For this week's #TinaTuesday I had the pleasure of sitting down with chamber members Sandra and Gerardo Wence from the family-owned and operated restaurant, Wence's.  If you've never been then you need to go!  No, seriously you do!!  They have the most amazing menu with so many choices, it will be hard for you to choose because you'll want it all. 

Let me start with a little background on Sandra and Gerardo.  Sandra and Gerardo moved here from Mexico in 1992 with Gerardo's dream of wanting to someday own a restaurant.  He started working first at a Pizzeria as a dishwasher and worked his way up to prep and then line cook.  Then in 2006, Gerardo was approached and asked to help open two restaurants, one in Walnut Creek and one in Alameda.  He worked at both of these restaurants for many years when the opportunity arose to buy a restaurant in Pleasant Hill that at the time was called "The Fig Tree," and before that "Nibbler's."   Gerardo was finally going to realize his long time dream of owning a restaurant.  When they opened Wence's in 2012, it was half the size it is now (before they expanded into the space next door in 2014), and they were packed every night.  Sandra gave a lot of credit to the Chamber of Commerce and then President, Ann Luke, for all they did to help introduce them to the community. They remain so grateful to the Chamber, the City and the community as a whole for the endless support they continue to receive.  

Sandra and Gerardo go to great lengths to buy the freshest ingredients for all of their menu items, which includes pasta, seafood, meats and poultry, sandwiches and of course my favorite, desserts.  ;-) All of the chicken is Organic, the fish is wild caught, their meats are either organic or grass fed and nothing is ever frozen (which I find absolutely amazing!).  They get a fresh delivery of meats and seafood everyday, and Gerardo personally goes to the Oakland Produce Market, at least twice a week, to pick out the freshest vegetables for his masterpiece dishes.  They also change the menu up at least twice a year, so they can offer more dishes of what's in season at the time.

Sandra and Gerardo have two kids who have helped in the family business since they opened.  Now, their son is about to graduate from the DVC Culinary Program and work with his dad in the kitchen, with the hopes of opening his own restaurant one day (It's true that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree).

Here are some more fun facts about Wence's...

• They offer brunch on Saturday's and Sunday's from 10am-2pm
• They have a great Happy Hour M-Th (3pm-6pm) and Friday (3pm-5pm)
• They remodeled and expanded their bar a year ago and they have the most amazing bartender that can make you absolutely anything you ask for (I don't know this personally, this is what I was told, really. lol)
• They cater too!  Up to 500 ppl.  They can cater whatever you'd like, even if it's a theme like a French, Mexican or Italian menu.  They'll even do a tasting for you, so you are completely comfortable with the food for your event.
• You can also hold a private party at the restaurant, 80 ppl seated or 100 ppl cocktail style.
• They give back to the Community a lot.  Public Schools, Churches, Chamber Mixers, Community Events (Wine, Women & Shoes), Relay for Life... I could go on, and on, and on, and on...

Thank you Sandra and Gerardo for taking the time to sit down with me and share all of the wonderful things about you both, and your beautiful Restaurant, Wence's.  You provide a superb dining experience with the freshest ingredients, and this girl couldn't be happier that you chose Pleasant Hill to manifest your dream restaurant.  Oh, one more thing...Sandra and Gerardo want to provide all #TinaTuesday readers a 10% discount off of your entire bill for the month of March, just mention #TinaTuesday.  Happy Dining!