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An appreciative crowd gathered around Chef Rodney Worth outdoors near the fountain on Monday evening in the perfect summer evening as he welcomed them to the grand opening of the Peasant’s Courtyard. His wife Natalie stood by his side and also welcomed everyone.
Their two older children, Zachary, 5, and Zoe, 3, took center stage with them, and 10-week-old Zane cuddled inside with his grandmother Franca Reed.
From 400-500 people attended the 4-9 p.m. opening, estimated Worth. The chefs turned out signature foods from the restaurant, including French fried onion rings and mini pulled pork sandwiches. Several wines and beers were offered, waitresses circulated with trays of hors d’oeuvres, and a guitarist performed.
Worth said the crowd was made up of good customers, those on a mailing list and people who read about the event from news sources.
“People were waiting at 3:45,” said Worth with a laugh.
The restaurant opened in May. “We are doing phenomenally,” Worth said. “We had 315 people for breakfast on Sunday – Sunday breakfast is our best.”
Weekend dinners are popular, too, he added. The restaurant is open for breakfast lunch and dinner seven days a week.
The Peasant’s Courtyard is located at 3195 Danville Blvd., where the old Courtyard Cafe was located. Its loyal following was saddened when the breakfast and lunch restaurant closed after almost 25 years in business but some of its fans are now customers of the new bistro.
Beverly and Arlen Ness, loyal patrons of the Courtyard Café, said they are also enjoying the new restaurant.
“It’s one of many we go to,” said Arlen Ness.
The Worths also own the Peasant and the Pear in Danville, which opened in 2006. They said they now spent a lot of time traveling Danville Boulevard, and usually begin the day in Alamo since that restaurant serves breakfast.
Staff members also enjoyed the party. Tarah Bateman, who works as a waitress at both restaurants, was there with her mother.
“This place is more casual,” Bateman said. “Rodney wanted to keep it casual all day.”
Worth was named East Bay Chef of the Year in 2008 by Diablo Magazine.
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Chef Rodney Worth pops the cork on a bottle of champagne to welcome everyone to the Peasant’s Courtyard grand opening, with his wife Natalie and their two older children, Zachary, 5, and Zoe, 3. Photo by Dolores Fox Ciardelli. -
Tena Gallagher goes through the food line of signature eats from the bistro. Photo by Dolores Fox Ciardelli. -
The crowd at the opening enjoyed the warm night air. Photo by Dolores Fox Ciardelli.
Well, at least Peasant’s Courtyard had formal opening for their community. Our Ace Hardware “neighbors” just opened their doors and started counting money.
In all due respect to Ace, they did the very same thing as Peasant’s Courtyard — called “soft opening”. They also will have a “grand opening”.
My wife and I have tried the Peasant’s Courtyard and the food quality was mediocre at best! Menu selections are overpriced. On a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate the place a 2 1/2! While I wish them the best, we won’t return.
I did the same, but did not stay to eat, as they did not represent themselves as a “BYOB” restaurant. As you are probably aware, Alamoians will “flock” anywhere where there is free food, or free anything.
Try maggieray’s™ it is basically right across the street and it is delicious. Prices are great and the food is fresh. Go early, when the food they cook is eaten it is taken off the menu. It is open for lunch and dinner.
My wife and I have eaten there twice, the food was mediocre with avg service. We wont be back. As far as Ace goes they are planning their “grand opening” in Sept.
I agree with Bob K. We recently ate at the Peasant and the Pear. Rodney Worth, Chef of the Year? I just don’t get it.
I don’t know how Rodney could be named Chef of the Year. The food quality at the Peasant’s Courtyard is horrible. And we weren’t impressed with the food quality at his restaurant in Danville! Both places are over priced! We’ve been there a few times and the quality of food was mediocre. We won’t return to either restaurants. There are a lot better places in Walnut Creek. And I don’t believe there where 400-500 people at the grand opening. The parking lot can’t even accommodate 30!
Rodney and his wife, Natalie, have done an excellent job with both restaurants. My wife and I have frequented their Danville restaurant often…in fact we enjoyed their food so much we had them cater our wedding! Their staff is always friendly and attentive. The food has never been less than top notch. We are excited that the Alamo restaurant offers a little more casual dining atmosphere and a menu that is completely different from the Danville location. We look forward to eating there often. Congrats Rodney…we wish you great success in your new venture!!
I was there. There were 400-500 people at the opening. Clearly people didn’t park in front. We didn’t.
I love Peasant’s Courtyard. I’ll have a salad at least 2 or 3 times a week. Service has always been good for me. Try it you’ll like it. I don’t miss the Courtyard Cafe at all. I’ve been to Peasant’s Courtyard more times since they’ve opened then The old Courtyard cafe in the previous 15 years I’ve lived in Alamo. I’m no foodie, but freshness and quality are tops on my list and they do that as well as good tasting food! And there you have it folks, I have spoken.
We’ve been to the Peasant’s Courtyard and the food quality leaves a lot to be desired. How Rodney could be named chef of the year is beyond me. The Courtyard is over priced and the food we were served was horribly prepared. No taste and terrible presentation. We will spend our money at quality restaurants and the Peasant’s Courtyard is not one of them. We don’t plan to return!
I have to laugh at all the naysayers. In the worst economy I have ever seen, Rodney Worth, his wonder altruistic family, and his caring crew took a huge risk; and, evidenced by their success, they have done an outstanding job converting and updating their new restaurant to comply with new requirements and compete in the market place.
A superb menu served in generous portions, the quaint atmosphere, the friendly efficient service, reasonable prices, all make for an outstanding value. Their breakfast menu is fantastic. Their lunch and dinner menus are fun and unique. The Summer Salad, Buffalo Chicken Salad, Pattie Melt, and Rodzilla Burger are the beyond compare. And the dinner specials that I have tried, including Lasagna, Rigatoni, and Beef Bourguignon, were as good as they get. I found the Courtyard’s wine list to be of high quality, varied and relatively inexpensive. In fact, my only complaint about the restaurant is the desert selections are irresistible and just too big. However, I found they wash down nicely with the Peet’s Coffee.
My hat is off to Rodney Worth. Thank you for coming to Alamo. May your experience there be long, bright, and prosperous.
To 28 year resident of Alamo:
I don’t know what you were smoking or maybe it was too much wine. The menu leaves a lot to be desired. The food quality is mediocre and the menu items are way over priced. We have been to the Peasant’s Courtyard several times and frankly there are much better restaurants in Danville, Walnut Creek and Lafayette. I wish Rodney the best, but we won’t return to the Courtyard.
Ref. the new Cortyard Cafe in Alamo. We were there just two nights ago. Place was empty and I wondered why. Now I know why. We agree with all the negative comments. Terrible food, terrible service and over priced. Unless it changes the place doesn’t have a chance to make it. Also we were expecting a full dinner menu….it’s not. It is just sandwiches and salads. If I want that I’ll go to Petes. Heck, the Tower Grill has a better dinner menu.
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I’m shocked at some of the naysayers on this list, we’ve eaten at both the Peasant and the Pear and the Peasant’s Courtyard on numerous occasions and have never had a bad meal at either place. I think my wife is developing an addiction to their Smoked Chicken Salad sandwich.
While high in calories, I think the service and food are excellent. Rodney is one of the few owners who come around and chat with his clients and he works like a demon to get things just right. His staff follow his terrific “table side” manner. It’s one of the only places I have been where I ordered a latte and it was followed up by a bottomless cup of coffee – free. Its in the details!! Highly recommend all his venues. Portions are large and it’s not expensive at the Alamo or Blackhawk locations.