Restaurants & Bars
Isola Osteria Sicilian Restaurant Opening In Danville
The new Railroad Avenue restaurant is hosting a Sicilian-style block party Wednesday ahead of its grand opening Friday.
DANVILLE, CA — When Angelo Dalo was looking to open a new Sicilian restaurant, he wanted somewhere you could sit outside. Somewhere like Sicily, where he was born.
“In Danville the days are long and hot,” he said. “In Sicily it’s quite hot, and the food is just made to go with that weather, and we love the weather. I’ve always wanted a small space with lots of patio space, and that’s exactly what that location gives me.”
The weather hasn’t been exactly Sicilian in Danville recently, but when it is, it will be the perfect time to head to Isola Osteria at 100 Railroad Avenue, the former site of Sliver Pizza. The downtown site can seat about 70 people outside, and 40 people inside. It features two outdoor patios, one with an outdoor bar and TVs, and the other enclosed by an awning and heaters.
In this spacious alfresco setting enhanced by live music from different local bands, guests can enjoy Sicilian specialties like Spiedini di Pesce Spada (swordfish stuffed with garlic, onions, and other ingredients), or citrusy cocktails like the Sicilian Mule (vodka, limoncello, blood orange juice, or ginger beer.)
All the recipes come from Dalo’s mother, his “biggest influence.” In fact, she has come to Danville to train the chefs, and will attend the restaurant’s grand opening on Friday.
Dalo was born in Palermo and moved to Brooklyn, then San Francisco, where his parents started the popular Caffe Sport in North Beach. He and his family then ran Trattoria La Siciliana in Berkeley for 23 years, before it closed in 2020 and merged with Agrodolce, his other restaurant.
“What Americans know as Italian food is usually Roman or Tuscan,” Dalo explained. “So we have this niche that we fill very nicely in Berkeley, soon in Danville, and in San Francisco. We’ve always been known as the guys who do Sicilian stuff.”
To celebrate the official opening on Friday, Dalo is hosting a Sicilian-style block party full of small bites of food and free wine.
“We want it to be a little cultural epicenter there,” he said.
The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday. Happy Hour lasts 4-5:30, and dinner lasts 5-9. Lunch and brunch are opening in March. For menus, reservations, and more information, visit isolaosteria.com, call 925-269-6998, or email isoladanville@gmail.com.
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