One of my favorite comfort foods is pizza. Locally, there is one restaurant that puts out a superior product. It is a small bakery-café called 54 Mint Il Forno, 1686 Locust St. in Walnut Creek. It is the brainchild of Claudio and Daniele, who operated a white tablecloth restaurant of the same name at Treat Blvd. and Oak Grove for several years. Their current Italian rendition is much more informal. Outside of operating a coffeehouse-like destination in the morning, 54…
As Korean food seems to be on the endangered species list in Orinda, it is necessary to venture all the way to Concord to experience the gourmet offerings of the Gen Korean BBQ House, which recently opened its doors at 1353 Willow Pass Road on the corner near the Water World Amusement Park. Once inside this small Southern California chain eatery, one is transformed into an art deco environment where blue lighting sets the mood for an extraordinary dining experience. …
By Richard Eber If fried chicken offered on the menu of fine dining establishments were a living thing, it would likely be placed on the Endangered Species List. It is virtually impossible to find this golden brown delight in restaurants not called Popeye’s or Church’s — or are named after a long-departed character sporting a white goatee. One significant exception is Casa Orinda, an Orinda restaurant that has been making this dish since this culinary icon opened its doors back in…