Walnut Creek Claims Many “Best Of” Awards for the East Bay

Walnut Creek is known for its many great restaurants and businesses. Diablo Magazine’s Best of East Bay 2011 list proves just that.

Walnut Creek businesses won many of the categories on the “Best of” list, in addition to having a number runner-ups.

The business with the most honors was the Walnut Creek Yacht Club, winning for Best Place to Get Fish Tacos, Best Dining Vibe, Best Bar Menu and Best Bartender, Jay Crabb.

Crabb said he was excited, honored and surprised to receive the recognition.

“We definitely try to put the guest first,” Crabb said. “People first. Drinks come second.”

Crabb has been a bartender for 13 years, working for the Walnut Creek Yacht Club for a little more than a year.

He said the restaurant’s bar menu is different from other bars because it is “ultraseasonal.” The cocktail menu changes based on a farmer’s market approach.

The Walnut Creek Yacht Club also made runner-up for Best Chef, Kevin Weinberg.

“It has more of a family feel than just working a business,” Crabb said.

Best Coffee House went to Pacific Bay Coffee Company on Newell Avenue.

Co-owner, Richard Fong, said winning that honor feels good.

Pacific Bay Coffee Company opened about seven years ago. Fong took over 18 months ago.

Fong originally owned a clothing retail business 35 years ago and traveled to Italy a lot to purchase clothes. It was on his trips to Italy where he found his love for coffee.

He ended up purchasing an espresso machine and serving coffee in his clothing store. After that, he began studying coffee and following his passion.

Pacific Bay Coffee Company roasts its own coffee and Fong said customers are treated as family.

One unique thing Pacific Bay Coffee Company offers is seltzer water with espresso orders to cleanse the customer's palete so they can focus on the flavor of the espresso.

The award for Best Salad Spot went to Lettuce on Locust Street, which opened around more than two years ago. Co-owner Laura Tehrani said Lettuce is a family run business that focuses on having fresh ingredients.

Using fresh ingredients and having a lot of variety is what Tehrani said makes Lettuce stand out.

She said they are happy to be named Best Salad Spot because they work hard to keep the quality up and keep their customers happy.

“We really appreciate our regular customers and we appreciate their support,” she said.

Food and beverages were not the only things listed on Diablo Magazine’s “Best of” list. Yoga Works was named Best Yoga Studio, Lindsay Wildlife Museum won for Best Museum, Kang’s Taekwondo Academy won for Best Martial Arts Class and Main Street Rags won for best Consignment Shop.

Overall, more than 20 businesses from Walnut Creek were named “Best of” in Diablo Magazine’s list, with many more listed as runner-ups. For a complete list of the East Bay's “Best of” go here.