 | | | Peter Eberle in his new restaurant Piccolo Napoli in Orinda's Theatre Square. Photo Sophie Braccini
| | | | | | Theatre Square's New Addition: Piccolo Napoli
2 Theatre Square #144, Orinda
(925) 253-1225, iccolo-napoli.com
A few days ago, Peter Eberle and his wife Maria Napoli opened a new Italian restaurant in Theatre Square called Piccolo Napoli (across from Republic of Cake). A longtime Orinda resident - his parents moved there when he was 3 years old - Eberle lived all over the world before returning to Orinda with his wife to raise their family. Piccolo Napoli is their first restaurant, but Eberle was an entrepreneur in the financial world. They've hired Sarah Puge as their kitchen manager, and also used consulting chefs from San Francisco to partner and create their own menu. "What you will notice about our pizzas is that they are thin crust pizza, and yet they are really firm," says Eberle. "That's because we use a high protein more expensive wheat, to produce that crisp and firm feel." Piccolo Napoli also has a gluten-free option crust from Mariposa Baking that's made of rice and tapioca flour. "If people truly have a serious gluten allergy they should not come to a place that uses 50 pounds of flour a day to make the dough," cautions Eberle. "This option is more for people with a gluten intolerance." The sauce for the pizza is also made on the premises using fresh high quality produce. "What makes the success of a restaurant in Orinda is repeat business," says Eberle, "and residents here know value and good quality. You want to keep your customers happy." The wine list is not very long yet, but features interesting Italian and California wines at reasonable prices, and hard cider is offered as a gluten-free alternative to beer. The dessert list, a choice of ice creams, is served Italian style - soft, and the salty caramel is hard to resist. "For our first week we've seen so many of our friends and neighbors here," says Eberle who continues to be very active in the community.
GNC in Lafayette
3631 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
(925) 284-1497
Two weeks ago the spot that used to be Handlebar Toys, between Diablo Foods and Trader Joe's, was taken over by the health food chain GNC. The store offers a wide variety of sports nutrition and vitamin supplements. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day but Sunday when it closes at 5 p.m.
New Coldwell Banker Associate, Tina Jones
5 Moraga Way, Orinda
(925) 464-3755, Tina@TinaJonesHomes.com
Tina Jones has joined Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage as a broker associate in its Orinda office. In her new position, Jones will specialize in residential sales in the East Bay. Prior to joining Coldwell Banker, Jones owned a highly successful boutique real estate brokerage for more than 20 years. She has earned the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation through the National Association of Realtors(r) - a designation earned by only 3 percent of realtors nationwide. Jones said she made the decision to join Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage for a number of reasons, including the extensive marketing support, advanced technology, national network of referrals and other broker resources that the company offers. Jones began her career with Coldwell Banker in 1985, leaving to work in new homes for several years before opening her own brokerage in 1993. Throughout her career, Jones has been a top producer and for many years was number one in sales among all agents in her area.
News from the three Chambers of Commerce
Lafayette
Entrepreneur Club at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, July 18 at the chamber.
Mobile Websites Workshop at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 23 in the chamber conference room. For reservations, email dwexler@blastmybiz.
Coffee with the Mayor at 8 a.m. Friday, July 26 in the chamber conference room.
Moraga
Second Annual Moraga Chamber Golf Tournament and Dinner Party on Monday July 22; check-in from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., shotgun starts at noon. This is the chamber's largest fundraising event of the year. The party includes fun and prizes including foursomes at local golf courses, dinners at local restaurants, wine baskets and much more. Space is limited to the first 100 golfers, cost for golfers $175. Non-golfers can come for dinner for $60. Contact Kathe Nelson at (925) 323-6524 or kathe@moragachamber.org to register.
Orinda
Shop Orinda Bag Promotion. As a way to showcase its members and show support for nearby chambers, the Orinda chamber of commerce will gather members' gift certificates and items to include in a Shop Orinda Bag raffle item. The first bag was raffled at the July 10 Mega Mixer and the second will be raffled at the July 22 Moraga Chamber Golf Tournament. Chamber members who wish to be included should contact Candy Kattenburg at (925) 254-3909 or info@orindachamber.org.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA