Send this story Print this story

Adjust text size

Alamo flocks to Peasant's Courtyard opening
Award-winning chef serves up customer favorites while patrons enjoy music and wine

by Dolores Fox Ciardelli

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., replacing the Courtyard Cafe, which was closed in March. 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, neighbors and loyal patrons of the Courtyard Café, were at the grand opening and 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, a danville resident, was named East Bay Chef of the Year in 2008 by Diablo Magazine.