Good Morning Tri-Valley! Let’s Get This Week Started!

• Local Maker Spotlight - Viking Coffee Co. Is Your Next Favorite Coffee Brand! ☕️

• Pet of the Week! Submit Your Pet For Our Pet of the Week Feature! 🐶

• The Talk of San Ramon - and it’s Worth the Hype! 🔥🔥🔥

• Tom Petty Tribute in Town This Weekend!

• Pleasanton Recreation Guide for Fall/Winter is Available

Local Maker Spotlight - Viking Coffee Co.

Meet Steven Gonzales, the Local Behind Viking Coffee Co. ☕

I met Steven at Jam in July a few weeks back and instantly wanted to learn more about his coffee and business. Full disclosure—I’m super sensitive to caffeine. I love the taste, but a little goes a long way. My husband, on the other hand, could have a triple espresso at midnight and be asleep five minutes later. Needless to say, he was just as excited as I was to try Viking Coffee!

Viking Coffee Co. specializes in cold brew (steeped for over 20 hours!) and also offers whole beans to brew at home. The cold brew was a surprise for me—I usually add milk and sugar, but I drank this straight and loved it. Being a wine gal, I could taste the nuances: hints of toffee, chocolate, and nuts. That long steep brings out rich flavor, lower acidity, and natural sweetness you don’t always get with hot coffee.

We also tried the whole beans, and my husband—who loves bold coffee—was hooked. I love the way it fills the house with amazing aromatics, and it makes a great iced coffee too.

Steven’s goal? Keep growing Viking Coffee Co. and eventually open his own coffee shop. I can’t wait to watch that happen—and enjoy more of his coffee along the way.

Where to find Viking Coffee: Steven delivers year-round, so you can have it brought right to your door. You can also reach out via Instagram (click here) or catch him at the Altamont August Block Party on 8/30!

Pet of the Week! Meet Beau Nugget!

Calling All Pet Lovers! 🐾
I know so many of you have furry, scaly, or feathered family members you adore—so I’m launching a new feature: Pet of the Week! Each week we’ll spotlight one of your beloved companions, from dogs and cats to bunnies, reptiles, fish, and more.

Kicking things off is my own baby boy, Beau Nugget—a cocker spaniel mix we adopted nearly 8 years ago. Though I have three human children, Beau is truly my fourth, and we love him to pieces. 🐶❤️

Want to see your pet in the spotlight?
👉 Submit your Pet of the Week entry here!

****Please note the submission form only works with gmail addresses. If you don’t have a gmail address, just email me with a photo, your pet’s name, your name, and a sentence or two about your pet! [email protected]

San Ramon’s Hottest New Restaurant Opened Last Week!

I couldn’t wait to check out KHAKI, San Ramon’s brand-new modern Indian bar and canteen at City Center Bishop Ranch—and wow, it did not disappoint. Open less than two weeks, this vibrant spot from brothers Chef Sujan and Pujan Sarkar reimagines Indian comfort food with California flair, global technique, and rich personal stories. The hubs and I went with good friends to soak it all in.

Ambience & Service: Perched on the second level with wrap-around glass, it’s prime for people-watching and soaking up the energy of City Center. Service was spot-on—warm, attentive, and quick.

Drinks: Their cocktail list is one of the most creative I’ve seen in a while. We sampled a few with the group, but my favorite was September 26, 1940—a playful Old Fashioned with crème de banana and zaatar spice.

Food: We went family-style, and every bite impressed. We started with a selection of starters:

• Andhra Chilli Chicken: Flavor-packed boneless cubes with a zesty layer of lemon sour cream.

• Tandoori Swordfish Tikka: Succulent and perfectly cooked.

• Sweet Potato & Patta Chat: Roasted sweet potatoes with crispy spinach & kale, sweet-sour yogurt, mint, and tamarind chutney—unexpectedly addictive.

For mains:

• Butter Chicken: A lighter, tomato-forward version of the classic.

• Prawn Moilee: Coconut milk-based with bursts of spice, reminiscent of Thai curry.

•  Lamb Shank Biryani: Arrives under a thin bread dome—melt-in-your-mouth perfection.

Dessert:

•  Galub Jamun Crème Brulee: Possibly the best creme brulee I’ve had in years.

• Rasmali & Mango Tiramisu: A tropical twist on a classic.

KHAKI hit it out of the park. I can’t wait to go back and explore more of the menu.

Petty Theft at Wente This Weekend!

I was lucky enough to see Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers nearly 20 years ago, and it was unforgettable. Since then, I’ve caught Petty Theft—the ultimate Tom Petty tribute—more than once, and they’re the next best thing! They always put on a fantastic show, and this weekend’s outdoor concert at Wente is the perfect way to soak up summer vibes. 🎶 Tickets are still available—Click here for details!

Pleasanton Fall/Winter Recreation Guide is Out Now!

Whether you’re looking for kids sports, teen activities, or fun things for adults, you definitely want to check out the just released Pleasanton Recreation Guide!