664964 Thu Nov 05 12:22:39 -0800 2009 3 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 5158766 My husband and I recently had a baby and our sitter lives in Castro Valley. We would like to be able to go out to dinner while she is at the sitter and are looking for a good atmosphere and good food close by. Any suggestions? Thu Nov 05 12:22:39 -0800 2009 1122034 juliekr82 1 5158801 Paradiso in San Leandro would be my first choice down there. No reports on Bijou in Hayward? Thu Nov 05 12:31:45 -0800 2009 5158766 11369 Robert Lauriston 2 5159656 I think we will try Bijou. Thanks for the tip Thu Nov 05 17:48:41 -0800 2009 5158801 1122034 juliekr82 2 5210866 Went looking for Paradiso in San Leandro as the link indicated it was near Bancroft and Dutton but only found a rather wonderful looking place (closed on Thanksgiving) called Portofino. Are these two separate places as I did not find Paradiso but an also interesting looking coffee spot next to Paradiso. Looked like a great little local corner to explore and one that is far from an obvious location for anyone but a local to even know about. I'll second going to Top Thai on Castro Valley Blvd, small but cozy and tasteful with a very deft hand on the Pad Thai I tried. Lovely shrimp. Drove past Bijou in Hayward and as a former long time local what a dazzler to find in downtown Hayward - there is hope. But who can overlook the Casper Hot Dog palace on Mission Blvd - always a childhood favorite and still puts out a really good dog with crunch and snap in the casing. Just the basics but still very good. Why change? And they have not. Fri Nov 27 08:18:06 -0800 2009 5158801 12522 glbtrtr