movielover said:
I had heard about Esin, possibly when it had smaller digs. A Turkish friend highly recommended it. So a friend and I went for a late dinner, the bar / reception area went well - but it was downhill after that.
We were seated right next to the noisy kitchen, and if I recall correctly we shared a few items, and wanted the salmon entre split. One was delivered warm, one wasn't. Quite odd. We hadn't finished our meal and the waiter was taking away utensils we weren't done with. We were being rushed out, but we weren't that late or eating up much time. I also found it odd that there appeared to be little Turkish influence as we were looking for something a little different.
It was years ago, but we never went back.
I loved the original Prima, small, intimate, piano player. Millie's Kitchen was fun on weekends.
The Hangout in Pleasant Hill is great, first time I had the iconic chicken (3 pieces) and waffle - I was full for 24 hours. I debated taking the third piece home but figured it might lose the crunch sitting in a refrigerator for 24 hours.
Check out The Hangout!
https://yelp.to/J_Ej41OCZ5
That was probably their old location on the San Ramon/Danville border.
I've never had a disappointing meal at
Esin. Esin, the wife is the pastry chef.
Mostly an older 60 - 70's crowd. A lot of wealthy people from Chevron. High vaulted ceilings, white table cloth, etc.
Prima was great and I was sad to see it go.
Same for
Lark Creek Cafe on Locust Street which put out consistently good food!
Had a few Thanksgiving Turkey Dinners there.
I hate cooking and washing dishes on Holidays.
But sadly, not many restaurants are open on Thanksgiving.
Been hitting
Metro in Lafayette for Turkey Day, but the food and service has been inconsistent.
I used to hit
Millie's a lot about ten years ago.
The service and food were great, but the owner herself was a b**tch.
Cal alum Blaine Landberg owns Calicraft
Upstairs above Va de Vi in WC.
The bar opens up onto a rooftop terrace.
Definitely worth a visit.
Bottomline: The restaurant business is brutal. Even in a retail Mecca like Walnut Creek.