MoNdAy THRoUGH FRIdAy, 6:00 AM To 4:00 PM January 2016 MARKETPLACEcontracosta.com 35 AMARA, LoReTTA ANd MARvICk LeMoNGRASS CHICkeN ANd RICe so much affection to them, and they “want to express that same level of dedicated affection to the hungry souls who dine with us.” Bubbaloo offers breakfast and lunch selections Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM. They offer a selection of simple yet interesting items for both meals, many of which are influenced by various cultures. Some of the family recipes used at Bubbaloo go back several generations. The owners and staff meet regularly to review the menu for opportunities to add to or subtract from the menu, and to determine daily specials that will stimulate their customers’ taste buds and keep them coming back to try new selections. The interior of the café is spacious with a high ceiling and has a very open, casual feeling. There are 8 tables, as well as bar seating along the front window for dining and/ or using the free Wi-Fi. outside seating is also available at concrete tables, complete with umbrellas for sunny days. There is also a “cozy corner” in the café with a plush sofa and chairs, perfect for enjoying coffee or chatting with friends. In addition to the flat screen Tv, patrons can also admire a beautiful hand painted mural that adorns one large wall of the café. The mural was painted by an urban artist by the name of “Reptile”, and is a vision based on a dream he had after seeing the empty wall in the café. At first glance, it appears to be a painting of the San Francisco skyline; however, a closer look reveals many other features; for example, images of Mother Nature breathing life into the earth; and a few hidden items, such as characters from the Wizard of oz, Alice in Wonderland—and yes, even Waldo! The mural is vibrant and colorful and makes for a great conversation piece among customers. My guest and I visited Bubbaloo for a late afternoon lunch, and had the opportunity to see the appetizing presentation of several prepared lunch specialties, separate from the selections we ordered. The lunch menu includes sandwich and burger options, as well as salads, hot dishes, and a special of the day. In addition to classic sandwiches, Bubbaloo offers several specialty sandwiches such as Chicken Teriyaki, Hot Pastrami and Bacon, Seared Salmon Filet, and the Bubbaloo Banh Mi prepared on a fresh baguette. The four burgers offered can be prepared with beef, turkey, or vegetarian patties, and include all the standard condiments and a few more! We saw the Bubbaloo Burger with Loaded French Fries, and the Blue Ribbon Chicken with regular French Fries, both of which looked very hearty and delicious. The Shaking Beef and Rice plate (made with tender chunks of filet mignon), as well as the Lemon Grass Chicken and Rice plate (which is Candice’s mother’s secret recipe) also looked appetizing, and the aromas of both were wonderful. The portions of each item were very generous and the prices were reasonable—most menu items cost well under $10.00. My guest decided to try the Blue Ribbon Chicken sandwich with a side of Italian Wedding soup. I was enticed by the loaded fries that I’d seen served with the Bubbaloo burger, so I ordered a side of these along with a Cobb Salad. For starters, we ordered the Lumpia appetizer, one of Bubbaloo’s specialties. While we waited for our lunch, we were served glasses of iced vietnamese Coffee. This coffee is a special recipe prepared by the head chef, Loretta, and it was superb! It was rich, creamy, smooth, and sweet—and tasted a bit like mocha. However, I learned that there was no
Contra Costa Marketplace - Jan 2016
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