Walnut Creek

Tomatina

1325 north main st., 925 930-9999, (http://www.tomatina.com). one of the more popular restaurants in town offering high quality food and a casual atmosphere. at its opening, the restaurant was affiliated with award winning celebrity chef michael chiarello's tra vigne restaurant in napa, but he is no longer invested in the local mini-chain. one can order brick-oven pizza there with a variety of interesting toppings, or the specialty, "piadine," which is flat bread with a "salad" on top of it. the polenta appetizer is also a must try with baked polenta, parmesean cheese, and tomato sauce.

Va de Vi

1511 mt diablo blvd., 925 979-0100, (http://www.va-de-vi-bistro.com). walnut creek's take on small plates done in chef kelly degala's california asian fusion style with several wines. this restaurant was once touted by famed san francisco chronicle food critic michael bauer as worth a drive from san francisco for its stellar food and inviting indoor-outdoor atmosphere, although a second location was opened in san francisco's presidio district in 2006. many wines are offered by the glass in addition to flights tastes of three different wines. weather permitting, try to eat outside by the oak tree; it's several hundred years old and perhaps one of the oldest remaining wild trees left in all of walnut creek.

Rocco's Ristorante & Pizzeria

2909 ygnacio valley rd., 925 947-6105, (http://www.roccospizzeria.com). deep, deep, deep in the suburbs is one of the best pizza places around. rocco's is your typical red-checker table cloth suburban pizzeria, serving pasta along with pizza dishes. the pasta isn't worth the trip, but the pizza is i suggest anthony's east coaster. go during the special on sundays and mondays --- pitchers of beer are half off and large pizzas are around $12. otherwise go to the website and use the coupon to save money that you can apply toward the gas you spent driving out there.

A Sweet Affair

Ygnacio valley plaza, 925-944-1910, (http://sweetaffairbakery.com/). located in a suburban strip mall about 2 miles outside of downtown walnut creek, a sweet affair bakery and cafe is an outstanding, homely bakery with traditional pastries, such as the cranberry danishes, cinnamon rolls, or blueberry scones. for lunch and dinner, they offer succulent sandwiches on thirteen different freshly-baked breads. they also offer a wide variety of cakes, cookies, muffins, brownies, and coffee/espresso. there is something for everyone.

A modestly priced Cuban-inspired restaurant serving various tapas and other Cuban/Caribbean-style dishes. Located in central downtown Walnut Creek, it's a short walk from Broadway Plaza and the Lesher Center for the Arts. It has an excellent bar that serves a variety of mojitos and other cocktails and it stays open until 11PM on Mondays-Wednesdays and 12PM on Thursdays-Saturdays.

Hubcaps Diner

1548 bonanza st., 925 945-6960, hubcaps is possibly the best place to take the kids. the interior is like a 1950s diner, full of classic car memorabilia. prices are reasonable, and the three-egg omelettes are delicious. service is quick and friendly, and even when things are busy the wait tends to be short. hubcaps preserves the 'small town' feel of walnut creek with the small community of regulars that are always remembered by the staff. they are open 24 hours on the weekends, probably to serve breakfast to the hard-core nightlife after the bars close.

Prima Ristorante

1522 n. main st., 925 935-7780, (http://www.primaristorante.com). an expensive california-italian restaurant. probably one of the better restaurants in walnut creek, but not on par with chi chi restaurants in san francisco. has a very nice wine selection for those so inclined. waiters can be a little snooty but are still friendly to your face and can help you pick the perfect wine to complement your food. next door is prima's wine shop, prima vini, where you can buy exclusive and hard-to-find vintages.

La Scala

La Scala , North Main St opp. Police Station, is a casual coffee house and wine bar style cafe in Walnut Creek. The coffee is excellent, the ambiance laid back European, the food is simple and excellent, and if you ask they will make you an excellent bacon and egg sandwich. A little wifi enabled sanctuary.

Vic Stewart's

850 south broadway, 925 943-5666. if you seek for award-winning "best place for steak" by diablo magazine for 1999-2003 and "award of excellence" by wine spectator for 1999-2004 food, be sure to stop by. located a short stroll from broadway plaza, they are probably one of the finest steak restaurants in the bay area. the menu offers much steak and little else. who cares? if you like beef you will love "vic's". prices are high, so if you are up for investing the gdp of an average eastern european country you will not regret having feasted on their phenomenal new york strip. be prepared for over-the-top food and an overdraft charge on your checking account.

The Door Restaurant

Asian fusion.