New on Resy: The Charter Oak, The Perennial, Bardo Lounge & Supper Club

A love letter to Napa Valley, The Charter Oak comes courtesy of the team behind Michelin-starred The Restaurant at Meadowood. Here, the deceptively simple menu—which is built on a family-style dining experience (bring your friends)—is focused on seasonal ingredients, from crispy potato tostones to hearth-roasted ham.

The Perennial is a restaurant with a mission: to fight climate change through food. That means a menu that leans on regenerative agriculture, from bread baked with perennial grains, to greens grown in their aquaponic greenhouse. And best of all, the reclaimed wood-accented spot proves that sustainable cuisine is not only delicious but destination-worthy, too.

Bardo is a time capsule that screams mid-century dinner party. At the stylish lounge in Oakland’s Grand Lake District, the chefs pored over cookbooks from the 1950s and 60s to reimagine an evolved menu and cocktail list that pays tribute to the era’s greatest hits. Expect new takes on casseroles, pot pies, and drinks, all to the groovy beat of bossa nova tunes. Bonus: fan of the vintage glassware? It’s for sale.

Housed in a charming early 20th century building, Heritage Restaurant & Bar stands south of the Golden Gate bridge. In the kitchen, chef-owner Cameron Lewark draws on his Wolfgang Puck chops to dish out a range of highlights, from zucchini fritters to bleu cheese-crusted beef ribeye. Come for the family-style tasting menu, or linger at the bar for an excellent grilled cheese with a craft cocktail.

Inspired by Mexico’s traditional street food, Gran Eléctrica puts its southern neighbors’ market-driven cuisine in the spotlight. The sleek and fun eatery prides itself on its house-made tortillas and chips, in addition to the cilantro, chile, and epazote (Mexican tea), which are grown on-site to brighten chef Ignacio Beltran’s regional dishes. Head up to the patio for a drink, and pick from Gran Elétrica’s excellent (and extensive) tequila and mezcal list.

Sicilian-born and James Beard Award-winning chef Antonio Mure sets his sights on the Richmond District with his latest venture, Corks. The intimate wine bar focuses on a curated list of pours from Italy and California, with hyper-seasonal Italian tapas (the Niçoise salad is a must) and homemade pasta to soak it all up.

It used to be that Benchmark was a neighborhood gem only Kensington locals knew about, but with a newly-opened second location in Oakland, this pizza haven is sure to make waves. Helmed by a husband-and-wife duo (also behind the notorious pizza dough at Dopo), Benchmark makes perfectly blistered wood-fired pies with Italy in mind. The dough is thick and chewy, and pairs perfectly with the restaurant’s selection of regional and Italian wines.

Food is treated like art at The Gastropig’s permanent dinner series, where “exhibitions” change every three months. The brainchild of two classically trained painters-turned-chefs, Abstract Table offers two sets of tasting menus without pretense, where Japanese influences toy with global flavors. And the result is absolutely stunning. Stay on the lookout: the series’ second exhibition “Blizzards” is coming soon.

Located in Danville’s lovely Historic Downtown, Revel Kitchen & Bar is an elegant yet casual tavern from the owners of the acclaimed Esin Restaurant. In the kitchen, farm-to-table fare reigns, from fish & chips made with regional cod to Mediterranean sliders made with local lamb. Pro-tip: fried chicken Mondays and prawn paella Tuesdays will turn you into a regular.

Va de Vi translates to “It’s all about wine” in Catalan, and though this luscious plant-lined spot does want diners to explore their palates, you shouldn’t forgo the small plates. Chef Mike Fischetti fires some stellar tapas, from baked burrata with spicy ragu to lamb tagine with lemon couscous. Sit out on the patio, order a wine flights (with quirky names like “French Kiss” and “Identity Crisis”), and your evening is set.

Tucked on a cozy street in Downtown Turlock, Bistro 234 offers a refined dining experience that spoils locals and visitors alike. Acclaimed chef LeRoy Walker dishes out a fresh and seasonal French-inspired cuisine—you can never go wrong with the French onion soup and the perfectly roasted half chicken—alongside an award-winning wine list.