Fall is Flushed Away

Your Boulevardier snapped this photo of autumn leaves a few days ago -- before the big storms came in and swept away all reminders of fall, and told us in Castro Valley, in no uncertain terms, that winter is here.


Sure, the calendar may say that we still have a handful of days until the change officially hits. But the bare trees, overcast skies, and bitter cold -- especially in the mornings -- makes it clear that the deepest, darkest season is upon us.

Other reminders can be seen all over town. The reds, golds, and greens of the holiday have supplanted summer's yellows, oranges, and blues in shop windows. Furry Ugg Boots are footwear of choice, preferred over flip-flops and sneakers. Decorative lights along rooflines twinkle -- or don't, in the case of the LED variety that are now arrayed on Chez Boulevardier. Warming soups and coffee drinks have replaced cooling salads, smoothies, fro-yo and ice cream as the foods of choice.

Speaking of warm beverages, the Chabot Cinema will mark the season with an 11:30 p.m. showing of the Frank Capra classic, "It's a Wonderful Life," this Friday, December 18. Your Boulevardier hopes to be there, though he is not sure that the offer -- free hot chocolate with a large popcorn -- is good combination. Still, the $5 admission can't be beat.

Dogs Spotted Yesterday

Your Boulevardier was happy to see two dogs sitting quietly at the feet of their owners who dined on the outdoor patio of Rigatoni's yesterday, mid-day. One was a large golden retriever-style dog (perhaps a mutt) and the other was a small grey terrier of some sort.

Kittycorner, near Chipotle, a young woman walked an energetic white standard poodle -- one with the traditional-yet-seldom-seen "Dutch Clip" poodle haircut.

Expressing Oneself

Mon Petit Chou came to collect the Subcompact Loaner yesterday, and found herself a bit peckish mid-afternoon. Your Boulevardier proposed a visit to Chef's Express, the recently opened Chinese food restaurant in the Village. She accepted.

The place is clean and attractive. The process for getting food is not unlike that of a well-known Chinese food chain with a black-and-white bearlike creature as its mascot. You choose the number of entrees you wish, and all other selections flow from there. Samples are offered to help diners decide.

However, this is not a chain; it is a branch of Chef's Experience China Bistro, a large, more traditional Chinese restaurant in downtown Hayward.

We each had two-entree items, which included chow mein and rice. (A tip for the health-conscious: steamed brown rice is available in lieu of fried or steamed white rice.) The entrees were reliably tasty but not exceptional; we both would have liked to see more vegatables, and more freshness in the vegetables we had. (Indeed, and surprisingly, there's only one vegetarian entree option available.) Most entrees were conventional American Chinese: kung pao chicken, broccoli beef, and so on.

The portions were plentiful. In fact, in spite of our famished selves, we left the restaurant with considerable leftovers. Still, getting two two-entree dishes, and making different choices between the two of us, gave us some variety.

The place was busy with patrons, even at 3:00 p.m. One suspects it does a good lunch business, and mostly sells take-out (seeing as how the number of tables inside is quite limited).

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Your Boulevardier has been traveling -- once to far Northern California, and once to far Western New York -- and those trips have been followed by an amount of professional work that has been, frankly, staggering.

As a result, he has fallen out of the habit of posting here. You have his apologies. After Labor Day, it is hoped that regular missives will return. (At least as regular as can be hoped, given the source.) Meantime, here are three items to wet readers' whistles, all related to eating establishments in town:

1. Baker's Square has now become Shari's, as hinted here back in March.

2. The Dell Cafe has applied to repaint its building and repair its neon sign. This is wonderful news. The Boulevard needs more neon. Seriously.

3. As of September 1, Big Apple Bagels has painted its windows in a Halloween theme. Holiday creep begins.

P.S. Is there interest among regular readers in a Castro Valley Boulevardier Facebook presence?

Dining News

Your Boulevardier noticed several restaurant happenings on his walk this evening.

1. JD's is closed for the week. Workers are now digging away inside the restaurant, apparently replacing the entire floor. At this rate, one begins to wonder why they didn't demolish the restaurant and start over.

2) The former Pancho's Restaurant at 2788 Castro Valley Boulevard is, after an extended closure, now open as a Korean BBQ and Tofu restaurant. Your Boulevardier had been under the impression, from earlier alcohol license application in the window, that it would reopen as a Mexican restaurant, but it's not the case.

3) In sadder news, work appears to have stopped on the former Carry Outee. The banner heralding Toula's Gyros is now down. Your Boulevardier has not checked whether or not Toula is back to work at Chipotle.

4) The work on Chef's Express in Castro Village is nearing completion. The plywood siding has been removed, and the exterior is very attractive (if a bit out of character for Castro Village). A photo is below. Based on the signage that was on the restaurant when it was boarded up, this place is related to Chef's Experience in Hayward.

National Doughnut Day

Your Boulevardier has learned, belatedly, that yesterday was National Doughnut Day.

The origins of the holiday can be found here.

Coincidentally, Your Boulevardier paid a visit to Rudy's yesterday. The holiday was not being celebrated in any particular way that he could discern; the place was busy, but that's not unusual for a Friday morning at 7:45 a.m.

A few weeks ago this photo was taken of the lovely hand-painted espresso sign at Rudy's; the paint is failing in a most attractive way. One hopes, probably in vain, that they won't paint it over.

Rolling Out the Red Roof

Your Boulevardier apologizes for the dry spell; he has been catching up on work, participating in some musical activities, enjoying a bit of leisure time, helping a friend with a garden project, and hosting visitors for the Bay to Breakers. Posts will resume soon, it is hoped.

Meanwhile, three quick items: the El Rancho STEAK House was getting a new coat of red paint on its roof yesterday. Around the corner, Swiss Delices is open, sorta. (When Your Boulevardier had coffee and pastry there last week, the place was clean and freshly painted, but not well lit and its walls were devoid of artwork; also, sandwiches were not yet being served.) And across Redwood Road from Trader Joe's, El Rancho Supermercado (one does not think it is related to the STEAK House, but could be wrong) has a sign in its window reading "El Rancho Taqueria Finally Opening Summer 2009." (It has been hinted at for a long time; it's not known what the hangup has been.)

Sundry Sunday

Your Boulevardier attended the Sunday evening showing of X-Men Origins Wolverine at the Chabot Cinema this evening. Some fifty or more people were in attendance and the movie was exciting and enjoyable. On the walk home, a few bits of information were collected.

First, Your Boulevardier must correct an earlier misstatement regarding next weekend's Rodeo Parade: the pre-parade Pancake Breakfast will be held from 7-10 a.m. at the fire station on San Miguel Avenue. (And Wudas: Your Boulevardier plays the baritone saxophone.)

Second, it was inexplicable but wonderful to see that the Ice Creamery was packed with patrons on Sunday evening at 9:00 p.m.

Third, the new McDonald's at Strobridge Avenue and Castro Valley Boulevard is now open. It is quite a fancy, even stylish, building from the outside -- with one small exception that will be pointed out later. When Your Boulevardier ventures inside, he will give a report on the interior.

Special Food Edition

Your Boulevardier, remembering that this is the week when Don Jose's will donate a portion of its profits to the new Castro Valley Library, decided at the last minute to walk downtown and treat himself to a meal this evening. The restaurant was pleasantly busy, with a heartening cross-section of people: individuals, couples, and groups comprised of a variety of ages and races. The bar was lively with folks watching ice hockey. Your Boulevardier chose a salmon salad, which proved exceptionally good, and a large Dos Equis Amber (which Don Jose's has on tap). Not every restaurant can make a solo diner feel comfortable, but this one certainly did; in fact, Your Boulevardier was given a booth, not relegated to an undersized table. He was impressed with the food and service, and left a gratuity reflecting his pleasure.

There is other Castro Valley dining news to report as well.

Progress continues at the future Toula's Gyros, under construction at the former Carry Outee. The building has been stripped of its awnings and outstructures; paper obscures the windows, so whatever work goes on inside remains a mystery. Currently the Pepto Bismol Pink exterior paintjob remains, but certainly that will not last. Your Boulevardier has been schooled on the difference between Gyros and Falafel (thanks, and apologies, to jimigreeko) and looks forward to sampling Toula's fare.

Across the street and down a bit, Knudsen's Ice Creamery sports bright red-and-white signs announcing its fifth anniversary party on Saturday, May 2. Included in the celebration will be free mini-cones, a petting zoo, and face painting. Your Boulevardier is a fan of Knudsen's -- he will mark his birthday there a week from Sunday -- and congratulates proprietors Dave, Kathy, and John on their accomplishment.

And around the corner on Santa Maria Avenue, Your Boulevardier was positively heureux to spot a sign indicating that the former Katy-Lu's Korner would become an outpost of Hayward's outstanding Swiss Delices. This is excellent news for Castro Valley (particularly considering the recent departure of Primrose Bakery from the Village) and perhaps the death knell for Your Boulevardier's trim waistline. Before Swiss Delices' Castro Valley site opens, Your Boulevardier recommends that readers hasten to Main Street in Hayward, purchase some of the incredible baked goods, and offer your encouragement to the proprietors on their expansion.

Independent Coffee on Center Street

In line at Trader Joe's the other day, Your Boulevardier spotted a woman wearing a sweatshirt reading "Coffee Cup Cafe, Castro Valley, California." Having never heard of the establishment, he inquired and learned that it is an independent coffee place at the corner of Center Street and Heyer Avenue. Last Friday he decided to check it out.

It's a cozy, friendly place with an amiable, chatty staff. The coffee is from Peerless -- perhaps not a gourmet roaster, but perfectly acceptable to Your Boulevardier. (He partakes only of brewed coffee, so he cannot comment on the quality of more complicated coffee drinks.) Most of the baked goods are prepared on site each morning; Your Boulevardier had a small, delicate chocolate croissant. The place also has a light lunch menu.

The comings and goings were observed for an hour or so. An ebbing stream of what appeared to be regulars mostly purchased beverages for takeout, though a few folks settled in at the dozen or so small tables. (A few outdoor tables were also available for warmer days.) A TV tuned to a morning news program played in one corner; promptly at 9:00 a.m. the television was switched off and soft jazz music was played. A batch of toys in another corner attracted youngsters, and a few shelves of books -- for borrowing and reading, it is assumed -- sat by the register.

The site is close to three schools -- Creekside and Canyon Middle Schools and Vannoy Elementary -- so the neighborhood traffic in the area is considerable. The proprietor of the shop said she had experienced some problems with school kids and now limits them in the shop to three at a time. The proprietor also shared that the shop had been in business for four years, but had lost some momentum when the exterior of the building was remodeled. Both interior and exterior are quite charming now.

Your Boulevardier will be sure to stop in again when his walks take him to this corner of town.

Of Mice and Gyros (and Miscellany)

The former Daughtrey's Department Store (which is also a former billiards hall, and is annually the Spirit Party Supply) is now a store specializing in Disney merchandise. Your Boulevardier walked past (alas, not into) the store this evening and noticed that the parking lot on the side was full. Was there not a similar store at Southland not so long ago? One wonders if, like the aforementioned Spirit store, the Disney store is a transient use of the building. Its signs are just banners hung from the exterior walls, lending to the air of temporariness. The building has been in limbo for some time, though in 2007 there was some talk of refurbishment.

It's also noted that the former Carry Outee is now fenced off and has a banner announcing that Toula's Gyros is coming to the site. Your Boulevardier misses the falafel that were served at Haim's Cafe (and also that served at Kampus Korner at CSUEB), and hopes this new place will offer this Middle Eastern dish.

Two doors down, the Daughtrey's children's store has reappeared; it closed in Castro Village but has reappeared in one of the tiny business cottages on the north side of the Boulevard between Worley's and El Rancho STEAK House.

Also of note in the dining world: the former Tam's Kitchen has been re-branded as King Kong. One imagines that the portion sizes are colossal.

Your Boulevardier does not know what to make of all of these comings and goings. The amount of churn definitely seems to be on the upswing. It's a strange and difficult time to start a business, though some say this is the best time to do so because of the leverage available with suppliers, landlords, and employees.

Baker's Square Out, Shari's In

Your Boulevardier notes a news item in the Daily Review saying that the Baker's Square restaurant in Castro Village will become a Shari's. Having not heard of the latter, he did some homework. It's a chain of 100 or so restaurants, headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon but owned by a private investment company out of New York. It will be open 24 hours a day and seems to have a menu not unlike that of Baker's Square -- eggy breakfasts, skillet dinners, salads, pies. Reviews on Yelp range from 2.5 to 4.5 stars. Service seems to be an ongoing challenge. It will be interesting to see how the new establishment does in our town.

Ox Versus Crab

It may be the Year of the Ox, but in Castro Valley it's the Season of the Crab.

Three posters were spotted in the window of the Village Barbershop today for crab feeds put on by the Soroptimists, Transfiguration Church, and Redwood Christian Schools. And several others are slated over the next few weeks.

Your Boulevardier has only attended a couple of crab feeds. They were rather hard-core affairs, with long lines and sticky hands and lots of red wine and some diners bringing their own butter melting contraptions. Not Your Boulevardier's style of dining.

One wonders about the history of crab feeds as a fundraiser. (Some information about logistics can be found at the website for Pacific Seafood Group.) Any ideas?

Put a Fork In It

Your Boulevardier is amused by the signs hawking the lunch special at Tam's Kitchen on Castro Valley Boulevard. Why, you ask? Because knives and forks are used to secure the posterboard to its stake. (But the question is raised: wouldn't chopsticks be more appropriate?)

The food at Tam's Kitchen has not been sampled by Your Boulevardier, but Yelpers' opinions are mixed about it.

More Chinese Food Coming to CV

A stroll through Castro Village today revealed that Chef's Express will open in the former Peking Garden site. From the logo, Your Boulevardier surmises that this will be a branch of the Chef's Experience China Bistro (Yelp link) on Foothill Boulevard in Hayward.

It's a near-certainty that the Wilson Ave Guy will want to chime in on this breaking news due to his careful tracking of the Asian Cuisine scene in Castro Valley.

Carry Outee ... of Business

As foretold by a commenter not long ago, Carry Outee -- the tiny Chinese takeout place on Castro Valley Boulevard -- closed with the end of 2008. Your Boulevardier only ate food from there once; fact is, he couldn't get past the name, which for some unknown reason evokes the 1970s-era MAD Magazines with which he grew up. But it's clear that the place had a devoted following.

It's in one of three shack-sized businesses all on one large lot on the north side of the Boulevard, just west of El Rancho Steak House. Two are now vacant; Your Boulevardier noted a gentleman on the phone in the third, looking busy, but those buildings do not seem to attract long-term tenants. An electric-bike shop and a trading card company have come and gone in the last few years, along with others that can't be recalled today.

If the climate for commercial real estate were different, Your Boulevardier would suspect that the three shacks would be demolished and one larger structure erected. But the timing for such a move would be poor, and the newish building just to the west of the three shacks -- which has housed a title company, an Indian clothing store, and now a tax-preparation business, along with a Sylvan Learning Center -- testifies to the fact that finding and retaining tenants is not easy these days.

A Visit to the New Cinema in Hayward

Heaven knows Your Boulevardier is loyal to Castro Valley, but he also enjoys visiting downtown Hayward. He is a fan of The Book Shop; he enjoys visiting Le Paradis and Buffalo Bill's; he is a regular patron of CopyMat. One of his professional clients is a downtown not-for-profit. So he spends a good bit of time walking B Street.

Last Tuesday, a visit was made to the new Century Cinema at the intersection of B Street and Foothill Boulevard. ("The Other Boulevard," as it is known to some. Or maybe just one.) The building is clean and bright, and the employees were friendly and enthusiastic. The young woman who sold the popcorn gladly filled Your Boulevardier's reusable water bottle, perhaps in defiance of company policy but in an exceptionally well-received gesture of goodwill. The bathroom was tidy. The seats were comfortable.

But show taken in, a late-afternoon showing of the new James Bond thriller, was not well attended; perhaps a dozen people sat in the 200-seat auditorium. Your Boulevardier spoke with the young man tasked with cleaning the salon after the show -- he didn't have much to do -- and was assured that the patronage was much higher on the weekends. In fact, Tuesday night is the best night to attend if one does not like crowds.

Mixed feelings are held regarding the new cinema. Your Boulevardier is among the Chabot Theater's biggest fans, but lately the local single-screen has not programmed selections suited to his taste. (High School Musical, Madagascar, and now Bolt.) He looks forward to the arrival of a film with a more adult appeal, at which time he will eagerly return to the Chabot. But it must be admitted, it is most pleasant to have a dozen screens within minutes of home. Your Boulevardier encourages all to visit the new cinema and inspect it for themselves.

By the way, all links above are to reviews at Yelp.com.

Remodeling McDonald's

Your Boulevardier notes that the McDonald's on Castro Valley's Fast Food Island is closed for remodeling. This event has been in the planning stages for years, it seems. This morning a cold steel fence kept all but the birds from visiting the Golden Arches. And because the restaurant was not being patronized, and the fries and burger buns on which the pigeons and seagulls had, in the past, feasted were not forthcoming, so the avian scavengers had precious little to do. One telling note as to the abruptness of the property's fencing: copies of USA Today remain in the newsrack by the restaurant's door.

Deep in the recesses of Your Boulevardier's memory, he can recall eating at this restaurant when it was brand new. The building was covered with white tile, and sported several red concrete outdoor tables in lieu of indoor dining then. The structure was spanned by the trademark aureate arcs. The hamburgers cost, if memory serves, twenty-nine cents.

Over the years, the building expanded as its real estate morphed. The playplace was added, and a section of the dining area was segregated as a party room. (Neveau de Boulevardier celebrated at least one birthday there.) The establishment's parking lot grew dramatically, even as the freeway and its offramps encroached.

Automobiles have always been the preferred mode of access to McDonald's, it seems, and pedestrians such as Your Boulevardier took some risks in attempting to walk to the place -- what with motorists juggling too-hot coffee, filing their change, shushing the youngsters, and, oh yes, driving their cars from the drive-through.

But one can say what one will about McDonald's -- Your Boulevardier has concerns about its business practices and the health value of its products -- but the company has maintained its Castro Valley property well through all the changes. On a survey mission this morning, Your Boulevardier noted the lush green lawns, carefully trimmed shrubbery, and crimson Pistache trees along the property's perimeter. Let us hope that the new structure adds some architectural interest and other thoughtful touches, since this site is, for better or worse, one of the gateways to our town.




Postscript, unrelated: On a walk to Valley Java this morning, Your Boulevardier noted that gasoline at the Shop 'N' Save on Stanton Avenue has dipped one tenth of a cent below $2 per gallon.

India comes to Castro Valley

Your Boulevardier, accompanied by mon petit chou, visited the new restaurant in Castro Village, Aroma Cuisine of India, last Friday night. The food was enjoyed and a good time was had. Your Boulevardier is not a restaurant reviewer, but will attempt to describe the visit.

The restaurant was full of patrons upon our arrival at 7:00 p.m.. We had no reservation, so the host escorted us to the adjacent patio and offered hot, spicy chai tea. Eventually a small table was made available toward the rear of the restaurant. The crowd appeared to be a fairly typical cross-section of Castro Valley restaurant diners: mostly Caucasian, mostly older, not without means. (We noted with pleasure that among our fellow diners were a few same-sex couples.)

The table was small and clean (as was the entire restaurant) and the chairs and lighting were comfortable. Indian art and live plants decorated the room. The piped-in music was the only atmospheric element that seemed a bit off-theme. Dishes ordered included Chicken Tikka Masala (chicken in tomato-curry-yogurt sauce), Dal Tarka (lentil puree), Raita (yogurt condiment), and warm Nan (puffy flatbread). A large Taj Mahal beer (brewed in India) and a small Maharaja beer (brewed in New York, promised as the best beer in the world, and proffered with a money-back guarantee) also were consumed.

The dishes were beautifully prepared, simply presented (on stainless steel platters) and delicious. The service was attentive and friendly. While the meal was not inexpensive ($38.33 including tax but not tip) it was well worth it.

After the meal, mukhwas -- candied seeds, eaten as a digestif -- were offered. These are found in a rack near the cash register. Simply scoop a small bit into your hand with the provided spoon and pop it into your mouth for a pleasant breath-freshener.

Mon petit chou knew much better than Your Boulevardier how to navigate an Indian dining experience, and gratitude is offered for her kind assistance. A tip of the beret goes to Aroma Cuisine of India.