Starbucks (Vineyard) - Livermore, CA

Starbucks Coffee
101 E Vineyard Ave
Livermore, CA 94550
(925) 846-0259
starbucks.com

This is the BEST Starbucks I've been to, based on an overall rating of management, staff, cleanliness, drink quality and consistency, not to mention the beautiful vineyard setting. They also have lots of outdoor seating so you can enjoy the magnificent outdoors here. Kudos to the manager Eric for running such a great establishment!

UPDATE 9/22/09: Eric no longer works for Starbucks as he left to pursue a career in theater...we wish him the best...and we miss him!

My favorite drinks:

Caramel Frappuccino Light w/sugar-free caramel and lite whip

Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Light w/lite whip and extra sprinkles

Iced brewed coffee, no sweetener, lots of room for cream + Splenda

Vanilla Rooibos Tea Latte, no sweetener, add Splenda. Yummy!

Sugar-free Caramel Latte, add Splenda. Mmmmmmm...

I also wish they'd bring the Mocha Valencia back. Sure miss that orange and dark chocolate combination!

Cattlemens - Livermore, CA

Cattlemens
2882 Kitty Hawk Rd
Livermore, CA 94551
(925) 447-1224
cattlemensrestaurants.com

I always order the "Chopper" with a sweet potato on the side - yes, I'm a creature of habit! Although I like the Cattlemens in Roseville better (simply because I've always had great food and great service there), I do like this one...for the most part. Once my meat came back very well done and charred (and I order it medium!) and a couple of times, the service wasn't that great...nothing too terrible, just things like having an empty drink for a period exceeding 5 minutes.

My husband and I are always too full for dessert when we eat there, but had been eyeing the "Pete's Pan Cookie" because it resembled BJ's "Famous Pizookie" so we went there "just for dessert" about a month ago. UGH! It was the WORST dessert I've EVER had! Seriously...the "cookie" was so hard, my fork could only penetrate the top layer! I ate the ice cream and just left the "Pan Cookie". Didn't know that meant the cookie would be as hard as a pan!

I would have given 'em 3 1/2 stars if I could, but decided to give 4 stars (despite the dessert!) because the food and service has improved from before.