Bay Area Pie: 12 Finest Shops To Search Out Pastry Perfection

In enterprise since 1985, Beckmann’s added pies to the lineup about 20 years ago. The bakery’s ubiquitous presence at farmers markets — forty of them, from Alameda and Aptos to Saratoga and Scotts Valley — means there’s a freshly baked pie close to most Bay Area residents. And we’ll go additional (true confession time) and say that Beckmann’s has saved many a summer season potluck attendee. Try the cebiche mixto, an order of the yucca fries, or the pulpito a la parilla if you’re within the temper for octopus off the smaller bites menu, earlier than branching out into the lomo saltado, adobo, or paella. Pie followers can (at least partially) bypass that problem at this San Jose shop, which makes a speciality of mini pies — 1.5-inch diameter pies you can devour in simply a few bites. (Or one. Just saying.) So go ahead and order that apple almond pie — and the blackberry AND the pineapple, too.

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I prefer to order the quarter darkish meat ($11), though the breast is juicy too, on the medium degree, which is properly spicy but not sufficient to land you within the hospital. If you need extra warmth, sprinkle some Louisiana sizzling sauce packets for an infusion of acidity and warmth. Burmese food is among the many gastronomic joys of the Bay Area, and Burma 2 is doubtless certainly one of the finest eating places in Walnut Creek. The salads are well-dressed, with a pleasant fishiness and multitudinous textures. To sip, attempt the hibiscus mojito ($13), a rum-based drink, which is stimulating with its tart citrus and slightly saline coconut water.

A massive mural depicting a sunny cobblestone courtyard lets visitors imagine they’ve stepped in off the rue to select up the day’s tarte aux pommes. Owner Voahangy Rasetarinera spent years as an IT admin earlier than starting a web-based pie shop. When manufacturing outgrew her home kitchen in early 2021, she opened this brick-and-mortar. An Oakland sizzling hen favorite spreads to Walnut Creek with a more complete location. Stuffed with contemporary greens and nuts, this crunchy salad has an attractive mix of nutty, savory, tangy, candy and sour flavors.

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Inside the rooster restaurant is an incredibly busy scene of lots of of flags and string lights stretching throughout the ceiling. By the windows, to the left, are colourful cubicles and to the best is a long bar counter with small, previous CRT (tube) TVs arrange with online game consoles. So you presumably can fiddle with nostalgia and play “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” or “Tekken” while you wait for your fried hen. In spite of opening only in early 2022, the place feels lived in and is a cool hangout for kids or — let’s be real — adults nonetheless clinging onto childhood. The thing to get at Hotboys is the sandwich however the bone-in rooster also deserves its due.

A snack just like the salt and pepper calamari ($14) opens up the urge for food with salty, bouncy fried squid, made even higher with a side of sharply fragrant chile oil. Tasty entrees just like the dry beef curry ($19), laced with a spiced coconut curry sauce, impress as nicely. You can dine in the spacious inside lined with booths, or ask for a desk outdoors.

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Walking into Crixa Cakes is like discovering a charming bakery in some out-of-the-way nook of Eastern Europe. Whoever thought that a nondescript workplace park in an industrial part of Union City, might become a destination? It must be, if you wish to taste some pretty fantastic fruit, cream or chocolate pies. Their pies don’t resemble the ones many people are used to seeing at stores. Instead, owner Hway-ling Hsu cooks up single-crust open-face pies — very similar to French galettes — which provide tantalizing previews of what your tastebuds will quickly be having fun with.

Other worthwhile snacks embrace flaky samsas ($5), samosa-like savory pastry from Central Asia full of cumin-scented lamb, or chebureki ($5), a fried turnover insulated with beef and onions. It’s a low-key spot for a quick, wealthy snack to enjoy outside within the courtyard. The evolving menu of housemade pies sometimes offers cherry, berry, apple, some dietary specials (vegan berry, wheat-free berry) and a cream pie like Key lime. Right now it’s a Lemon Berry Cream Pie made with lemon curd, blackberry compote, cream cheese and whipped cream that manages to be rich and ethereal on the same time. During the months when the Peanut Butter Cream Pie is featured, you’ll want to reserve yours early.

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Beloved Bay Area burger joint with burgers, milkshakes and seasonal sandwiches. Walnut Creek’s eating scene has just lately benefited from a blood transfusion of established eating places around the Bay Area and past — lending its life drive as nicely as its DNA. Calicraft has been pulling beers at its taproom since 2016, profiting from its spacious brewery with plenty of seating available, especially in the out of doors beer garden. It’s turn out to be a popular spot away from the busier downtown area, and a place to try some Calicraft beers that won’t be available at any close by shops. Outside food is allowed, however there is pretty much a continuing rotation of meals trucks obtainable to purchase meals from as you sip your drink at the picnic desk setups.

It’s also the spot for ice cream muffins, in case a special occasion requires a cake to match. Take a step inside this spot, and you’ll immediately know why it’s on our listing of the best rated restaurants in Walnut Creek. As you stop by this eatery, you’ll be handled to juicy steaks, stylish wines and handcrafted cocktails. From crispy fish tacos to lobster mac, this restaurant serves an array of incredibly contemporary and expertly ready seafood dishes. If you’re on the hunt for informal spots to eat fresh seafood in Walnut Creek, look no further than this restaurant.