Doppio Zero
Courtesy Doppio Zero
Doppio Zero To Open Next Month in Livermore
Fresh off a successful debut in downtown Walnut Creek, the Doppio Zero restaurant group has set a launch date for its next East Bay outpost. The Bay Area casual fine-dining Italian chain will open its next location in downtown Livermore on November 17, co-owner Gianni Chiloiro told Dish. Set the date on your calendar: like Walnut Creek, the Doppio team is planning an opening party with live music and free food and drinks.
Known for its authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza, fresh pasta, and modern renditions of classic southern Italian fare, Chiloiro and co-owner Angelo Sannino currently operate six eateries across the South Bay and San Francisco, and Concord and Walnut Creek in the East Bay—with an eighth planned for Roseville next summer, followed by a ninth in southern California sometime after that.
Their first Tri-Valley location is fairly unique: they designed and built it from the ground up as part of a newly expanded section of Livermore’s historic Blacksmith Square. Chiloiro previously told Dish that Livermore will feature an indoor-outdoor bar overlooking the central park with water misters to help mitigate hot weather, keeping with Doppio’s approach of tailoring each restaurant to its unique location. Get a sneak peek here.
Livermore Valley Wine Country Gets Some Love
Historically, and some might say habitually, overlooked, the Livermore Valley got a big boost last week when Wine Enthusiast named it the American Wine Region of the Year. In a story announcing the award, writer Tonya Pitts praises the historic region: “Known for signature expressions of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc, long-standing, multi-generational wineries (like Wente Family Vineyards and Concannon Vineyard) have continued to propel the region forward, while small family operations are experimenting with lesser-used varietals, like Torrontés and Timorasso.”
Pitts also lauded the area’s high percentage of family-owned and female winemakers, as well as the Livermore wine community’s overall ambition and collaborative spirit that includes founding the two-year-old Global Artisan Vintners Alliance, a partnership of 12 lesser-known wine regions around the world, and sponsoring “thoughtful wine events, including TASTE: The Livermore Valley Wine Experience, Terroir at the Table, and Cab Franc-A-Palooza.”
In a statement from the Livermore Valley Wine Community, Executive Director Brandi Lombardi expressed optimism about what the award signifies for the up-and-coming region. “This is a significant moment for Livermore Valley. Our region has been deeply focused on raising the quality of our wines while staying true to who we are as a community.”
Courtesy Livermore Valley Wine Community
Is the Bounty Hunter Space Filled in Downtown Walnut Creek?
It looks like a large hole may finally be filled along downtown Walnut Creek’s main drag. A change-of-ownership notice has been filed for 1521 Mt Diablo Boulevard, the address Bounty Hunter previously occupied, which shuttered after six years next to Va de Vi last summer. According to state liquor, catering, and event permits, the potential replacement is listed under the business name “The Yard” and would be operated by Jeff Dudum. The longtime Contra Costa County restaurateur and mover-and-shaker has a hand in several other Walnut Creek establishments, including Prime Steakhouse, Bourbon Highway, the Cooperage, and Rooftop Restaurant & Bar. Dudum declined to comment pending finalization of the deal—but we’ll keep you posted.
50-year-old Bakery Closes in Berkeley
Nabolom Bakery & Pizzeria quietly shuttered after a half-century run in Berkeley’s Elmwood neighborhood. As first reported in East Bay Nosh and detailed in SFGate, the bakery closed Sunday, with co-owner Sabra Stepak citing increased competition, high employee turnover, and rising operating costs as reasons for the decision. Known for its multigrain breads, cakes, and muffins, Nabolom was opened as a collective in 1976. Stepak and co-owner Julia Elliott bought the business in 2016, added pizza to the menu, and ran it for a decade before closing.
Small Bites from Around the East Bay
Happening this Thursday, October 22: Taste of Hayward delivers bites and sips from more than 25 downtown restaurants and bars.
The new matcha-centric Floe Café is now open in Danville.
A sneak peek at Craft & Fire, the long-promised artisan pizza and craft beer spot that owner Aaron Steward hopes to launch in Lafayette before the end of the year.
Some love for the late-night sushi boxes at Pleasant Hill’s new Nobuya.
A skillet-cooked cinnamon roll is making waves at Piatti Danville.
KavehG is bringing Turkish coffee to San Ramon.
The building that houses Oakland’s longest continually operating gay bar, The White Horse Inn, is for sale.
Gamsa, a new omakase sushi concept, is replacing Uzen in Oakland’s Rockridge district.
A soul food brunch concept called Chix from a scion of the Everett & Jones barbecue dynasty is taking over the former Horn BBQ in Old Oakland.
Wagyu Factory, from the same owner as the popular Chubby Cattle in Pleasanton, is opening a new location in Oakland.
Happy 15th anniversary to the East Bay’s excellent homegrown Oaktown Spice Shop.
New Berkeley brunch spot Shattuck & Butter’s had to delay its planned October 15 opening in the Epicurious Garden. New date TBD.
Another brunch concept, Cosecha, looks set to debut next month just off Concord Todos Santos Plaza.
Lynbrook High School newspaper The Epic has the scoop on the upcoming closure of Safeway on Bollinger Road in San Ramon.
French dip sando specialist Town Beef will be sharing the former Clove & Hoof space with smoothie-maker Drink Thicc in Oakland’s Temescal district.
