10 best new Bay Area restaurants for outdoor dining
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After a rainy winter and a too-short spring, summer is officially here — and the alfresco tables beckon. Here are 10 of our favorite Bay Area venues for dining and sipping, from newly opened restaurants to hidden patios worth introducing to a new audience.
Riviera by Quattro, East Palo Alto
Inside the Four Seasons Silicon Valley, the creative, upscale Quattro restaurant caters to the tech crowd during the week and in-the-know locals on weekends. But this summer, they all may be clamoring to reserve spots on the patio, for it’s been transformed into a pop-up that evokes the Riviera (the Italian part, naturalmente).
THE PATIO: Bougainvillea blossoms, lemon trees and lush greenery surround the comfy, pillow-studded lounge seating and there’s an Instagram-worthy Vespa to hop on. Oh, and don’t forget to write a postcard to your far-flung friends. Riviera provides a colorful selection — and the hotel will mail them for you.
THE DISH: From executive chef Martín Morelli’s alfresco menu, pick some plates to share — maybe the Prosciutto, Mortadella and Taleggio Cheese layered on housemade focaccia ($19) or Braised Artichokes and Burrata with aged balsamic ($21). For dessert, head to the dolci cart and ask for a swirl of pastry chef Eric Keppler’s Fior di Latte soft serve and Aranciata Rossa Italian Ice ($12) in a freshly made cone.
THE DETAILS: The Riviera is open daily from 4 to 9 p.m. at 2050 University Ave. www.quattrorestaurant.com
Cocina Hermanas, Danville
Owner Darren Matte (Danville Harvest) transformed the old Basil Leaf Cafe digs into a modern cantina named for his three daughters. The focus is on gourmet versions of Mexican street food with strong craft cocktails — including excellent margaritas — from the adjacent full bar.
THE PATIO: Two-level outdoor seating with umbrella-covered sidewalk tables and an upper wooden deck that wraps around the restaurant.
THE DISH: Simple yet delicious Carne Asada Tacos (2 for $9) are the standout, stuffed with tender, grilled steak and topped with avocado salsa. Sharing? You’ll want the Pollo a la Cerveza ($32), a Tecate beer-can chicken served whole with all the fixings.
THE DETAILS: Lunch starts at 11:30 a.m. daily; dinner at 5 p.m. daily at 501 Hartz Ave., Danville; www.cocinahermanas.com
Cielito, Danville
Down the street at the other new cantina in town, Cielito offers a grand ode to farm-to-table Mexican cooking, with gorgeous interiors, including Mission-style chandeliers and cow hide-wrapped chairs. The restaurant opened earlier this month, and the patio opened just last week.
THE PATIO: You’ll recognize the outdoor-seating area, with room for 60, from its Chow days. Now it holds new bungee-cord patio chairs, a fire pit, benches and plenty of shade to keep cool on triple-digit days.
THE DISH: Warm tortilla chips with homemade Tres Salsas ($4) or the tangy Guacamole ($10) are a great way to start lunch. For dinner, tuck into the Pollo con Mole Oaxaca ($21) based on a family mole sauce recipe made with 75 ingredients, the braised Mary’s chicken thigh and leg comes with black beans, rice and warm tortillas, perfect for sharing.
THE DETAILS: Open from 5 p.m. daily at 445 Railroad Ave., Danville; www.cielitodanville.com
Milan Italiano, San Jose
In this corner of South San Jose, restaurants are rare. And you certainly wouldn’t expect to find one with a vineyard oasis tucked into a small retail center. But that’s what industry veteran Roberto Rivera and the Milan team have created in the scenic Evergreen valley area.
THE PATIO: It’s a vine-filled paradise here, with grape arbors surrounding the cushioned seating and a small vineyard as a backdrop. Twinkly lights abound at night.
THE DISH: You might want to start with Bocce Balls (the appetizer, not the game). They’re baked with cheese and marinara and a light dough crust ($15). When it comes to entrees, one of the top sellers on this primarily Italian menu is executive chef Luis Rodriquez’s Chicken & Sausage Paella ($24). Thinking pasta? Try the Porcini Mushroom Ravioli in a light marsala cream sauce ($24).
THE DETAILS: Open Tuesday through Sunday, with lunch 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner 4 to 9 p.m. (until 10 on Friday-Saturday). 4898 San Felipe Road, San Jose; www.milanitalianosanjose.com
Noosh, San Francisco
At this beautifully-designed Pacific Heights restaurant, chef-owners Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz are creating some of the most exciting modern Middle Eastern food in Northern California, with an emphasis on the regional specialities of Turkey, Iran, Armenia and Greece.
THE PATIO: Exposed accordion windows unite the bright white interior with the vibrant outdoor sidewalk patio for 12, which features smoke and ipe-finished wooden tables. It feels like you’re eating at a cafe on Santorini.
THE DISH: Everything on the menu delights, but the fresh-baked, impossibly soft, protein-topped Turkish flatbreads, like the Pork Soujuk ($16) with roasted garlic and a sous-vide egg, hit the spot. Tomato Spoon Salad ($12), diced heirloom tomatoes with crunchy lettuce and Aleppo cucumbers, tastes just like summer.
THE DETAILS: Open for lunch at 11 a.m. daily and dinner at 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday at 2001 Fillmore St., San Francisco; www.nooshsf.com
Lavash, Lafayette
This Middle Eastern bistro opened two weeks ago in the former Rustic Tavern digs in downtown Lafayette. Chef-owner Tony Sohi, of Danville’s Santorini and Walnut Creek’s Silk Road, offers a mix of pastas, sandwiches, kebabs and other specialties, like tender lamb shanks in tomato sauce.
THE PATIO: Half a dozen or so tables line the sidewalk patio right on Mt. Diablo Boulevard, where large planters brim with flowers. Perfect for people-watching while sipping complimentary mint-lemon water.
THE DISH: We can’t get enough of the baba ganoush ($9), which get its bright color and flavor from the addition of fresh mint. Juicy grilled boneless chicken kebab is also a standout, and you can enjoy it for lunch with a half-gyro sandwich and Caesar salad for $13.
THE DETAILS: Open from 11 a.m. daily at 3576 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.
Water Tower Kitchen, Campbell
Four restaurant industry veterans opened this downtown Campbell hot spot in February. It’s a restaurant and not a sports bar, they insist, but yes, you can watch the game. The wintertime opening means the patio is just now making its debut.
THE PATIO: Take a seat at one of the bright orange tables. Between bites you can play cornhole and try not to topple the giant Jenga. Coming soon: a fire pit and more seating.
THE DISH: Everyone’s finding the shareable Brussels Sprouts ($13) pretty irresistible; they’re tossed in a soy glaze with bacon and roasted spicy cashews. Follow with Mac & Cheese ($11-$15) or, if the weather’s warm, a stint on the patio might call for Chicken Lettuce Wraps ($15) or a Green Goddess Salad ($13).
THE DETAILS: Open at 11 a.m. daily, with service until 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11:30 Thursday to Saturday and 9 Sunday. 201 Orchard City Drive, Campbell. www.watertowerkitchen.com
Naglee Park Garage, San Jose
Restaurateur Mark Ostrowski, a Naglee Park resident, reopened this quirky hangout last summer to the delight of neighbors. Many South Bay foodies knew about this place from Guy Fieri and his “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” What they may not realize is that this cozy spot, with seating for just 28, comes with a partially hidden patio that seats 72!
THE PATIO: A brick courtyard, a large lighted tree, lots of greenery — and enough shaded, sturdy picnic tables for groups large and small. There will be live music on several nights this summer.
THE DISH: The chef-driven menu changes seasonally, so look for tomato and corn dishes to join the lineup soon. Also coming: a lighter version of the popular Grilled Center-Cut Pork Chop ($22) and last summer’s hit, Mango-Shrimp Ceviche. For dessert, the Bread Pudding with orange-cardamom whipped cream ($9) is so popular it never leaves the menu.
THE DETAILS: Open Tuesday through Sunday, 4 to 9:30 p.m., at 505 E. San Carlos St. at 11th Street, San Jose. Facebook/com/nagleeparkgarage
Spin SF, San Francisco
SPIN is part of an expanding nationwide network of ping pong centers — or “social destinations,” as the PR spin would have it. The San Francisco one has just supplemented its indoor tables with an outdoor space.
THE PATIO: A vibrant mural provides the backdrop for two ping-pong tables and lounge seating. When you book the patio or walk in (rentals run from $9 to $49 an hour, depending on the day and the hour), you also get to control the LED lighting and TV out there. Temperature-controlled ceilings and doors warm things up on those inevitably chilly S.F. summer days and nights.
THE DISH: Need fuel between competitive rounds? Globally inspired bites include beer-brined Hop Pop Chicken ($13), Crispy Shrimp Bao Buns ($13) and Carnitas Tacos ($13). Celebrate victory with a Giant Sundae Split with caramelized bananas and salted caramel ($19).
THE DETAILS: Open daily from noon until 11 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, midnight Thursday, 2 a.m. Friday-Saturday and 8 p.m. Sunday. 690 Folsom St., San Francisco; www.wearespin.com
La Guerrera’s Kitchen, Oakland
Mother-daughter duo Ofelia Barajas and Reyna Maldonado opened the doors to their La Cocina incubator restaurant in May, but Barajas has been selling her delicious tamales in the Bay Area for more than 15 years. And La Guerrera’s Kitchen offers so much more than tamales.
THE PATIO: After ordering at the counter, make your way onto the sunny patio, because this casual restaurant is alfresco-only. On our visit earlier this month, there were two teal community tables brimming with succulents. La Guerrera’s Kitchen shares its patio with The Aloha Club, and does some tasty collaborations with them, too. Mezcal and mole, anyone?
THE DISH: Oh lordy, you want the build-your-own ceviche ($12), which comes with your choice of shrimp or catch of the day, and all the fixings, including fresh jicama, mango, cucumber and pico de gallo. Patio dining is not complete without housemade agua fresca ($3.50) — tangy hibiscus on our visit.
THE DETAILS: Open from noon to 9 p.m. daily at 954 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland; www.facebook.com/maizwarrior