Co-chairs Ellen Beans and Grant Stubblefield report 2,500 people came - and they stayed. There were artists, their jewelry, and something new: one painted beautiful scarves to match your outfit. Food from healthy mucho wraps, chicken curry and of course good hot dogs did a rush of business as did the five Moraga wine growers and winemakers represented. Met the Captains, who have the largest vineyard - they’ll be bringing out a new wine in a couple of years. Dave Parker, of Parkmon (combination of his and his wife’s names) is introducing a number of new wines tomorrow (Saturday, May 16) - two of them using the Captain’s grapes. Great music from the bandstand, staring local bands including a group of eight girls from Moraga’s middle school - fine singers. Moragans do know how to move.
Harriet Ainswroth
Columnist Contra Costa Sun
Friday, May 15, 2009
I went to the Asia Palace http://www.yelp.com/biz/asia-palace-restaurant-moraga last night and the place was packed. Not a seat to be found, and people were in line for take out. My husband and I shared asparagus chicken with brown rice, and as always, it was delicious. Alan, the owner often gives his dining guests a little something extra. Last night it was fresh organic vegetables, a couple of fresh artichokes and an apple to take home. Sometimes it is candy or maybe a little extra wine with dinner. Alan remodeled a few years ago and the place looks great. The service is good, and Alan always makes you feel welcome.
After squaring and plotting the Moraga Community Faire off tonight we went to The Hearty Little Noodle. We came in about 15 minutes after they had closed, and they could see on our tired faces that we were hungry, They let us order some dinner. We ordered some egg rolls with noodles and a light salad (#B3). It was very reasonably priced at $7.25. The egg rolls were crunchy and were savory in flavor. For one of our first Vietnamese experiences, it was a pleasant one. We had heard mixed things about the restaurant but mostly about it’s exterior experience. As most of us know, some of the best restaurants are the dives that you never think would hold potential. Moraga has it’s share of them, Hearty Little Noodle, SiSi Cafe, and Mondello’s just to name a few. From us, two native Moragans, we love it. We sat out on the grass island near the entrance of the center and imagined warm nights where people were out in the center enjoying a night snack, dinner or some ice cream. Anything is possible, we think the Faire is the start of it.
Grant Stubblefield (Community Marketing Group) and Chelsea Doctors (All By Friday)