LOOKING FOR A NEW PLACE TO EAT? Rookies, 321 First St., became more than a sports bar last week when its owner, Rob Storelee, opened a new kitchen and two dining rooms in time for football season.
“This is the first new restaurant kitchen to be built in downtown Benicia in the past 25 years,” Storelee said.
The expansion gives Rookies more than 5,000 square feet for dining — and for watching favorite sports contests.
“We have 22 beers on draft and 40-plus big-screen televisions to watch your favorite sports teams,” he said. In addition, Rookies has changed its liquor license so the restaurant and bar may cater to families.
Rookies is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week for dining.
Reservations are accepted at 707-746-7665.
The Loft Wine Bar celebrates first anniversary
The Loft Wine Bar, 280 First St., is celebrating its first anniversary starting at 3 p.m. Saturday.
“Free food, cake and fun!” owners Jason and Natalia Diavatis said of their establishment’s celebration. Those attending must be at least 21 years old.
Jason Diavatis has been operating Bay Area Entertainment since 1993, and has been known throughout the Bay Area for his event planning.
He decided to open The Loft to offer wine, and now beer, with labels shoppers don’t see in supermarkets.
Instead, The Loft has focused on award-winning, boutique products, and the Diavatises have hand-picked and screened their stock. “We have to like them,” he has said about the beverages available at The Loft.
The Loft offers a wine club and monthly events at the wine bar, tasting room and bottle shop, and offers a simple menu of items that pair well with their beverages, including cheese, salami and hummus.
Hours are 5-10 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, 4-10 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight Fridays, 3 p.m. to midnight Saturdays and 3-9 p.m. Sundays.
Its website is www.wineattheloft.com.
The Benicia Herald’s weekly Benicia Business Beat column is an opportunity for local businesses and companies to tell our readers about such news as moves, grand openings, awards, promotion of employees, staff changes and changes in goods and services.
Submissions need to answer the questions who, what, when, where, why and how, preferably in the body of an email, and provide contact information.
Deadline is 3 p.m. Friday for news items that will appear in the next Tuesday edition’s Benicia Business Beat. Please email news releases and accompanying high-resolution photographs and logos to beniciaherald@gmail.com, and put “Attn. Business Beat” in the subject line, as well as the name of the business.
The Benicia Herald also appreciates area companies’ advertising patronage. For advertising services, call 707-745-0733 or email adsbenicia@yahoo.com. — Donna Beth Weilenman
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The comment that this is the first new restaurant kitchen to be built in downtown Benicia in twenty five years may be true if he’s counting by dogs years. Lucca Bar and Grill built a new kitchen in 2009 at 439 First Street.
Dog years. That’s funny. Thanks for the clarification. Good luck on the new restaurant.
Once again someone stole my article idea!
Sent from my iPhone
Best hamburger in town. I have tryed them all. A great new addition to the wonderful bar/food service offered in this wonderful town. We have the pleasure of many choices and it is even going to get better. We as residents need to get behind all are local business and support them.
I don’t think you’ve tried a burger at the Bottom of the Fifth!
The Lucca burger hands down.