NEW DINING HOT SPOT IN ORINDA: TABLE 24

I read a review of Table 24 in my local newspaper a few weeks ago and was intrigued.

The reviewer described this restaurant which opened in October in Orinda's Theatre Square as a wonderful new addition to family dining, with much the same spirit as the Chow restaurants in Lafayette, Danville, and San Francisco.

So, tonight, after a movie at the Orinda Theatre, Jim and I headed around the corner to Table 24. At about 6:30 p.m., the place was packed, both inside and out on the large patio.

Being just the two of us, we lucked out and got immediate seating at the counter which is always a fun experience. We were seated right in front of the open kitchen and I was next to the owner who was supervising the orders. We got to see just about everything on the menu.



We started our meal with a shared large Green Salad ($10.95), a delicious mix of baby greens, beets, onions, and pecan-crusted baked goat cheese. It was served to us on two plates, each with our own serving of baked goat cheese.

For my meal, I ordered the Fried Chicken with Mac 'n Cheese ($14.95). It was the perfect comfort food meal.



Jim chose the Grilled Chicken Club ($10.95), a beautiful and tasty sandwich on a Ciabatta bun (from local Metropolis bakery). The grilled chicken was garnished with bacon, avocado, gouda cheese, and lemon-tossed arugula. Sandwiches are served with a choice of French Fries, Yam Fries, Green Salad or Fresh Fruit. Jim chose the Fries.



Table 24 is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Brunch is featured on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. With families in mind, there are special menues for "Littles" (Children age 9 and under), where all lunch and dinner selections are priced at $5 and include a beverage and a scoop of ice cream, and "Middles" (Children ages 10 to 16), with lunch and dinner selections pirced between $3.95 and $6.95.

While we did not run into anyone we knew, it seemed we were in the minority. There is lots of meeting and greeting at Table 24 and it seems to be a favorite of large family groups.



If I can find one or two people to share with me, the next time I return, I want to try the Molten Cheddar Cheese Fries, a huge platter of French Fries, topped with melted cheese and chives. It is heated in the big 500-degree wood burning oven where the pizzas are made. Other dishes that caught my eye include the big Niman Ranch Beef Burger, the Grilled Fish Sandwich, The Grilled Cheese Sandwich (three cheese blend with tomatos on parmesan-encrusted brioche bread), the daily fish (on a bed of seasonal vegetables), any of the pizzas, and the Pasta Goombatz (sausage and crimini mushrooms on pasta). If I was a Little kid, I'd order the Hot Dog, which comes with fries, fruit, or broccolini.

It's nice to have another high quality, casual, American restaurant close to home.