Not far from the Lafayette BART station, tucked between a pizza parlor and a Mexican cafe on Mount Diablo Boulevard you will find Postino. Despite its unassuming location, many locals call this Italian bistro one of the East Bay’s best restaurants.

The menu is classic California Italian, with organic and locally sourced ingredients prepared by a staff helmed by executive chef Stewart Beatty. Popular dishes include Brasato short ribs, provelone polenta, and pan-roasted duck breast with spaetzle. Don’t miss out on the wine list, either, which is impressive for its variety as well as its quality. The restaurant is housed in a historic building designed by Carr Jones, which exudes an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue, like a secret garden. Reviews on social media call Postino something of a hidden gem — a spot that can host a special occasion, a first date, a wedding reception, or just a family dinner at the end of a long week.

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