Rosmarino
New Cal-Italian Replaces Gianni’s in San Ramon
A new Cal-Italian restaurant, Rosmarino, has debuted in the longtime home of Gianni’s Italian Bistro. Gianni Bertoletti and his wife, Melanie, quietly closed the San Ramon favorite, originally known as Incontro, last July after nearly two decades serving fine-dining Italian in an unassuming setting on San Ramon Valley Boulevard. On its website, Rosmarino (Italian for rosemary) describes its own menu as offering “fresh Californian dishes infused with Italian flavors” along with a full bar with craft cocktails, plus wines from Italy and California. Among the dishes on the curated, seasonally inflected menu include an appetizer of clams with fennel sausage and a summer tomato salad with fresh mozzarella and stone fruit. Mushroom risotto, linguini and clams, veggie lasagna, and rigatoni Bolognese are among the pastas, while mains consist of frutti di mare with scallops or salmon and vegetables, short ribs, and a grilled bone-in rib eye steak for two. New ownership also looks to have given the restaurant a light, contemporary makeover. Rosmarino is open initially for dinner from Wednesday through Sunday, with plans to expand its hours and eventually bring back one generous staple from Gianni’s: Monday’s “Tips for Change” nights, in which tips and a percentage of sales are donated to a local nonprofit.
Al Pastor Spinning in Concord
We’re always on the lookout for good tacos here at Diablo, so we had to note what looks to be a legit tacos al pastor food stand that’s popped up in Concord. Featuring a trompo vertical spinning spit stacked with slabs of marinated pork, Taqueria El Trompo Azteca is getting buzz at 1545 Monument Boulevard. According to its Instagram, Azteca dishes tacos, tortas, and quesadillas with al pastor and other meats Wednesday through Sunday starting at 7:30 p.m., but check for updates.
Residual Sugar Wine Bar Changes Hands
After more than 15 years and multiple Diablo Best of the East Bay awards, Jim Telford is stepping away from his popular Residual Sugar Wine Bar. Not to worry, though—Telford is simply passing the torch to the wine bar’s longtime general manager and wine director Dena Christie. Christie, a Las Lomas High School grad who was born and raised in Walnut Creek and lives there still with her husband and two children, has been with Residual Sugar nearly its entire existence, so it should be a smooth transition at the two locations in downtown Walnut Creek and Concord’s Veranda shopping center. The wine bar is known for its extensive, eclectic selection of sustainable wines paired with small bites, with an emphasis on cheese and charcuterie and seafood conservas. Telford won’t be totally divested from the Walnut Creek dining and drinking scene: He’s maintaining part ownership in Rooftop Restaurant and Bar downtown.
Nick’s Sandwiches Expands
We’re also always on the lookout for a good sandwich spot. Nick’s Sandwiches has gained a following for its San Francisco–style deli sandwiches in Pittsburg, so much so that it’s expanded to a new location in Concord. Nick’s took over the former Rossi’s Cafe and Deli space at 2300 Clayton Road, where it will offer its curated selection of deli sandos on toasted sourdough—hot pastrami, turkey Cali Club, and chicken Green Goddess are popular—with the option of adding their signature garlic “stinky sauce.” Soups, salads, and espresso drinks also make the menu.
Paul Iglesias
Parche
Parche’s Four-Day Celebration of Colombian Independence Starts Thursday
Uptown Oakland’s Modern Colombian restaurant and bar Parche is going big to celebrate Colombian independence, with four days of special events starting this Thursday. Highlights include a special collaboration dinner (Friday) and Sunday brunch with Bogotá chef Diego Panesso, and a Parche in the Park Saturday gathering in Uptown’s newly opened Lot 2270 community space featuring cumbia and salsa dancing, artisan vendors, and Colombian street food (and a raffle with special prizes). Hear all about it from chef-owner Paul Iglesias himself here.
Foodie Bites From Around the East Bay
A list of the best French restaurants in the Bay Area and no mention of Lafayette’s Rêve? Au contraire!
Some love for booza, the stretchy Middle Eastern–style ice cream offered at Berkeley’s new Roast and Toast sandwich shop.
Take the opportunity to explore San Leandro’s up-and-coming dining scene during its annual restaurant week lasting through Saturday. Sons of Liberty Alehouse, for example, is offering a $22 grilled bavette steak sandwich and $8 summer sangria.
Alas, popular Jack London Square watering hole Seawolf Public House is shuttering permanently as of Saturday. It’s the latest in a string of closures in the Oakland neighborhood, although good news did come with the announcement that Reem’s will be launching a big production bakery operation this fall.
Masala House looks to be earning rave reviews at its newish location in Concord’s Todos Santos Plaza.
Oakland’s Mama is kicking off its Summer of Seasonality menu with a three-course meal highlighting corn for $43 through July 29. Future star ingredients include stone fruit and tomatoes.