Feature Friday: The Peasant and the Pear

Today is a Pear Tree Feature Friday first-- we are featuring a venue! We couldn't think of a better locale to share than The Peasant and the Pear in Danville, California. The Peasant and the Pear was the site for Heidi's Baby Shower last May and since then we have been itching to find another excuse to host a party there.

If you didn't know it was there, you could easily pass by The Peasant and the Pear while walking down the streets of downtown Danville and never know it. The rear entrance is tucked back away from the street between two charming brick buildings and before you reach the door you are surrounded by patio seating in a quaint garden-like area with a few small tables. There is street parking available near the main thoroughfare however if you drive around to the main entrance, away from the hustle and bustle of the main street, there is a separate parking lot with ample parking.

When we arrived for Heidi's baby shower to set up, the restaurant manager immediately offered two of the hostesses to help us unpack and set up. Every staff member we had the pleasure dealing with was unbelievably friendly and willing to assist.

Here is The Peasant and the Pear's story:

San Ramon’s Bishop Ranch was the site of the world’s largest pear orchard around the turn of the last century. This fact, paired with our rustic menu, gave us the idea for our name. We opened The Peasant & The Pear in San Ramon in April, 2004. We quickly outgrew our space, and moved to a much larger and more beautiful facility in downtown Danville in February, 2006. Our location may have changed, but the most important things remain the same: our name, our fresh, seasonal menus, and our dedication to offering delicious, unpretentious food and friendly service at fair prices. We promise to do our very best to bring you a wonderful experience, and look forward to having a long relationship with the communities of Danville, San Ramon, and beyond. Enjoy!

The Peasant and the Pear is perfect for an intimate lunch or a festive party for 40. There is a semi-private area in the back of the restaurant and the gracious staff will help you select the perfect menu, whether it be a full lunch, appetizers, or simply cocktails.

If you're ever in Danville, stop in and see for yourself. We promise you won't be disappointed!

Heidi's Baby Shower

It's a girl! Today's celebration was in honor of a mom-to-be who has a 3 year-old little boy. In preparation for welcoming Heidi's new baby girl into the world, she wanted the baby shower to look like "the room barfed pink" (her exact words.) We kept with the pink theme and added a few simple, fun, and classy elements.The location was The Peasant and the Pear in Danville, California, where the staff could not have been more accommodating. The restaurant manager oversaw preparation for the event and did not hesitate to offer the services of two hostesses in helping transform the space.

Decorative elements included light pink and dark pink pom poms created using this Martha Stewart tutorial. Medium and large pom poms were strung by the ceiling above the guest and buffet tables, while small pom poms were used as napkin rings at each place setting. Pink ribbons cascaded down the center of the tables and were highlighted by pink votive candles in front of each guest. By the end of the shower, guests had tied the small pom poms around their wrists, wore them in their hair, or strung them through button holes on their jackets. It added a bit if whimsey and playfulness to the affair.

The mom-to-be at this baby shower requested no games, so to personalize it and offer something to entertain guests, we hung black and white prints along the back wall of the space, mounted on pink polka dot and stripe paper. The photographs represented the mom-to-be as well as her mother and grandmother (both of whom attended the shower) as babies and several of the mom-to-be with her own mother.

Guests helped themselves to a candy station to make their own favors. Cellophane bags were provided along with gift tags to tie the bags off, thanking guests for joining us in celebrating Heidi's "Little Sweetie."After a decadent appetizer buffet, dessert included coconut and strawberry Sprinkles Cupcakes. You may have thought a cupcake from Sprinkles couldn't be improved upon... unless it is adorned with a gorgeous cupcake wrapper from Bella Cupcake Couture. If you are a fan of cupcakes, you need to follow the Bella Cupcake Couture Blog. More to come on that incredible company.

Heidi was a radiant expectant mother and we wish her the best of luck with her new little girl. Thank you for letting us share your baby shower Heidi!