Diablo Dish — April '05

Those of you who have dined at Bing Crosby’s might have wondered what’s up with some people being offered white napkins and some black, so here’s the scoop.

In an effort to provide super-attentive service, server captains offer you white if you’re wearing lighter colors, black for dark. The idea is to keep you looking lint-free, but customers are so puzzled that servers have to explain the concept over and over. Sometimes even they get confused: On a recent visit, I was offered a black napkin for my cream-colored sweater. I got over it.

At Fonda in Albany, August Churchill is settling into his new role as executive chef, a position he took over on February 1. After vacationing in Mexico, former chef David Rosales is moving to a new home in Portland, Oregon, where he is considering opening a restaurant. Churchill has been sous chef at Fonda since its opening three years ago; he plans to keep most of the menu the same.

Look for a couple of Oakland’s newest urban wineries, including JC Cellars and Dashe Cellars, at the Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation wine-tasting event, taking place in the Rotunda Building of Oakland’s Frank Ogawa Plaza on April 21. This second-annual event will raise money for park and rec programs, and will feature a live auction, music, and wine-friendly appetizers. Tickets are $50–$75, available online at www.oaklandparks.org.

Those familiar with the former Emeryville-based Hetivo Confections will be happy to hear that owner Chuck Siegel is back in business, making truffles, bars, and other goodies from organic cream, butter, herbs, and fruits. His new label, Charles Chocolates, can be found in San Francisco and Marin, but Siegel is looking for independent retail shops in the East Bay to sell his products. We’ll keep you updated on where his chocolates turn up, or go to www.charleschocolates.com.

If you still have your San Francisco Chronicle from March 30, there’s a coupon in there from Lark Creek restaurant group’s Dine Around the Bay promotional event that’ll give you and five friends free dessert. Also send in receipts from meals at two Lark Creek restaurants and earn a $25 gift certificate. Dining at nine earns $500. For more info, go to www.larkcreek.com.

Speaking of the Lark Creek Restaurant Group, cofounder Michael Dellar says they’d love to open a Yankee Pier in the East Bay. Nothing is official yet, but we’ll keep you posted.

It seems that the Turks love California wine. Camille and Hakki Goksever, of Ephesus in Walnut Creek, have successfully launched a business that is now the largest exporter of California wine to Turkey. The Goksevers are also looking to open a second Ephesus in San Francisco. We’ll let you know where and when.

San Ramon’s newest wine shop, WineStyles, opened on Crow Canyon Place last fall and specializes in "boutique" wines for less than $25. The store hosts tastings on Saturdays.