Montesacro: The New Go-To Spot

Montesacro is an Italian restaurant in downtown Walnut Creek that also has two locations in San Francisco and one in Brooklyn. I remember when this was Mint 54 and have wanted to try it since it became a full on restaurant, thus I invited some clients who just closed and my neighbors who referred me, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner.

“Montesacro” is the name of a neighborhood in Rome and the restaurant pays homage to this “hardscrabble, working-class quarter…affected by the aftermath of World War II.” They are inspired by old taverns in Rome where they only served wine straight from the barrel and patrons sat on benches along long, wooden tables.

The history is fascinating, but the food is what will keep me coming back. Montesacro sources local and sustainable food from farms and small Italian producers. Right now, they are advertising the “pinsa,” which is a cloud-like pizza – crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Need I say more?

This is a fairly small restaurant, but it was packed at the bar and all the tables. I ordered the carbanarra, one couple split the veal shank. As you can see by the size of the bone, my dog Poppy enjoyed Montescaro too. You can enjoy all your favorite Italian dishes at Montesacro, plus the lively bar scene. P.S. I highly recommend the Pinsa Al p=Pistacchi – shown in the picture above a small size pizza stuffed with pistachio cream. I would highly recommend Montesacro for your next night out or Italian fix!

Love You A Latte 2024

Most every year, I host my Love You A Latte event at a local coffee shop. I held the 2024 event at Tellus Coffee in downtown Walnut Creek. It’s always nice to get some friends and clients together for a coffee and some chatting about life, real estate, and other topics.

This year, I had about 20 people show up to take part. Thank you to everyone who came to Love You A Latte! I hope you had a good time and look forward to seeing you again next year. In the meantime, I look forward to staying connected whether we’re friends, family, or just business associates.

One attendee mentioned how much he loved that I created community with events like this. That is a major goal of mine as a realtor. We live in a wonderful community and I want to be a trusted source for real estate and various service providers and just a great friend to the people who have been here for me most of my adult life. I think we can all stand to interact in-person a little more these days, too!

Love You A Latte was a really great, intimate event and there were some memorable conversations. Tellus coffee (click to see past blog) was also a great place to host this event, just look at all the greenery and brick. The staff was nice and helpful, I highly recommend stopping by for some coffee and great ambiance. I really appreciate the all those who came and look forward to another great event in 2025! Will you be there?

Just Sold: 1148 Fairlawn (Rossmoor)

Recently, I shared a listing for an exquisite unit in Rossmoor. Good news! That unit was recently sold and I have all the details here: after two competitive offers, 1148 Fairlawn #1 in Rossmoor was sold for $735,000. The new owners are getting a wonderful new home.

The unit is a San Franciscan model with a spacious floor plan. On top of that, the home has been updated, upgraded, and tastefully remodeled. A new kitchen, new carpet, and laminate flooring make for a visually stunning place to live. And that’s just the inside.

Outside, a small front patio with a gated garden offers a private place to relax and enjoy the nice California weather. Your designated carport is just steps away, and you can wander anywhere in the Rossmoor community and find something fun and exciting to do.

I am so happy to help another out of area trustee sell there parents home. Being out of the area can be stressful, my job is to make effortless and to consistently communicate as I am the ears and eyes for my clients. If you have any real estate needs in the East Bay or know someone that lives out of the area and needs to sell a family home, please reach out!

1148 Fairlawn #1 Rossmoor

Looking for a home in Rossmoor, a 55+ community? This is an exquisite end unit boasting a spacious open floor plan that is both inviting and relaxing. The unit is a San Franciscan model and perfectly situated for personal enjoyment and for entertaining guests. It is priced at $699,000.

Every portion of the unit has been updated and upgraded, from the tastefully remodeled kitchen to new carpets and laminate flooring throughout. An added bonus room awaits, perfect for your office retreat or a cozy den. In total, it is 2 beds, 1.5 baths, and 1,330 square feet; large, compared to most in this area!

Step outside and bask in the serenity of the front patio’s gated garden and just steps from your carport. Inside, modern convenience awaits with a full-sized washer and dryer, walk-in closet, tile entry, and both bathrooms. This is not just a house; it’s a home. An invitation to experience a life of luxury and leisure.

In the vibrant Rossmoor community, you’ll have the privilege of enjoying a wealth of amenities that cater to every interest and lifestyle. Dive into the refreshing pools, perfect your swing on the golf course, or indulge in a friendly game of bocce ball, pickleball, or tennis. There are clubs and interest groups aplenty in Rossmoor, too, ensuring that every passion and curiosity can find a home.

If this unit interests you or someone you know, give me a call! It won’t last long!

The Little Pear: Delicious In Downtown

A new restaurant opened in downtown Walnut Creek where The Counter burger restaurant used to be. The Little Pear is from the same ownership group (The Worth Group) as The Peasant & The Pear in Danville and The Peasant’s Courtyard in Alamo.

When I visited, I ordered the Bishop Ranch salad with Mexican White Prawns and it was absolutely delicious (unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture!). The Little Pear is open every day except Mondays from 11 am to 8:30 pm (opening at 10 am on weekends) and I highly recommend you add it to your list of downtown Walnut Creek restaurants to try.

They offer a menu for weekend brunch, several tasty starters, soups, salads, sandwiches, specials, and burgers and other entrees. My Bishop Ranch salad had pear, candied walnuts, blue cheese, and balsamic over greens and I still think about it!

They also have nice outdoor seating for when the weather warms up. I have ate at both of their other restaurants which are also fantastic and think The Little Pear will be no different. Chef Rodney Worth grew up in Northern California and learned to make “good food that makes you feel good” while pursuing a Culinary Arts degree from DVC. He has worked at Wente Vineyards, Bizou, and in catering so he has a wide range of experience that you can taste in every bite.

If you give it a try, let me know what you think about it!

Tatsu Sushi In Walnut Creek – YUM!

I checked out Tatsu Sushi in Ygnacio Valley Plaza recently, and I just have a one-word review: YUM. It’s an awesome Japanese restaurant that is apparently very popular, if their extremely busy Wednesday evening crowd is any indication.

I ordered a couple of rolls and they gave us gyoza on the house. We also tried the vegetable tempura. You can see pictures of the meal below, but fair warning; they might make your mouth water.

Tatsu is open for lunch and dinner every day but Sunday, but like I said, the place was really busy on a random Wednesday night. So, make sure you plan in advance for your visit!

On the website, they describe the restaurant as “on the frontier of Japanese fusion restaurants,” and promise the freshest seafood, meat, and produce. The meal I had at Tatsu was definitely fresh and delicious – I will be back!

Please Consider Donating!

Walnut Creek’s Community Service Day is this Saturday, October 14th. The giving season is underway, and if you are considering donating, I ask that you please consider doing so to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. More and more people need help and there are some great sales on the items on the shopping list below. Your generous donations are greatly appreciated!

If you would like to take part, there are four options for giving:

  1. Give a bag of food from your home: put a bag of food in clear view at the end of your driveway by 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.
  2. Donate at any Walnut Creek Safeway: money and food can be donated at any location from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.
  3. Call Kristin: you can call me to pick up your donation or drop it off at my house (190 Arlene Dr., Walnut Creek), as long as it’s done by 10 a.m. on Saturday.
  4. Give online: finally, you can donate by visiting www.walnut-creek.org/service!

Please note that the Food Bank can not take glass items, and that they prefer to receive items listed on the poster. Help us fight hunger now!

    A New Listing In Rossmoor!

    This 1-bed, 1-bath unit (3317 Tice Creek, Unit 4) in Rossmoor has a private fenced-in patio that allows level-in entry from the street. It is a delightful Cypress Co-Op (Entry 12) unit ready for a new owner to enjoy.

    Luxury vinyl plant flooring and a fresh coat of paint enhance the home’s appeal. The kitchen shines with recessed lighting and quartz countertops. A remodeled bathroom with a convenient shower stall, updated fixtures, and a tiled floor awaits your relaxation.

    The unit is surrounded by mature hedges and has an area for flowers, creating a serene haven perfect for soaking in the sunshine or creating a charming garden retreat. You’ll also appreciate the ease of sidewalk access for bringing in groceries or avoiding the stairs. Carport #1601-1 is conveniently located directly across from the unit. As a bonus, you’ll find 10 guest parking spaces and the community laundry room just a few steps away.

    Rossmoor stands as the premiere active-adult community in the Bay Area, offering a plethora of amenities to enhance your lifestyle (Examples: six clubhouses, two golf courses, four swimming pools, a well-equipped gym, a movie theater, art studios, bocce ball and lawn bowling, tennis and pickleball courts, a variety of clubs, and much more!).

    New Restaurant By Heather Farms Is Hopping!

    In the shopping center across from Heather Farms, there is a new restaurant that seems to be very popular. At 11 a.m. the day I went, there was a line out the door, so you know the food must be good or just the shinny new place to try! Mendocino Farms is the name of the lunch restaurant, one of the newest locations of a nationwide chain.

    Most locations of Mendocino Farms are in the Orange County-Los Angeles-San Diego area, but there are also several in the Bay Area, including in San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland. They have even expanded as far as Seattle, Dallas, and Houston.

    The menu looks delicious, which probably explains their popularity! One of the first items you see is “The Happy Hippie” sandwich, with avocado, cucumber, carrots, tomatoes, and more. Or you can order the Mediterranean Crunch Salad, with chicken breast, cucumber, apricot, etc. The creations are creative, colorful, and healthy.

    Mendocino Farms mostly specializes in deli-style lunch combos (sandwiches and salads), but they also offer some baked goods, soups, drinks, and an extensive kids’ menu. Opened originally in 2005, Mendocino Farms is a family business that “invites their guests to “Eat Happy.””

    Dreams Come To Life @ 255 Tamarisk – New Walnut Creek Listing

    Nestled within the charming Diablo Shadows subdivision in Northgate, this single-story residence exudes timeless appeal. Seamless indoor/outdoor integration enhances its allure, with four sliding doors gracefully connecting the interior to a backyard oasis, revealing two patios and lush grass for play, plus RV/boat parking, a potential pool site, and solar power. It’s an entertainer’s haven where dreams come to life!

    The eat-in kitchen with bar seating opens to the living area, destined to be the heart of countless gatherings. Beyond, a versatile formal dining area stands ready for transformation into a refined home office or even a fourth bedroom, adapting to your evolving needs. The spacious living room, adorned with a cozy fireplace, offers exceptional tranquility—a place to retreat and unwind in blissful seclusion.

    The primary bedroom showcases a remodeled bathroom and a separate area for hair/makeup application, with a sliding door leading to a patio. Bonus: Finished garage, new flooring, and adjacent to the laundry room lies a lengthy pantry, catering to storage needs and providing a place for essentials and more.

    Beyond the property’s boundaries, a realm of conveniences and delights awaits. Top-rated schools, shopping, dining, and the Iron Horse Trail, weaving through the neighborhood, offer scenic pathways for leisurely dog walks or invigorating jogs. The trail leads to a charming park and a quaint Little Library. This home is a place where cherished memories are born and treasured for a lifetime.

    Check out this 4 bed, 2.5-bath, 2,241 square foot home on a one-third acre lot at our Open House this weekend. The Open Houses will occur on Saturday, Aug. 26th and Sunday, Aug. 27th from 1-4 p.m. There will be a Broker Tour from 11 a.m – 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29th, too. The home is listed at $1,695,000.