Dining Out Dining Out (September 02, 2005)

American

Chicago's Metropolitan Deli 6003 W. Las Positas Blvd. & Hopyard, Pleasanton, (925) 462-1678. A new Rockin' Restaurant that features: Italian Beef, Chi-Dogs, Gyros, and more. We have over 50 menu items that are hot, juicy, fun and flavorful. Recently remodeled to create a festive atmosphere with a new bar, beers on tap and three sport TVs. We are family friendly with a nice Kids Menu, soft serve ice cream, shakes and sundaes. Come check out the flavors of Chicago right in Pleasanton's back yard!

Jim's Country Style Restaurant 5400 Sunol Blvd., next to Raley's, Pleasanton, (925) 426-7019. Loved by locals and famous for its ranch-style omelets and large portions, Jim's serves up the country-style fixings from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. So if you're in the mood for chicken-fried steak, an omelet, a stack of pancakes, a deluxe sandwich or just a good old-fashioned burger, you won't be disappointed. Jim's friendly staff invites you to drop in and say, "Howdy!"

Pleasanton Hotel 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. Open for lunch, dinner and Sunday Champagne Buffet Brunch, patio dining, banquets and weddings to 200.

Red Smoke Grill 4501 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, (925) 734-0307. The place to go for great tri-tip, rotisserie chicken and baby back ribs. The wonderful staff serves up sandwiches, salads and family dinner meals. So come by for a glass of wine and a great meal. Crossroads Shopping Center on Hopyard just one block south of Stoneridge.

Swensen's 1991-A Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton, (925) 426-1266. Swensen's Ice Cream has called the Bay Area its home since 1948. Known for its delicious ice cream, smoothies, burgers, sandwiches, pho beef noodle soup and BBQ chicken, beef and pork over rice. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Monday.

Vic's All Star Kitchen 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. Brewpub/Alehouse

The Hop Yard American Alehouse and Grill 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. California Cuisine

Silver Palate Restaurant 680 Main St., Downtown Pleasanton, (925) 417-5900. Silver Palate's menu is based on a concept of wholesome cooking, using the most natural ingredients available. The ambiance of this restaurant evokes the light-filled expanse of a European marketplace, while the outdoor patio captures the best in al fresco dining. Choose from a wide selection of flavorful entrees and side accompaniments ... among them risottos, specialty soups, Kobe beef burgers, wild salmon, Organic Sonoma Mix salads and handcrafted desserts. Country Brunch Buffet every Sunday. Open seven days a week. Catering

Fontina's Catering 349 Main St., Downtown Pleasanton, (925) 462-9299. The seasonal tastes of Fontina's award-winning menu can now be custom delivered to you - direct to your home or office. Our lunch and dinner specialties feature homemade soups and pastas, premium seafood and meats, and a newly expanded vegetarian menu. Let Fontina's Ristorante bring "the taste of Italy" home to you soon. For parties of 10 or more, we'll include free dessert, or we'll take 10 percent off your total bill (excluding tax). Chinese

Chinese Szechuan 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. Continental

Barone's 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. Indian

Chef India Cuisine 5100 Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton, (925) 463-8773. Lunch buffet features over 25 items on every week day, special Brunch buffet Sat. and Sun. with more than 30 items. Extensive menu with many authentic Indian dishes to choose from. Full bar and large dining/banquet facility. Located near the corner of Hopyard and Owens (next to Chevron), plenty of parking. For details, visit www.chefindia.com.

Sansar 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

Fontina Ristorante 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 champagne brunch.

Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi Too! 11891 Dublin Blvd., Dublin, (925) 828-9380. Lively chatter and the aroma of garlic are the first things you notice in this warm and friendly classically "Italian" restaurant, complete with red checked tablecloths. It has an open kitchen where patrons can watch the cooks "hand toss" the pizza dough, and it is perfect for romantic couples as well as the entire family, with authentic Southern Italian cooking.

Garlic di Pasta 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.

Pastas Trattoria 405 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 417-2222. Join us at Pleasanton's most loved downtown Italian Restaurant. Our elegant atmosphere complemented by our one-of-a-kind menu items will offer a little something for everyone. We feature great steaks, seafood and our famous pasta dishes. Our full-service bar offers a superb selection of spirits and fine wines, and the sounds of live music will jazz up your Friday and Saturday evenings. We have banquet facilities available with wireless Internet for large parties, up to 70 guests. The place to meet your friends! Japanese

Hasegawa Japanese 4855 Hopyard Road, across from Chili's Grill, (925) 734-0996. Japanese owner Kazutoyo "Joe Cool" Hasagawa has 26 years experience as a Suchi and Shabu-shabu chef. Traditional Japanese dining. Lunch served Monday-Friday. Dinner seven days a week. Mediterranean

Athens West Restaurant 6999 Dublin Blvd., (925) 803-9601. Truly authentic Mediterranean cuisine featuring Greek specialties including delicious steaks and seafood. Large upscale dining facility with full bar located adjacent to the original Athens Burger Restaurant. Opens Tuesday-Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Pizza

Gay Nineties Pizza Co. 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.

Little Caesars 2889 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, (925) 417-8880. Feeling hungry on a low budget? Original round large Pepperoni Pizza only $5 every day, eight pieces of our famous crazy bread w/sauce $1.99, 10 delicious Caesars wings only $5. Look for other coupon specials in the dining section weekly. Hot-n-ready Pizza, all day, every day!

Vinny's 2 Go! 4001-5 Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton, (925) 463-0280. Vinny's 2 Go! is the Rose Pavilion's newest authentic Italian pizzeria. Lunchtime favorites include New York pizza slices, meatball sandwiches and the popular Mona Lisa panini. Savory Meals 2 Go and fresh cannoli are available for fast pickup. Catering is offered for special occasions and office luncheons. Visit Vinny's 2 go! for quality, freshness and great taste! Sandwiches/Deli

Togo's 3120-D Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton, (925) 846-8646; 5556-A Springdale Ave., Pleasanton, (925) 463-3090. Togo's has been voted "Pleasanton's Best Sandwich" for five consecutive years. Conveniently open seven days a week, Togo's features its popular "Endless Combo" (1/2 sandwich, 1/2 salad or small soup)... choose any two for only $5.19 plus tax. Everyday favorites include the Hot Pastrami #9 and the tasty Turkey-Avocado #24. Togo's also features specialty soups for winter. Wine Bars

Winecentives 6040 Dougherty Road, Dublin, (925) 829-3222. Just three blocks north of Hopyard/Dougherty off Interstate 580. This people-friendly retail wine shop has expanded its selections, added a full-time wine bar and a private event room. It offers wine tasting at the wine bar in addition to wine tasting events in its event room every Friday or at your location. Call to book your next wine party. For more information, check the Web site: www.winecentives.com.

The Wine Steward 641 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 600-WINE (600-9463). In historic Downtown Pleasanton is a full service wine shop with the largest selection and the most competitive prices in the East Bay area. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you select a single bottle or perfectly pair wines for your next dinner party. Our Wine Bar is open Thursday through Saturday with a new theme every week - check our Web site, www.thewinesteward.com, for details.

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