Pleasanton and Dublin CA area residents are well aware of the traffic gridlock that usually greets commuters heading East towards Livermore after 3:00 on weekday afternoons. At times, it seems that walking would be faster than navigating your way through the mess that is I-580.

I am happy to report that the traffic on I-580 seems to be much improved, thanks to the installation of metering lights on the on-ramps. Last week, I had to travel from Pleasanton to Livermore late in the afternoon (around 4:45 PM). I prepared for the usual gridlock and frustration by bringing along a new age CD and practicing deep breathing exercises. What I found was a pleasant surprise to me. Traffic was actually moving… even at 4:45 PM on a Wednesday. Oh sure, it slowed down in spots, and there was the usual assortment of obnoxious people passing on the right, etc. But overall, it did not resemble the usual late afternoon traffic fest on I-580.

Here are some photos I took while driving that afternoon. As you can see, there is actually space between the cars!

P.S., I don’t recommend trying this. Only years of practice as a multi-task expert enabled me to shoot these pictures while driving with my knees, talking on my cell phone, and listening to relaxation tapes at the same time.

Popularity: 8% [?]

This is primarily a blog devoted to real estate and lifestyle issues in Pleasanton and the Tri-Valley, and in general I avoid discussing politics. But one observation I have made over time is that voters often are attracted to the personality and the idea of what a certain candidate represents, while having little or no knowledge about what their favorite candidate actually stands for. My mom, for example, is an Irish Catholic who was raised in the great depression. She is a card carrying Democrat come hell or high water, mostly because that’s the way most Irish voted at that time, and because of her fondness for Roosevelt and the New Deal. However, much has changed since the 1930’s, and yet she clings to the label “democrat” like Brittany Spears clings to celebrity. But if I ask her about specific issues, her responses are typically more conservative than liberal…. but she remains a tried and true “democrat”.

Here is a link to a short questionnaire about several important political issues. When you answer the questions about your feelings on these various issues, the survey tallies your answers and shows how your answers compare to all of the candidates’ actual stance on the same issues. This is the greatest thing since Al Gore invented the internet, because it removes the “rock star” persona and slick political messages that most people are attracted to, and instead focuses on what the candidate actually stands for, and how that compares to your personal beliefs. The results are very interesting to say the least. It shows you which issues you have in common with each candidate, and on which issues you differ. It is a fun exercise. Give it a try (courtesy WQAD in Iowa)

Select a Candidate Quiz

Popularity: 8% [?]

At least according to the Contra Costa Times. Now I know I live a sheltered life, because I have not been to any of these on the list. But this critic has, and here is his list of the 10 best. Most of these seem to be new restaurants, so maybe I get a pass for not having eaten there. Some of them definitely look interesting.

1. Wood Tavern. An instant success, the restaurant’s tempo blends the best of urban sophistication and neighborhood charm. Rich and Rebekah Wood, previously owners of Frascati in San Francisco, are ever-present. The food, by chef Maximilian DiMare, is at once refined and rustic, delivering bold flavors and hearty portions in a pretty package. Salads are sublime, the Hot Pastrami at lunch is transcendent, and DiMare shows talent with anything cured or smoked. 6317 College Ave. (at Alcatraz Avenue), Oakland. 510-654-6607.

2. Metro Lafayette. Metro was Contra Costa’s biggest hit this year. True to its name, it gave this hamlet a taste impeccably fresh oysters to skin-on fries. Founding chef Mark Lusardi has just departed, but Jack Moore, the tireless owner, insists that the kitchen hums without him. Minimalism is hip, but Metro distills the formula: refining service, simplifying and purifying the menu, and surrounding it all with an arty, almost austere, ambiance. Great wine list. 3524 Mt. Diablo Blvd. (in the Safeway shopping center), Lafayette. 925-284-4422; http://www.metrolafayette.com.

3. Riva Cucina. The stripped-down cuisine here has startled some, but most foodies find it refreshing, on a par with Oliveto and Bay Wolf. Young chef-owner Massi Boldrini delivers — a stunning piece of fish, of cheese, of tomato, a little salt, a little olive oil — accentuating natural goodness. Riva is out of the way, but worth seeking out. While Boldrini’s cooking is sweet — from ripe produce and careful caramelization — it’s not overly rich. Small but stunning Italian wine list. 800 Heinz Ave. (at 7th Street), Berkeley. 510-841-7482; http://www.rivacucina.com.

5. Maria Maria. Maria Maria’s mellow-dramatic, wick-lit quasi-hallucinogenic dining room has you melting in your seat. Moles have a fruity, haunting complexity. Vegetarians will love the roasted chile rellenos; everyone else should indulge in a platter of carnitas, served in glorious gnarly chunks. A trio of salsas are best chased with agave-enhanced margaritas. 1470 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek. 925-946-1010; http://www.mariamariarestaurants.

6. Digs Bistro. Call 2007 “coming out” year for Digs. For 30 months, it was an underground “restaurant” where friends could gather to eat good food and indulge in the local music and arts. The 35-seat restaurant has all the charm of a fairy-tale cottage, including dishes with a homespun honesty. The cooking style is honest and gutsy — American, you might say — with just enough finesse to park in California. Start with the charcuterie and finish with a sundae. 1453 Dwight Way (at Sacramento), Berkeley. 510-548-2322; http://www.digsbistro.com.

7. Huynh. A number of Vietnamese restaurants — both upscale bistros and humble noodle houses — opened in 2007, but none outshone Huynh’s Jan. 6 debut. The dining room’s varied shades of green capture all that’s compelling about this fresh, calming and refined cuisine. The serving platters — metallic, Asian and shapely — are dazzling by themselves, and well-suited to the stark presentations. Look for stuffed squid, steamed bass with coconut broth and crusty Shaking Beef. 1512 Locust St., Walnut Creek. 925-952-9898; http://www.huynhrestaurant.com.

8. Gigi. Slammed with customers the moment the doors opened in July, chef/owner Jeff Amber is just now catching his breath. His dishes, when the kitchen is calm, don’t blow you away so much as nourish you, like a market-inspired weeknight meal. He’s at his best with french fries, salads and seasonal presentations of fresh fish. The setting, in the antique cottage that housed Kaffee Barbara for 30 years, has the same sprawling brick patio and a refurbished, contemporary indoor space. 1005 Brown Ave., Lafayette. 925-962-0882.

9. Baci Ristorante. The garish decor will tell you otherwise, but Baci is trying hard to bring fine dining to Vallejo. With dishes such as grilled bitter lettuce and whole poached fish, Baci’s menu has the sex appeal of a Tuscan trattoria. Chef Scott Larson persuaded the owners to go upscale. It was a move as gutsy as the pastas are bold. Larson uses a minimum of sauce, extracting maximum flavor by searing produce and protein in extra virgin olive oil. 324 Virginia St., Vallejo. 707-552-4888; http://www.bacicaffe.com.

10. Sahara. Mahida and Abe Hadeed have established a winning restaurant in a location that has struggled for years. Their dining room is bathed in the warm, golden tones of dunes at sunset. High-quality authentic kabobs, hummus and falafel are served at reasonable prices. Delicious wraps at lunch. Mahida makes everything by eye, taste and hand, meaning she’s in the kitchen all day, every day. Wines are quite reasonable. Service can be amateurish, but that just adds to the relaxed atmosphere. 907 First St., Benicia. 707-746-0505.

Absent from the list but definitely worthy of mention (in my humble opinion) are

Forbes Mill, Danville (Very good steaks and seafood)
Havana, Walnut Creek (trendy Cuban restaurant with great bar)
Izzy’s Steak House, San Ramon (Classic steak house)
Piatti’s, Danville (Still one of the best italian restaurants in the area)
Pasta’s Trattoria, Pleasanton (great pastas & seafood)
Zachary’s Pizza, San Ramon (unique pizzas, an Oakland institution now in San Ramon)
Senro Sushi, Pleasanton (probably the best fish going right now)
Casa Orozco, Dublin (consistently the best Mexican cuisine in the Tri-Valley)

There are dozens more, and it is always fun to talk about restaurants. Feel free to chime in with your favorite.

Popularity: 17% [?]