If you look up “hidden gem,” you should find a photo of Livermore’s El Chaparrito Taqueria. Don’t let the location deter you. It’s tucked away in an odd building in Springtown, but I knew when my date and I were obviously the only people in the place not fluent in Spanish, that it would be the real deal. We were …
Perhaps the original “pop-up” dinner experience, Outstanding in the Field was founded by Jim Denevan in 1999 as an alternative culinary adventure. Rather than bringing people to the restaurant, Outstanding in the Field brings the restaurant to the people, and in doing turns some of the most beautiful landscapes across the country into dining rooms. Denevan’s vision is to “connect …
Inspired by an enormous soft pretzel that Dan and I enjoyed at World of Beer in Dublin, CA, Dan set out to find a pretzel bite recipe that would replicate that perfection on a smaller scale. After a couple of attempts we were able to make some slight modifications to the directions of Taste of Home’s Soft Beer Pretzel Nuggets …
What began as of vision of best friends in 2007 has grown to more than 60 locations where people can gather to enjoy craft beer, take in a game and listen to live music. Closing in on a year of pouring pints from around the globe, Dublin is home to California’s first World of Beer. The number of beer choices …
The second wave of Burmese restaurant openings has hit the area, with Walnut Creek’s Burma Unique leading the way. With ambiance suitable for a date night or special occasion, the restaurant features page after page of recipes that reflect many of the country’s (now Myanmar) different cultural groups as well as a fusion of spice palates from neighbors Thailand, Laos, China, and …
Last week I caught up with my friend Judy, from My Crazy Adventures, and her husband Keith to cycle through the quaint Northern California town of Yountville. If you’re a foodie, you may be familiar with Yountville, home to the French Laundry and a handful of other Michelin-starred restaurants. Although time constraints kept us from enjoying a leisurely dinner at one …
Barbecue goes upscale at Walnut Creek’s Bounty Hunter. Perfect for a date night or celebration with dad or your recent grad, wood and brick provide a sophisticated look for the new eatery that took over the Tommy Bahama spot. My date and I couldn’t pass up the Pimento Cheese Dip served with a platter of chips. This isn’t your grandma’s …
From Mendocino to the Temecula Valley, California’s wine industry continues to expand. According to the Wine Institute by 2017, the state had registered 127 American Viticultural Area’s, or regions recognized for growing grapes. Travel anywhere within the U.S. and you will find California wines on the menu. Living in the Bay Area, we’re lucky enough to be a day trip …
Don’t get confused if you set your GPS to Dublin’s Market Tavern and think you walked into a wine country eatery. The new restaurant that took over the former Mimi’s Cafe location in the Hacienda Shopping Center is reminiscent of a Napa restaurant. It includes a small grocery where you can buy a bottle of wine, gourmet cheese, snacks as well as …