A Tri-Valley restaurant bucket list for lovers of global cuisine and vineyard views

The Tri-Valley may have its own wine country in Livermore Valley, but for a long time, the sleepy downtowns of San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton and beyond were eclipsed — at least gastronomically — by other East Bay hot spots. In recent years though, the Bay Area’s fastest growing region has found itself the happy recipient of not just an influx of new residents craving food that satisfies their global palates, but an explosion of exciting restaurants to sate those appetites in newly bustling city centers.

1 Focus on fusion, Indian style

Topping pizza dough with Northern Indian curry flavors has become something of a staple at several Indian eateries here, but the Naughty Naan at Curry Up Now takes it to another level. The small  Bay Area chain is known for its playful takes on Indian street food, so if you head for San Ramon’s City Center Bishop Ranch, you’ll find Curry Up Now’s chefs slathering traditional Indian flatbread with a rich, spicy tikka masala, chicken or paneer, and a light sprinkling of melty mozzarella to tie the flavors together.

Details: City Center Bishop Ranch and other locations; www.curryupnow.com

2. Sip sangiovese with valley views

To be sure, most Livermore Valley wineries boast charming tasting rooms, but Las Positas Vineyards offers a particularly soul-nurturing setting. The Mediterranean-style winery’s large patio offers expansive views of historic vineyards, sycamore trees and the arroyo and hills leading to the Ohlone Regional Wilderness. Owners Lisa and Lothar Maier and winemaker Brent Amos’ recent awards haul from the 2022 California State Fair includes a best of show for its 2019 Sangiovese, a medium-bodied red with the aroma of cherry and other fruits. Take in the view, sample a flight ($25) with a crisp 2021 Estate Verdelho, perhaps, and a light, fruity 2021 Estate Rosé. Hungry? The winery’s small plates menu offers charcuterie and flatbreads with tempting toppings.

Details: 1828 Wetmore Road, Livermore; www.laspositasvineyards.com. Find maps and details about more Livermore Valley wineries at www.lvwine.org.

3. Slurp up lavender and honey sweetness 

The Tri-Valley sealed its status as a Bay Area dining destination when San Ramon lured more than 20 sensational eateries, including Charles Phan’s Slanted Door and cult ice cream maker Salt & Straw, to its gleaming new City Center. There’s a reason for the long lines at the latter. The Portland, Oregon-based company is known for its adventuresome flavors — blue cheese and pear, for example, and arbequina olive oil. But I will drive any distance for a cup of the aromatic lavender honey ice cream.

Details: City Center Bishop Ranch and other locations; https://saltandstraw.com

4. Warm up with South American fare

Even on a drizzly day, Oyo’s dining room in Pleasanton’s picturesque downtown still bursts with warmth and energy, thanks to its vibrant colors and bold South American cuisine — chickpea stew, silky pumpkin soup, calypso ceviche and more. Owner Maurice Dressels drew on his Guyanese heritage to create Oyo’s menu, which also boasts Iberian, Caribbean and South Asian influences. Don’t miss the restaurant’s showstopping Paella Oyo, which arrives in an individual cast-iron pan, sizzling with fresh corn, peas and peppers and generous servings of chicken, pork sausage and plump shrimp.

Details: 680 Main St., Pleasanton; www.oyopleasanton.com

5. Journey to Yafa 

From the garlicky, citrusy hummus to the chicken shawarma, the dishes at Dublin’s cheerful, fast-casual Yafa Hummus are based on decades-old recipes. The owners’ grandfather, a Jordanian chef named Afeef Awad, developed them during a 1951 sojourn to the ancient Mediterranean port city of Jaffa – or Yafa in Arabic. Order a juicy shawarma wrap with garlic sauce or a gyro, its shaved, seasoned beef wrapped in pita and topped with a tart tzatziki. Echoes of Awad’s menu come through in the falafel, too, which you can order in more modern style — as sliders.

Details: 7012 Amador Plaza Road in Dublin and other locations; www.yumvee.com