Is the Economy Picking Up?

Last Friday's Alameda Journal had an article on the new restaurants that are now along Park Street.  Dragon Rouge just moved and increased square footage to the former Aroma Restaurant space at the foot of the Park Street bridge. Red Onion just opened on January 12 and their daily operating hours are from 10 am to 10 pm at 1222 Park Street. The restaurant has two other locations in Pinole and Vallejo.  The facade has an art deco look and feel with bright colors of mustard and ketchup. The food is American diner food. Monkey King Pub and Grill will open tomorrow in the former Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant (1314 Park Street) next to The Hob Nob.  There appears to be a lot of buzz of this restaurant opening. I hope the food is as good as the PR it's receiving? One great aspect of this new place is that it will stay open until 2 am on certain nights.  I love late night dining and there is never a good selection in Alameda, especially if you don't want to wait in line at La Penca Azul. 

Hopefully these little signs are indicators that the economy is picking up and banks are lending money again. Alameda is a such a small town considering we have two large cities at our front door of San Francisco and Oakland.  Alameda needs variety and diversity in the restaurants because it would be a shame for residents having to go off island for a nice meal.  In the long run this is bad news for city hall since tax revenue is lost and people are going elsewhere to spend their disposal income.