Dining Out Dining Out (January 04, 2002)

American

Dean's Cafe Dean's Cafe (January 04, 2002)

620 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 846-4222. A downtown fixture since the '50s. Rightly famous for its omelettes (over 265 of them). Homestyle cooking at its very best. Breakfast items are now served all day due to popular demand. Kids always welcome. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Pleasanton Hotel Pleasanton Hotel (January 04, 2002)

855 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 846-8106. This restored Victorian "hotel" combines the ambiance of the past with the exciting contemporary cooking of Chef Neil Marquis. Also offering Mystery Dinner Theater and Winemaker Dinners, live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, some Sundays. Open for lunch, dinner and Sunday Champagne Buffet Brunch, patio dining, banquets and weddings to 200.

Stacey's Cafe Stacey's Cafe (January 04, 2002)

310 Main St., Suite A, Pleasanton, (925) 461-3113. Located in the heart of beautiful downtown Pleasanton. California-style dishes include fish, chicken, pasta and vegetarian meals served in a casual but elegant atmosphere. Outdoor seating. Full bar and varied selection of wines. The perfect venue for a date, business lunch or casual meal with friends.

TGI Friday's TGI Friday's (January 04, 2002)

3999 Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton, (925) 225-1995. Everyone looks forward to Friday's. Great Happy Hour daily from 2-7 p.m. and late night from 10 p.m.-close! Extensive menu. Generous portions all served in a fun atmosphere. Can accommodate large parties. Pre-orders can be faxed to 225-1998.

Toby's Bar & Grill Toby's Bar & Grill (January 04, 2002)

30 W. Neal St., Pleasanton, (925) 846-6384. Downtown's newest arrival is a lively mix of California cuisine with a Cajun twist. The burgers are enormous, the steaks mouth-watering, and salads, chicken, baked potatoes and giant prawns contribute to a wonderful menu. Full bar and music at night. Check out our famous singing chef! Open seven days a week.

Vic's All Star Kitchen Vic's All Star Kitchen (January 04, 2002)

201 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 484-0789. Located in the heart of downtown Pleasanton on Main Street, Vic's delivers a starry mix of American food, fast service and a bustling, cheery atmosphere. Owner Vic Malatesta has teamed his love of sports with his passion for good food to create a solid dining experience with a local sports theme. Open daily 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Evening banquets/daytime catering.
Brewpub/alehouse

Main St. Brewery Main St. Brewery (January 04, 2002)

830 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 462-8218. Enjoy freshly brewed ales and a large selection of sandwiches and salads. Four TVs with sports all day and evening. Live music every Friday and Saturday until midnight. Visit our web site for more info at: www.mainstbrewery.com

The Hop Yard American Alehouse and Grill The Hop Yard American Alehouse and Grill (January 04, 2002)

3015H Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, (925) 426-9600. Voted Best Watering Hole in Pleasanton, the Hop Yard offers 30 beers on tap and a variety of great food, everything from finger food to full blown meals. Ask about new banquet menu.
Chinese

Chinese Szechuan Chinese Szechuan (January 04, 2002)

3059 Hopyard Road #G, Pleasanton, (925) 846-5251. Pleasanton's best-loved Chinese restaurant. Family owned and run since 1987. Friendly service, delicious food, great prices. Lunch specials from only $4.75. Located inside Hopyard Shopping Village on the corner of Hopyard and Valley Avenue.

Panda Mandarin Cuisine Panda Mandarin Cuisine (January 04, 2002)

30 W. Angela, Pleasanton, (925) 484-4880. A downtown favorite for more than 16 years. Family owned and operated. Every dish freshly made and perfectly seasoned. Lemon chicken a specialty. Twenty daily lunch specials. Take-out menu. Open for lunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday; dinner 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5-10 p.m. Saturday.

Tri-Valley Chinese Seafood Restaurant Tri-Valley Chinese Seafood Restaurant (January 04, 2002)

5588 B Springdale Ave., Pleasanton, (925) 734-0222. Recently opened, this Szechuan and Cantonese restaurant is meeting with an enthusiastic response judging by the lunchtime crowd. The service is friendly and efficient. Fresh seafood always a specialty. Lunch specials from only $5.95. See ad in this dining directory for a special offer.
Coffee Houses

Coffee Beans & Bistro Coffee Beans & Bistro (January 04, 2002)

401 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 461-0110. The first coffee house on Main Street and still a downtown institution. Full breakfast served on the weekends. New York style deli serving lunch daily, including a classic Rueben sandwich. Outdoor seating is one of the best people-watching locations in town!
Continental

Barone's Barone's (January 04, 2002)

475 St. John St., Pleasanton, (925) 426-0987. Pleasanton's most romantic continental cuisine restaurant. Innovative pasta, seafood and meat entrees. Outdoor dining. Open for dinner seven nights, lunch Monday-Friday. Live music Friday and Saturday evenings. Full bar. Banquet facilities, rehearsal dinners, special events.
English Tea Rooms

Angels Crossing, English Victorian Tea Room and Boutique Angels Crossing, English Victorian Tea Room and Boutique (January 04, 2002)

7071 Village Parkway, Dublin, (925) 829-2247. An Intimate and elegant setting for special gatherings. Perfect for parties, showers, birthdays or private teas. Delectable desserts, exquisite tea sandwiches, fruited scones served with Devonshire cream and lemon curd. Ask about special theme parties, everything from Fairies to the Mad Hatter. Boutique offers an impressive collection of gifts and collectibles as well.

B.J. Gardner English Tea Room and British Groceries B.J. Gardner English Tea Room and British Groceries (January 04, 2002)

531 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 484-5456. An authentic English tea time experience in the heart of Pleasanton. Enjoy scones, preserves, clotted cream (truly decadent for the uninitiated), tea sandwiches (small and savory), pastries and biscuits (cookies) and of course delicious English tea. A huge selection of British groceries and gifts as well. Open Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. British groceries open Tuesday-Sunday.
Indian

India Gate India Gate (January 04, 2002)

824 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 600-0202. Downtown's newest Indian restaurant and already gaining a reputation for its excellent food. Owners previously ran a 5-star Indian restaurant in Vancouver. Selection of both vegetarian and meat dishes from mild to spicy. Corporate catering, party planning available. Enjoy special luncheon buffets and a la carte dinner. Open seven days a week.
Italian

Banchero's Banchero's (January 04, 2002)

20102 Mission Blvd., Hayward, (510) 276-7355. Family owned and operated since 1948, Bancheros has become an East Bay institution. Family-style dining the way it is supposed to be. Reservations taken for parties of five or more. Well worth the drive from Pleasanton. Full cocktail bar, take-out menu. Open from 4 p.m. Monday-Friday; from 3 p.m. Saturday; and from 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays.

Fontina Ristorante Fontina Ristorante (January 04, 2002)

349 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 462-9299. This popular downtown restaurant gets rave reviews from both locals and visitors. Offering a changing, seasonal menu and daily specials, including homemade soups, pastas, seafood, chicken and veal served in a comfortably elegant atmosphere. Indoor or outdoor seating. Saturday and Sunday brunch.

Garlic di Pasta Garlic di Pasta (January 04, 2002)

3037-G Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, (925) 485-4500. Rated "A" by Contra Costa Times restaurant critic. Voted the best Italian restaurant in the year 2000 by the readers of Tri-Valley Herald. Located off the beaten path of downtown Pleasanton in the Hopyard Village Shopping center.

Rigatoni's Restaurant Rigatoni's Restaurant (January 04, 2002)

7350 Dublin Blvd., Dublin, (925) 875-1500; and 20680 Rustic Drive, Castro Valley, (510) 537-6400. "Family Italian Dining" at an incredible value in a casual, quick-serve atmosphere. Serving generous portions of traditional pan-tossed pastas, fresh salads and chicken entrees from $5.99 to $8.99. Kids portions for $3.49. Sauces are made fresh daily and each entree is prepared to order in the exhibition kitchen. Rigatoni's welcomes you to a delicious change of pace.
Japanese

Sato 3015-K Hopyard Road, Hopyard Village Shopping Center, Pleasanton, (925) 462-3131. Serving a large selection of sushi with a variety of fresh seafood. Also serving tempera and teriyaki dishes. Open Tuesday-Sunday for lunch and dinner. Closed Monday.

Shun's Japanese Bistro Shun's Japanese Bistro (January 04, 2002)

3120 G Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton, (925) 484-4827. Home of the best Japanese cooking on the planet, featuring an oakwood grill and fresh ingredients with creative marinades and sauces. Familiar favorites like Tempura, Teriyaki Chicken or Steak, Sushi and Sashimi take Japanese tradition to a modern level. Colorful and well-designed dishes hand prepared to perfection.
Japanese/Korean

Royal Teriyaki House Royal Teriyaki House (January 04, 2002)

2025 Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton, (925) 846-4547. Contemporary Japanese and Korean cuisine. Food that is generated from traditional Japanese dishes, but with the addition of Korean spices and flavors for a unique dining experience. Dishes vary from mild to spicy. Try the house specialty, light and crispy Tempura. Lunch and dinner, Monday-Saturday.
Mexican

Alberto's Cantina Alberto's Cantina (January 04, 2002)

435 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 462-2316. Authentic Mexican food in the heart of Pleasanton. Family owned and operated since 1991. Dine outside overlooking Pleasanton's historic Main Street and enjoy the best margarita in town. Full bar. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

Blue Agave Club Blue Agave Club (January 04, 2002)

625 Main St., Pleasanton (925) 417-1224. Serves "alta cocina" or high Mexican cuisine and features over 200 tequilas. Mole Poblano, Filet Mignon al Chilpotle, Camarones al Ajillo, and Sopa de Tortilla are sample menu items. Owner and executive chef, Alexandro Garcia, a native of Mexico, brings his family's authentic recipes to the Blue Agave Club. Casual lunches and fine dinners are served daily in a truly beautiful outdoor garden setting.
Pizza

Gay Nineties Pizza Co. Gay Nineties Pizza Co. (January 04, 2002)

288 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 846-2520. Family oriented with an extensive menu. Renowned pizza, Italian dishes, salads and sandwiches. Patio dining. Antique games for the kids. Groups, take out, call-ahead lunch orders. Wine, beer, open seven days a week, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Papa Murphy's Papa Murphy's (January 04, 2002)

1991 E. Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton, (925) 417-7511. Papa Murphy's is Pleasanton's premium take-and-bake pizza parlor. An endless variety of toppings combine to create stuffed pizzas, gourmet pizzas and gigantic calzones. All at unbeatable prices. Conveniently located in Mission Plaza on Santa Rita. Call and ask them for the daily specials. Phone ahead and they'll have it ready. Credit cards gladly accepted.
Sports Bars & Nightclubs

Masse's Sports Cafe & Nightclub Masse's Sports Cafe & Nightclub (January 04, 2002)

6180 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton, (925) 463-8181. Voted Best Place to Meet Singles, Masses offers a full array of entertainment from pool to live music and dancing. Enjoy the newly remodeled Masses with its new Martini Bar and don't miss its Monday night Football Parties. All this and great food, too!
Steakhouse

Bosco's Bones and Brew Bosco's Bones and Brew (January 04, 2002)

11930 Main St., Sunol, (925) 862-0821. Situated in historic Sunol and named after Sunol's famous mayor dog, this celebrated restaurant and saloon features an array of Angus prime rib, dry aged NY steak, BBQ ribs, seafood, pasta and chicken. Enjoy an elegant yet casual dining experience out of the 1800s. Live music every Friday and Saturday. Banquet facilities available.
Thai

Jitr Thai Jitr Thai (January 04, 2002)

4000 Pimlico Drive, #106, Pleasanton, (925) 463-8944. Voted "Best Thai Restaurant in the East Bay" by three regional publications, this is the twin of the successful Alamo location. Known for its Lamb Kebabs, but menu is diverse, including seafood, poultry and wonderful coconut Thai curries. Catering, party trays and corporate lunches.

Pleasanton House Thai Cuisine Pleasanton House Thai Cuisine (January 04, 2002)

929-C Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 846-1091. Authentic and affordable Thai cuisine in downtown Pleasanton with, and this shouldn't be underestimated, plenty of free parking. Wide selection of entrees, including curry and Pad Thai dishes, ranging from mild to spicy. Open every day for lunch and dinner. The best Somtum outside of Ubon Ratchathani!