Take Time Out in the East Bay

Janet Fazio

Spicy crispy prawn and portobello served at 11th Tiger in Danville. Photo via 11th Tiger/Yelp.

As we embark on another holiday season (how did that happen already?) here are some suggestions for when you need a break from the hustle and bustle.

11th Tiger

DANVILLE – If you like Thai food, you’re going to love Danville’s 11th Tiger which recently opened where Lotsa Pasta used to be. Friends and I started our meal with the fried esaan sausage with sweet chili sauce and crispy spring rolls filled with silver noodles, dried mushrooms, cabbage and carrots. These were good, but from here our meal got better and better.

I’ve tried several pumpkin curries and have to say that 11th Tiger’s is by far the best. It contains chicken and prawns and layer upon layer of seasoning. The fire prawns were tender, and lived up to the name, as they were off the hook spicy.

The Crying Tiger charbroiled rib eye with northeastern-style dipping sauce was the star of the evening. The steak was melt in your mouth tender. Pad Thai rounded out our meal.

Dishes start at $9. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Hours vary by day. Beer and wine only. 171 Hartz Avenue, Danville. 925-791-5241.

Braised beets salad served at Lokanta, with locations in Walnut Creek and Pleasanton. Photo: EatLokanta.com

Lokanta

WALNUT CREEK  – Walnut Creek residents are getting a taste of the Anatolian, Greek and Mediterranean cuisine that Pleasanton folks have been raving about for years. The highly anticipated Lokanta is now open on Locust Street.

Amazing service and a welcoming ambiance make Lokanta a great option for a date night. Start with a cocktail and an appetizer. Zucchini cakes with yogurt sauce were delish.

Imam bayildi, an Italian eggplant stuffed with bell peppers and onions topped with tomato sauce and feta cheese is a good choice. Layered with textures, it’s a different kind of comfort food than I’m used to. The grilled salmon is prepared with a decadent white wine sauce and is topped with rock shrimp and hearts of palm. It was served with a notably good potato cake and broccoli.

Entrées start at $17. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Hours vary by day. Full bar. 1520 Locust Street, Walnut Creek. EatLokanta.com

All-you-can eat Korean BBQ at Seoul Jung Korean BBQ in Dublin. Photo: Eri H./Yelp

Seoul Jung Korean BBQ

DUBLIN – Gather up your appetite and head over to Dubin’s Seoul Jung for all-you-can-eat (AYCE) Korean BBQ. Located in the Fallon Gateway Center, the restaurant features sleek booths with built-in gas grills where you cook your own food. No worries if you’d rather leave the cooking to the pros. There are pages of à la carte selections.

AYCE comes with a bowl of soup, salad and a selection of traditional sides, including buckwheat noodles, kimchi, fish cakes and more.

Choose from a list of appetizers, meats, fish and veggies to put on the grill. Go exotic and order beef tongue and pork jowl, or stay on the tamer side with garlic chicken and thinly sliced beef brisket (my favorite). Many meat options are marinated, so be sure to keep them separate on the grill to appreciate the different flavors.

AYCE starts at $16.99. Open daily from 11am. Beer & wine only. 3762 Fallon Road in Dublin. 925-999-8299.

Beach Hut Deli

LIVERMORE – If you’ve been reminiscing about your last island vacation, head to Livermore’s Beach Hut Deli, where you’ll feel transported – you guessed it – right to the beach. The decor is exactly what you’d expect it to be (minus the sand), with a beach hut bar in the back.

Whether you prefer your sandwich hot, cold, or in a bowl disguised as a salad, the menu has something for everyone. If you can’t wait until Thanksgiving, order the Beach Bikini with turkey, cream cheese, cranberry sauce, sunflower seeds, alfalfa sprouts and mayo on special sliced wheat.

I enjoyed the Malibu, featuring chopped pastrami, Swiss, and Italian dressing with mayo and avocado on sliced sourdough. Sandwiches come in different sizes.

Gourmet sandwiches start at $10. Open daily from 10am. Beer and wine only. 1770 First Street in Livermore. BeachHutDeli.com

Janet Fazio writes ‘Tastes of Your Town’, a monthly feature on East Bay dining in the print editions of Your Town Monthly. A version of this article was originally published in November 2017 editions.

>> Discover more of our favorite places to eat in the East Bay and beyond.