Danville is not too far to go from Pleasanton and has some good restaurants. Try Bridges (don't know why it's on a website for San Jose as it's no where close) http://www.sanjose.com/restaurants/3...estaurant.html. Bridges is where the restaurant scene in Mrs. Doubtfire was filmed, but it is a very good restaurant.

A few of the other restaurants listed on the left side there are good too - Cafe Esin in San Ramon, Faz in Danville.
Va di Ve is the current place to be, but that's in Walnut Creek.

I'm curious why you picked Livermore over Sonoma or Napa - just seems so few people are familiar with that area even though they may be familiar with Wente and Concannon. Livermore Valley Cellers is a fun stop, BTW, as owner Chris Lagiss, a retired Lawrence Livermore Lab scientist, is a kick.

BTW, as to traffic, yes it stinks, but on 680 two in a car = carpool lane at peak times. ^ And there are back ways to Livermore from Pleasanton.