🧭 5 Tri-Valley Restaurants Make Wine Spectator's Exclusive List 🍷

This Week’s Explorations:

• Tri-Valley Restaurants Shine in Wine Spectator Awards

• Exclusive Promo for Beyonce’s Collaboration Performers Coming to the Bankhead Theater!

• Pleasanton Woman Helps SoCal Familes Affected by the Fires

• Dublin Announces St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Schedule

• Alameda County Fair Announces Summer Concerts

• Executive Director of Livermore Downtown Resigns

• Poll: Who Has the Best Burrito in the Tri-Valley?

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Tri-Valley Restaurants Shine in Wine Spectator Awards!

The Tri-Valley’s wine and food scene continues to flourish, with local restaurants earning national acclaim for their curated wine programs and exceptional dining experiences. Each year, Wine Spectator honors restaurants worldwide with its coveted Award of Excellence and Best of Award of Excellence, recognizing expertly curated wine lists, knowledgeable staff, and immersive wine experiences.

In 2024, out of 2,150 restaurants globally receiving the Award of Excellence, only 1,531 earned the elite Best of Award of Excellence. Five Tri-Valley restaurants were among the honorees, showcasing the region’s growing reputation for food and wine excellence:

Best of Award of Excellence

• Uncle Yu’s at the Vineyard (Livermore)

• Posada Alta Cocina (Livermore)

Award of Excellence

• Sabio on Main (Pleasanton)

• Tides (Danville)

• Forbes Mill Steakhouse (Danville)

What Sets These Restaurants Apart

At Uncle Yu’s at the Vineyard, President and Wine Director Nick Liang shared his philosophy on pairing wine with Chinese cuisine: “There is magic in wine and food pairing. For example, a Pinot Noir or Nebbiolo paired with our Tea Smoke Duck or Peking Duck brings out the best in both the food and wine.” With over 600 wines available, Uncle Yu’s offers options for every palate. Additionally, Uncle Yu’s has received this award for an incredible 19 consecutive years!

Meanwhile, at Posada, Chef and Owner Eduardo Posada, along with Sommelier and Beverage Director Jorge Tinoco, highlights the harmony between their Southwestern-inspired cuisine and expertly curated wines: “Our goal has been to create dining experiences with bold flavors that pair beautifully with classic appellations. For example, our Ribeye Aguachile paired with Bordeaux is a superb combination of flavors.” Chef and owner Eduardo Posada is one of the Bay Area’s most highly regarded chefs and restauranteurs, and his cuisine has won numerous awards throughout the years.

A Bright Future for Tri-Valley’s Culinary Scene

These awards highlight the dedication of Tri-Valley’s restaurateurs and wine directors. Whether you’re a local or visiting, the region offers unforgettable experiences for those who appreciate exceptional food and wine. Cheers to the continued success of the Tri-Valley’s culinary community!

photo credit: Visit Tri-Valley

_{Sponsored by The Bankhead Theater}

Step Into the Rhythm of Love This Valentine’s Day with Syncopated Ladies: Live!

Don’t miss the electrifying Syncopated Ladies, an all-female tap dance phenomenon taking the stage at the Bankhead! Created by Emmy Award-nominated choreographer Chloe Arnold, this dynamic group is redefining tap dance with stunning footwork, fierce feminine energy, and inspiring storytelling.

With viral videos amassing over 100 million views, the Syncopated Ladies have captured global attention. They’ve worked with none other than Beyoncé, wowed audiences on Good Morning America, and made history as the first winners of FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance crew battle. Their sold-out performances, including their acclaimed full-length concert “Syncopated Ladies: Live!”, showcase the passion and power of this groundbreaking ensemble.

Tickets are selling fast for this special Valentine’s Night performance! GET $5 OFF each ticket with Promo Code: BeMine - An Exclusive promo through Tri-Valley Explorer. No other discounts apply. Does not include community seats. No refunds or exchanges. Does not apply to previously purchased tickets.

A Local Hero: Pleasanton’s Crystal Faith Brings Hope and Supplies to Families Impacted by SoCal Fires

Pleasanton resident Crystal Faith took swift action when she learned that her friend, Nitti Kaur, had lost her Altadena home in the California wildfires. Mobilizing her local community, Faith collected an abundance of donations, filling two trucks with essential items. After delivering the goods to Kaur, the surplus was substantial, prompting Faith to seek out other families in need. This initiative led to the creation of a Facebook group aimed at connecting donors with specific families affected by the fires. Through this platform, Faith and Kaur have facilitated direct support, ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it most. Their efforts have not only provided immediate relief but have also fostered a sense of community and solidarity among those impacted by the disaster. Crystal’s efforts were just featured in People Magazine as well, full article available here.

Mark Your Calendars for St. Patricks Day in Dublin!

Experience the Emerald Isle with no passports required! Come to the City of Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival to find three stages of Irish music and dance; authentic Irish food and beverages; more than 250 fine arts and commercial vendors, including an Irish Marketplace; roaming leprechauns and bagpipers; carnival rides; and an Irish Tea Cottage. The schedule is listed below, but click here for more details on the City of Dublin website.

Friday, March 14^th

• Shamrock Gala: 6pm at Shannon Community Center. The kickoff party featuring representatives from Dublin’s Sister City, Bray (Ireland). Tickets on sale soon.

Saturday, March 15

• Firefighters Pancake Breakfast: 7–10am at Dublin Fire Station 16 ($5 per person)

• 41st Annual parade: 9:30am starting at Dublin Blvd and Amador Plaza Rd

• Festival: 10am – 5pm at Dublin Civic Center & Dublin Sports

Sunday, March 16

• Shamrock 5K Fun Run & Walk: 8:30am on Dublin Blvd (across from Civic Center)

• Festival: 10am – 5pm at Dublin Civic Center & Dublin Sports Grounds

photo cred: City of Dublin

_{Sponsored by Da Boccery}

January Special at Da Boccery! 50% off Axe Throwing, Bocce Ball, Golf Simulation and ShuffleBoard!

Back That Axe Up! Let’s go to Da Boccery!

Nestled on the border of Pleasanton and Livermore, Da Boccery is your go-to spot for delicious food, drinks, and exciting activities! From axe throwing and golf simulation to bocce ball and shuffleboard, there’s something for everyone—perfect for family outings, date nights, or work events.

Here’s the best part: throughout January, you can enjoy 50% off all activities on select dates! That means more fun for half the price.

👉 Click Here and use promo code BOTCHOUT2025 to claim this deal.

Hurry—this offer is only available until January 31st! Don’t miss out on the chance to experience all the fun Da Boccery has to offer. **Please note that activity reservations can only be made up to 1 week in advance.

Alameda County Fair Announces New Concerts!

The Alameda County Fair just announced two more concerts for this coming Summer - 80’s/90’s rockers, Tesla, and 90’s pop-rock band Sugar Ray. Tickets go on sale for these two shows on February 7th. Other confirmed concerts include Clint Black, Too $hort, WAR, Twist on Taylor, and more to be announced soon! Click here for tickets and details.

Livermore Downtown Executive Director Resigns

Ruby Lopez-Villareal, the Executive Director of Livermore Downtown Inc., has announced her resignation, effective February 2025, after three years in the role. Throughout her tenure, Lopez-Villareal played a pivotal role in revitalizing Livermore's downtown area, fostering community engagement, and supporting local businesses. Her leadership was instrumental in organizing events and initiatives that enhanced the vibrancy and economic growth of the downtown district. The board of Livermore Downtown Inc. will soon begin the search for a new executive director to continue building upon the foundation she established. The organization remains committed to its mission of promoting a thriving downtown and supporting the local community during this transition. Ruby will be missed and we wish her much success on her next endeavor!

photo cred: Livermore Chamber of Commerce

Who has the Best Burrito in the Tri-Valley?

Submit your answer HERE as we’ll be doing a feature post very soon on the best Burritos in the Tri-Valley!

Advertise with Tri-Valley Explorer!

Are you a business owner in the Tri-Valley who wants to reach over 20,000 households across Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon, and Danville? Email us for more info about our affordable options. [email protected]

This Week’s Forecast

Starting to look more like Winter! Rain and cooler weather on the way!