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A Winter Wonderland: Yosemite National Park

My family and I recently went on a trip to Yosemite National Park. The trip was inspired by my son’s study of John Muir for his class at school. Our stay was so fantastic – we thought we would share our gratitude for this amazing place with you!  What was most surprising for us was how close this true gem is to our home in the Tri-Valley. 

In about three hours, we were staring out at the Merced River from our hotel room’s back patio. We stayed outside of the park (at Yosemite View Lodge-bonus points for an indoor pool!), and drove to the park in the morning. Yosemite is a definite winter wonderland, and the views we were lucky enough to experience were simply breathtaking.  We also had fun walking the Lower Yosemite Fall trail and playing in the snow at Curry Village. Yosemite was awe-inspiring, and we’re hoping to fit in another trip in 2011.

Values in the Tri-Valley – Kids Eat Free

With economic times as they are in the Tri-Valley, it’s important to stretch every dollar. One easy way to do this is to find restaurants where, on certain days, kids can eat for free.  This hit home recently when a Golden family dinner check at Marie Callendar’s in San Ramon was way less because of their Kids Eat Free deal.  It’s a super concept, and with kids’ meals around $5, it can really add up!

I thought it might be helpful to research some of the restaurants in the Tri-Valley that offer Kids Eat Free deals.  To do this, I went online and found that there are whole websites devoted to Kids Eat Free finding.  You can just plug in your zip code or choose a city near you and the website displays Kids Eat Free deals based on your search. A lot of these deals are marketed via word of mouth, so it can be a hunt of sorts to discover them.

At the time of writing this article, the restaurants that I discovered offering Kids Eat Free deals around the Tri-Valley are: Carrows in Dublin (Wednesday & Thursday (4PM-Close)), Chevy’s  in San Ramon, Pleasanton and Livermore (Tuesday), Denny’s in Danville and Pleasanton (Tuesday and Saturday (5PM-10PM)), IHOP in Dublin (Tuesday & Thursday (4PM-9PM)), Marie Callendar’s in San Ramon (Tuesday & Saturday), Izzy’s Steaks and Chops in San Ramon (Sunday & Monday) and Pasta Pomodoro in San Ramon (Tuesday). For all of these restaurants, you must pay for an adult entrée to get a kid’s meal off of the Kids’ Menu for free (at Denny’s you can have up to two kids’ meals free per paid adult entrée). The Kids Eat Free deal age limit is usually based on the age of the restaurants’ Kids’ Menu and some restaurants have time frames etc., so, be sure to call ahead to confirm their Kids Eat Free deal is still on and to understand of all of its requirements and “fine print.”

Christmas Lights Galore

Last night the family and I went Christmas light looking.  This is one of our sacred holiday traditions, as I am sure it is for many of you.  We just drive around San Ramon hunting for our favorite light displays.  Everyone has their favorites, and over the years we have narrowed down our top vote getters. The interesting thing is that they are the same homes that keep topping our list.

As I was driving, I thought about the reliability of these homes and their owners.  Year after year, they put in what must be countless hours building their displays, hanging their lights, setting out their inflatables – for the enjoyment of their fellow Tri-Valley residents.  What kindness! What holiday spirit!  I am amazed at the dedication.  It is because of you homeowners that we are able to enjoy our Christmas light viewing tradition, and we thank you.

A Few Light Looking tips:

• You can always go to lightsofthevalley.com to plan your route first.  We now have our family’s favorites down pat and pay visit to them year after year, but if you haven’t gone light looking much or are on the hunt for a new favorite, give this website a try.  One of our favorite homes is on the website for San Ramon on Ascot Drive.  Gotta love the light show and radio combo!
• Try letting your kids plan your route.  You may not travel in a concise geographical order, but they’ll feel great about getting to plan a holiday tradition.
• It’s not really necessary what with car heaters these days, but you could encourage your kids to bring blankets to snuggle with on the drive. My wife suggested this one year, and, every year after, the kids remember the blankets for these trips.  Proven to add to your Light Looking excitement!
• Make sure to play that Christmas music!  It’s easy to forget to turn on the radio or bring the CD, but it will add the extra sparkle to your evening of fun.

Happy Holidays to you and yours!!!

TriValleyVine Restaurant Review: Dublin’s Amakara

Ahhhhh, sushi.  I love sushi.  If I could eat any meal in a restaurant it would almost always be sushi. I have tried many sushi restaurants in the Tri-Valley including many in San Ramon, Danville, and Pleasanton.  For the past few months, however, I have only had eyes for one place – Amakara in Dublin. 

The first time I went to Amakara, I will admit that I was not overly impressed.  I think they were working out some kinks in their service and their food.  But, at the urging of some very good friends, I went back to give Amakara a second chance.  I am so grateful I did!

My second visit to Amakara imparted upon me an amazing sushi experience; however our waiter was a bit controlling as to how our tables were set up.  It was sort of weird and rubbed my party the wrong way.  But, no matter, the sushi made me a believer.  I officially became an Amakara devotee on that very night.

Every time since, I have had great service from the waitstaff and wonderful food.  Even when we arrive with all of our kids and friend’s kids in tow, the staff does an impeccable job of making everyone happy and routinely and pleasantly stuffed. 

The restaurant is pretty elegant inside and quite large.  The sushi bar is right in the middle of the dining room and is where all the action’s at.  The first several times I went, there wasn’t much of a crowd.  It was a cinch to get a table, even on weekends.  The last few times I’ve been, this hasn’t been the case – it’s plenty busy. 

On a recent Saturday night, we waited 15 minutes (not bad, but not nothing) for a table at about 7PM and the entire restaurant was full for most of the night. I am happy for Amakara; the word is out!  This devotee will call for reservations on future trips.

My Favorites:

Sushi Items You Cannot Go to Amakara Without Ordering: Hawaiian Delight, Spicy Sesame Seared Tuna or ask the chef to make you an original.

Non-sushi Craveables: Amakara’s gyoza is light, thin and crispy, standing out from most I’ve tasted.  I’ve heard of some who love their grilled edamame, but I would hands-down stick with the steamed.  My wife wants me to mention that Amakara offers the option of ordering white meat chicken teriyaki.  This deserves bonus points, as few folks enjoy the knobs that can make the dark stuff downright distasteful.

Tri-Valley Receives a Gift in Danville’s Sideboard

My wife loves to try new restaurants.  She wants me to relay to my readers what she considers a true gem in a newly opened restaurant in downtown Danville.  The restaurant is Sideboard, and it is in the quaint Danville Hotel on Hartz Ave.

Sideboard is a casual restaurant with a concentration on local, organic (when possible) ingredients.  Think of Sideboard as gourmet comfort food at its best.  The vibe in the restaurant is cozy chic done in a modern, welcoming way.  The attention to detail and thoughtful touches make this restaurant a real stand-out and one that needs to be on the top of your “Go and Try” list.

My wife has gone twice with her friends for dinner.  They are open for breakfast and lunch, too.  You order at the counter at Sideboard, and they give you a little table marker and bring your food to your table.  You gather your own utensils, napkins, water.  The water, fruit and herb-infused, is even good at Sideboard.  Some may find this approach a bit too casual, but it seems to work at this unpretentious cafe. 

Everything comes to your table Read more

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