Great Food. Great Wine. Great Music!!!!
The Palomares Cafe is just what the doctor ordered! Amidst the hustle and bustle of grocery shopping, the gym, and dealing with your tax needs, you find The Palomares Cafe. Nestled into the PW Market shopping area, you can find a great place to relax and have a glass of your favorite white, red or try a great flavored martini. Try a nice salmon salad, or my favorite chicken wing appetizer...then listen to some good tunes from the local band. 7pm Wednesday night is a good time to catch it all!    [10 Jun 2003 12:28:19]

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Recommended Dishes: Chicken wing appetizer/Tuxedo Cake!!!

     ­Janice   

A Neighborhood Gem
This is without a doubt the best all around "spot" in the Castro Valley/Hayward area. Bring the kids, bring grandma, bring that special someone. It's appropriate for all. The dining room is casual yet elegant enough for that special evening. The lounge is reminescent of a European bistro and features live entertainment Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

The most outstanding feature is the service. More likely than not you will be met by one of the owner/partners. Nearly everyone in the place is family and the attention given to the customer is unparalleled.    [03 Aug 2003 05:17:13]

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Recommended Dishes: any seafood, any salad (especially apple/walnut), Mediterranean platter

     ­Rick   

A Real Treat
Buried in the midst of suburbia, there is a real treat in store for those to venture to the Castro Valley "hot spot". Not only is the food excellent, the live jazz is wonderful! And it fits the pocketbook for a great night out!    [19 Feb 2004 01:51:00]

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Recommended Dishes: The blackened albacore was cooked to perfection

     ­Carolina   

Everything Else Pal(e)s in Comparison
A wonderful to eat. For someone who doesn't eat red meat, there is always something special for me to enjoy. I especially look forward to the Salmon dishes and the garlic mashed potatoes. The casual atmosphere, is still fancy enough to bring a special date or to celebrate a special occasion. The staff are wonderful people. Everything is just great. Go, go, you'll enjoy!    [04 Sep 2004 20:28:04]

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Recommended Dishes: Anything with Salmon

     ­HM   

Another One Bites the Dust
Considering Castro Valley's lack of dining venues offering both quality cuisine and ambiance, it's sad to witness the decline of this restaurant over the last year-or-so.
This was unquestionably the finest local establishment of its kind. I wouldn't even give it an honorable mention today. New partners in the ownership have decided to cook the food themselves, rather than hire another chef. You can wait for 45 minutes or longer for your entree if there are more than 20 guests in the restaurant. The quality of the dishes is reliably inconsistent. You can't even rely on the salads being prepared consistently. The "specials" are unimaginitive and often resemble leftovers. The portions have become smaller and higher priced. The staff appears to be changing daily.

The bar once had the frendliest and best bartenders in town. Now you don't even recognize the faces. I've walked into the bar at 2:30 and left after 10 minutes because nobody showed up to serve me. The bar appetizers are primarily deep-fried and taste like commercially purchased packaged food. Yes, appetizer portions have also gotten smaller. The calamari is particularly poorly prepared and of poor quality. Live music has been reduced to only two nights a week.

Castro Valley appears to have lost its top shelf restaurant and bar. Oh well, back to Pleasanton/Dublin.    [27 Feb 2007 13:54:27]

Food:    Service: -   Ambiance:    Overall: 

     ­Duke