Albi’s
Monique Moufarrej
Albi’s Mediterranean Beer Garden Set for Danville
A unique outdoor dining and drinking concept is coming to downtown Danville just in time for warm-weather season. Albi’s, billed as a Mediterranean beer garden, is set to open in the back of Incontro Ristorante on Hartz Avenue in a few weeks. The fact that it’s behind Incontro is no accident. Operator Monique Moufarrej’s parents run the popular Italian restaurant, and when the industry veteran was looking for a space to launch her own place, Incontro’s underused back lot seemed a natural fit.
“Incontro is primarily a dinner restaurant, and [my parents] were looking for a way to maximize the space they have there,” says Moufarrej, who grew up in Danville before attending culinary school and working in restaurants in New York City and San Francisco. “I came up with the idea to take a portion of the parking lot and open a beer garden. There aren’t really any beer gardens in downtown Danville. The weather is so incredible—we’re so blessed with that—and people love to be outside here.”
Albi’s
Monique Moufarrej
At Albi’s (a term of affection in Arabic), Moufarrej plans to operate from around 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and offer 16 beers and wines on tap, along with a Mediterranean menu with a particular emphasis on Lebanese cuisine.
“My family is Lebanese; my parents are from there. I was born here but always grew up eating it and helping out in the kitchen,” she says. “So it’s inspired by that, but with a modern twist. There will be lots of dips, veggie dishes, kabobs, salads, pickle-y things—all things that go great with beer and wine.”
While Moufarrej says she loves more typical hearty bar fare, she wanted the menu focus at Albi’s to be food that is “simple, flavorful, and healthier,” ideally informed by fresh produce from the farmers’ market that sets up across the street every Saturday morning. The beer list will be mostly local, with an emphasis on East Bay breweries from Oakland, Berkeley, and Emeryville—in addition to Almaza, a Lebanese beer “that everyone drinks in Lebanon.” The wine list will concentrate on domestic, low- (but not “no”) intervention labels. As for the debut, expect Albi’s to be up and running by the end of April. Check its Instagram page for updates.
Super Duper Burgers
Courtesy of Super Duper Burgers
Super Duper Burger Opens in San Ramon
Popular local burger chain Super Duper Burger unveiled its latest location, and first in the Tri-Valley, in San Ramon on Tuesday. Known for its slow-food approach to fast food, which includes smash burgers using all-natural, vegetarian-fed freshly ground Brandt beef; fresh garlic fries; and made-to-order shakes with organic Straus Family Creamery ice cream, Super Duper has expanded to 20 Bay Area restaurants since debuting in San Francisco’s Castro District in 2010. The San Ramon location takes over the former Mod Pizza space at 146 Sunset Drive, near City Center Bishop Ranch, and marks the company’s fourth East Bay outpost, joining locations in Berkeley, Concord, and Emeryville.
Clayton Club Saloon Closes After 153 Years
One of the oldest bars in the state, the 153-year-old Clayton Club Saloon served its last pint on Sunday—at least for the time being. According to a report, the bar’s ownership has been disputed in recent years and was placed in receivership in 2023. The historic business is now set to be auctioned off on Friday, April 3, on the steps of Clayton City Hall, where at least one bidder is already expected. Fingers crossed that the Western-themed dive bar—a living reminder of the area’s mining and cowboy roots—will live to pour another day.
More Sandwiches on the Way in Concord
A new sando option will soon be available for those mourning the loss of both Genova Delicatessen shops in Walnut Creek. Nick’s Sandwiches, with existing locations in Pittsburg and Concord, is opening another space in Concord. Founder Elise Davila, who modeled Nick’s after the old-school Italian sandwich shops she loved growing up with in San Francisco, says she is aiming to launch her third location around mid-May at 1390 Willow Pass Road. After debuting her flagship in Pittsburg in 2017, Davila opened her second location last summer at 2300 Clayton Road. If you’re trying one of Nick’s sandwiches for the first time, make sure to add “stinky sauce” (the shop’s popular garlic- and herb-infused olive oil).
Courtesy of H Mart
H Mart Opening Draws Big Crowds in Dublin
Talk about pent-up demand: An estimated 10,000 people lined up for the anticipated grand opening last Thursday of H Mart’s new location in Dublin. The mega Asian supermarket’s latest store had been long delayed since the first announcement it would be taking over the former Outdoor Supply Hardware space at 7884 Dublin Boulevard. The 37,252-square-foot outpost offers a huge selection of Asian groceries, in addition to a standalone food hall with six vendors serving everything from Korean-style fried chicken to kalbijjim beef soup. H Mart also announced that it will be starting construction soon on its largest-ever location in Fremont’s Pacific Commons Shopping Center.
Free San Ramon Concert Courtesy of Incoming Turkish Restaurant
It was an open question whether the owners of Meyhouse, the new Turkish restaurant coming to City Center Bishop Ranch, would bring live jazz to San Ramon, as they have at their two South Bay locations. It turns out they will, and visitors to City Center can get a free preview of what’s to come via two live concerts happening this Friday and Saturday. Two-time Grammy Award–winning violinist Mads Tolling will perform in front of the Slanted Door starting at 6:30 p.m. both evenings. Click here more information and to reserve free tickets.
As for the restaurant’s opening, we don’t have an exact date yet, but it should be happening soon. Check next week’s Dish for updates.
Small Bites from Around the East Bay
A bit of an East Bay beer bummer: Trumer Pils is ditching its Berkeley brewery and taproom for Paso Robles after the Austrian brewery’s operations in the United States were acquired by Firestone Walker Brewing Company. For what it’s worth, Firestone’s owners vowed to maintain the award-winning pilsner’s quality and freshness.
Dining and Cooking