Orinda: Geppetto’s Caffe; restaurant review

Greater East Bay

Geppetto’s Caffe  

87 Orinda Way, (925) 253-9894.  B-L daily; $.  No reservations. 

Counter-service at this popular spot is usually fast, but sometimes it gets backed up in the morning when customers order espressos and the chocolaty Mexican mocha, a favorite.  A tree- and umbrella-shaded patio is prime in good weather and has a nice view of the golf course across the street, but inside with A.C. is good, too.  Breakfast at Geppetto's Caffe includes a made-to-order egg sandwich (think bacon, egg, and swiss on sunflower wheat), hardboiled eggs, a breakfast burrito, bagels, and an array of pastries from Semifreddi’s (the only pastry made in-house is the chocolate chip cookie).  For lunch, choose from a short-but-sweet menu of sandwiches and salads.  My faves  are the curry chicken sandwich on fluffy housemade sunflower wheat bread, the avocado-turkey-bacon with basil mayo, and the delish chicken-melted Brie-pesto on sourdough.  I also like the hot pastrami on rye and plan to try the BLAT next time.  Note that the turkey club has been described as “orgasmic.”  Sandwiches are big, but you are able to order just a half if you must.  A soup of the day and an assortment of salads are also available, and salted caramel gelato or affogato gelato “drowned” in espresso makes the perfect ending.

menu board at Geppetto's Caffe in Orinda, California

order counter at Geppetto's Caffe in Orinda, California

curry chicken sandwich at Geppetto's Caffe in Orinda, California

hot pastrami sandwich at Geppetto's Caffe in Orinda, California

dining room at Geppetto's Caffe in Orinda, California

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images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
updated 1-14-22

Orinda: Village Inn Cafe (CLOSED); restaurant review

Greater East Bay

Village Inn Cafe  

CLOSED  204 Village Square/Orinda Way, (925) 254-6080.  B-L daily; $.  No reservations.

interior at Village Inn Cafe in Orinda, California

Popular with locals, this simple old-time coffee shop is a box of a room with a counter, Formica and chrome tables, and a wall filled with historic town photos.  The Village Inn Cafe makes no effort to be cute, but it is usually cheery with animated chatter and is famous for breakfast, which is served until 11:25 a.m (on Sunday, it is all that is served all day).  Fresh-squeezed orange juice is always available.

hamburger at Village Inn Cafe in Orinda, California

The menu is classic American fare, which at lunch includes BLTs and ALTs, The Bird specialty sandwich (grilled turkey, bacon, and Swiss cheese on sourdough), and one of the fattest, messiest, and yummiest burgers I have eaten in a long time (the owner grinds the meat and makes the buns from scratch).  When the waitress handed me my burger, she warned, “Good luck with that!”  For my side, I picked the really crispy and greaseless house-made potato chips, but cottage cheese and peaches, macaroni salad, and potato salad are also options.  I indulged in a satisfying root beer float that came with additional A&W in a can, but you can also get an old-fashioned milkshake served in the mixer can or fresh-squeezed lemonade.


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images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Orinda: Europa Hofbrau Deli & Pub; restaurant review

Greater East Bay

Europa Hofbrau Deli & Pub

64 Moraga Way, (925) 254-7202.  L-D daily; $. 

In a large open room, you place your order at the cafeteria-style service bar.  You’re on your own to find a table and secure your utensils, water, and condiments.  The menu at Europa Hofbrau Deli & Pub is a selection of deli sandwiches, burgers, and carved-to-order meat plates--roast beef, corned beef, pastrami, roasted turkey.  The open-faced sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy is my favorite.  Specialty sandwiches include a Reuben--corned beef, sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and cheese on rye--and a Thanksgiving turkey-cranberry, plus daily specials and a soup of the day are also available.  Soup or salad sides are inexpensive—the potato salad is delish--and tasty pickle rounds are complimentary (you need to ask for them).  A children's playroom in a back room offers a climbing structure for the little ones and video games for the older ones.  It also has several tables where children can eat unbothered by their adults.  




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image ©2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
updated 1-14-22

Orinda: Siam Orchid; restaurant review

Greater East Bay

Siam Orchid 

 23-F Orinda Way, (925) 253-1975. L M-F, D daily; $$. Reservations taken.

exterior of Siam Orchid in Orinda, California

Loctated in tree-lined strip mall, quiet Siam Orchid has a full bar. Lunch specials include a flavorful soup with fresh spinach and garlic, a spring roll, and a tasty salad. Pad Thai, eggplant with chicken, and stir-fry dishes in general are particularly good. Several delicious hot sauces spice thing up.


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image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Orinda: Szechwan Restaurant; restaurant review

Greater East Bay

Szechwan Restaurant 

 79 Orinda Way, (925) 254-2020. L Tu-Sat, D Tu-Sun; $$.

 
Simple, clean, and with a nice park view, this welcoming spot also has quite a few comfy booths. No MSG is used in the dishes at Szechwan Restaurant, which include tasty hot-and-sour soup, sweet-and-sour pork (cut in small pieces and not overly sweet), and Szechwan beef (deep-fried meat punctuated with bright green peas). The bargain lunch special includes tea, soup, salad, appetizer, rice, entrée, orange slices, and a fortune cookie.


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image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Orinda: Baan Thai Restaurant; restaurant review

Greater East Bay

Baan Thai Restaurant

99 Orinda Way/near Camino Pablo, (925) 253-0989.  L-D daily; $. 

Set along a quiet leafy street and featuring a simple, pleasant decor, this spacious two-room Thai spot has multi-paned windows looking out to the sidewalk and wood banquettes lining the walls.  Delicious pumpkin, mango-chicken, and panang curries are available at Baan Thai Restaurant; the Thai crunch salad and oriental chicken salad are also good choices.  Smokey eggplant with chicken, tofu, and Thai basil is another personal favorite, and a “veggie lover menu” offers many selections.  Heat is light, so request that dishes be made more spicy if that is the way you like them.  Brown rice is in actuality a plump, chewy red variety with a nutty flavor. 

shrimp donuts at Baan Thai restaurant in Orinda, California

massaman curry at Baan Thai restaurant in Orinda, California

sticky rice with mango at Baan Thai restaurant in Orinda, California

Sticky rice with mango is the dessert of choice, but when that isn’t available coconut ice cream with fried bananas is a good second.  Lunch specials include a salad. 


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first two images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers, third image courtesy of restaurant
updated 12-31-14; 1-14-22

Orinda: Casa Orinda; restaurant review

Greater East Bay

Casa Orinda  

20 Bryant Way/Moraga Way, (925) 254-2981. D daily M-Sat 4-10, Sun 4-9; $$-$$$. Reservations advised.

This former roadhouse feels to have been here forever, but actually Casa Orinda has only been 75 years. Seating is in three rooms, mostly at tables with chairs, but a wall of banquettes is also an option. The cowboy decor includes large oil paintings of Old West scenes and a gun case, plus a stuffed moose head over the fireplace. Options on the all-American steak-and-potatoes menu include a stellar fried chicken (marinated in buttermilk overnight and then fried in a pressure cooker) served with mashed potatoes and gravy and a really good biscuit with honey, plus old-time Italian dishes—think chicken cacciatore and veal piccata.


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