Dining Out Dining Out (January 03, 2003)

American

Bobby Lu's Bobby Lu's (January 03, 2003)

519 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 426-1950. New to downtown Pleasanton, featuring a 1950s' soda fountain atmosphere with Wurlitzer jukebox and oldie tunes. Serving our whole menu anytime from 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Great place for a morning cup of coffee; kids birthday parties; sandwiches, hot dogs and fries; or coffee and dessert after a sports event, movie or a walk downtown.

Dean's Cafe Dean's Cafe (January 03, 2003)

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 03, 2003)

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.

Vic's All Star Kitchen Vic's All Star Kitchen (January 03, 2003)

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.
Asian Island

Bamboo Island Restaurant and Bar Bamboo Island Restaurant and Bar (January 03, 2003)

4889 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, (925) 469-6266. All new restaurant serving the area's finest Pacific Rim and Asian Island inspired cuisine. Fresh fish flown in from Hawaii, as well as house-smoked meats and poultry. Delightful bamboo bar and dining room transport guests to the tropics, where they can enjoy fresh-squeezed Mai Tai's and Lava Flows. Live music and Luau Menu every Sunday. "Island time" happy hour 4-7 p.m. daily. Open for lunch 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; dinner from 5 p.m., seven days a week.
Bakeries

Cassandra's European Bakery Cassandra's European Bakery (January 03, 2003)

3037 Hopyard Road at Valley, Pleasanton, (925) 426-5621. Cassandra's specializes in pastries, cakes, desserts and catering. Everything from main dishes to desserts with a European style for any corporate or home event. Stop by and discover for yourself what so many have already found out.
Brewpub/alehouse

Main St. Brewery Main St. Brewery (January 03, 2003)

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 03, 2003)

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.
Cafes

First Street CafŽ & Catering First Street CafŽ & Catering (January 03, 2003)

4337C First St., Pleasanton, (925) 846-5210. Located near downtown, the cafe is a pleasant change of pace. The dinner menu offers steak, rack of lamb, seafood, poultry, pastas and hearty salads, with warm bread and homemade soup. Popular breakfast items are Joe's Special and gourmet sausage omelets, eggs benedict, huevos rancheros, pumpkin raisin french toast, and banana pancakes. For lunch, try the creative sandwiches, salads and hearty soups. The cafe is available for private functions.
Cajun/Southern Cuisine

Roderick's BBQ & Seafood Roderick's BBQ & Seafood (January 03, 2003)

5681 Gibraltar Drive, Pleasanton, (925) 251-0610. Located in the Hacienda Plaza. Experience a taste of soul with savory ribs and chicken covered with Roderick's own BBQ sauce, made daily. Also offering the likes of New Orleans with Cajun-style dishes including fried catfish, gumbo and red beans and rice. The casual, friendly ambiance will solidify your dining experience. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner. Catering available.
Chinese

Chinese Szechuan Chinese Szechuan (January 03, 2003)

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 $5.25.

Panda Mandarin Cuisine Panda Mandarin Cuisine (January 03, 2003)

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.
Coffee houses

Coffee & Cafe (formerly Coffee.com) Coffee & Cafe (formerly Coffee.com) (January 03, 2003)

4211-3B Rosewood Drive, Pleasanton, (925) 227-1101. Located in the Longs Shopping Center at Rose Pavilion just off Santa Rita Road. Fresh brewed coffee, espresso, pastries and whole beans. Light and healthy lunch items include homemade soups, sandwiches and crepes. Open 6 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Continental

Barone's Barone's (January 03, 2003)

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

B.J. Gardner English Tea Room and British Groceries B.J. Gardner English Tea Room and British Groceries (January 03, 2003)

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

Sansar Sansar (January 03, 2003)

824 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 600-0202. Popular Livermore restaurant has opened a second location in downtown Pleasanton, presenting delicious North Indian food, seasoned to your taste: mild, medium or hot. Fresh menu daily. Parking in rear. Patio dining. Open for lunch 11 a.m-2:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Dinner seven days a week, 5-10 p.m.
Italian

Garlic di Pasta Garlic di Pasta (January 03, 2003)

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

Maestro's Italian Broiler & Grill Maestro's Italian Broiler & Grill (January 03, 2003)

5100 Hopyard Road at I-580, Pleasanton, (925) 463-8773. Fresh, Authentic, Delicious, Affordable. Those very important words and others are how today's informed consumers describe the savory, award-winning cuisine at Maestro's Italian Broiler and Grill, located on Pleasanton's Hopyard Road, just south of I-580. Come discover for yourself what great food is really all about. Maestro's... We've got it great!

Pastas Pastas (January 03, 2003)

405 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 417-2222; and 4040 East Ave., Livermore, (925) 456-3333. Great authentic Italian cuisine, with patio dining, banquet and private party facilities. Reservations recommended. Located in downtown Pleasanton and the heart of Livermore.
Japanese

Sato Sato (January 03, 2003)

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.

Sozo Sushi Japanese Restaurant Sozo Sushi Japanese Restaurant (January 03, 2003)

2835 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, (925) 484-5588. Fun, friendly, casual atmosphere where dining with family and friends is truly a pleasure. A great place to find "Good Food, Good Prices, and Good Friends." Our sauces and dressings are homemade from scratch, providing the freshest of flavors. Serving traditional teriyaki, tempura, sukiyaki, sushi, sashimi and more. And Sozo Sushi's creative original Maki rolls. Take-out and custom catering trays available. Lunch 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; dinner 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 5-9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Closed Sundays.
Japanese/Korean

Royal Teriyaki House Royal Teriyaki House (January 03, 2003)

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

Blue Agave Club Blue Agave Club (January 03, 2003)

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.

Fernando's Mexican Restaurant Fernando's Mexican Restaurant (January 03, 2003)

348 St. Mary St., Pleasanton, (925) 846-5740. Now open in Downtown Pleasanton. Discover fresh and natural home-style Mexican food, famous Margaritas, excellent service and a festive atmosphere at the newest location of this popular family-owned restaurant. Open seven days a week. Happy hour 3-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Los 2 Amigos Los 2 Amigos (January 03, 2003)

828 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 462-8183. Enjoy authentic, hand-crafted Mexican food in a friendly atmosphere. Owner Chef Alvaro, whose motto is "Excellence in Mexican food," brings 14 years of experience as head chef of a well-known local restaurant. Open seven days. Located in the Historic Cheese Factory building, with ample parking in rear and patio dining in front.
Pizza

Gay Nineties Pizza Co. Gay Nineties Pizza Co. (January 03, 2003)

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.

Round Table Pizza Round Table Pizza (January 03, 2003)

530 Main St., downtown Pleasanton, (925) 461-0140. Six banquet rooms, original thin crust or pan pizza, salad bar, sandwiches, beer, wine. We deliver. Open seven days a week. Awarded best pizza by Bay Area Parent Magazine.
Steakhouse

Bosco's Bones and Brew Bosco's Bones and Brew (January 03, 2003)

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.

McNamara's Steak and Chop House McNamara's Steak and Chop House (January 03, 2003)

7400 San Ramon Road, Dublin, (925) 833-0995. "The Best Steakhouse to Open in the East Bay in a Decade. 'A' for Service. 'A' for Ambiance. 'A-' for Food." -Nicholas Boer, Contra Costa Times. Serving midwestern corn-fed Angus Beef and only the freshest seafood. Large, comfortable bar with a cozy fireplace. A beautiful outside patio with a fire pit for dining or cocktails. Open weekdays at 4 p.m., weekends at 5 p.m.
Thai

Little Home Thai Cuisine Little Home Thai Cuisine (January 03, 2003)

4000 Pimlico Drive, #106, Pleasanton, (925) 251-9877. Located in the Trader Joe Shopping Center right off I-580. Serving over 70 traditional Thai dishes, dinner combinations and desserts, all at reasonable prices. For take-out, call ahead or fax order to 251-9881. Open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (except closed Monday night); 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m. Saturday; 4:30-9 p.m. Sunday. Look forward to welcoming you to our Little Home!