November's East Bay Dining News

Wine, wine and more wine in the Tri-Valley , democratized cupcakes come to Orinda and BBQ makes its debut in downtown Walnut Creek. All that and more in The Dish!

The Tri-Valley sure does like its wine. On the heels of Stomp wine lounge in Blackhawk Plaza comes the new PG’s Crow Canyon Wine Lounge & Retail in San Ramon, near Uncle Yu’s. This roomy wine store and wine bar features a separate Truffili chocolate and artisan cheese bar, 18 different wine-of-the-month clubs, and an insured cellar for customer wine storage.

Next, Wild Vine Lounge weaves its way into the wine scene in downtown Danville, already home to the wine bars Vinoteca, Corks, and Vine at Bridges (whose new GM, Frank Cassal, comes from Walnut Creek’s Prima Vini). This new lounge, set for a Halloween opening, has a bit of everything, with local and international wines, micro beers, small plates, live music, comedy, and art. Speaking of which, the new Swirl on the Square—yes, a wine bar—also serves tapas and dessert in Livermore’s Blacksmith Square.

Livermore’s Vine Cinema now offers—wait for it—wine. The movie theater carries local Livermore wines, eight craft beers on tap, and food from Zephyr Grill & Bar to go along with the cinema’s now exclusively Independent films.

Opening next to Livermore’s Bankhead Theater is the city’s first licensed nightclub, Sapphire Restaurant and Lounge. The cuisine will be “fresh California—fresh fish and salads.” The club features two bars, a lounge, and a 500-square-foot dance floor. We’re pretty sure they serve wine there, too.

To neighboring Pleasanton comes Filigree, showcasing pastry chef Judi Morton’s scones, muffins, cupcakes, tarts, pastries, and “too beautiful to eat but we will anyway” celebration cakes. Also open is Indian Garden, serving its Northern and Southern Indian cuisine in Claude & Dominique’s Bistro’s old spot on Rose Avenue. Dosa Place in Dublin, meanwhile, focuses on vegetarian South Indian fare, including dosas and Uthappam (Indian pancakes).

Danville Chocolates was planning to open early this month. Owner and chocolatier Terri Vollmer, with 30 years of candy-making experience, says most of her gourmet sweets will be made on-site, including truffles, toffee, and caramel apples. Also set to open this month in Orinda’s Theatre Square is Republic of Cake, offering “gourmet cupcakes, without the gourmet prices.”

Danville diners have more choices now at Blackhawk Plaza, with the October opening of Coa, serving contemporary Mexican cuisine, and Laurus, a Southern European bistro, which was also due to launch in October.

Over in Walnut Creek, Prima snagged Wine Hospitality Restaurant of the Year in Santé magazine’s 2009 Santé Restaurant Awards. Also, barbecue comes to Broadway Plaza, with the new Team Rib Factory. And more than a year after being gutted by a fire, the former Zheng Long reopens on South Main Street as The Door. Chef Daniel Sudar brings cooking experience from San Francisco’s Betelnut and Redwood City’s Red Lantern in crafting his menu of modern Asian cuisine.