Danville: New California-style restaurant and bar opens Friday

After a decade of running Aracely Cafe on Treasure Island, restaurant owner Linda Edson is opening a new location in Danville.

Called Aracely Lounge, the restaurant and bar will serve seasonal California-style fare for brunch and dinner with a similar menu to Aracely Cafe. The family-friendly restaurant is moving into the former Stilettos Piano Bar and Restaurant. It opened Friday, May 17.

Edson, a Danville resident with fine dining experience at Gary Danko and other restaurants in the Bay Area and  New York, has been working to quickly turn the space around in a scant two and a half months.

Wondering about the menu? Be sure to try the pork belly sliders ($12), which are served with a green strawberry and mint slaw, fennel and fish sauce; ceviche ($21) served with Meyer lemon, artichoke and green olive gremolata; and brunch chilaquiles ($23), which include an over-easy egg, ancho-braised beef cheeks, housemade tortillas, gigante beans and guacamole.

Signature cocktails include the Sticky Ricky ($14), made with rum, coconut cream, mango, mint and orgeat, and An Unsympathetic Gentlemen ($15), made with blended scotch, Amontillado sherry, amaro and kumquat vermouth.

“We’re excited to be here,” she says. “It’s just a great community vibe out here.”

Details: The new restaurant will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday to start at 148 E. Prospect Ave. in Danville, with expanded hours to come; aracelylounge.com.