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A Taste of Life Catering
Category: Event Planning & Services Caterers Caterers [Edit]
400 E 2nd StBenicia, CA 94526
(925) 270-8985
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
24 reviews for A Taste of Life Catering
24 reviews in English
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Review from Kevin M. W.
Orinda, CA
9/24/2009
From the minute you walk inside ATOL, it is like a breathe of fresh air. Small touches are noticeable from the nice paint on the inside and outside walls, to the flags hanging from the ceiling. The restaurant is clean and neat and the service is excellent.
The owners of the restaurant, Lori and Menchu, are friendly, knowledgeable and very much want your experience to be a great one. The food is obviously very fresh as it is prepared as you order. Their lunch menu offers a wife variety of delicious sandwiches and in the evening, their Tapas menu is sure to keep you interested.
The paella is to die for and the flavor of the meats off of the tapas menu is amazing. Apparently, the head chef, Menchu, is Spanish trained so the restaurant oozes of Spanish flair.
I am very happy I found this restaurant and I hope you decide to give it a try. I don't think you will be disappointed. -
Review from Lolia S.
San Francisco, CA
8/28/2009 1 photo
What a charming European influenced spot for paninis, sandwiches, salads, soup and tapas. I was greeted warmly by a very friendly Spanish woman who went out of her way to make me feel welcome. Flags hang from the ceiling and there are copies of Food & Wine for your perusal.
Tapas are available Wednesday to Saturday from 5 - 9 PM. The sandwiches average about $7.95 and they have a build your own option. Choose from homemade meatballs, Italian sausage, prosciutto, tuna melts, etc. Spreads include basil aioli and garlic aioli. They also sell chips, candy and bottled drinks.
I had the Chicken Pesto Panini ($8.25). Sandwiches come with your choice of fruit salad, potato salad or macaroni salad. The Panini was very toasty and hot in the center, with oozing Havarti cheese. The bread was a thin sliced white bread which was quite crunchy but wouldn't be my preferred type of Panini bread. The Panini didn't have much chicken but the flavors were good (red peppers, basil pesto, Havarti, chicken). It's a little pricey though (if they changed the bread or lowered the price, I could see giving them four stars). The fruit salad was simple and fresh with pineapple, grapes, cantaloupe and fresh mint. -
Review from Robin L.
3/15/2009
Where can you go to get a panini made with love? Well the answer is ATOL's. I went here today for the first time and watched as the owner carefully placed the finest ingredients on my perfectly made sandwich. Seasoned chicken breast, manchego cheese and yummy bell peppers on a roll grilled to perfection...ask me if I could be happier.
I also got a greek salad which was lovely, but I don't think anything exceptional, especially for the price. It really paled in comparison to the panini. And I also had a little cup of fruit that accompanied the sandwich. This was actually a touch more interesting than the greek salad as it was sprinkled with an odd but really yummy spice.
So at any rate, next time, I'll be "all about the panini." Hope you will be too, so the recession doesn't kill this place and I'm left w/ boring old substandard-subs! -
Review from Scott K.
San Francisco, CA
6/29/2010
Had dinner with friends here over the weekend. Spanish tapas and a flamenco troupe made for a great evening! The owners of the restaurant are very friendly and provided a tasty meal with fantastic service.
Our group of 6 sampled most of the menu and it was good. Highlights for me were the paella and the mac-n-cheese. -
Review from Old Coot L.
Danville, CA
10/29/2009
Mrs Coot and I decided to break out of the nest for the evening and try ATOL. We saw a wonderful review in the Diablo Magazine, so we decided to try it ourselves and were not disappointed.
The restaurant is small and not intimate. The bright lights were over the top. ATOL has the opportunity to be a quaint intimate spot with a little work.
Menchu, the Chef and Owner and Laurie were very attentive and informative and excited about their food. Its good to see.
Their wine list is small but has an impressive variety of Spanish wines. Knowing little about Spanish wines, Laurie made an excellent recommendation. In fact, we had two bottles.
ATOL is a Tapas restaurant so we were able to select several different dishes and share. We started with a chorizo dish, 3 differently prepared types of chorizo, which we used as an "appetizer". We shared a very tender "Danville Delight", NY Steak with asparagus, an out of this world Mac and Cheese (goat cheese, prosciutto, and cheddar) and two fantastic shrimp dishes. Shrimp Pimenton and Serrano Ham Wrapped Shrimp. Both of these were fantastic and I highly recommend them.
Menchu's mother was visiting from Spain and is famous for her rice pudding. No doubt some of the best I've had in a long time.
We were very impressed with ATOL and its definitely now on our regular restaurant list -
Review from Emil M.
Danville, CA
12/9/2008
This place is pretty good! I went today, and they have a good amount of choices and the food is prepared quite quickly!
Being a "starving student", it was hard to get something for $8, but they did have a special that ended up at $6, which 2 different choices (changed each day) and a soda. Still a lot of dough, but I guess it's better.
I had the Chicken Sierra, and it was great! Everything about it! My friend had the veggie one, and the bread on it seemed normal sliced white bread. Hm...
Only problem is that it's kinda expensive.
Try it! -
Review from Erica R.
Oakland, CA
12/6/2008
This place just opened up yesterday. I was at The Light Source two doors down and was looking for a quick bite. Edwin at The Light Source mentioned that he had his first panini there when they opened. On his advice, I tried the Saltimbocca panini. It was excellent! It had rich flavor and just the right amount of food at a very good price. I was with my aunt and she had the Pata negra panini: prosciutto, manchego cheese, roasted red peppers, and olive tapenade. I had a bite of hers and that too was delicious. Check them out before they become so busy that you can't even get a table!
I think they also do catering, and it looks like they might be tied to a location in Concord. -
Review from Lauren O.
Updated - 11/9/2010
I received a message from the owner about my dining experience and he apologized for the circumstance. I appreciate the effort-- it's nice to see that the owner is considerate of all customer input. I'm looking forward to coming back now.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/20/2010
I had a rough experience here the other night (went for dinner). First off, this place is in the… Read more »
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Review from Scotty D.
3/20/2010 1 photo
i had a panini craving and i had heard about this place and their great panini selection for so long it was about time i gave it a try. the interior decor isn't anything fancy but when you see the menu you can see where all the time and money went. the extensive selection of panini will have you deciding over the menu longer than you want to but choose wisely because they are that good.
i have had two so far and they are two of the best i have ever had. i highly recommend you try the sierra and the saltimbocca. the sierra is full of fresh and tender chicken breast, bacon, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion and a fantastic ranch dressing. the saltimbocca has the same great chicken breast with prosciutto, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese in a marsala sauce. both were cooked perfectly but i could have them pressed a little longer for a crispier crust and extra gooey cheese but that is for my own taste.
the most impressive thing was the great customer service and the care and pride in making the panini. the owner was on board making mine and watching her make each one is if it was an art. they definitely love what they are doing and it shows in everything they do and really want each and every customer to come back again and again. i have and i will continue to until i try every panini on the menu and then get in there for dinner for that awesome dinner menu. -
Review from Susan D.
3/12/2009
Recently a panini fan, I've been wanting to check this place out. It was around 2:30 on a thursday so it was pretty quiet. I decided on the turkey panini which comes with: turkey (duh), artichoke hearts, tomatoes, red onion, havarti cheese and garlic aioli on sour dough sliced bread. Sounded great.... And when I got home it was tasty but, it just seemed a bit lacking. I really wanted to love this sandwich.
First of all the sliced sour dough looked more and tasted like white bread, and the garlic aioli very light. I would have liked more spread, maybe a pesto mayo or some light olive oil on the outside. I don't know if it was my imagination but the sandwich seemed a bit dry or maybe the bread a bit stale.
That being said it still was a decent sandwich and since I only tried one, I'd definitely go back and give the place another try again. I really like the panini idea and the menu had many interesting sounding sandwich choices. The price also included a side salad of pasta or fruit or potato salad.
I really want to like this place and I want to support local business, the owner was working and was very friendly. So "yes" I'll go back and try something different. It was late in the day and just maybe that was the end of the loaf? Each sandwich comes on different breads so I might be pleasantly surprised with a different choice.
Also they do catering for a party or event, with a mediterranean flare, the owner is of Spanish decent. -
Review from Michael F.
Quantico, VA
4/14/2009
Amazing taste that is actually healthy for you. First, let me say it is great to finally have a restaurant with Spanish influences in the area. The first night I was there I tried the Spanish Paella. The dish had a great mix of spices that made the dish very flavorful. For desert I had the crem brulee and it was GREAT! I had such a good evening I went back the next day for lunch and had a signature panini. The ham & swiss panini was toasted perfectly and not loaded with oils or aioli. Each panini is accompanied with a side and I chose the fruit cup. This fruit cup was AMAZING! The fruit cup is seasonal fruit with a little mint mixed in which enhanced the all the flavors and provided a refreshing taste. On my third visit I brought my Mom and she loved it. This time I tried the Saltimbocca; chicken breast, prosciutto, mushrooms and mozzarella cheese with a marsala sauce, and it even better than the ham & swiss.
Atol is a perfect neighborhood gem and perfect for lunch or dinner. -
Review from L C.
Alamo, CA
4/12/2010
We were at this place for the first time last Friday and it was refreshing to find great food in this tiny place.
We ordered some tapas (tortilla de patata and sobrasada canapes) and a vegetarian paella. All of them were great, the paella was outstanding, loaded with fresh veggies and the arborio rice was cooked to perfection.
Drinks were great also, we got a spanish beer and sangria. The sangria was the best I've had in a long time and the bear I heard tasted great, with the characteristic bitterness beer should have.
We will definetly come back to atol, this time to try their paninis that look really yummi.
Great place to order catering for a party. They even loan the paella serving platter. -
Review from Alana C.
San Ramon, CA
3/2/2010
This place was okay. As you can tell from my other reviews of tapas places I am very particular. The service was outstanding here and the people that run the business are very friendly and quick to want to make your dining experience fun. There was a lot of talk around the Paella and of course when I went I ordered it, it was a little too fishy for my taste. Their meatballs (albondigas) were enjoyable and their Ahi Tuna salad is a must. Not sure if I would go here again, but it is at least worth a one time try to see what you think.
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Review from John J.
San Ramon, CA
8/15/2009
Just had tapas for dinner at ATOL - very pleased with our experience. Quite authentic, albeit lacking a bit of the weird factor found in a Madrid tapas cave. Everything was very well prepared and the staff was friendly. The Papas Bravas was delicious! The ambiance was more sandwich shop open for dinner than trendy restaurant, but still nice enough. Hope more people discover the place. Prices were reasonable for dinner in Danville - four tapas plates, bread, dessert and sodas for my wife and I cost $37. I'll be back for more tapas and a lunch panini.
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Review from Nicole C.
San Ramon, CA
8/5/2010
FYI, I just called ATOL and they will be closed for lunch only during the month of August. They will be open, however, for dinner.
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Review from Ian M.
Pleasant Hill, CA
9/19/2009
Friends recommended ATOL for Tapas. When we pulled up at 8 p.m. on Saturday evening, I was a bit unsure with the location in a strip mall with a military recruiting office, a lighting store, and sushi restaurant. But, I was pleasantly surprised.
As a big fan of authentic Spanish tapas, the menu did look promising. Not being that hungry, two of us ordered 5 different tapas out of the selection of 8-10 different choices. Each dish was prepared with incredible care with fresh and authentic ingredients. .
Dishes I definitely order again include the
- Serrano Ham Wrapped Shrimp - The ham tasted like it was just cut from a ham in a shop in Madrid. The shrimp were fresh and cooked to perfection. The sauce was so flavorful (Make sure to asked for some bread to get all of it.).
- Mac'n Cheese - This dish is not for the calorie conscious. The cheese sauce was so rich and creamy. Also, Menchu (chef/owner) uses goat cheese which makes it even better
- Flan - A light, yet rich, dessert that didn't overpower or take away from the wonderful flavors of the meal.
Since everybody raved about it, I definitely need to go back and try the Paella.
The service was friendly, never rushed, and attentive without being overbearing. It felt like I was in a neighborhood restaurant in Madrid or Barcelona.
So what is not good about ATOL? I would love to see the menu increase to include some chicken dishes and empanadas. Also, the interior feels a bit like a lunch counter, not a full-service restaurant. It would be great if they could put a community table or bar in to truly replicate my memories of fun times at tapas bars in Spain. -
Review from John S.
Dublin, CA
9/19/2009
We recently found "A Taste of Life" restaurant in Danville. Each time we have returned, we've taken a different friend with us. It's great to see the enthusiasm they've each expressed the same way we did at the end of our first visit there. Until last December, ATOL were caterers. They still are. Thankfully, they are now a restaurant too. Carefully balanced flavors and the highest quality ingredients combined with the talents and imagination used in their kitchen results in a dining experience we could not wait to tell our friends about. "A Taste of Spain" could easily be the name of this place. Tapas. Paellas. Paninis. Everything is made fresh to order, so enjoy a few tapas & fresh Sangria while waiting the twenty-five or so minutes it takes to prepare the best Paella you have probably ever had.
Lightly spiced potatoes in a sweet red pepper saute (Papas Bravas) is a good choice for starters. What do you think of when you hear "macaroni and cheese"? Well think again! Large noodles, goat cheese, Spanish ham plus a delicate blend of herbs and spices is enough to make me keep coming back. One of the owners is the chef and the other owner is the server. Both of them seem to enjoy a little socializing with customers. They also seem to welcome suggestions. Save room for their wonderful homemade desserts. It's hard to choose between their creamy melt in your mouth crème brulee and three or four other selections which often include flan, cheesecake and tiramisu. Fine food and a friendly, casual atmosphere has kept us coming back. -
Review from Chas D.
Danville, CA
3/27/2010
We have been a few times and sampled most of the menu. At lunchtime, the paninis are good but not great. At dinner the place comes alive with the feeling of a Spanish tapas restaurant on the beach of Marbella--great, personal service and solid, sometimes spectacular dishes. Reasonably prices Spanish wines. The Trio Chorizo is always good as well as the Shrimp Pimenton. Order the daily specials--they are usually great. Go for the "we are really glad to serve you" atmosphere that is missing from 90% of today's restaurants.
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Review from S. C.
San Francisco, CA
10/14/2009
This seemingly unassuming (from the outside) place packs a lot of flavor and authenticity in its dishes, and I sure know a thing or two about Spanish food since I have lived in Spain several years, and I have eaten one too many tapas. Correction, you can never have one too many tapas...
Silliness aside, I felt right at home both times here, and each time I leave wanting to come back and try something else.
Sofar, I have tasted the tortilla, gazpacho and a few more appetizers. Among them, items you dont even find in the regular menu, like the yummy Tigres, a creamy mussel-based appetizer quite hard to come by in this country. My favorite until now was the Serrano Ham wrapped shrimp, cooked to sublime perfection (I am not exagerating, I am picky about my shrimp) and so tasty it makes you want to have some more!
Overall, a great experience in a cozy atmosphere. I reserved the fifth star for a later review, just in case the paella is as outstanding as I have heard... I understand they also have special events like wine tasting nights and flamenco dancing, so this might just be an up-and-coming Danville regular hangout. Definitely worth trying! -
Review from Andria T.
Castro Valley, CA
1/24/2010
Ventured to the top of the strip to check out ATOL based on other Yelp reviews. Went for a late lunch on a Saturday, so we had the whole place to ourselves. Menchu (the chef) and Laurie were attentive without being overbearing, and the place was comfortable, though the atmosphere/ decor could be upgraded a bit - feels more like an upscale cafe/deli than a "real" sit-down restaurant.
We ordered a Ham & Swiss panini and the prosciutto/olive spread/ roasted red bell pepper panini with a side of papas bravas. Everything was DELICIOUS!, especially the potatoes which were perfectly cooked (a little al dente/crisp on the outside, cooked well through the inside) in a wonderfully smoky pimenton with sprinkling of baby cherry tomatoes. Panini had a nice amount of stuffing-to-well-grilled-bread ratio, and melty without being mushy inside.
Looking forward to trying more of the tapas next time we go... Definitely recommend for a tasty and fairly reasonably-priced lunch experience. -
Review from Manny E.
Danville, CA
8/21/2010
Great place for Tapas and Paella. Owners are friendly and take pride in there food.
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Review from Irene H.
Danville, CA
7/23/2010
We had a delightful dinner on a quiet Wednesday night. My husband and I started with the Spanish canape, a version of brushetta. It was delicious loaded with thinly sliced Serrano ham. Then we split a roasted beet and pear salad and for the main course we split a great mixed paella. The rice was perfectly flavored and the chicken, shellfish, fish and veges were just right. The creme brulee at the end, though not Spanish, was definitely fresh and lighter than a lot of creme brulees. All topped off with a very nice spanish wine from Cataluna. We decided we will defintely become regulars...
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Review from Wendy M.
Clayton, CA
6/30/2009
What a fabulous place. I ate at ATOL for the first time today. I had the turkey panini which was made perfectly. A nice and inviting atmosphere. You can dine in or take out. They have a Tapas menu that looks yummy. I can't wait to go back.
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Review from renee m.
Alamo, CA
9/18/2010
Food was very good, service was really mediocre. We went right at 5 with a family of 5, 2 adults and 3 kids, we always go early to avoid any crowds. We ordered a number of tapas and the seafood payaya. Payaya was excellent, seared ahi and steak were also quite good, potatoe tortilla was good, salads were mediocre. Server was ok, he did not know how to serve wine and when we ordered another tapa toward the end of our meal,because the kids were still hungry, he failed to bring it to us. When we inquired he insisted he had alreayd brought and he actually said ok " I will bring another' . We started to second guess ourselves and thought he was right until he really brought it to us and all 5 of us confirmed we had definitely not received it. I was surprised he would argue with us and not sure why he thought he brought it, we were the only customers in the restaurant so could not have been confusing us with another table. The food was excellent but there are so many good restaurants in danville/walnut creek/ san ramon that if the service is mediocre there is not much reason to return. It has also been a while since we have ordered tapas so were a bit surprised by how small the portions were but next time we go to a tapas place we will order a lot more. If they can improve on service I think they could move to the 4/5 range. Not sure that going early makes sense either, they did not seem ready for us.
