Yesterday, I met with Terry Bertolini of the Danville Weekly at the Amber Bistro. Terry is an account executive at the DW. We were discussing the popularity of weekly community newspapers in general and the Danville Weekly in particular along with the current state of real estate advertising – print versus online.

Terry gave me insight into the DW and their community involvement. I shared with her my interest in the Danville Weekly which is mainly around my new function as a public relations person for the Realtors® Marketing Association which serves the communities of Alamo, Danville and San Ramon, CA.

Terry is fun, friendly and professional (be sure to email her for your local ad needs).

We met up at the Amber Bistro – 500 Hartz Avenue, Danville. I had not been to the Amber Bistro before, but Terry seems to be a regular and knows the owner Eric Jansen.

Eric came over to say hello and I discovered he is a native of Holland hailing from Eindhoven. I have many friends in Holland, so we had a quick chat. I asked Eric if he knew Paul and Ginny Mees who work in the Keller Williams, Danville office along with us. Paul is from Holland also – hailing from Harlam. I got Eric to extend a personal invite to Paul and Ginny and later discovered they have dined at the Amber. Hey Eric – why don’t you and Paul host a “Dutch Night” at the Amber?

The food and staff were great. Pictured here, you see Alonzo Chacon, Kate Klingel and Eric Jansen.

Here’s the official blurb on Amber Bistro and Eric:

Amber Bistro combines California and Southeast Asian sensibilities to create an eclectic blend of fresh and exciting flavors. Owner Eric Janssen has an extensive background in the restaurant industry and is a certified sommelier.  Amber's enticing wine list offers rare treasures as well as the classic mainstays, all with surprisingly low prices.

About Eric Janssen

Janssen, a native of The Netherlands, has an extensive background in the restaurant industry.  For ten years he held the position of Food and Beverage Director at The Huntington Hotel in San Francisco.  Janssen was also a restaurant manager at the Fairmont and a maitre d’ at the Relais-et-Chateau property, the Sherman House (both also in San Francisco).  He has worked in several other Relais-et-Chateau luxury restaurants both in the United States and Europe. In Holland, Eric was the restaurant Captain at the Hostellerie Du Chateau, which held a Michelin star.  For the last several years Janssen has been involved in wine distribution.  Janssen is certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers.