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Location
Walnut Creek, CA
Yelping since
July 2007
I've been using Kerrigan Bookkeeping to complete my tax returns for many years, after the tax preparer I had been using retired. She was recommended to me by one of my best friends.
Debbie Kerrigan is careful and efficient, and her charge for services is in line with that of many others. Her turnaround time is also quick, providing you don't submit your information a week before taxes are due each April and then expect her to work miracles.
We had read some of the short reviews of this new breakfast/lunch spot so decided to try it out for morning coffee and pastries. While it is spacious and attractive, it is a far cry from a quality French cafe. Both of us had almond croissants and were hugely disappointed. Traditional croissants should have multiple layers of a very thin, flaky texture, similar to puff pastry, and be baked fairly soon before serving. If the dough has not been allowed to expand sufficiently, it will end up not being flaky. These croissants were disappointingly the opposite--dense, pasty, and they lacked the light buttery layers of authentic croissants.
For beverages, we had their regular coffee and a coffee latte. The coffee was decent although a bit weak, and the coffee flavor in the latte lacked depth. Despite one reviewer saying the prices were right in line with WC, they seemed a bit higher than that. So try this place out, if you wish, and judge for yourself. However, we won't be returning.
Business owner information
Wissem K.
Oct 23, 2019
Hi Bob - sorry to hear your experience has not been like the others. We definitely want all of our customers happy and enjoy their time in our patisserie/cafe. As a family owned business that lived in France, the Mediterranean, and then in San Francisco prior to moving to the East Bay, we pride on making sure we offer authentic French pastries, crepes and other items. Everything is made fresh daily and served the same day. As a new business, we appreciate the feedback and hope you come try the many other items on our menu if you didn't like the almond croissants.
Three of us had dinner here on 3/3/19. Unfortunately we found the food below average in quality, the prices inflated, and would not come back. The only good item we had was the creamy wonton soup. The basil chicken was too oily, contained nothing but the chicken, and the meat had a strange aftertaste that made us suspect it was not fresh. The mei fun rice noodles included little except the noodles, and the dry braised green beans were dripping in oil, with the garlic and onions blackened. The downstairs seating area is claustrophobic, with tables crammed in. Parties of six or more seated at the large round tables received priority service. We had to flag down a waiter to order entrees. Given our negative experience, we wonder whether some of the positive reviews of this place are authentic.
Business owner information
Kathy F.
Feb 6, 2019
Bob, first and foremost, I can assure you every review we receive is authentic -- it's disappointing that you would suggest otherwise just because you didn't enjoy your visit. Furthermore, the full value of every plate we serve is reflected in the ingredients we use and the portions we serve. In the future, I encourage you to let a team member know if a dish fails to meet the mark in any way.
Wishing you all the best,
Kathy, Chef
Three of us tried this eatery for the first time today (Sunday brunch). Two of us were disappointed with our meals. I had the Egg + Chicken Sausage Sandwich. The sausage was blackened on one side, the egg overly firm and bland, and there was hardly any smashed avocado and manchego. A friend had the Dashi Ramen, and said it was just ok, and not what he expected. Our other friend had the Inside Out Quinoa Burger and enjoyed it. One of us ordered a Bloody Mary (it cost $12!), and he said it tasted watered down, and he could not taste almost any alcohol. My decaf coffee had a strange aftertaste. So all in all, this place did not live up to its reputation, and none of us would return. There are too many other, better places to eat for about the same price.
Business owner information
Krystal G.
Oct 29, 2018
Hello Bob,
I am sorry about your recent experience with us. I can assure you the quality of food that you experienced is not our standard. Our culinary team is very passionate about what we put out to our guests. Our reputation is great service but more importantly delicious quality food. The items you had are by far our most popular dishes and we want our guests to leave happy and satisfied. I am so sorry we fell short of perfection today.
I would love an opportunity to make this right and I am going to privately message you with more information.
Thank you for reaching out and providing us with this valuable feedback.
Chris Gaughan
GM
Just took my car here yesterday, February 16, 2018, for its regular oil service, and to check on a little squeaking in the brakes. As usual, everything was taken care of in the usual expert and caring Mike Larbre Automotive way. I've posted one or two previous reviews, and don't want to sound like a broken record, but this is the best automotive shop I've ever gone to in all ways. Highly recommended.
I have had my car serviced at Mike Larbre Automotive in Sonoma since the mid-1990s. It is still under the same management. It is an outstanding auto repair shop--by far the most honest, reliable, and expert one in the Sonoma Valley, and based on comparisons with shops friends have used, is probably also at the top of the list for all of Sonoma County. Their customer service is commendable. They treat all their customers like they would family. Both the facility and office are the cleanest and most organized I have ever seen, which in itself says a lot. Mike, Frank the office manager, and the other mechanics seem to keep on top of the constantly changing computer technology associated with automobiles. They are methodical in figuring out what may be causing each problem, and fully stand behind their work. Although I now live in Walnut Creek, whenever possible I still bring my car to their shop for servicing. I've never encountered a better auto repair shop in over 50 years of driving, and can recommend them without reservation!
I've been going to Mike Larbre Automotive since the mid-1990s. I left CA in 2008 and returned in 2013, along with returning to this auto shop because Mike and his team are experts in identifying problems and then repairing them. Their mechanics regularly receive additional training in order to keep up with new developments in the field, including those related to computer-assisted technologies.
I have never encountered a more trustworthy, friendly, or caring group of mechanics anywhere and can recommend them without qualification. I also agree with other reviewers that they will answer any questions you have, and yes, this is the cleanest automotive repair shop I've ever seen, which also reflects on the pride employees take in their work.
If I had to sum up in one word what characterizes Mike Larbre Automotive, that word would be integrity.