The restaurant is beautiful. We sat outside on a nice sunny day. It was seat yourself, but then we had to wait a while to be greeted. I found out they were very short staffed, which was unfortunate. It was Easter and I assume it was busy all day. Food wise: it was okay. They didn't have bottomless mimosas, despite the HUGE sign. They actually lost their license. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't impressive. Although the staff was super nice, I probably won't be back. read more

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Under new ownership and extremely disappointing. I thought I was being punked. The menu is like a diner. None of the amazing entrees they had before. The place looks the same but felt like a Dennys in a nicer location. Service was insanely slow. Took over an hour to get two burgers and the cheese on those wasn't even melted. They still have pictures of the old menu on their website and still have the sign up for mimosas... but they don't serve alcohol here. Still can't get over how sad it was to have one of my favorite places essentially become one of the worst I've been to. read more

The menu has changed! I ordered two items that were not available and then I ordered a bagel that was badly charred with cream cheese messily spread everywhere. Great wait staff ! read more

The Duchess - American Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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What a lovely lunch spot! Met my friend for lunch and it had a nice outdoor space. The food was delicious. There seemed to only be one person seating, taking orders, serving...all the things, but he was very nice. read more

The Duchess - Caesar salad with chicken - American Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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Came here with my sister for brunch. Menu was limited and food was just okay, small portions and overpriced. I got the yogurt with berries and toast, my sister had eggs and bacon. Server forgot my hot tea and did not check up on us. I would skip! read more

Service is non existent at this restaurant. Food was okay, for the price flavor and portion sizes were mediocre. Maybe they were having an off day or the time of day was the issue. We went for a late lunch early dinner around 3:45. I may give them another try in the future before I completely right them off. read more

Such a cute spot!! Love the vibe, food was delicious and service was tentative! There's a ton of outdoor seating and has such a cute ambiance and great natural lighting. The matcha latte was solid (unsweetened, ask for syrup) and the scrambled eggs were a perfectly seasoned soft scramble. Came on a weekday and unlimited street parking was available. Will definitely return!! read more

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This is a really cute restaurant. We sat outside as it was a nice day. There is some street noise if you sit outside. The waiter was attentive and friendly. Our party split two Caesar salads as a starter. That was plenty enough for five people. The salad was nice for the pieces of shaved Parmesan in it. I had steak frites. I thought the bernaise sauce was a little sweet, but they meat was perfectly cooked to medium rare. The fries were very good as well. There was a nice arugula salad that came with it. One of our dining companions got the petrale sole. It was delicious. We wanted to try their desserts, but the waiter told us their ovens were down, so they weren't able to offer any desserts today. read more

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This is a very nice outdoor restaurant. No indoor seating at all. Pet friendly. Food is always delicious. I wish the coffee and match latte could be a little warmer. The outdoor environment cools down food and beverages faster. The service is very attractive. I'll come back during warmer months, probably not rainy cold season. read more

The Duchess - STEAK SANDWICH - American Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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Came on a weekday for breakfast. There were two other tables so we enjoyed the open spaces sitting under at the corner with our dogs. The waiter did come to check w us a few times despite that we were sitting all the way to the end. Service was good but can be better such is offering our dogs a bowl of water. We did bring our own bowls anyway but offering would show attentiveness. This is a dog friendly restaurant. We got the Benedict and the steak sandwich. Both met our expectations but didn't have the wow factor. The weather was nice today so overall we had a good experience. I do noticed heaters in the under the pergola so this would be nice when the colder weather hits. read more

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Arriving at this charming spot immediately gave me an energetic vibe--the all-outdoor seating creates such a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. It was around 11:00 am, with the sunshine warming just right--not too hot, making it the perfect day to enjoy a leisurely meal outside. This will be a great bridal shower type of spot! I treated myself to the Belgian waffle with apple and peach cinnamon, and it was absolutely delightful! The sweetness was just right, never overwhelming, exactly as we hoped for. We also tried the breakfast croissant, which had an interesting twist with the Italian sausage. I truly appreciated the thoughtful blend of flavors, even though no single taste stood out. As for the Union Jack wrap with chicken and spinach, it wasn't quite my favorite. The wrap was a bit thick for my liking, which made it a little heavy compared to the lightness I was hoping for. read more

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Received a gift card for my birthday and finally got a chance to make a visit to the Duchess. Service was spectacular and the wait staff was attentive. Food portions were just right, aesthetically pleasing, and at a very fair and reasonable price. Would definitely come back and make this place a regular lunch/brunch location of choice.. keep up the great work! The customers will keep returning. read more

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This place was quite cozy and charming! The outdoor patio had such a peaceful and sweet ambiance for weekend brunch! My friends and I got oysters; they were refreshing and relatively inexpensive! Some of them were much smaller than others, and I wish they had been a bit more consistent, but they were delicious nonetheless! I also got the breakfast sandwich and it was amazing (a bit tricky to eat with croissant bread though, it was very unstable)! Service was polite and kind, but didn't check in with us very much. We had to go find someone to close out our bill, but it didn't take long and the servers were nice regardless. read more

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Came here today for the first time after wanting to try it for over a year. However, I was disappointed with the very small menu choice that is mostly american style food. I had been wanting to try the more UK, french style food. They didn't have steak frites or fish and chips or oysters. The outdoor seating is beautiful but would like to see some of the old menu back. None of the omelettes were there either. However we tried the burrata salad which was delicious. The burgers were good too but would prefer traditional buns than sandwich style bread. read more

The Duchess - American Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Came here on a Sunday evening for dinner , which wasn't best decision Started with some bubbly, waiter recommended the brut rose which is what I ended up getting. They allowed us to taste so we could decide what we wanted. We tried to order a couple other dishes but apparently they were out of a lot of things. Food: Crispy burrata: loved this and would get again Garlic truffle fries: fries were cooked well but the garlic was lacking and all the truffle oil was at the bottom. Mussels: really enjoyed these the sauce was amazing Caesar salad: good but the dressing I dont think had anchovies in it. Too much dressing too Cobb salad: bacon was good but my friend said every piece of salad had wayyyyy too much dressing, get it on the side. It was extremely hot that day, they could benefit from having some misters and keeping ice coming. Overall was a nice experience but I will try coming maybe not on Sunday. read more

The Duchess - MUSSELS - American Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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Such a cute spot with friendly service! I had the crab Benedict, which tasted fine, it just didn't blow me away (and I love a good Benedict). I will probably visit again for lunch, there were a couple of other menu items I would like to try! read more

The Duchess - Benedict with crab cake. - American Near Me - Pleasanton, California

They don't have a liquor license, so dont plan on having any adult beverages. Apparently they are under new ownership. Food was still pretty good, but they appear to be extremely understaffed. read more

Restaurant in downtown Pleasanton, by the owners of Elia, which is one of our favorite places to eat in town. The Good: Let me start by sharing what went well. I enjoyed my matcha ($5). My better half got a good laugh watching me sip it from the dainty English teacup it was served in. The food was good. We shared a decent burger ($18) and fish and chips ($18), which were crispy and served with a couple of onion rings and fries. The Bad: The service was not great. We asked where we should sit (there were many options, all outdoors) and the person who was seating us shrugged. We chose to sit under the flat awning, which happened to be hot and uncomfortable. Later, we overheard him telling another couple not to sit in the area we were in as it got very hot. Wish we had been extended the same courtesy and consideration. The Ugly: Food poisoning. For both me and the missus. It has taken us till the next afternoon to feel better. Not going back! read more

The Duchess - Fish and chips ($18) and burger ($18). - American Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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If you're looking for a charming spot in downtown Pleasanton that blends British cuisine with a touch of Parisian flair, 'The Duchess' is a must-visit. We stopped by for brunch on a Friday morning, following a friend's recommendation, and were pleasantly surprised. The ambiance is warm, welcoming, and undeniably charming--a perfect mix of elegance and comfort. The friendly and attentive staff made the experience even more delightful. For our entrées, we tried the 'Big Benedict'--a unique twist on a classic with a housemade bun, mini crab cake, avocado, poached eggs, and roasted bell pepper hollandaise. The flavors were well-balanced and downright delicious. We also had the 'French omelette', which was light and flavorful--a great choice. For beverages, the 'hot chocolate' was a bit underwhelming, but the 'latte with vanilla syrup' was excellent. It had the right amount of sweetness and creaminess, making it a standout in the drink selection. We couldn't resist dessert, and the 'crème brûlée' stole the show. It was easily one of the best we've ever had--perfectly creamy with a crisp caramelized top. In summary, 'The Duchess' offers a delightful dining experience, ideal for a meal with family or friends. We'll definitely be returning for another round of their amazing dishes (and more crème brûlée!). read more

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It's not the same place as it was before. It's kinda shady to keep the name and decor but be a completely different restaurant The menus is completely different. All of the upscale, delicacy is gone. Just another Sysco foods co. Our water was dirty so we just left didn't even eat. Save your money and go somewhere actually good. read more

Patio dining open for brunch at 9:30 am all week...in downtown Pleasanton just a block from Main street. Casual ambiance with quick efficient service. Everything we ordered was brought out quickly and absolutely delicious. Portions were just right and yes, dogs are welcome outside. read more

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I stumbled upon this charming spot while walking towards Downtown. I was drawn in by its colorful Parisian theme and ongoing Christmas lights. The staff were attentive. They made sure I had a pleasant stay here. It's a great spot if you enjoy outdoor seating, especially since spring is right around the corner. The only issue being is limited indoor seating. I tried the British breakfast plate because I miss my time in London. Arguably, it's not the best I've had, but I'd still order it while I'm here in the States. It was good for what it is and like how the portion wasn't overly large, which some might find disappointing. I didn't mind since I usually have leftovers anyway. I managed to finish my plate - no crumbs! I also got a mint green latte. It was a bit on the milky side, but I loved how serve tea in these elegant little teacups. It felt like a high tea experience minus the crumpets and mini bites. I'd come back again! read more

The Duchess - American Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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British-themed restaurant that we tried for a birthday lunch celebration. They don't take reservations but we had no trouble getting seats for our small party. Service was fast, friendly and efficient. We were eager to try their fish and chips, and it was unfortunately only ok for our taste buds. The fish was topped with fresh onion rings which were pretty greasy, and the 3 cod pieces were also pretty greasy. The fish had good flavor but the tartar sauce was non-traditional and didn't come across as the best accompaniment. I like salt but the crispy fries were rather salty. Definitely willing to give them another chance for other items on the menu, but overall, my dish didn't live up to expectations. read more

The Duchess - FISH & CHIPS with greasy onion rings (Feb 2025) - American Near Me - Pleasanton, California

My friend and I wanted to try a British restaurant and we decided to try this place out. It did not disappoint. We both got the Big Benedict and it was delicious. We sat right underneath the heaters in the patio as inside seating were full. It was cozy, nice, and warm for a rainy day. Our server was great, checking on us every so often to ensure all is ok. We both enjoyed sipping our hot tea (chai latte and butterfly pea) as well. The tea cups were very elegant and adorable! I can see this patio turn into like an afternoon British tea party. I miss London afternoon tea time. A cute restaurant. I would come back to try other items on the menu. read more

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This was a fantastic meal! I took my friend here for her birthday dinner and it was so delicious. We ordered the Filet Mignon Carpaccio - thinly sliced beef with arugula, shaved Parmesan and olive oil. So simple but so delicious. I had the King Salmon and my friend had the burger (Wagyu beef). Just be aware that there is a sliced jalapeño in there. She was wondering why her mouth was burning! My salmon was perfectly crisp on the outside and moist on the inside. The sauce with the potatoes, spinach and cherry tomatoes came together so simply but with a lot of flavor. The service was excellent. Just be aware that they are off the Main Street of downtown Pleasanton but not far at all. Please support this business. It's well worth a visit! read more

The Duchess - King Salmon dish with the Burger in the background - American Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Came here for lunch today (Monday weekday lunch), party of 3. Our order: 1 person got the bottomless mimosa ($40), 2 ginger lemonades ($6 each), the filet mignon carpaccio ($18), one rigatoni ($21), one union jack crepe ($18), and one chicken sandwich. Total was $110 ish before tax and before tip. I think they may have forgotten to charge us for the chicken sandwich - which actually may have made this experience a 4 instead of a 3, given price. Really glad we came on a Monday during noon because I can see how parking can be tricky if you come during a weekend or dinner. Pros: - Fun British-theme with lots of options for food - there's a breakfast and a lunch menu, and you can choose sweet or savory. I REALLY enjoyed the carpaccio - I really thought it was going to be a small order of thin meat (since that's how carpaccio is) but it actually came with a large amount of arugula and cheese that made it feel more filling and worth the price. The rigatoni pasta was also really good. Carpaccio and rigatoni definitely take the cake for best dishes! - Pretty decent portions for the price of the food - I originally pictured the union jack crepe to be flat crepe topped with some savory veggies, but it actually came out looking more like a stuffed burrito! We definitely took leftovers home. - No wait during a weekday lunch, not crowded at all. - Really good fries came with the chicken sandwich. - Really clean and cute bathrooms inside Cons: - Service was pretty spotty a number of times - example - a gnat flew into my husband's water and we asked for a new glass, but it never came. Little things like this happened a few times where it wasn't horrendous, but I think bumped it down from a 4 to a 3. - In this case the charge error benefitted us since they didn't charge us for a dish, but I could see the bad kind of mistake happening really easily - they don't give you an itemized receipt until after you pay (and that's if you ask for it), and you have to go up inside to pay when you're done. I think room for improvement would include showing the customer the order on the screen before they pay - Drinks are overpriced in my opinion - the ginger lemonade was delicious but I think I would have paid $4.50 or $5.00 for it, $6 felt like too much. I also think the bottomless mimosa isn't worth it for $40, I think $35 would have been a more appropriate price (since typically you would drink 3 glasses to make it worth it) - No indoor seating - it was pretty warm today and hot mid-day, even though we were under the shade it did get pretty hot around 1pm, fans or more shaded areas would be good to make it more bearable in the summer. TLDR: I wouldn't mind coming back. I think if I did, I would only order a dish per person and skip the drinks. Can get really uncomfortable outside if it's hot with no fans. Standout dishes include carpaccio, rigatoni, and fries. read more

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The Duchess opened in Salt Craft's vacated space. Outside seating only, some under an heated canopy, some in natural sunlight. Greeted and seated quickly by server in heated corner. Ordered. Food arrived in 10ish minutes. Offerings (British/French): breakfast, lunch, salads & soups, appetizers, entrees, beverages, bar... Sips: Americano (3.75) Lavazza blend? in big mug -tasted watery, bland. Given an expresso shot. Fab! Bites: Fish & Chips (18) -wasn't wrapped in newspaper ala regular English Fish & Chips. Fillets not 1 or 2 large fillets. Rather 4 slim pieces looking like chicken tenders. Crunchy crusts with watery not firm cod fish within. Guess thawed cod fillets weren't dewatered with towels. -server imitated onion rings & tarter sauce best he's tasted. True if i tasted anything which i didn't. -thin shoestring fries crunchy. Slightly mushy within. 3.5 stars- present Fish & Chip not similar to usual Fish & Chips eaten. Service & covfefe was great. read more

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Had a quick dinner here tonight (they stayed open past closing for us) and I'm so happy we did! I can't wait to try more menu items. Tonight we did the bruschetta (good, but maybe a little pedestrian), the beetroot carpaccio (excellent), and the brown butter ravioli (also excellent). The food alone was great, but what put our dinner over the top was the outstanding service!! They were literally shutting down the kitchen but they let us dine (we were the only people at the restaurant). I felt bad keeping them open, but since my boyfriend really wanted to eat there they accommodated us happily. Shoutout to Siyar for his awesome hospitality. Can't wait to come back here and recommend to my family and friends! read more

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What a disappointment! Definitely under new ownership/management! I used to highly recommend this place! I'm shocked! It's been a good 6-8 months since my last visit and I invited friends who have never been. The menu has changed completely, very limited options. The outdoor seating used to be beautiful, looks like they haven't watered the plants or the beautiful tree in the center all summer. The bathroom was disgusting which makes me question the kitchen. The service.... Non existent. Once we ordered we never saw them again, mind you no one else was there?! No water refills, no nothing! Had to go and ask for the check and it was so awkward. The two waiters just sat around looking around and talking. I won't be back and I know my friends won't either. read more

It was perfect. Hubby and I came around 7pm on a Monday, one of those quiet nights downtown and just us two without the little one. The weather was approaching fall for sure, and The Duchess offered thick blankets and heat lamps for their outdoor only seating. The lighting is so dreamy! Steak Frites ($27): Ha, I should have licked my plate. What is in this bearnaise sauce??? We love a good ratio between meat/veggie/sauce/potato. The only time I like skinny fries. Would get again! Lemon Honey Mustard Roasted Chicken ($24): Hubby gave me a (very small) bite and I loooove honey mustard as a salad dressing. Excellent on chicken too! His baked potato looked bonkers. They had an extensive alcohol menu, but I didn't see any nonalcoholic options (I didn't ask either). A really enjoyable time at this new spot across from Beer Baron! read more

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Let's start with how nicely this place has been designed, it elevates that street and just overall how Pleasanton downtown restaurant space is coming up, I hope all new places look up this place and take the Main Street to a new level of dining and chic. The food is amazing, staff and service amazing, wine collection is amazing. Best, the downtown now has a spot for Humboldt Bay Oysters, right here. I am not comparing them to Hog Island, but definitely if it's a 5-10 min ride, this makes it a good spot then. The outdoor space is really nice, heated, shaded, covered on the sides and pretty glassware. I am excited to see the next phase of the downtown. read more

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Walked by The Duchess and I was attracted to how nice their setup was. I remember seeing this restaurant under construction a while ago, so it is cool to see them up and running. I am happy we stopped by here as it did live up to their image and ambiance. The staff was incredible and attentive. They answered a lot of questions regarding the menu, and they were always helping us on refills and table service. The food was great. The Crown was my favorite dish. I didn't expect the big slices of chicken with the waffles. It was balanced with savory and sweetness. The waffle had a great texture too. The Duchess Croissant was also incredible. I highly recommend this dish as well. They do offer bottomless mimosas for $40 if you are interested in it. read more

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The real home run here is the setting combined with such attentive service. The food overall was very good but I would have like another ravioli or two and I would like to see something a little more unique with the fries but I dont know how to cook so I dont really know what that would look like. The fries are the small, thin kind and the overall atmosphere and food is unique, somehow maybe the fries could be too. When this place gets its liquor license, it will be game on. read more

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Wow, I was not aware it's under new ownership. The previous owners were great . As previous reviews said worst service and mediocre food. Coffee was five dollars served in a tea cup with no free refills. The sign said bottomless mimosas. When we asked about it, he couldn't understand what the sign meant. read more

The Duchess - American Near Me - Pleasanton, California

We took a little walk in Downtown Pleasanton and noticed a new spot we'd never been...so we walked by to check it out. They've been open for less than a week!! We started with the Filet Mignon Carpaccio. I'm not usually a fan of filet but this was good. The oysters were just ok, they weren't shucked completely so we had to fight to get them off the shell. Then came the entrees. We had the truffle risotto, delish! And the steak and frites...yum! Best dish of the night. The meat was sooo tender. Loved it. They're still working out some kinks but it's definitely worth a try! They have a beautiful outdoor space and heated lamps for evening time. Go check them out!! read more

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I gave this place a try since it is under new ownership. It's outdoor only which is ok if the weather is good, but given the unpredictable weather if it rains or is windy it won't be enjoyable. It's a pretty limited menu but the food was good. I ordered the California omelette and it was big and pretty tasty. The service was good as well. I would just like to see more on the menu. read more

Came here on a Friday for lunch around 1pm and it was packed!! We had to wait inside for about 10 min and looked at the menu while waiting. We were next to the kitchen and saw how busy they were. Seems like it's their soft opening so the manager was still training the staff to give attentions to the guests who have been waiting for a long time. We thought it would be a long wait for us to get our food but we were wrong. We got seated in 10 min. Our drinks came in another 10 min and food came in another 6 min. We ordered a matcha latte and a decaf mocha. They came in really fancy cups and saucers. They are smaller cups than usual. Maybe 4-6oz . The taste was good for both. For the price, I wish they would be bigger size. For food, we got a Royal burger. It was very juicy and had lots of ingredients! It had crispy jalapeño which was a good kick to the burger. The fries was normal and nothing to write about. We also got the blue midnight crepe. It supposed to come in with blueberries but it was strawberries instead. We were not warned about it when we ordered! My daughter did have an oral allergy to strawberries before when she was younger! Thank goodness she outgrew it now. The crepe itself was kinda thick on one side. We asked the server about it and he said it's the first time he has seen this and he said "I don't know, it's supposed to be thin right?" He said he would ask the kitchen but he never got back to me. Even though it was not the regular thin type of crepe, it's still yummy. It was kinda like pancake texture! Seems like it's only outdoor dining. We sat around the tree at the "bar" as they called it. All in all, it was a good lunch. Given that they are still in soft opening, hope they will iron out some kinks and I can find out about why the crepe is not the usual thin ones. read more

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Great brunch the service was great, parking is the only problems eating outside on Easter Sunday was very nice

We came here for Mother's Day brunch and unfortunately had a really disappointing experience. I understand holidays are busy, but the service and overall organization were extremely poor from start to finish. We had to ask multiple times just to place our order, drinks and appetizers were forgotten, and the food didn't come out together. After everyone else at the table already had their meals, I was then told they had run out of the sauce for my chilaquiles and asked if I wanted to switch my order. My mom ordered pancakes -- probably the simplest item on the menu -- and somehow her food came out last. What made the experience more frustrating was the complete lack of communication or acknowledgment from management. A quick apology or someone stopping by to explain the kitchen was backed up would have gone a long way. To top it off, at the end of the meal my husband politely asked one of the staff members if he could quickly take a family photo for us, and he flat out said no because he was "too busy." The food itself was pretty lackluster, but the bigger issue was how chaotic and unorganized the staff seemed. This place really needs to figure out the kitchen pacing and overall service flow before it can provide a good dining experience. read more

We came here after another place too busy. It is a wonderful restaurant with great food and service. There is very little indoor seating, but the patio is very nice. They have a fire pit and several heating lamps, which were much appreciated since we came for late-ish dinner. The 2 waiters we had were both excellent. Personable, accommodating, and quick without feeling rushed. The fillet mignon carpaccio was my favorite dish, although the crispy burrata was just as good. My mother-in-law liked her beetroot carpaccio and my daughter loved the ceasar salad. My father-in-law loved the honey mustard half-chicken entree. We will definitely be back and this is a great addition to downtown Pleasanton. read more

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