Best of the East Bay - Food

Best steak house, milk shake, Thai food, farm stand, brisket sandwich...

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Q&A
 

Restaurateur Who Knows Your Name

Editor Pick

→ If you live in Clayton, chances are good you know Ed Moresi—and he knows you. A native of this small town at the base of Mount Diablo, Moresi owns two of the town’s four restaurants: Ed’s Mudville Grill and Moresi’s Chophouse. If you don’t know him, you will, when he comes up to your table to say hi.

You seem to know every single one of Clayton’s 11,000 residents. Have you ever counted exactly how many people you know?
No. It’s just my good fortune to know so many people. Actually, the whole town is like Cheers. Everybody knows everybody.

Your July golf tournament at Oakhurst Country Club is in its 10th year. What inspired you to start it?
Obviously, you want to give back. Last year, we earned $25,000. And, all the proceeds go to Clayton youth sports. It all stays here.

Moresi’s is popular for its fun cocktails. Did you expect that?
It just happened. I’m a Manhattan man. I really wanted a more masculine type of place, with drinks like the Manhattan, good bourbons, and regular martinis. But, my bartenders started concocting these experiments that caught on.

The most popular place in town seems to be the deck at Moresi’s, with its view of Mount Diablo and Clayton’s new city park.
It’s probably the nicest place in all Contra Costa. It’s definitely the prettiest view. The best sound in the world is hearing kids play at the park. We’re working, but it’s just soothing. We’re after serenity here. —Susan Safipour

Ed’s Mudville Grill, 6200 Center St., Clayton, (925) 673-0333; Moresi’s Chophouse, 6115 Main St., Clayton, (925) 672-1333

Ways To Avoid The $1.50 Hot Dog At Costco

Editor Pick

→ Never go to Costco hungry. If you do, you’re sure to end up with a three-gallon drum of caramel corn, and you might even succumb to the wholesaler’s too-cheap-to-resist snack bar. Below are far more interesting food options just moments from major Costcos in our area.

•Danville Six minutes away from Costco at Masala Indian Fusion, you’ll find succulent roasted quail, bracingly strong chai (which can be iced), seasonal green salad with mango-cumin dressing, and crème brûlée in exotic flavors such as ginger-chili.
499 San Ramon Valley Blvd., (925) 362-4900, www.masalaindianfusion.com.

•Concord The ideal pre-Costco fix is at El Faro, a down-home Mexican joint on Monument Boulevard. It takes only one of El Faro’s tortas—a sandwich on a light, round roll loaded with tender carnitas, shredded lettuce, pickled jalapeños, tomatoes, and onions—to make you swear off the Costco pizza slice forever.
2280 Monument Blvd., (925) 827-0976.

•Richmond You’ll find some of the most authentic Chinese food in the East Bay at the Pacific East Mall, a two-minute drive from the Costco of choice for Berkeley and Oakland residents. Our favorite spot at the mall is Daimo, a constantly bustling restaurant where live fish in tanks and racks of roasted meats supply the kitchen. Menu options include sweet barbecued pork ribs; crispy panfried Singaporean noodles; bright green sautéed pea leaves; and, for the brave, spicy stir-fried eggplant with flaky-fleshed frog legs.

3288 A Pierce St., (510) 527-3888, www.daimousa.com.

•Livermore Alas, the Livermore Costco stands alone. No exotic treats are in throwing distance, so this is the spot to give in to that snack bar craving. You know, deep down, that you really want the churro. —Kathryn Jessup