Fall Flavors: New East Bay Dining Destinations
Chipotle-rubbed mahi mahi with sweet pepper sauce, black beans and pear relish served at the newly reopened Posada in Livermore. Photo courtesy of Posada.
When shorter days and cooler nights have you craving more complex flavors, check out these new (or newly reopened) East Bay dining spots.
Posada
LIVERMORE – After what seemed like an eternity, Livermore’s Posada has finally finished their remodel and is back in business, serving up the inspired Southwestern cuisine that residents have come to love.
Although the scallops ceviche is a favorite, this time I opted for the New Mexico-style enchiladas, featuring a flavorful blend of finely ground beef and pork layered on corn tortillas (somewhat reminiscent of lasagne) and topped with a fried egg.
The pork tacos filled with pan- fried chorizo, onions and pineapple will not disappoint.
If you like sangria, try Posada’s sangritas, which is fermented tequila agave topped with sangria.
Entrées start at $12. Beer and wine only. Open Tuesday-Saturday 11:30am-close, Sunday 12-8pm. Closed Mondays. 988 Murrieta Blvd., Livermore. PosadaRestaurant.com.
Chicken wings are served with a view at Walnut Creek’s new Rooftop. Photo: Janet Fazio.
Rooftop
WALNUT CREEK – Stunning views of Mount Diablo paired with a menu featuring inspired plates await you at Walnut Creek’s Rooftop Restaurant and Bar, where it’s al fresco dining year round.
If you’re a fan of the wedge, you will like Rooftop’s, which is topped with bacon and toasted breadcrumbs. It’s huge, so you’ll want to share this one.
The chicken wings, tender on the inside, lightly battered and crispy on the outside, were full of flavor. A smattering of toasted garlic chips that come with them are a great flavor bonus. The pepper-lime dipping sauce was good, but not really needed.
Large plates can be shared or enjoyed as an entrée. From this list, I ordered seared dayboat scallops. Caramelized pineapple-coconut curry added just enough sweetness to the eggplant and shitake mushrooms.
Small plates start at $12. Full bar. 1500 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek. Open daily 11:30am-2pm and 5pm-close. RooftopWC.com.
Cobb salad served at Almanac in Danville. Photo: Janet Fazio.
Almanac
DANVILLE – Farmer’s Almanac in Danville joins the farm-to-table movement, showcasing a selection of the best offerings from Bay Area purveyors.
The menu features a number of starters that shouldn’t be missed. The deviled eggs topped with smoked trout are perfect for sharing. The watermelon and tomato gazpacho pairs perfectly with the cobb salad for a lighter lunch or dinner. Adding presentation to taste, your soup bowl is delivered with a small tomato salad with pickled watermelon rind and the soup is poured tableside.
I loved the apple juice brined pork loin. The thin slices of pork were tender and flavorful. Organic heirloom grits was a welcome replacement to the typical potatoes that usually accompany pork.
Entrées start at $19. Full bar. 500 Hartz Avenue, Danville. Open Monday-Friday 11:30am-3pm and 5-10pm, weekends 10am-3pm and 5-10pm. AlmanacDanville.com.
Shabu-shabu offerings at Little Dipper in Dublin. Photo: Janet Fazio.
Little Dipper
DUBLIN – If you like interactive dining, head to Dublin’s Little Dipper Shabu-shabu where diners cook their meals in a tabletop hot pot.
A novice to hot pot cooking, I visited Little Dipper towards the end of lunch service, knowing I would need some instruction.
Start by picking your soup base from a list of six choices. I selected the hot and spicy mala broth – and it was. Then choose your meat. I opted for Angus beef. Pork, lamb and seafood are also available. Add noodles or rice and then pick a sauce.
At lunch, the hot pot comes with the broth already loaded with corn, cabbage, pumpkin, carrots, mushrooms, tofu, shrimp, taro, fish balls and more. At dinner, you may choose from a long list to customize your dining experience.
Entrées start at $12.99. Beer and wine only. Open daily, 11am-2:30 pm and 5-10pm. 3872 Fallon Road, Dublin. 925.829.8895.
Janet Fazio writes ‘Tastes of Your Town’, a monthly feature in the print edition of Your Town Monthly. Parts of this article were originally published in the October 2016 East Bay editions.
