After cooking for restaurants in Aspen, Colo., and elsewhere for a number of years, he moved to Walnut Creek and took a 14-year hiatus from restaurant work. So, after a serious remodeling, his new restaurant, called Friends Cafe and Bakery , opened on July 15. Manteghi kept the opening low-key because he was still training staff and perfecting the menu. Patrons have a choice of cafe seating and light choices or restaurant seating with a full menu. At brunch the French toast has been a winner.
Friends offers boxed lunches and boxed dinners to go.
Danville's Charles Coberry says his Crown and Anchor Pub downtown is finally under construction. He had hoped to have it open by now, but permitting progressed more slowly than anticipated. An opening date is now projected for October. Retzlaff Vineyards hosts two of its summer standbys, the Full Moon Dinners, August 12 and September 9 at its Livermore winery. Winery staff prepares dinner, pairing each course with Retzlaff wines.