La Tomatina

On the last Wednesday of August, at the peak of the tomato season, the village of Bunol, Spain stages a tomato war.  For two hours, the participants happily pelt each other with the ripe, red fruit until the streets run with rivers of tomato juice.  After the festivities, celebrants, friends and neighbors gather in the town square for food and wine festivities.  This festival is called La Tomatina and is the inspiration for this beloved Walnut Creek restaurant.  (source)

Growing up, Tomatina was always one of my fave restaurants.  Located in the heart of downtown Walnut Creek, my friends and I would often meet there for lunch (at times basically centering entire shopping trips around their delicious food).  And seeing that it’s nearly the exact date of the actual event, this post couldn’t be more timely! 

 

While I was home earlier this month, I discovered they now deliver!  Even better…you can order online!  And for the control freaks out there (ahem, me), they have a place for you to write in any alterations you want (i.e. no cheese, sub more hummus)…things of that nature.  😉

This is how my order arrived…why are there two boxes?  Just wait and see. 

But first, check out their Garlic Rolls. 

These babies are drizzled (ok, doused) in extra virgin olive oil, oregano, parmesan cheese and garlic.  Being a non-cheese-eater, and non-garlic-lover, I passed on them this time, but back in my dairy lovin’ hayday I was all over these mothahs.  If you try them, be sure to ask for marinara sauce for dipping purposes.

But back to my entree. 

As I alluded to above, what they are MOST famous for (in my opinion), are their Piadines.  My sisters and I all covet this meal, treating it like it’s the eighth world wonder.  It’s so good, it may just deserve that honor…

Quite simply, the PIADINE is a warm from the oven flatbread topped with a cool salad which you then fold & eat like a sandwich.  You choose the salad and either the house-made white or wheat crust and then go to town. 

I opted for the hummus piadine which comes with hummus, chopped romaine lettuce, kalamata olives, tomatoes, red onion, feta, parmesan & a lemon vinaigrette.  I nixed both the cheese and olives and asked for extra hummus. 

They got my order EXACTLY right. 

Because it was a delivery order it arrived in two boxes (so smart).  The bread was still warm and not soggy from the salad dressing or hummus.

I assembled it all myself, first caking on the hummus, then pouring the salad on top.

And finally drizzling the dressing on, folding, and feasting.

The size of it was very intimidating, since it covered the plate and then spilled over the edges, too.

But I did my thang, like I always do.  How do you expect me to stop once I dig into such warm doughy bread stuffed with hummus and veg.  Not possible. 

The rest of my fam bam accompanied me in the clean plates club.

Well almost…

My aunt (who was in town for my bridal shower) provided the laughs for the night when she poured her pasta on top of the hot plate.

I guess in a way, she too, was part of the clean plates club…but for a different reason entirely.  HA!

I never knew Tomatina was a chain, but apparently there are more restaurants than just the Walnut Creek location.  Each one offers fresh homemade pizza, pasta and salads in a family atmosphere.  They pride themselves on making all of their own dough, dressings and sauces from scratch and providing high quality recipes at a reasonable price for their guests. 

Also, to keep their menus fresh and take advantage of seasonal ingredients, they change their menu three times a year (love it!).  Their chefs draw inspiration from traditional recipes, Mediterranean ingredients and California local produce to present new menus with each season. 

If you have a Tomatina near you, definitely hit it up asap.