8 new Bay Area alfresco restaurants for summer-fall dining
Briefly

Summer weather has arrived in the Bay Area, presenting ideal conditions for outdoor dining experiences. New restaurants have emerged across the region, including Tropa in Lafayette, which offers modern Filipino cuisine. Owner JB Balingit shares his journey of rediscovering Filipino flavors, influenced by various cultures. Recommended dishes include the oxtail kare-kare and Filipino barbeque. The restaurant features an outdoor patio with a nostalgic design, inviting diners to enjoy their meals in a vibrant setting. Another spot is Valley Goat at the Treehouse, enhancing the local dining scene.
Balingit emphasized the creative journey of opening Tropa, stating that Filipino cuisine is culturally diverse, deeply influenced by Spanish, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese flavors.
He recommends the oxtail kare-kare, a stew with peanut butter sauce, and expresses excitement about the Filipino barbeque, describing it as "a beer's best friend."
Read at The Mercury News
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