WHY GO? Delicious pizza-like Turkish pidde flatbreads are fired in an Italian pizza oven; plus, there’s a solid stable of Mediterranean fare in a fast-casual setting.
WHAT’S THE VIBE LIKE? The sleek, soothing, and surprisingly spacious interior sports natural wood accents, white walls and tables, marble floors, and forest green chairs, offering a calm oasis within a busy Walnut Creek shopping center home to the likes of Whole Foods, Ace Hardware, and Walgreens.
WHAT TO ORDER? The oval-shaped piddes are made with an egg-washed, pita-esque dough that’s charred crispy on the exterior while maintaining a fluffy, chewy texture. They’re served open-faced and filled with Turkish-style meats—sucuk sausage, dry-cured pastirma beef, seasoned ground beef—that deliver a fun spin on the typical American pizza toppings. The cheese, meanwhile, mimics mozzarella but with a thinner, creamier texture that melts satisfyingly throughout the sauce and toppings. Our order, which came with chewy diced beef and peppers, was delicious and wouldn’t have seemed out of place on the calzone menu at nearby Rocco’s Ristorante Pizzeria. Proteins, including döner chicken, Adana beef, lamb shish kebab, shrimp, and grilled salmon are served in plate, salad, bowl, and wrap form. The lovely sampler meze plate features staple Mediterranean spreads like hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, and cacik (the Turkish version of tzatziki) served with falafel, dolmas, and pita.
ADDED BONUS: We dare you to resist the siren call of baklava, Turkish delight, künefe, and other gorgeous sweets temptingly presented in a display case at the front counter where you order. You can enjoy them with a cup of Turkish coffee.
HOW MUCH? Piddes can easily feed two and range from $15 to $21 (a kid’s version is just $10). Wraps and salads are $15, rice bowls are $16, and plates are served with rice, pita, hummus, and side house salad for $18. 2979 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Walnut Creek, (925) 433-2357, piddeg.com. Lunch and dinner daily. ➕ 💲💲
KEY TO SYMBOLS🆕 A new review of a restaurant🔂 An update of a previous review🏆 A Best of the East Bay winner💲 Cheap ($10 or less per dinner entrée)💲💲 Inexpensive ($11–$17)💲💲💲 Moderate ($18–$24)💲💲💲💲 Expensive (more than $25)🍷 Wine and beer🍸 Full bar☀️ Outdoor dining➕ Accommodates parties of 50 or more🕚 Late-night dining (service after 10 p.m.)
Dining and Cooking