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This year some old favorites won their categories, such as Best Storytime (Lafayette Library), Best Plant Nursery & Florist (Orchard Nursery in Lafayette), and Best Brunch and Best Family-friendly Dining (Chow in Lafayette). Newcomers to Lamorinda were stiff competition and won some categories including Best Birthday Entertainer (The Garden Party Company), and Best Takeout/Delivery (Patxi's in Lafayette). Many categories were won by a slim margin of one to three votes. Congratulations to our Lamorinda moms for providing the best resource for finding babysitters, nannies (Lamorinda Moms Forum), and best birthday party location (Home).
Lamorinda Moms members received directions and a link to the online survey and had two weeks to complete it. Each current Lamorinda Moms member was eligible to vote once. All votes were anonymous. Members who voted could enter a raffle to win one of two gift certificates, a $25 gift certificate from Orchard Nursery in Lafayette and a gift certificate from Cloud 9 Organic Salon in Orinda for a haircut and blowout, a $40 value.
The entrant with the most votes in the category won. There was one two-way tie and one three-way tie. The two-way tie was for Best Toy Store (Sweet Dreams in Orinda and Five Little Monkeys in Walnut Creek). The three-way tie was for Best Interior Designer (Anna Stahl Design, Kelly Scanlon Designs, and Found Design in Lafayette).
While many of the same categories were used from previous Best of Lamorinda surveys, 18 new categories were added this year, with most being professional services, and marked with an asterisk on the list below:
The 2013 Winners
Babysitting Resource
Lamorinda Moms Forum
www.lamorindamoms.org
Nanny Resource
Lamorinda Moms Forum
www.lamorindamoms.org
Birthday Entertainer
The Garden Party Company
www.thegardenpartycompany.com, (415) 515-6338
Birthday Party Location
Home
Children's Birthday Cake
Lovely Little Cakes
www.lovelylittlecakesbakery.com, (415) 730-7500
Children's Clothing
Baby Gap / Gap Kids
www.gap.com, 1139 S. Main Street, Walnut Creek, (925) 942-0549
Toy Store
Sweet Dreams
2 Theatre Square #107, Orinda, (925) 254-6672
Five Little Monkeys
www.5littlemonkeys.com, 1366 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek, (925) 939-4411
Dance Class / Lessons
The Ballet School
www.theballetschool.org, 1357 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek, (925) 934-2133
Gymnastics Class
Encore Gymnastics
www.encoregym.com, 999 Bancroft Road, Concord, (925) 932-1033
Music Class
Music Together
www.eastbaymusictogether.com, (510) 848-7464
Swim Lessons
Sherman Swim School
www.shermanswim.com, 1075 Carol Lane, Lafayette, (925) 283-2100
Summer Camp
Camp Galileo
www.galileo-camps.com, (800) 854-3684
Kid's Haircut
Kristine's Kuts
www.kristineskuts.vpweb.com, 3367 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, (925) 822-444
Playground
Moraga Commons
www.moraga.ca.us, 1425 St. Mary's Road, Moraga
Walk / Hike with Kids
Lafayette Reservoir
www.ebmud.com/recreation/lafayette-reservoir, 3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 284-9669
Picnic Spot*
Lafayette Reservoir
www.ebmud.com/recreation/lafayette-reservoir, 3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 284-9669
Rainy Day Activity
Lindsay Wildlife Museum
www.wildlife-museum.org, 1931 1st Avenue, Walnut Creek, (925) 935-1978
Storytime
Lafayette Library
www.ccclib.org, www.lafayettelib.org, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 385-2280
Pre-School
Growing Tree Preschool
www.growingtreepreschool.net, 1695 Canyon Road, Moraga, (925) 376-8280
Food / Drink / Fun
Brunch
Chow
www.chowfoodbar.com, 53 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette, (925) 962-2469
Carryout / Delivery
Patxi's
www.patxispizza.com, 3577 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 299-0700
Family Friendly Dining
Chow
www.chowfoodbar.com, 53 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette, (925) 962-2469
Chinese Food
Uncle Yu's
999 Oak Hill Road #3, Lafayette, (925) 283-1688
Pizza
Pizza Antica
www.pizzaantica.com, 3600 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 299-0500
Indian Food
Swad
www.theswadindia.com, 3602 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 962-9575
Mexican Food
El Charro
www.elcharro1947.com, 3339 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 283-2345
Italian Food
Postino
www.postinorestaurant.com, 3565 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 299-8700
Japanese Food / Sushi
Blue Gingko
www.bluegingkosushi.com, 3518 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 962-9020
Mediterranean Food
Kabab Burger
www.kabab-burger.com, 3647 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 297-6343
Thai Food
Amarin Thai
www.amarinlafayette.com, 3555 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 283-8883
Desserts
SusieCakes
www.susiecakes.com, 3598 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 299-0210
Seafood
Yankee Pier
www.yankeepier.com/lafayette, 3593 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 283-4100
Steak
Ruth's Chris
www.ruthchris.com, 1553 Olympic Blvd., Walnut Creek, (925) 977-3477
Sandwich Shop
Morucci's Si Mangia Bene
1218 Boulevard Way, Walnut Creek, (925) 939-2426
Coffee Shop
La Boulange Bakery
www.laboulangebakery.com, 3597 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 284-1001
Outdoor Dining
Metro
www.metrolafayette.com, 3524 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 284-4422
Romantic Dinner
Postino
www.postinorestaurant.com, 3565 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 299-8700
Mom's Night Out
Metro
www.metrolafayette.com, 3524 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 284-4422
Cocktails*
Metro
www.metrolafayette.com, 3524 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 284-4422
Movie Theater
Century 14 Downtown Walnut Creek
1201 Locust Street, Walnut Creek, (925) 937-7031
Live Music
Orinda Summer Concerts
www.cityoforinda.org, (925) 254-2445
Live Theater
Town Hall Theatre Company
www.townhalltheatre.com, 3535 School Street, Lafayette, (925) 283-1557
Pumpkin Patch
Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm
www.cvpumpkinfarm.com,1060 Pine Lane, Clayton, (925) 672-5198
Pictures with Santa
Broadway Plaza
www.broadwayplaza.com, 1275 Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, (925) 939-7600
Professional Services
Dry Cleaners
Sterling Cleaners
3425 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 283-1100
Florist
Orchard Nursery & Florist
www.orchardnursery.com, 4010 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 284-4474
Grocery Store
Diablo Foods
www.diablofoods.com, 3615 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 283-0737
Party Supplies
Boswell's
www.boswells-party.com, 3483 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 284-9250
Pet Grooming / Sitting
Pet Food Express
www.petfoodexpress.com, 3610 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 962-0000
Veterinarian
Lafayette Animal Hospital
www.lafayetteanimalhosp.com, 3394 Mt.Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 284-4412
Caterer
Susan Foord Catering
www.susanfoordcatering.com, 965 Mountain View Drive, Lafayette, (925) 299-7616
Photographer
Alicia Cervenka Photography
www.ac-photos.com
Plant Nursery
Orchard Nursery & Florist
www.orchardnursery.com, 4010 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 284-4474
Housecleaner/Housecleaning Service*
Extreme Clean Company
2958 Deerpark Drive, Walnut Creek, (925) 595-5717
Realtor*
Karen Richardson Group, Alain Pinel
www.karendrichardsongroup.com, 2 Theatre Square, Orinda, (925) 639-3904
Architect*
Ward-Young Architecture & Planning
www.wyarch.com, 1041 Stuart Street Suite B, Lafayette, (925) 283-3278
General Conctractor*
J Willis Construction
www.jwillisconstruction.com, (925) 788-7493
Handyman*
Luis Ovalle
(510) 363-4977
Landscape Architect/Design*
Garden Lights Landscape Development
www.gardenlightslandscape.com, 1 Northwood Dr. #7, Orinda, (925) 254-4797
Appliance Repair*
Adept Appliance Repair
525 Banyon Circle, Walnut Creek, (925) 254-0153
Appliance Retail*
Friedman's Appliance
www.friedmansappliance.com, 2304 Monument Blvd. Pleasant Hill, (925) 808-2950
Electrician*
Redwood Electric
712 Bancroft Way Suite 738, Walnut Creek, (925) 360-3167
Plumber*
Volga Plumbing
1074 Viela Court, Lafayette, (925) 947-0466
Hardware Store*
Orchard Supply Hardware
www.osh.com, 1550 Canyon Road, Moraga, (925) 377-0994
Interior Designer*
Anna Stahl Design
www.annastahldesign.com, (925) 212-5428
Kelly Scanlon Designs
www.kellyscanlondesigns.com, (415) 577-7741
Found Design
www.founddesign.net, (510) 541-5937
Health
Pediatric Dentist
Aloha Pediatric Dentistry
www.alohakidsdds.com, 3 Altarinda Road, Orinda, (925) 253-8190
Adult Dentist*
Matthew T. Herrington, DDS
895 Moraga Road, Suite 8, Lafayette, (925) 283-1144
OB/GYN
Kurt Wharton, MD
www.drwhartonmd.com, 970 Dewing Road, Suite 201, Lafayette, (925) 962-0002
Ophthalmologist / Optometrist
Lamorinda Optometry
www.lamorindaoptometry.com, 3581 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 283-8502
Dermatologist
Kelly Hood, MD
970 Dewing Avenue, Suite 301, Lafayette, (925) 283-5500
Chiropractor
Orinda Family Chiropractic & Massage
www.orindachiro.com, 96 Davis Road, #3, Orinda, (925) 258-0850
Pediatrician / Pediatric Office
Lamorinda Pediatrics
www.lamorindapeds.com, 930 Dewing Avenue, Lafayette, (925) 284-1800
Primary Care Physician (Adult)*
Mary Miller, MD
12 Camino Encinas #12, Orinda, (925) 204-8189
CNM/CPM (Certified Nurse-Midwife/Certified Professional Midwife)*
Laura Warren - Kaiser Permanente, Walnut Creek
1515 Newell Avenue, Walnut Creek, (925) 295-4000
Pregnancy / Maternity / Newborn
Prenatal Yoga Class
YogaWorks
www.yogaworks.com, 1131 Locust Street, Walnut Creek, (925) 478-7272
Birth / Parenting Class
John Muir Women's Health Center
www.johnmuirhealth.com, 1656 N. California Blvd., Walnut Creek, (925) 941-7900
Infant Specialty Shop
Day One Center
www.dayonecenter.com, 1403 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek, (925) 933-3291
Lactation Consultant
John Muir Women's Health Center
www.johnmuirhealth.com, 1656 N. California Blvd., Walnut Creek, (925) 941-7900
Sleep Consultant
Day One Center
www.dayonecenter.com, 1403 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek, (925) 933-3291
Maternity Clothing Shop*
Destination Maternity
www.destinationmaternity.com, 1604 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek, (925) 274-1006
Pampering and Fitness
Day Spa
Lavande
www.lavandenailspa.com, 3589 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 299-8877
Full Service Salon
Cloud 9 Organic Salon
www.cloud9organictherapy.com, 1 Orinda Way, Suite 3, Orinda, (925) 258-9811
Manicure / Pedicure
Cloud 9 Organic Salon
www.cloud9organictherapy.com, 1 Orinda Way, Suite 3, Orinda, (925) 258-9811
Gym
Renaissance ClubSport
www.renaissanceclubsport.com, 2805 Jones Road, Walnut Creek, (925) 938-8700
Fitness Class
Oakwood Athletic Club
www.oakwoodathleticclub.com, 4000 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 283-4000
Mom & Baby Fitness Class
Baby Boot Camp
www.babybootcamp.com/ca-walnut-creek.aspx, (415) 350-6970
Yoga / Pilates Studio
Renaissance ClubSport - Leslie Jerge
www.renaissanceclubsport.com, 2805 Jones Road, Walnut Creek, (925) 938-8700
Lamorinda Moms is a non-profit social and support group for moms with children age five and younger within the greater Lamorinda area that strives to help members enrich their lives through cultivating new friendships, personal and professional growth, and community involvement. Since its inception in 1995, Lamorinda Moms has evolved to become one of the largest parenting organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, with over 875 members and growing. For more information about Lamorinda Moms, visit at www.lamorindamoms.org.
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA