Annabelle R.
Yelp
Stopped by downtown Pleasanton during "Weekends on Main" street fest, the road closed to vehicles creating a lovely and inviting atmosphere filled with adorable shops and eateries. Among this is Nonni's Bistro which was by far the most captivating establishment on the block this past Sunday.
Gunhild Carling was performing live music during dinner time, that could be heard from afar, unique renditions of songs like Hello Dolly! as well as her classic march through the crowd with band members playing their instruments to the tune of When the Saints Go Marching In. The seating here is a bit tight, but they made it work. The musicians actually walked out into the street (Main Street closed to traffic for the street fest), and still squeezed themselves through the tables inside. She even took song requests from guests. I say it time and time again, Gunhild Carling is a remarkable performer, and I never get tired of her shows. Plus I think she performs at Nonni's regularly, her beautiful artwork is even displayed on the wall.
No surprise, it was a full house both inside and outdoors when I came by this past weekend for dinner. I sat at the bar (it's small with only four seats), and the restaurant had its storefront windows opened up so guests could enjoy the live entertainment from inside too. Service was great as well. Staff was friendly and accommodating, and there were ample employees running around helping customers. I didn't encounter any unreasonable wait times, even with how busy the place was.
For food, I ordered the croque madam with french onion soup as the side. The soup was delish, with the sweetness of caramelized onions in the savory broth, combined with the nutty flavor from the melted layer of cheese on top, it was yummy. The sandwich was even better, large in size, filled with thick slices of ham and lots of melted cheese, a runny egg on top, and flavorful toast that somehow stayed crisp on the bottom through my entire meal, with the taste of crispy cheese at the edges. Wow, I think I found my new favorite dish!