or espresso-bean gelato? Iced lemon or poppy seed pound cake? 87 Orinda Way, 253-9894. Breakfast and lunch Mon.–Sat. 3$
Hanazen Coco and Kenji
Horikawa offer a Japanese dining experience hard to come by. Coco is a sake expert, and Kenji is well versed in kaiseki, a cuisine that follows the seasons. We loved the creamy, sweet fried eggplant; the leap-off-the-plate-fresh white tuna nigiri; and the carefully trimmed and sculpted vegetables in the takiawase: a dish of simmered roots, legumes, and squashes. 87 Orinda Way, 254-3611, myhanazen.com. Dinner Mon.–Sat. 2$$
La Cocina The food at this adorable little Mexican spot is on the mark. Check out the shrimp ceviche, with plump prawns expertly balanced with avocado, lime, and cilantro. The guacamole is super fresh and rides well on rustic-style tortilla chips. The chicken here comes crispy, moist, and with a surprisingly rich flavor. Real Mexican fruit juices are a glass of summer all year long. 23 Orinda Way, 258-9987, lacocinamexicana. biz. Lunch Mon.–Fri., dinner Mon.– Sat. 24$$$ La Piazza With its copper-topped
bar and cozy wood-burning oven, this is the perfect romantic date spot. But there are plenty of families here too, many loyal since its inception in 1995. We love the zippy clam linguine glistening in lemongarlic sauce. Pizzas here are a delight: Try the fennel sausage with wild mushrooms or the Californian (shredded tequila-marinated
chicken, salsa verde, avocado, and cilantro). 15 Moraga Way, 253-9191. Dinner daily. 13$$
Petra Café The aromas of grilled lamb and garlic waft from this tiny spot near the entrance to the Orinda Theatre. A few seats along the front window and six tables outside make for pleasant on-site eating, but most of the traffic is to go. Prices are amazing, and the menu is packed with Greek classics: luscious lamb-and-feta gyros, souvlaki, baklava, moussaka, and dolmas. 2 Theatre Square, Ste. 105, 254-5290. Lunch and dinner daily. 13$
Piccolo Napoli Piccolo hits just
the right note for Orinda Theatre Square: It’s a convivial Italian café with a relaxed neighborhood spirit. Adults will dig pizzas topped with prosciutto and Gorgonzola, and the Niman Ranch sausage with mushrooms. Kids should be satisfied with the local pepperoni or a bambino pasta. Salads are refreshing; a cut above. Pastas and gluten-free options. 2 Theatre Square, Orinda, 253-1225, piccolo-napoli.com. Lunch and dinner daily. 13$$
Serika This is one of the more
handsome Japanese restaurants in the area. Miso soup is particularly rich, with plenty of crunchy chopped scallion and bits of fried tempura. The red tuna sushi, even in the bento boxes, is fresh, pure, and smooth. The sukiyaki is a stunning still life of vegetables and beef in a sweet elixir of broth. The fry of the tempura is light, both in color and in weight. 2 Theatre Square, Ste. 118, 254-7088. Lunch and dinner Mon.– Sat. 14$$
Shelby’s There’s something about Shelby’s that captures the true spirit of Orinda. Owners Carlos Rangel and Gregory Haynes, together with chef Arno Kober, have successfully maintained the restaurant’s spirit, and the food is solid. A huge salad niçoise boasts seared tuna, mixed greens, hardboiled egg, and roasted potatoes. Pizza and burgers will please young ones. 2 Theatre Square, Ste. 152, 254-9687, shelbyseatbetter. com. Lunch daily, dinner Tues.–Sun.
13$$$
Table 24 Owners Michael Karp and Victor Ivry had a goal in mind for Table 24: a comfy neighborhood restaurant serving affordable, accessible food all day long. The grilled lamb chop lollipops, aromatic with charred rosemary, were tiny but tasty, and served with a side of addictive fries. Combining sausage and cremini mushrooms, the flavorful pasta Goombatz has soul. 2 Theatre Square, Ste. 153, 254-0124, table24orinda.com. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sat.–Sun.
23$$
Siam Orchid This family-run eatery’s fare is especially fresh and light. Salads are particularly delightful here, featuring fresh mint and lime, delicate prawns and minced chicken, a little heat, and a lot of flavor. Curries are varied and never overpowering. Since its renovation and expansion, Siam Orchid is spacious, beautiful, and relaxing, with food that’s a cut above. 23-F Orinda Way, 253-1975, siamorchid orinda.com. Lunch Mon.–Fri., dinner daily. 2$$
Turquoise Mediterranean Grill Everything here, from the
Szechwan Restaurant This cozy
Yan’s Restaurant Yan’s offers
Chinese café makes for an agreeable and reasonably priced lunch or dinner spot. The meatless egg rolls and deep-fried prawns work well as appetizers, and the fresh baby bok choy with beef is a great lunch plate. The dinner menu offers an abundance of all the traditional dishes, including mu shu and chow fun. 79 Orinda Way, 254-2020, szechwanorinda.com. Lunch Tues.– Sat., dinner Tues.–Sun. 1$$
grilled kebab wraps to the hummus to the made-to-order falafel, comes off as light and healthy. Fitting with that theme, the menu features plenty of vegetarian options. Save room for the house-made baklava, which is truly delicious, with a less gooey and lighter texture than the norm. Service is friendly and eager to please. 70 Moraga Way, 253-2004, turqgrill.com. Lunch and dinner daily. $
fresh, well-prepared dishes best described as Chinese comfort food. Care for a rice clay pot? A noodle soup? A sizzling platter? Yan’s has it. Favorites include salt-and-pepper calamari, kung pao (in any form), and curry chicken. The crispy Hong Kong noodles are also a crowd pleaser, as is the chow fun—whether it’s pork, chicken, beef, prawns, or veggies. 1 Orinda Way, 253-9852, yansrestaurant.com. Lunch and dinner Wed.–Mon. 1$$
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