Bites Nearby: Nonni's Bistro in Pleasanton

When I found out that Nonni's Bistro in downtown Pleasanton had been open only since summer, I was a little taken aback. With its welcoming atmosphere and delicious food, this quaint little restaurant on Main Street seems like such a perfect pairing with the downtown area that I assumed it always had been around.

Part of the charm of this restaurant is the little things. At your table you will find beautiful flowers in a little vase and a carafe of water with a mint sprig or two floating in it along with some fruit. Little touches like this make you feel at home from the moment you enter. Another small thing that makes a big difference is the fresh rolls made by the Bibiane Bakery in Pleasanton.

My companion and I began with starters. She chose the chicken, white bean and vegetable soup, which was thick and tasty with beautifully blended flavors. I had the goat cheese crepe — delicious. It was warm and light and was complemented by organic greens and candied walnuts. We also tried the salmon that is smoked on the premises by chef and owner Jon Magnusson. The flavor was mild and really tasty. The starters range from $6 to $10. 

For the main course, I had the braised lamb shank. It fell off the bone and was delicious, served in a rich wine sauce over mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. My companion had the short ribs, which were very tender and had a nice kick. They came with mashed potatoes and vegetables. Our entrees were $18 apiece. Entrees run $17 to $22, with salad entrees $14 to $16.

For dessert we split the chocolate bread pudding. It was served warm with a hint of cinnamon along with fresh berries and vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce. Yummy!

Nonni's Bistro is a great place for dinner. The restaurant offers beer and wine, including some from local vineyards. Chef Magnusson explained that the restaurant is going to host a few special nights in April. On April 14 and 21, jazz will be playing from 6 to 9 p.m. A soloist who throws in some magic tricks will entertain on April 21. 

Nonni's also serves lunch. Its menu includes entrees, sandwiches, burgers and more. Lunch ranges from $9 to $13. Brunch is served on weekends, with dishes from cheese blintzes to eggs benedict (four types) to omelets to pancakes. 

You may be wondering who Nonni is? Well, that would be Magnusson's nickname. He is from Iceland and made his way to California via Europe and then Brazil. Nonni's Bistro is his second restaurant in California. He opened Bistro 211 in Carmel in the 1990s.   

Magnusson told me that he fell in love with Pleasanton, especially the downtown area, and couldn't resist when the opportunity arose to open another bistro. 

Nonni's Bistro, 425 Main St., Pleasanton. 925-600-0411. Brunch — Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Lunch — Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Dinner — Daily 5 to 9 p.m.