Sprouts & Shutters: Voodoo Kitchen, Shalimar Restaurant, The Body Bar and More

Wondering what’s moving into your neighborhood shopping center? Our weekly Sprouts & Shutters column highlights the latest Tri-Valley restaurant, retail and other business news.

Darcie Kent Vineyard’s new tasting room and art gallery opened recently and will celebrate its Grand Opening Sept. 28 and 29. The new Darcie Kent Wine Gallery features the vineyard’s single-estate wines and showcases the paintings of vintner and artist Darcie Kent. The new wine tasting room and gallery is located at Concannon Vineyard next to the Underdog Wine Bar.

Livermore’s  “2012 Taste of Downtown” winners were just announced: won both “Best Restaurant Taste” and "Best Restaurant Presentation" with their four-course tasting of Cheese Fondue, Salad Entrée and Chocolate Fondue. Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake and Chocolate Dipped Strawberry captured the “Best Dessert Taste” award. Artistic Edge was the favorite in the “Best Shopping” category. Little Valley Winery served Almond Sparkling Champagne to snag the “Best Livermore Valley Wine” title. And “Best Global Wine Taste,” from the cellar of , went to Guardian Peak South Africa for its Frontier blend.

Get the most recent list of new stores opening up in Livermore’s new Paragon Outlets in Patch’s .

Dublin’s new Shalimar Restaurant opened in late June on Amador Valley Boulevard, replacing the short-lived Masala Time. The new restaurant, which specializes in Indian and Pakistani cuisine, also has restaurants in San Francisco and Fremont. View a menu at shalimarsf.com.

Enjoy Creole cuisine? Voodoo Kitchen is set to open this September on Koll Center Parkway in Pleasanton. Owner Wendy Wang’s new restaurant specializes in New Orleans inspired dishes such as Shrimp Remoulade, Oyster Po-Boy, Jambalaya Pasta, Gumbo, just to name a few. Voodoo Kitchen replaces Rage Super Burgers and is next door to another new eatery, Marco’s Pizza, currently under construction.

Opening Update: Mike’s Bikes, previewed in a , opened Aug. 3 in the Pleasanton Gateway shopping center.

Quickly Café’s owner says his new eatery will open this week, on August 15, at the Plaza at Gale Ranch in San Ramon. Read more about the new Asian café in the .

We hope this is the final Firehouse No. 37 update! San Ramon's new bar and grill's grand opening is officially set for Aug. 18. Sounds like quite a party: Owner Dan Hawkins says that even local firefighters plan to visit for a few hours starting at noon, bringing their trucks and handing out goodies to the kids. Hawkins hopes to open for business later this week. Learn more about the new restaurant .

The Body Bar, a new mobile massage and spa service business, recently launched in Danville. Owner and Danville resident Leslie Mooldyk brings her therapeutic massages, including a non-invasive “face-lift,” right to your door. She also offers massage, scrubs and spray tanning at Jolie Salon. Mooldyk, a recent Army widow, says she always gives a discount to any military active duty soldiers, veterans and all military family members. Learn more on The Body Bar's facebook page.

Mark your calendars for Danville’s popular annual Art & Wine Stroll, taking place Aug. 23, from 6 – 9 p.m. in downtown Danville, the Danville Livery and the Rose Garden shopping center. Tickets cost $25 and include wine tasting, a commemorative wine glass and trolley rides between all locations. The event also features live music, art vendors and shopping deals. Buy your ticket and learn more at discoverdanvilleca.com.

Don’t miss your chance to have a say in what businesses in your city win this year’s “Patch Readers’ Choice.” Click on your city’s name to go to vote: , , , , . Deadline is August 17!

Did you miss Patch's last retail and restaurant roundup? Read about these and more in our last Sprouts & Shutters column:  

• in Danville
• in San Ramon
• update in Dublin
• in Pleasanton 
• in Livermore

Know of a restaurant or shop opening or closing in the Tri-Valley? Please send me a news tip at patchsprouts@gmail.com.