LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Taste of Lafayette - a strolling, community dinner party

It is almost time for Lafayette's favorite dinner party - Taste of Lafayette - and all are welcome. This year the event will take place on Tuesday, May 14 starting at 5:30 p.m. as tasters gather for appetizers, a glass of wine and music at popup art gallery JPG@TheBank on the corner of Mt. Diablo Boulevard and Moraga Road.

Taste of Lafayette is now in its 17th year and has become one of Lafayette's most popular evenings. Tickets for the events, hosted by the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, have sold out early in previous years.

The "party" is more of a stroll, in fact, as residents gather with friends and neighbors to meander, sampling tastes from over two-dozen participating restaurants along "restaurant row."

Restaurant-goers move at their own pace, stopping at any or all of the participating restaurants until 8 p.m. A free shuttle bus will be available if needed.

Coffee and dessert will be served back at the popup gallery from 7 p.m., and at 7:45 p.m. the raffle, benefiting the Lafayette Community Foundation, will be drawn. Musical entertainment will feature the Gold Coast Chamber Players' latest venture Pop-up Bach - described as "chamber music experience in unexpected places," featuring the Little Stars Trio.

"It's that one spring night where the sidewalks of Lafayette are filled with hundreds of smiling people, everyone enjoying conversation with friends and neighbors, while tasting signature dishes," says Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jay Lifson.

And there should be plenty of choice for every palate. This year participants include Amarin Thai, Amphora Nueva, Barranco Cocina Peruana, Batch & Brine, BevMo!, Chelini Fresh Pasta Works (at Back to the Table), Chow Lafayette, The Cooperage American Grille, Diablo Foods, izzyA's Frozen Custard, The Hideout Kitchen, Lafayette Bistro at the Park, Locanda Positano, Mangia Ristorante & Pizzeria, Metro Lafayette, Patxi's Pizza, Philz Coffee, Pizza Antica, Postino, Rancho Cantina, REVE Bistro, Sideboard Neighborhood Kitchen & Coffee Bar, Solano Jewelry, SusieCakes, Urban Remedy, Uncle Yu's, and Zoonie's.

Tickets while available may be purchased on the Chamber website at https://lafayettechamber.org/taste/ for $55 each. Taste of Lafayette "passports" may be picked up from the Chamber offices during office hours between May 9 through May 13, or on the evening of the event at JPG@TheBank.