Patch took some time to run a few errands Monday and, as always, promptly ran into locals with plans for new business in town -- as well as some trying to hold onto what they have.
We found ourselves in for a quick latte and ran into owner Roos Pal, a business dynamo with plans for Moraga's first Indian food restaurant -- a 26-seat establishment in the old deli location in Rheem Valley Center.
Roos said the name of her latest endeavor will be New Dehli Bistro and that it will focus on "cheap and cheerful" with take-out and maybe a little local delivery. She expects to open in March and so far the Permit Gods are lining up.
Pal said she was torn between opening a Mexican restaurant and one offering Indian cuisine, saying she often hears locals express their desire for more ethnic food choices in town.
"In the end we settled on Indian," she said with a characteristic smile. "We will see how it goes."
zipped in as we were speaking with Roos, and Bill is excited about the new "Buy Local" advertising effort, currently emblazoned on every prescription bag at nearly every table in the place.
"Whaddaya think of that?" Bill, always thinking about new ways to promote local merchants, asked.
And we had to admit it sounded pretty good so we piled into the Patchmobile and head over to the and a little catchup with Kenny Murakami, who was busy cleaning up and re-stocking after the last frost had its way with his leafy wares.
We bought a few things to keep our spirits up and made the run into Rheem, where we heard that a fairly young restaurant there (no names, yet, but we'll update everyone when we can) was struggling and may, in fact, be for sale.
owner Mickey Erez said Wednesday he had not heard that news and expressed interest in helping the business in question, if it is indeed in trouble.
"Maybe we can help them out," Mickey said. Erez added that his business has been doing very well and that they are considering an expansion. "We'll be offering breakfasts, too, soon."
Potential loss of a business is not the news you want to hear but, hey, you get the good with the bad here. If you have any other business-related news, drop me a line.
But decent Mexican can be had if you drive to Pittsburg and go new the New Mecca. Take Railroad and go to the end. Been going for 35 years.No Margharita's though , just ice cold Modelo. I know it is a drive, but one I will take to kill my Mexi-Jones for awhile.
Los Panchos in Pacheco/Danville The burritos at the place near Citibank/soccer store in Lafayette The take out counters in the back of/next to little stores on Monument Glad New Mecca works for many, must have caught it on an off day. Looking forward to Indian food in M-Town. I like going to Terzetto for dinner on Friday and having the curry.
I'm not sure if "touched a button" and "play nice" stem from something I said -- anything iffy in my post was completely unintentional.
New Mecca remodeled and expanded so now you can actually get a seat. Food is still the same.
I can crave Roberto's in Mammoth Lakes after a week in the back country as much as anything on earth. If it was here in Lamorinda? Probably not as much. New Mecca is good as it gets around here, which honestly still leaves a bit to be desired if I am being completely honest. Notice nobody mentions El Charro and Celia's.
El Charro is what it is. We go there several times a year and usually have a good time. Curiously, I swear the take-out is 2x better than the sit-down food.
Asia Palace maybe for Chinese food is as close to a GoTo place we have here. That is a tribute to Alan who is an excellent host. Mexican-Nada drive to New Mecca or Pancho's Burger's Nada- BTW-Smashburger(very good) is coming to WC and InNOut is coming to PH, Habit is OK in WC Pizza-Nada drive to Melo's in PH. Moraga and Orinda could use a real good Diner,Drive in and DIves style joint. Not fancy. Kid friendly. Awesome quality and value. Nobody around here does it though...kinda weird actually. I see intent but bad execution every time. I think the fixed costs and process/permit requirements make it too expensive to try riskier ideas around here, which is why you see them in smaller less expensive areas first. Which is a bummer.
Sad about low snow levels as I have a "girls weekend" planned for early Feb, and am praying for snow all across west too. Enjoy.
Tacubaya is pretty good indeed. As you are aware of my affinity for Betties Ocean View but the hassle makes my trips infrequent. Kirala is good but since the last time I was there I ended up rolling a vagrant in the street who accosted my wife(as we waited outside for a table) and haven't been back. Cactus was our goto when we lived in Montclair.But can be a zoo. Zachary's is good for what it is. But I do not consider it Pizza and the hassle of getting one on College is insane. You are also dead on- I do not spend money in Berkeley/Oakland or SF if I can avoid it on philosophical grounds.