We enjoy our day trips to small towns in the Bay Area and are always looking for new and interesting dining destinations. We went to Downtown Pleasanton for their Annual Antique Fair a few weeks ago and noticed that there were quite a few restaurants with both indoor and outdoor dining options on Main Street. Nonni’s Bistro, which recently opened in July 2010, was quite charming and inviting, so we decided to sit outdoors and have Brunch, which is served on weekends from 8:00 A.M to 3:00 PM. The décor is welcoming and pleasing with Scandinavian colors outside and interesting Art on the light colored walls inside. The tables are spaced nicely but not to far if you want to chat with other diners. We loved their fabulous Scandinavian Eggs Benedict, which is made with house made Ice Smoked Salmon, braised spinach and onions. We were also impressed by their Curried Egg Salad Sandwich, from the Lunch menu, made with arugula, scallions, and shredded carrots. We were told that they had live jazz on Thursday and Friday nights starting at 6:00 PM and returned for dinner on a beautiful warm evening.

Nonni’s Bistro Salmon

We ordered wines by the glass and perused both their Small Plates Afternoon Menu, which is available Thursday thru Sunday starting at 4:00 PM and their nightly Dinner Menu. We enjoyed their house-made Smoked Salmon Carpaccio, which was served with capers, onion, and hard-boiled egg. It was delicious! Next, we had their luscious Mushroom Soup, which was served in a small tureen. It was made with pureed Chanterelles, Button, Portobello and Porcini mushrooms. Our favorite small plate was the Risotto with Short Rib with red wine reduction. It was really luscious and the portion was large enough to share or be an entrée. Our favorite Entrée was the Prawns and Gnocchi, which consisted of sautéed white Mexican Prawns tossed with chicken Italian sausage, peppers, onions, and mushrooms in a light cream sauce. The menu also has Classics such as Beef Stroganoff, Coq Au Vin, Moules and Frites, Steak Frites, Salmon and Braised Peppered Short Ribs.

Espresso Chocolate Pot Au Crème

As ever, we saved room for dessert. The Espresso Chocolate Pot Au Crème was exceptional. It was light, not too rich and delicious! An Espresso and a Muscat after dinner drink were the perfect finish, as we relaxed and listened to the light live jazz by Twos Guys who added to the evening but were not too loud so you could enjoy conversation during dinner. The Wine List features local Livermore Valley, California and International wines with quite a few choices by the glass. We liked the 2010 Hannah-Nichole Sauvignon Blanc and the 2009 Tamayo Ryland’s Block Malbec.

 

Restaurateur/Executive Chef Jon Magnusson

We enjoyed chatting with Restaurateur/Executive Chef Jon Magnusson, who was born near Reykjavik, Iceland. He honed his culinary skills in Europe, South America and for many years in Carmel, California before opening Nonni’s Bistro.

Nonni’s Bistro features excellent European Cuisine made with fresh, local and healthy ingredients. They are open 7 days for Lunch and Dinner and be sure and try the Brunch on the Weekends.

 

By Carol & Joe Davis

 

Nonni’s Bistro

425 Main Street

Pleasanton, CA. 94566

925-600-0411

www.NonnisBistro.net