm
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• /WalnutCreekFarmersMarket www.cccfm.org
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dining guide MOOYAH: It’s a franchise with a load of personality. Take your kids to this colorful burger joint and let them build their own burger and eat it with a side of fries. 1815 Ygnacio Valley Rd., 280-5555, mooyah.com.
RUTH’S CHRIS STEAKHOUSE: New Yorks, rib eyes and filets
are served on sizzling 500-degree plates cooked to perfection. Round out the meal with spinach au gratin and potatoes Lyonnaise at this swanky steakhouse. 1553 Olympic Blvd., 977-3477, ruthschris.com.
SAUCED BBQ: With dozens of tv screens and as many craft beers on tap, Sauced is the place for watching games, while indulging in a heaping pile of nachos. Order the juicy brisket or tender ribs, it’s all good, especially with a side of buffalo blue fries. 1410 Locust St., 433-5957, saucedbbqandspirits.com.
STANFORD’S: Happy hour is hot here with steak bites, flatbreads, and burgers on the menu. This is the place to take a shopping break and sip a signature cocktail. 1330 S. Main St., 944-0895, stanfords.com. SUNRISE BISTRO: The emphasis here is on fresh, healthy food. For breakfast try the sweet potato hash or yogurt pancakes. At lunch, you can’t go wrong with a chicken salad sandwich or big salad. 1559 Botelho Dr., 930-0122, sunrisebistrocatering.com. THE COUNTER: Upscale burger joint where they make it the way you want it, from exotic to classic, and top it with your favorites. Plump patties range from beef, bison, turkey and mahi mahi. 1699 N. California Blvd., 935-3795, thecounterburger.com. THE ORIGINAL HICK’RY PIT: This diner is known for its honest American food served all day with a heaping side of hospitality. House specialties are barbecue ribs and homemade pies. 1495 S. Main St., 935-7450, hickrypit.com. TRUE FOOD KITCHEN: Always packed, Dr. Weil’s culinary venture is a hit here. The grass-fed burger is one of the best in town, so is the beet bruschetta, squash & ricotta pizza, and seasonal salads. Organic, gluten-free ingredients are used in the cocktails. Broadway Plaza, 952-7314, truefoodkitchen.com.
ASIAN
CHINESE / VIETNAMESE / JAPANESE / THAI / FUSION DRAGON POND: Executive Chef Xiao creates Hunan and Mandarin delicacies. House favorites include Mango Chicken, Honey Walnut Prawns and Salt & Pepper Calamari. 1353 Locust St., 926-0278, dragonpond.com.
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ASIAN
CHINESE / VIETNAMESE / JAPANESE / THAI / FUSION LE CHEVAL: Renowned for its classic Vietnamese cuisine,
sample the shrimp rolls, vermicelli salads, lemongrass chicken, clay pots or the sweet curry seafood special. 1375 N. Broadway, 938-2288, lecheval.com.
KOJA KITCHEN: This Korean-Japanese fusion fast casual chain gets high marks for barbecue short ribs and Kamikaze fries. They also do salads and bowls. 1550 Olympic Boulevard, 448-8218, kojakitchen.com.
MIXED GRAIN: Authentic Korean comfort food. Try the bibimbap, a big bowl of fluffy rice, colorful vegetables and creamy egg. Nine condiments accompany every meal, including spicy cucumber and seaweed salad. 1546 Bonanza St., 938-5959, mixedgrain.com. NAMA SUSHI: This casual sushi spot in a north WC strip
mall is always packed with raw fish fanatics craving the chef’s creative rolls, fresh fish and Japanese fare. 1502 Sunnyvale Avenue, 932-9540.
KEVIN’S NOODLE HOUSE: Classic Vietnamese pho noodle
bowls take center stage at this affordable, upbeat spot perfect for lunch or dinner. Tasty fish cakes and spring rolls are good bets for appetizers. 2034 N. Main St., 933-4746, kevinsnoodlehouse.com.
PF CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO: This large Chinese restaurant
manages to feel intimate with an interesting menu that draws on multiple Asian cooking styles. Try the lettuce wraps and Dan Dan noodles. 1205 Broadway Plaza, 979-9070, pfchangs.com.
PLEARN THAI: Regulars pack the tables for the succulent flavors in the barbecue meats, pan-fried eggplant and curry prawns. Save room for the heavenly batter-fried bananas topped with coconut ice cream. 1510 N. Main Street, 937-7999, plearnthaipalace.com. SASA: Upscale Japanese izakaya with dazzling décor and
decadently fresh fish. Melt-in-your-mouth sashimi is served with an array of sake.1432 N. Main St., 210-0188, sasawc.com.
VANESSA'S BISTRO: During happy hour, prices at this popular Vietnamese spot drop to $6 for most small plates and cocktails including green papaya prawn salad, petrale sole fish tacos and crispy Saigon rolls. 1512 Locust St., 891-4790, vanessasbistro2.com.
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CALIFORNIA
PASTA / FISH / ORGANIC PRODUCE A’TRIO: Lively restaurant-lounge inside the Walnut Creek Marriott turns out delicious California cuisine with a Mediterranean flare. Flatbreads, salads, tasty burgers and salmon. Live music on weekends. 2355 N. Main St., 934-2000, marriottwalnutcreek.com.
1515 RESTAURANT LOUNGE: Always bustling for cocktails, flavorful pastas and fresh fish, the heated outdoor patio is a good place to people watch. 1515 N. Main Street, 939-1515, 1515wc.com. CITRUS: This hip restaurant inside Renaissance Club Sport, fea-
tures Pacific Rim dishes and California classics. Sunday brunch is a weekend ritual with Bloody Mary’s on the patio. 2805 N. Jones Rd., 938-8700, renaissanceclubsport.com.
CHOW: Always packed with locals, the menu offers plenty of comfortable choices from sandwiches to brunch fare. An adjoining market sells organic greens, and fresh meats. 53 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette, 962-2469, chowfoodbar.com.
MAIN STREET KITCHEN: Farm-fresh ingredients grace the menu here. Standouts include fish and chips with house cabbage slaw. Burgers are made from grass-fed beef and fried green pickles come with a lemon aioli. 1358 N. Main St., 933-1001, mainstkitchen.com.
MDine-in MCarry-out MCatering MBanquets MSaloon
METRO: In a seriously chic space with a huge outdoor patio, the kitchen turns out international fare from diverse organic ingredients. 3524 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 284-4422, metrolafayette.com. THE PEASANT'S COURTYARD: A casual spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner served in a charming outdoor courtyard. Pancakes, ribs, burgers and calamari. 3195 Danville Blvd, Alamo, 362-0088, thepeasantscourtyard.com.
LEGENDARY TEX The way it was meant to be.
VA DE VI BISTRO: With its sophisticated vibe and al fresco dining under an old oak tree, the restaurant's sips are accompanied by a sampling of small plates--bite size burgers, pasta, risotto, and seafood. 1511 Mt. Diablo Blvd., 979-0100, vadevi.com.
ITALIAN / pizza IL FORNAIO: Italian food so innovative, you’ll forget it’s a chain. Lovely dining room with outdoor seating in the heart of downtown shopping. 1430 Mount Diablo Blvd., 296-0100, ilfornaio.com. MONTECATINI RISTORANTE: An Italian restaurant with staying
925-935-1440
100 Coggins Dr., Pleasant Hill backforty.us facebook.com/backforty
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power; it opened the day of the big earthquake in 1989. The traditional menu features excellent seafood, pastas and veal. 1528 Civic Drive, 943-6608, montecatiniristorante.com.
PINKY’S: Perfect for birthday parties and post-game feasts, Pinky’s is a Walnut Creek tradition. Simple, affordable and comfortable, the pizzeria has remained true to its vision since opening in the 1960’s. 2085 N. Broadway, 939-5000, pinkyspizzawc.com.
POSTINO: In a romantic, fireplace-studded, brick building, executive chef Stewart Beatty and his team create elegant dishes from fresh seasonal ingredients. 3565 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 299-8700, postinorestaurant.com. PRIMA: Everything’s made fresh on the premises at Chef Peter
Chastain’s acclaimed contemporary Italian restaurant. His flavorful risottos and light gnocchi will have you coming back for more. 1522 N. Main St., 935-7780, primaristorante.com.
ROCCO’S: This is the place for pizza aficionados. The meaty Dominator and vegetarian Dante’s Inferno are house specialties, along with heaping pastas and salads. 2909 Ygnacio Valley Rd., 947-6105, roccospizzeria.com. SKIPOLINI’S: Fans flock here for the family vibe and can't- miss pies. The Martinelli, white sauce topped with red peppers, cayenne chicken and fresh spinach, is a house favorite. Legend has it the Prego pizza brings on labor quicker than you can say "more pepperoni, please." 1535 Giammona Dr., 280-1100, skipolinispizza.com. 54 MINT FORNO: Burrata cheese is showcased here in a delicious
appetizer with roasted peppers and on the Campana pizza with arugula. They also make a mind-blowing lasagna from fresh pasta layered with ragu, béchamel and mozzarella. 1686 Locust Street, 476-5844, 54mintforno.com.
sweet Savory salty spicy
the johnny cash burger
CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED BURGERS, FRIES & COMFORT FOOD SCRATCH COOKING • CRAFT BEER & COCKTAILS LU N C H • D I N N E R • W E E K E N D B RU N C H
1548 Bonanza Street, Walnut Creek, (925) 945-6960 BRODERICKROADHOUSE.COM
MEXICAN EL CHARRO: A Lafayette favorite, the margaritas are magic accompanied with chips, salsa and “cheese dip.” From fish tacos to burritos, this restaurant has served generations of locals. 3339 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 283-2345, elcharro1947.com. MARIA MARIA: This beautiful Mexican restaurant is known for its creative dishes like creamy duck tacos, mole short ribs and spicy sweet chile rellenos. Start your meal with guacamole and margaritas. 1470 N. Broadway, 946-1010, mariamariarestaurants.com. CINCO DE MAYO: This authentic downtown taqueria, popular for its seafood and good prices, attracts an eclectic mix of diners. They also serve up some seriously good fish tacos. Grilled or fried they come on a plate with refried beans and rice. Chicken, beef, pork, and veggie tacos are only $2. 1372 Locust St, WC, (925)954-1050, cincodemayorestaurant.com.
MID-TO-FAR-EAST Gyros / Greek Salads / Kabobs
BABALOU'S: Great food at great prices. The Middle Eastern menu is seductive for vegetarians and carnivores alike—with aromatic meats and a tempting display of salads served in a brightly muraled room. 1645 Bonanza St., 930-8000, babalous.com.
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dining guide JACK’S: This restaurant has a warm vibe and big bar. Souvlaki and spanakopita honor the owners' Greek heritage; an eclectic international menu featuring pasta, steak and breakfasts. 60 Crescent Dr., Pleasant Hill, 849-6195, jacksrestaurants.com. SILK ROAD: Good food served in a sunny patio setting. House
favorites are kabobs, gyros and falafels, but save room, you can make a meal from the appetizer plate served with piping hot pita bread. 1440 N. Main St., 932-9090, silkroadwalnutcreek.com.
SEAFOOD SCOTT'S: Elegant surroundings, attentive service and good food. They also do a lavish Sunday brunch, catering and social events. 1333 N California Blvd., 934-1300, scottsrestaurants.com.
WALNUT CREEK YACHT CLUB: For over 15 years, WCYC has been cultivating customers with its lobster and crab feasts, fresh oysters, and fresh fish. The restaurant’s specialties — killer cocktails and phenomenal fish —attract barflies and foodies alike. 1555 Bonanza St., 944-3474, walnutcreekyachtclub.com. YANKEE PIER: Bustling seafood house has an East Coast vibe
and a menu featuring fresh-shucked oysters, an array of grilled fish, popcorn shrimp, and beer-battered clams. House-made desserts and full bar. 3593 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 283-4100, yankeepier.com.
SOUTH AMERICAN Peruvian / Spanish / Brazilian PARADA: While the menu offers a diverse selection, the ceviche
is a must. Fresh fish is marinated in lemon juice and chilies and served with toasted corn nuts and spiced sweet potato. Rotisserie chickens are also a big seller, along with mac n cheese. 7001 Sunne Lane, 448-8118, paradakitchen.com.
SABORES DEL SUR: Chilean cuisine reigns at this north Walnut Creek eatery. You can't go wrong the robust empanadas stuffed with meat or vegetarian fillings inside fresh, flaky pastry dough. 3003 Oak Rd., 954-8300, saboresdelsursf.com. TELEFERIC BARCELONA: Walnut Creek's newest Spanish hot spot serves tasty bites known as pinxtos, ahi tuna swabbed in wasabi sauce, along with fresh paella and steak in a stunning atmosphere. 1500 Mt. Diablo Blvd., 451-9576, telefericbarcelona.com. LIMON: Famous for their rotisserie chicken, ceviche, and paella, the food here takes diners on a delicious journey of Latin discovery. 1524 Locust Street, limonrotisserie.com. 60
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DELIs / cafés
salads / soups / sandwiches CREPES OOH LA LA: Thin pancakes made the Parisian way,
poured on a hot griddle and spread to thinness. Range of toppings for sweet and savory palates. 1548 Locust St., 944-5790.
GENOVA: Italian meats, fresh ravioli and sauces. Take a number;
fans line-up for the fresh sandwiches at lunch. Two WC locations: 1105 S. California Blvd., 939-3838 and 2064 Treat Blvd., 938-2888. genovadeli.net.
KINDER'S MEATS: Specialties at this family-run favorite include marinated ball tip, tequila-lime ribs, and barbecue chicken doused in signature sauce. 1831 Ygnacio Valley Road and 1293 Parkside Drive, kindersmeats.com. MORUCCI'S: Fans travel from several towns away for these savory sandwiches. Try the 6 3/4: turkey, tomato and fresh mozzarella on ciabatta, pastrami or the popular chicken Caesar sandwich. 1218 Boulevard Way, 939-2426. MR. PICKLES: This little sandwich shop serves up flavor-packed sandwiches at great prices. Big enough to split, bread is baked fresh and packed with your favorite fillings. 1991 N. Broadway, 280-5510, mrpicklesinc.com.
sweets, treaTs and bakeries CREAM: The winning combination of ice cream sandwiched between two warm cookies can't be beat. Neither can its superfriendly price of $3 or creative combos like double chocolate chip with peanut butter. 1372 N Main St., 891-4041, creamnation.com. LOTTIE'S CREAMERY: Scoops are packed with fresh ingredients at this ice cream parlor, where everything, including the cones, is made in-house. 1414 Main Street, 472-0723, lottiescreamery.com. NOAH'S BAGELS: Neighborhood deli serves fresh-baked bagels, sandwiches and home-style soups. Two Walnut Creek locations: 1930 Mt. Diablo Boulevard and 730 Bancroft Road, noahs.com.
SAN FRANCISCO CREAMERY: Perfect for birthdays and celebrations, serving up ice cream and toppings the old fashioned way. 1370 Locust St., 926-0228, sanfranciscocreameryco.com. SWEET AFFAIR BAKERY: Sandwiches are legendary here, so are
the morning buns, cream cheese croissants and array of muffins, cakes and cookies that make this a mainstay for over 30 years. 1815 Ygnacio Valley Rd., 944-1910, asweetaffairbakery.com.
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event scene
the heritage downtown photography by josh isaacs
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Summer soiree’ at downtown Walnut Creek’s active senior living community situated in the charming Almond Shuey neighborhood.
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1 Bobby Zerbie, Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Silva 2 Connie Doty 3 Celia Schwartz 4 Lucy Holt, Pat Dunn 5 District Representative Joe Mata, Heritage Downtown Executive Director Barbara Simpson, Mayor Justin Wedel 6 Helene Lynch & friend 7 City Council Candidate Iman Novin, Councilman Rich Carlston, Carol Hiestand, Mary Fenelon fall 2018 / walnut creek
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event scene
white pony express named non-profit of the year by state senator steve gl azier
Through its Food Rescue Program and Free General Store in Pleasant Hill, White Pony Express (WPE) provides free food and clothing to people in need. In under five years, WPE’s program has delivered over 6,700,000 pounds (5,580,000 meals) of fresh, nutritious food and 500,000 items of clothing. To learn more, go to whiteponyexpress.org. 6
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event scene
23rd annual lafayette art & wine festival photography by jessica freels
Thousands of people partied in the streets of downtown Lafayette in September to explore art and handmade crafts, drink craft brews, and dance to live music on three stages.
fall 2018 / walnut creek
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Celebrate the City in our
BEST of Walnut Creek 2018 Reader's Choice Awards
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walnut creek / fall 2018
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GET A FREE TRIAL MEMBERSHIP* CALL (925) 266-3583 OR VISIT THE CLUB TO GET STARTED! RENAISSANCE CLUBSPORT WALNUT CREEK 2805 JONES ROAD | WALNUT CREEK, CA 94597 WWW.RENAISSANCECLUBSPORT.COM/WALNUT-CREEK 66
walnut creek / spring 2018
*Some restrictions apply. Must be a local resident, first-time guest, 21 years or older to receive free guest pass. One per household. ID is required. Call or come in between 9am and 7pm to redeem this offer. Expires 11/15/18.
fall 2018
california comfort
walnut creek magazine