Restaurant Opens in San Ramon: Alora Social Reveals Unexpected Identity

San Ramon's Anticipated Mediterranean Restaurant, Alora Social, Successfully Opens

After prolonged anticipation and numerous false starts, Alora Social, San Ramon, California's latest dining attraction, has officially opened its doors at City Center Bishop Ranch.

As an offshoot of the original Alora restaurant in San Francisco, Alora Social is part of the increasingly popular trend among San Francisco icons to expand into the East Bay, particularly San Ramon.

During a recent visit to the new restaurant, I discovered the true identity of Alora's culinary offerings, a revelation that surprised me.

Stunning Interior Space

The restaurant took over the former space of Chow, another popular San Francisco eatery that relocated to the suburbs decades ago and eventually closed. In an attempt to re-establish itself in San Ramon, Chow constructed a grand and beautiful interior space. However, the endeavor ended in failure, and the restaurant closed shortly after the move.

Upon Chow's departure, the restaurant left behind an impressive interior, featuring a large 360° fireplace, a demonstration kitchen, and even an indoor-planted tree. Alora Social deftly transformed the space into their own, including the fireplace, tree, and an aesthetic that incorporates outside fire pits and lounging seating areas.

Thanks to this, Alora Social has become a charming and inviting restaurant-one that likely opened significantly faster than it would have if the team had to construct the entire interior from scratch.

The menu at Alora Social is more streamlined than its San Francisco counterpart but still extensive enough for a satisfying dinner.

One of the signature items is a generously-sized platter, complete with pita bread, crispy lavash with za'atar, and a diverse selection of house-made dips, including hummus, labneh, harissa, and more. This platter serves as an ample sharing appetizer for two people.

The dips are made fresh in-house daily, and our server confirmed this to be a highlight of the meal. If you're seeking a reason to visit Alora Social, drinks and the dip platter could serve as a compelling choice.

When it comes to beverages, Alora offers creative cocktails, in addition to beer and wine. The lounge atmosphere is enhanced by the cocktail selection, with drinks that utilize Middle Eastern-inspired ingredients, such as dates and rosewater.

As for main dishes, the menu features a mix of pastas and larger meats, including a beef and lamb kebab. The kebab was expertly seasoned and served atop a bed of couscous, which could replace the usual rice pilaf at no extra charge.

The pasta, however, was only average. It was overly sweet, and the sauce lacked the vibrant or creative flavors found in some of the other dishes, at almost $30 a serving.

Upon closer inspection, it appears that Alora Social specializes in Middle Eastern cuisine, despite billing itself as Mediterranean. This discovery offers insight into what to order during your visit: focus on the Middle Eastern dishes, and you likely won't be disappointed.

Alora Social is still in the process of fully implementing its menu at City Center; additional options are expected to be available as they continue their expansion. You can find them at 6000 Bollinger Canyon Rd. in San Ramon. Let them know "the website" sent you.

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Website: https://www.visitalora.com

The True Identity of Alora: A Hidden Middle Eastern Gem

My culinary experience at Alora Social revealed the essence of Alora: it bill itself as a Mediterranean restaurant; however, in reality, it's an exceptional Middle Eastern establishment. With influences primarily from Turkey, Alora represents a delicious and rare find in the East Bay, boasting a dearth of top-notch Middle Eastern dining options.

To my surprise, my expectations were met with Levantine flavors instead of a more conventional Mediterranean menu that features an abundance of Greek dishes and Italian influences.

With its emphasis on Middle Eastern cuisine, I would recommend Alora Social to anyone who enjoys Middle Eastern or Levantine fare.

Once again, the dip sampler provided a standout experience, offering primarily Middle Eastern flavors, and the cocktails complemented the restaurant's unique background, with delectable concoctions that utilized ingredients like dates and rosewater. The kebab, too, was a delightful choice, with its expert seasoning and substitutable couscous base.

In summary, Alora Social is an upscale destination for Middle Eastern cuisine in San Ramon's City Center Bishop Ranch, boasting an attractive interior space, a friendly and accommodating staff, and delicious, authentic meals.

The interior space of Alora Social, remodeled from the former Chow restaurant, features a large fireplace, a demonstration kitchen, and an indoor-planted tree, making it a charming and inviting restaurant.
The menu at Alora Social offers a diverse selection of Middle Eastern dishes, including generously-sized platters, house-made dips, and creative cocktails featuring Middle Eastern-inspired ingredients, such as dates and rosewater.