Friday, July 18, 2025

Top Rated Ethnic Restaurants in Walnut Creek- No Filipino Restaurant

This posting is inspired from my many meal time conversations about Filipino Food here at THD. I have resided here in Walnut Creek for 2 years and have been to several ethnic restaurants downtown. However, I was curious what ChatGPT has to say, and here it is...     

Downtown Walnut Creek is a vibrant melting pot of ethnic flavors—here’s a list and guide to some of the standout restaurants bringing delicious diversity to the neighborhood:

🍛 Indian

  • Methi (1251 S. California Blvd): A standout newcomer, Methi serves authentic North Indian fare—rich curries, fluffy naan, and flavorful biryanis. Described as a “hidden gem” with “good, authentic Desi food,” it’s become a go-to for Chicken Tikka Masala and veggie samosas theheritagedowntown.com+8Restaurantji+8Eater SF+8.

  • The Essence (1512 N. Main St): Opened in late 2023, this restaurant aims to modernize classic Indian dishes in a stylish downtown setting Beyond the Creek.

🍣 Japanese & Sushi

  • Tatsu Sushi (near Broadway Plaza): A local favorite adored for its top-tier sushi, free gyoza and miso soup, and fresh fish. Reviewers call it “hands down my favorite sushi spot in the Bay Area” Restaurantji.

  • Thai Thani Oishi (2892 Ygnacio Valley Rd): A hybrid Thai-Japanese eatery — patrons rave about its fresh sashimi, sticky rice with mango, and Red Curry. It holds a solid ~4.1 Google ratingSFGATE+8thaithanioishi.com+8RestaurantJump+8.

🍜 Thai

  • Kacha Thai Bistro (1665 Mt. Diablo Blvd): A sleek, modern Thai option downtown, known for creative takes on traditional dishes like Pad Thai and curries walnutcreekdowntown.com.

  • Andaman Thai (downtown): Praised for its robust menu—Tom Yum soup, Pad Thai, yellow curry—and welcoming vibe. The mango sticky rice after dinner is a must-try .

🫒 Mediterranean / Middle Eastern

🇧🇷 Brazilian

  • Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse (just off Main): A churrasco-style gem with attentive service—rated 4.6/5 with “superb” reviews—and plenty of options for vegetarians, too Restaurantji.

🇵🇪 Peruvian

  • Parada (downtown): A popular Peruvian spot by Chef Carlos Altamirano, offering ceviche mixto, yucca fries, and standout lomo saltado—a flavorful escape from the usual fare Eater SF.

🇮🇹 Italian

  • Montesacro Pinseria (downtown): A stylish dining experience focusing on Roman-style pinsa and Italian cocktails. Highlighted as one of Walnut Creek's best new restaurants in 2025 San Fran Secrets+1Restaurantji+1.

📊 Culinary Pulse

  • Walnut Creek’s downtown/dining district hosts 150+ restaurants, with an uptick in foot traffic—around 6 million visitors annually at Broadway Plaza alone—prompting a surge of new openings like Lokanta, The Essence, and more SFGATE.

🍴 Why Downtown Walnut Creek Shines

  1. Walkable & Diverse – You can hop between Indian, Japanese, Thai, Mediterranean, and Brazilian all in one evening on foot.

  2. New & Noteworthy – The dining scene keeps evolving—newcomers like Methi and Lokanta keep it fresh.

  3. Community Vibes – Many spots, like Lokanta’s community table and cozy bistros, invite lingering conversations over good food.

Pro Tips for Your Tour

  • Make reservations on weekends, especially at newer, buzzed-about places.

  • Look for lunch and happy-hour deals, like Lokanta’s half-price wine on Mondays.

  • Try shared plates in places like Parada and Methi to sample multiple dishes and flavors.

In summary, downtown Walnut Creek is a small but mighty hub for global cuisine—each restaurant adding its own spice to the culinary landscape. Whether you're craving saffron-rich curries, sushi artistry, Peruvian tang, or Roman pinsa, you'll find a delicious adventure just steps from Broadway Plaza.

Personal Note: As mentioned above, there are more than 150 restaurants in the downtown area dining district, but not a single Filipino restaurant. I know there are several Filipino restaurants nearby, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Clayton and of course Oakland.    

Here’s a guide to some of the top Filipino restaurants and spots across the East Bay—places worth visiting whether you're craving comforting homestyle dishes or innovative Filipino-inspired bites:

🍽️ Oakland & Berkeley

FOB Kitchen (Oakland, Temescal)

Located on Telegraph Avenue, FOB Kitchen—founded by chef Janice Dulce—delivers vibrant, island-inspired Filipino food in a welcoming, queer women–owned space. Their silog brunch, pancit, lumpia, and pork adobo are crowd favorites—served with warmth and style KQED+15Eater SF+15Eater SF+15.

Lucky 37 (Oakland)

A local gem spotlighted by the SF Chronicle, Lucky 37 offers crowd-pleasing dishes like sticky-sweet wings and chicken adobo. The spot is praised for making Filipino flavors feel both comforting and accessible San Francisco Chronicle.

🎉 East Bay Suburbs

Isla Grand Restaurant & Bar (Pleasant Hill)

Opened in Oct 2024, Isla Grand embraces Filipino Pampangan traditions with festive service and live entertainment. It’s known for big family gatherings, celebratory atmospheres, and vibrant late‑night crowds Eater SF.

🍞 Bakery & Take‑Out Favorites

Starbread (San Pablo, near East Bay)

A beloved Filipino bakery chain, Starbread is famous for its señorita bread—sweet, buttery rolls with a custardy center that steal the show at gatherings Eater SF+1Food & Wine+1.

🍽️ Culinary Range Across the East Bay

According to Eater San Francisco, the Bay Area hosts a full spectrum of Filipino dining: from turo‑turo steam‑table joints and food‑truck flavors to upscale, modern adaptations. Oakland and the East Bay are increasingly recognized for sizzling sisig, crispy lechon, comforting silogs, savory sinigang, and more The Infatuation+2Eater SF+2San Francisco Chronicle+2.

🌟 East Bay Filipino Food Highlights

StyleRecommended Spot(s)What to Order
Casual homestyleFOB Kitchen, Lucky 37Adobo, pancit, silog
Family-style feastIsla GrandPampangan specialties & live music
Bakery & snacksStarbreadSeñorita bread, ube treats

✅ Tips for Exploring

  • Brunch & silogs: Seek out spots like FOB Kitchen for hearty breakfast-style plates ($10–$15).

  • Large gatherings: Isla Grand is the go-to for festive Filipino-style family dinners.

  • Sweet fix: Starbread’s pastries make a great grab-and-go contrast to savory meals.

Why East Bay Stands Out

  • Cultural diversity: With a significant Filipino-American presence, communities in Oakland, Pleasant Hill, and beyond support eateries rooted in authenticity.

  • Growing scene: From traditional turo-turo counters to buzzy restaurant bars, the Filipino food scene in the East Bay is evolving rapidly.

  • Something for everyone: Whether you're craving casual or celebratory, the options span comforting to creative.

🚗 Planning a Filipino Food Crawl?

Start in Oakland (FOB Kitchen → Lucky 37 ), then head out to Pleasant Hill for a festive evening at Isla Grand. Finish with a stop at Starbread for a sweet end!

Here’s a detailed breakdown of pricing and special menus at two standout Filipino restaurants in the East Bay: I have been to the following two restaurants and I highly recommend these 2 places if you have the desire for Filipino food. 

🌴 FOB Kitchen (Telegraph Ave, Oakland)

Pricing Highlights DoorDash+3FOB Kitchen+3FOB Kitchen+3:

  • Small plates (“Pulutan”): Shanghai Lumpia and Veggie Lumpia are $13 each; Ensalada Talong at $12.

  • Pulutan entrees: Lechon Kawali is $13; Sticky Wings are $15.

  • Brunch & silog: Tocino Silog $17, Tortang Talong Brunch $16, Longanisa Hash $18.

  • Mains: Pork Adobo $20; Sinigang Baboy $26; Bistek Steak $32.

  • Vegetarian & vegan sides: Pancit and Tolang Talong around $15; Kabocha and Brussels Sprouts $8–$10.

  • Desserts: Turon and Suman each $12; Affogato $9.

  • Bar drinks/cocktails: Non-alcoholic mocktails $6–$10; cocktails $15 each Uber Eats+8Restaurant Guru+8FOB Kitchen+8Allmenus+3fob-kitchen.cuba-cafe.com+3Seamless+3.

Key notes:

  • Brunch/silog plates are hearty and range $16–$20.

  • Full bar menu includes vibrant island-style cocktails.

  • Laid-back mid-price range (small plates ~$12–15, mains ~$18–32).

🎉 Isla Grand Restaurant & Bar (Pleasant Hill)

Pricing Overview Zmenu:

  • Appetizers: Pancit Bihun Guisadu ~$25; Kari-Karing Beef Brisket ~$40.

  • Signature dishes: Chicken Inasal ~$22; Boneless Bangus Sinigang $31.

  • Seafood, soups, and stews: Tinola ~$27; Oxtail or beef brisket soups ~$36 each.

  • Party trays / Bilao: “Sulit Bilao” family bundles (price varies by size; group serving).

  • Silog plates & rice dishes: Served with garlic rice, egg, soup, soda — typically $22–$30+DoorDash+11postmates.com+11Uber Eats+11.

Specials & Deals:

  • Birthday Month Free Offer: One-month birthday treat.

  • All‑Day Happy Hour & Early Bird specials (details available in-store) islafilipinorestaurant.com+1Uber Eats+1.

  • “Sulit” deals: Portion-special combos listed on menu (“Sulit Bilao,” “Ala Carte”).

📝 Compare & Choose

FeatureFOB KitchenIsla Grand
StyleCasual, small plates & brunchFamily-style, larger communal meals
Price Range$12–$32 per person$25–$40+ per entrée, group platters
Bar ProgramCocktails & mocktails availableBar and banquet setups
Deals & SpecialsBrunch-focusedBirthday freebies, happy hour, bundles

✅ Tips for Dining

  • FOB Kitchen: Ideal for date brunches or small group bites. Try their brunch silogs ($16–$18) and cocktails ($15).

  • Isla Grand: Great for dinners with friends/family—book for shared "Sulit Bilao" or order hearty solo platters like sinigang or beef brisket ($27–$40).

    I have been to the two restaurants above. If you love Filipino Food, these 2 places are a must for your dining pleasure.

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Thursday, July 17, 2025

Why is Kopi Luwak so Expensive?

This posting is inspired from our recent mealtime conversation here at THD. I heard about this coffee while vacationing in the Philippines, but here's a detailed explanation why it is the most expensive coffee in the world.   

☕ Why Is Kopi Luwak Coffee So Expensive?

If you’ve ever browsed the world’s most luxurious coffees, you’ve likely come across Kopi Luwak, also known as civet coffee. With prices soaring from $300 to $600 per pound, it begs the question—why is this coffee so incredibly expensive?

While the flavor profile and novelty certainly play a part, the real reason lies in the labor-intensive, rare, and ethical complexities behind the beans—especially when it comes to the wild-sourced variety.


💩 1. Labor-Intensive Collection Process

Kopi Luwak gets its unique character from an unusual source: the Asian palm civet, a nocturnal animal native to Southeast Asia.

  • These wild civets roam the forests freely, choosing only the ripest and best coffee cherries to eat.

  • After digestion, the coffee beans are excreted, partially fermented and stripped of their outer pulp.

  • Then comes the hard part: workers must manually search the forest floor for these precious droppings, often walking for hours to collect a handful of beans.

This meticulous foraging process is both time-consuming and physically demanding, contributing significantly to the high cost.

🌿 2. Rarity of True Wild Kopi Luwak

Not all Kopi Luwak is created equal.

  • True wild-sourced Kopi Luwak is incredibly rare.

  • In contrast, much of the coffee sold under the name comes from captive civets, kept in cages and force-fed cherries—often in inhumane conditions.

What makes wild Kopi Luwak so special?

  • The civets naturally select only the highest-quality cherries, enhancing the flavor.

  • The limited quantity available from wild civets makes the product extremely scarce and sought-after.

🧼 3. Careful, Extensive Processing

Once the beans are collected, the journey is far from over. Each bean must go through several careful stages:

  • Thorough washing and sanitation (for obvious reasons!)

  • Drying and fermentation

  • Roasting by skilled artisans, who must preserve the unique flavor developed through the civet’s digestive enzymes

This multi-step process further elevates the labor cost and price tag.

🌍 4. Exotic Appeal + Small Supply = Sky-High Prices

Let’s not forget the curiosity and prestige associated with drinking one of the world’s rarest coffees.

  • For some, it’s a bucket-list experience.

  • For others, it’s about savoring a product that is both natural and artisanal.

  • The combination of limited supply, exotic origin, and novelty factor pushes the demand—and the price—even higher.

🚫 A Note on Ethics

A growing number of experts and coffee lovers are urging consumers to be mindful:
Much of the Kopi Luwak available today comes from caged civets subjected to unethical treatment.

If you’re going to indulge in this rare brew, look for:

  • Wild-sourced certifications

  • Ethical harvesting practices

  • Small producers who prioritize animal welfare

☕ In Summary

Kopi Luwak is more than just an expensive cup of coffee—it’s a story of nature, rarity, and painstaking labor. The high price is justified (in the case of wild-sourced beans) by:

  • The intensive manual labor of locating and collecting wild civet droppings

  • The limited supply and natural selection by the animals themselves

  • The lengthy processing to ensure quality and safety

  • The exotic mystique that appeals to coffee connoisseurs

Whether you're a curious coffee lover or a skeptical sipper, one thing's certain: Kopi Luwak isn’t your average morning brew.

Meanwhile, you can order Kopi Luwak on line. It is on Sale Now from $299 to $199 per Lb.    

Kaya Kopi Luwak starts it life at 4,000 feet (1,200 M) above sea level in the heart of the Pangalengan Highlands of West Java, Indonesia. There, wild and healthy Asian palm civets feast on only the ripest and highest quality arabica coffee beans available. After the civets do their work, our local staff collect and clean the beans before slow roasting them at 391 °F (199°C) to ensure the perfect body yet un-burned taste. We don't cut corners: we are organic, fair trade and environmentally conscious. 

Flavor Profile:

When Kaya Kopi Luwak hits your tongue you will immediately notice that it is remarkably smooth. It has a light, almost pillowy texture that floats in your mouth for several seconds after swallowing. Kaya Kopi is intensely aromatic and even more flavorful. You may taste and smell hints of citrus, jasmine, honey and/or chocolate depending on your batch and the current harvest season. 

https://www.kayakopi.com/kaya-kopi-luwak-16-ounce?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17180983183&gbraid=0AAAAADNd9n0wzXUeQUlB3GwyrfakMR4Ts&gclid=Cj0KCQjw953DBhCyARIsANhIZoZ5NfDB_1OSJb3lF_p2VQkjiivnUByA5yySjscL8D5BfFJXrW1P1gcaAgnkEALw_wcB


Meanwhile, here's an article on the Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee

https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/17/health/caffeine-heart-health-study-wellness?utm_source=cnn_Five+Things+for+Sunday%2C+July+13%2C+2025&utm_medium=email&bt_ee=XxTyBEZkyqsNRumXQTx2Dt%2BIWwxQdX43vTZ%2B%2BdV4sCRJGAvQXLaSlw4sfxsQv6cv&bt_ts=1752411637415

Lastly, my Photo For Today: 

Erotic mosaic stolen in World War II returned to Pompeii

The spicy piece may have once decorated a bedroom floor in a Roman villa.

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Sunday, June 22, 2025

Exclusive Resident Event- A Mexican Sunday Brunch Fiesta

Today's Brunch is a perfect break from our regular Sunday Brunch Menu of Baked Salmon, Shrimp Cocktail, Avocado Slices. Pasta, Salads etc.. The Flyer ( above photo) is advertised as a Fiesta Barbecue with Live Mexican music.  The above menu/dishes however are  authentic Mexican dishes ( legally not a barbecue) and it was very appropriate for the occasion. The brunch was culminated with a dessert of Dulce Leche Cake. 

I took several photos during this brunch and very delighted to share it with You.  Please take note at the two bottom photos- my two photos of the Day.    


























The top two bottom photos are my photos of the Day


Tall, Dark and Guapo Juan Pablo Kissing Tattoo on His Neck
( All the Ladies and a Few Men here at THD is swooning at that tattoo)

My Personalized Red T-Shirt and My Mexican Sombrero. I was suppose to wear at the Event. 

Again, this brunch is a very much welcome event, that improves the quality of Our Life here at THD.  We should have more similar activity in the future. I suggest a Filipino-American Brunch. I will be happy to volunteer  as  Food Adviser to Joel Torres and His industrious and hard-working Crew.   Thank You, THD Management for this Exclusive Resident Event  


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