The new Mexican restaurant in downtown San Jose can be accurately called Angelou’s 3.0

Owners Teresa and Sergio Lopez opened their first Angelou’s in 2006 in a former coffee shop on North Second Street. That one had Cafe & Grill attached to its name, and they served sandwiches, burgers and salads along with Mexican food.

Later, they sharpened the focus to meet customer demand. The renamed Angelou’s Mexican Grill became well-known to office workers and residents for the Cali-Moco burrito (with fries and a fried egg), tacos, quesabirria and salads with the signature cilantro ranch or chipotle dressing.

Then came the move. With a senior citizen housing project planned at their site, the Lopezes vacated in late 2023 and secured a South First Street location where they could transform their taqueria concept with a sophisticated design, increased seating and a full bar. A Frida Kahlo mural and green chandeliers overlook the scene.

The new menu, introduced at the July opening, supplements customer favorites with Fajitas (shrimp, chicken, beef or the full trio), Green Pork Pozole and appetizers such as Shrimp al Ajillo, Chori-Queso Fundido and Shrimp Ceviche.

At the bar, the five M’s rule: margaritas, mojitos, micheladas, mangonadas and mimosas. Signature cocktails include the Spartan Flight, a trio of vodka drinks showcasing the San Jose State University colors with blue curacao, mango puree and coconut cream.

And a traditional but rarely seen Carlota Cake stars on the dessert menu. It’s a key lime confection made with layers of Mexican cookies, sweet dream and lime.

Details >> Open from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, until 9:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. 78 S. First St., San Jose; https://angelousmexicangrill.com

Chateau lounge opens in Walnut Creek

Château, a new restaurant and lounge serving Champagne, caviar and charcuterie, has hosted its grand opening and is now welcoming customers.

The lounge is the project of husband-wife duo Domingo and Raquel Williams. It builds on Raquel’ catering company, Honey + Brie, where she’s spent the past five years serving up specialty charcuterie and grazing boards.

The restaurant also offers a range of small plates — plus a burger that’s already surprisingly popular, Williams says. There’s also a truffle grilled cheese sandwich with hot honey and hamachi with citrus yuzu and a creamy avocado sauce.

The restaurant has a mezzanine bar, a Champagne room and a patio with European-style alfresco dining.

“What we really wanted to bring to the East Bay and downtown Walnut Creek was a bit more elevated casual fine dining,” she says.

The restaurant is the couple’s first and, she says, “It came with a lot of challenges. …You don’t know what you don’t know.” Plans to open earlier this year hit delays, but her team, including the architect and landlord, supported the project to bring it to fruition, she says.

Details >> Open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday at 1376 N. Main St., Walnut Creek; chateauwalnutcreek.com

Dutch Bros is coming to Santa Clara County

Dutch Bros, the drive-thru coffee chain with the windmill motif and cult following, is inching closer to the Bay Area’s population centers.

South of the Bay, the Oregon-based chain has expanded into San Benito County with a Hollister location. In Contra Costa and Solano counties, there are shops in Concord, Brentwood, Vacaville and Fairfield.

Now, the first Santa Clara County drive-thru — featuring the signature Blended Freezes and hot seasonal drinks — is going in at Alexander and East 10th streets. Dutch Bros didn’t offer any estimated opening date, but officials with the city of Gilroy said the company is currently in the building plan review phase.

Brothers Dane and Travis Boersma founded Dutch Bros in 1999 as a pushcart with coffee and music. They had formerly worked in the dairy business.

Their fall menu features a Caramel Pumpkin Brulee, Cookie Butter Latte and Caramel Apple Rebel energy drink.

Details >> www.dutchbros.com

Hayward getting its first In-N-Out

Get ready to stake a spot in the drive-thru line. In-N-Out Burger is heading to Hayward.

The fast-food juggernaut is hiring for its location planned for the newly revitalized Hayward Retail Center at Mission Boulevard and Harder Road, down the hill from the California State University-East Bay campus.

The restaurant will put the city on Double-Double parity with neighboring San Leandro (an In-N-Out at 15575 Hesperian Blvd.) and Union City (one at 32060 Union Landing).

Although In-N-Out hasn’t announced a proposed opening date, this will be the first new East Bay location since the company shut down its Oakland restaurant in March.

According to the In-N-Out hiring page, wages for the Hayward jobs will start at $23 per hour.

Details >> 709 Harder Road, Hayward; www.in-n-out.com

Send restaurant news tips to Linda Zavoral at lzavoral@bayareanewsgroup.com, Kate Bradshaw at kbradshaw@bayareanewsgroup.com or John Metcalfe at jmetcalfe@bayareanewsgroup.com.