Rooftop restaurants: 6 Bay Area venues take alfresco dining to new heights – The Mercury News

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Its the year of alfresco dining. Shaded tables are set up everywhere patios, sidewalks, alleys, streets, parking lots to allow customers to eat out safely during the COVID-19 era and keep restaurants afloat.

Want to take it up a notch? Were talking elevation. A little height could knock a few degrees off the temperature or maybe the views will take your mind off the heat.

Heres a roundup of local rooftop restaurants open for outdoor dining. Not surprisingly, these sky-high venues are popular, so make reservations or arrive early.

A breezy respite awaits atop the BBC, a stately 1925 building that originally held nope, not British financiers the Bank of Palo Alto. A stunning interior renovation by Peninsula restaurateur Rob Fisher a few years ago also added a third-floor rooftop patio with its own chef and bar. Miso salmon, lobster and an heirloom tomato-peach-burrata salad star on the seasonal menu. Cleverly named cocktails hew to the banking theme. Will it be the two-rum Offshore Account or the spiced-vodka Initial Public Offering?

The view: To the west, sunsets over the coastal mountains. To the east, a leafy landscape that camouflages the Caltrain tracks. We loved the urban soundtrack from the occasional train.

The details: Open at 4 p.m. daily for customers age 21 and over. 555 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park; http://www.britishbankersclub.com

This sprawling, all-outdoor New American eatery helped to cement downtown Walnut Creek as a culinary destination when it opened in 2016. Rooftop, which shares its reclaimed brick building with Teleferic Barcelona and Slice House, offers an ingredient-driven menu of reimagined classics, from tuna tartare to seasonal risotto. Chef and partner Justine Kelly often plucks her herbs right off the lush living wall. Did we mention the heat wave-ready misters and cold craft cocktails?

The view: Youre towering over trendy downtown Walnut Creek, but you can see stunning sunset vistas and unparalleled views of Mount Diablo.

The details: Open daily for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (from 11 a.m. on Sunday) and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, and until 11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at 1500 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Third Floor, Walnut Creek; https://rooftopwc.com. Check Facebook page for up-to-date info.

With its spectacular views, the Grandview on Mount Hamilton counts as Santa Clara Countys highest-elevation rooftop restaurant. Summer and early fall are a fabulous time to eat here because the upscale Italian steakhouse menu remember, youre paying for the view showcases produce grown on their farm across the street. To enjoy the experience, youll want to figure out who will be the designated driver for the winding, fusilli-like trip. And leave the casual shelter-in-place clothes at home; proper attire is required.

The view: From 1,500 feet, you can see the whole Santa Clara Valley and beyond.

The details: Two-hour dinner time slots are available via reservation from 5-10 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. 15005 Mount Hamilton Road, San Jose; http://www.grandviewsanjose.com

Its all about the appetizers, cocktails and wine list at this 3-year-old, casual open-air restaurant in downtown Livermore. Sip world-class Livermore wines while nibbling on everything from fish tacos to Caprese salad. Umbrellas shade the tables and cozy outdoor sofas, and twinkly lights abound. This one definitely feels like a staycation.

The view: You wont see the valleys famous rolling vineyards from here, but the 360-degree perspective of downtown Livermore is the best in town.

The details: Open Tuesday-Sunday at 2470 First St. Third Floor, Livermore. Hours vary. Reservations recommended by calling 925-292-9915; http://www.aviationlivermore.com. Check Facebook page for up-to-date info.

One of the newest rooftop venues in the Bay Area sits atop the techie Hyatt Centric hotel in the Village at San Antonio Center. The hotels trendy restaurant-bar, Fairchilds Public House, has unveiled its View on 2 venue, a casual spot with cushioned seating, a bar and a fire pit. Settle in and nibble on poke nachos, avocado toast or housemade pretzels with beer cheese. Add local wine, a craft brew or a cocktail and chill.

The view: Youre in the thick of Silicon Valley, but you can see the Santa Cruz Mountains in the distance and adorbs alert! theres a dog park below.

The details: Open from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, with happy hour pricing for the first three hours. 409 San Antonio Road, Mountain View; http://www.fairchildspublichouse.com

California ingredients meet Latino and Southern flavors at this popular cafe and rooftop bar in Old Oakland. Think anchovy-fried olives and crispy fried catfish strips with red beans and rice to pair with a mango-habanero margarita, perhaps, on a patio brimming with plants, chairs and sofas in muted grays plus heat lamps for those cool Oakland nights. Brunch is a big hit.

The view: A buzzy urban landscape its Old Oakland.

The details: Open for two-hour reservations via Resy from 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m to 3 p.m. Sunday at 722-730 Clay St., Oakland; https://oesteoakland.com

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Rooftop restaurants: 6 Bay Area venues take alfresco dining to new heights - The Mercury News