Lathrop as a Bay Area dining destination?
Don’t laugh.
The Redwood Café partnership between Bob Campana and Cambay Group is likely to accomplish that.
After all, who would have thought when Ernie’s Food and Spirits was founded in 2012 by Dennis Williams adjacent to the then Casino Real on North Main Street, that it would attract Bay Area regulars to Manteca to partake in fine cuisine and a high-end selection of spirits?
A well-known chef that delivers and ambiance to match can do the trick.
The 16,000 square-foot Redwood Café taking shape at River Islands at Lathrop promises to create an even larger pull outside of the Northern San Joaquin Valley region.
Not only does it have an eclectic menu with dining settings that are a unique blend of various cultures and arts, but eventually San Francisco foodies that have access to yachts will be able to depart the San Francisco Yacht Club in Belvedere Cover in Marin County and head to the River Islands Yacht Club.
From there, it would be short Uber ride to the Redwood café where plans are a 3,400-seat open air events center is under construction next door and a hotel is planned a block away.
The long-range goal — that could be within 10 years or so based on the current River islands development pace and plans to accelerate it by creating massive rental communities of single family homes Cambay Group will retain ownership of — is to convert the River Islands office into a yacht club and marina development.
Cambay Group bought the building housing the old Mossdale Marina restaurant/bar years ago. It has since been remodeled into offices for the 15,001-home River Islands at Lathrop planned community.
River Islands has turned down numerous requests over the years to sell the liquor license that came with the Mossdale Marina. They have kept the license active with occasional “open bars” throughout the years.
The two-story building has a sweeping view of the river, a nice riverside grass area, plus docks. It is also right off the Manthey Road bridge and a parallel bicycle bridge that runs over the South San Joaquin Irrigation District pipeline that delivers water to River Islands as well as Tracy.
It’s worth noting that in you are able to bicycle from Manteca to the linear park atop the super levees overlooking the San Joaquin River.
The bicycle bridge across the river is near where the bicycle path from Manthey Road to West Yosemite Avenue runs along the 120 Bypass to connect to Lathrop.
There is a segment of the same bike path that runs along Interstate 205 to Paradise Avenue at the end of Manthey Road for people pedaling to Tracy.
Eventually bicyclists will be able to travel through the park along the levee’s edge and reach a future bridge to access roads connecting with Tracy.
Of course, the yacht club could end up as one of South San Joaquin County’s best places for a drink and getting a bit to eat — at least by location — given how it overlooks the San Joaquin River.
The River Islands marina and yacht club will be part of a “network” of Northern California yacht clubs that have reciprocal mooring agreements for members of each club.
Another reason to
reside at River Islands
As amenities go, it might be the first for homeowners.
Those that reside in the 15,001-home River Islands at Lathrop planned community will be the only ones able to have prepared meals they can pick-up or have delivered from the Redwood Café opening next year.
The wine cellar dining area, which will also be an art gallery lined with paintings and sculptures from area artists that will be available for purchase, is also where you will find the takeout kitchen.
This is not a hot food kitchen.
Instead, it will offer meals prepared that you can pick up and take home to cook and enjoy.
And if pasta with bread is your choice, both will be made fresh that day at the Redwood Café.
The kitchen — separate from the main kitchen on the “ground” floor — can open to an adjoining wine cellar room to accommodate cooking classes for the general public that is also designed to be streamed live.
It will also combine the kitchen and cellar dining rooms to be used for an envisioned culinary arts classroom conducted in conjunction with career technical education at River Islands High.
Altogether, 100 diners can be accommodated in the cellar. That is in addition to 250 on the “ground floor” and the accompanying outdoor Umbrella Room.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
