Restaurants

A.G. Ferrari Foods Closes in Lafayette

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Thanks to a reader for sending word that the gourmet Italian deli A.G. Ferrari Foods has closed in La Fiesta Square in downtown Lafayette. I was recently there so this came as a big surprise to me. I dropped by and sure enough it’s completely bare. Take a look at the photo below to see inside.

Apparently their lease was up and their rent was going to be raised so they closed up shop. I wonder if this is related to Whole Foods opening up nearby? There is also the market part of Chow on the other side of the square which has expanded over time.

If you want to shop at A.G. Ferrari you’ll need to to head to Piedmont Avenue in Oakland or one of their other locations here.

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Cilantro Cafe Opens in Walnut Creek

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The cafe on N. Main St. in downtown Walnut Creek originally known as Saxby’s Coffee changed their name a while ago to Sax Coffee and as of a couple of weeks ago is now known as Cilantro Cafe. Focusing on fresh, tasty and healthy meals they also offer coffee (not Saxby’s), smoothies and pastries. Check out their sandwich menu below.

The interior:
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Cilantro Cafe sandwich menu:
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Cilantro Cafe is located at 1632 N. Main St. next to Main Street Postal & Business Center in Walnut Creek.

Rustic Tavern Opens Today in Lafayette

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Back in March I noted that the restaurant Rustic Tavern would be opening in downtown Lafayette in April and today is their opening day according to a sign in front. I can’t wait to try this place out. Check out this Lamorinda Weekly article about Rustic Tavern here. They even have their own parking lot next door which is convenient.

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Vitality Bowls Coming to Downtown Walnut Creek

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Back in January I noted that the pet boutique Wags & Whiskers was closing in downtown Walnut Creek and now a new restaurant focusing on Acai Bowls is coming to this Locust St. location. Check out their menu here. They also have locations in San Ramon and Pleasanton. Has anyone anyone tried an Acai bowl before? What’s it like? Looks interesting!

From their website:

It’s not just an Açaí Bowl; it’s one of the healthiest meals you can eat. Packed with vitamin and mineral rich ingredients fresh from local farms, our bowls will purify you with every bite.

We specialize in making quality, great tasting and affordable Açaí Bowls, invigorating smoothies and delicious panini. An Açaí (ah-sigh-ee) Bowl is a dish originating from ancient Brazil and features the Amazon’s rare Açaí Berry, which is the staple in all our bowls and smoothies, due to the incredible high vitamin content and health benefits the Açai berry offers.

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Vitality Bowls will be located at 1528 Locust St. in Walnut Creek.

The Loaded Hog Saloon Closing in Pleasant Hill – Final Party Today

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The Pleasant Hill Dome movie theater is not the only business going away in Pleasant Hill as The Loaded Hog Saloon, located right next to the Dome, will also be closing its doors and there will be a big celebration today so drop by and enjoy it while you can. Thanks to a reader for sending word about this with a photo.

A Grand Time at the Grand Opening of Lottie’s Creamery in Walnut Creek

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Although the downtown Walnut Creek ice cream shop Lottie’s Creamery has been open for a while now, in celebration of what would have been Lottie’s 107th birthday yesterday, Lottie’s Creamery had their grand opening with an official ribbon cutting and plenty of ice cream and smiles to go around.

To find out more about this ice creamery with their own pasteurizer, check out their homepage. “With a full commercial kitchen on site, Phillips [co-owner] makes 100% from scratch all ice cream and fold-ins, including marshmallows, brittles, and cookies, as well as the fresh waffle cones, brownies, and sauces.”

Of particular interest (considering the impending arrival of CREAM a block away) was a sampling of a new roasted banana ice cream brownie sandwich. It tasted amazing. Different flavors will be rotated in over time. Sundaes with homemade whip cream and floats (root beer, orange cream and black cherry) will be coming within the next couple of weeks as well. I am now ready for summer!

Co-owner Deb Phillips offers yummy roasted banana brownie ice cream sandwiches:
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People of all ages enjoyed Lottie’s ice cream up and down N. Main St:
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Check out the vanilla salted almond toffee ice cream and more photos after the jump… Continue reading →

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches Opens in Walnut Creek

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The sandwich shop Ike’s, slated to open this Friday is now open in downtown Walnut Creek! I dropped by last night and tried the “Joe Starkey” made with halal chicken, BBQ sauce and cheddar. I chose Dutch crunch bread (French, sourdough, whole wheat, and gluten free bread are also available) and tomatoes and lettuce. Next time I’ll ask for pickles and red onions which are free add-ons. I also tried Zapp’s voodoo chips and a caramel apple lollipop was included in the order which is a nice touch. Overall it was quite tasty and really hits the spot. Ike’s is destined to become quite a popular addition to the area no doubt.

Ike’s is located at 1159 Locust St. a few stores down from The Cheesecake factory and is open from 10:00am – 7:00pm daily. It may stay open later on Fridays and Saturdays. Check out the menu here. Who has tried Ike’s so far? What else are the must-try sandwiches?

Check out the inside:
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More photos including the menu, the Joe Starkey and more after the jump… Continue reading →

Vanessa’s Bistro 2 Taking Over Bosphorus Restaurant in Walnut Creek

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Back in February I posted about proposed plans for a new Davidson & Licht Jewelry building on N. Main St, and wondered what would happen to the Vietnamese tapas-style restaurant Vanessa’s Bistro and now it turns out that they will be taking over the Turkish restaurant Bosphorus on Locust St. next to Hubcaps diner.

Check out the new business name:
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The current Turkish restaurant on Locust St:
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Residual Sugar Opening Pizza Restaurant Next Door in Walnut Creek

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Back in March I posted some scuttlebutt about the wine bar Residual Sugar expanding into the Bake! location next door in downtown Walnut Creek on Locust St. near the Lesher Center and now Diablo Dish has posted that due to city bureaucracy they decided to make a separate restaurant serving, “Neapolitan-style, pizza, plus beer (not wine) with an emphasis on small, local breweries”. Interestingly, OL Beercafe is right around the corner where you can order pizza from Skipolini’s next door. Wouldn’t it be ironic if you could order beer from OL Beercafe to this new pizza place?

Being a huge pizza fan I can’t wait for this restaurant to open up right in downtown Walnut Creek! Diablo Dish reports that they plan on opening in the Fall.

Ike’s Opening April 26th in Walnut Creek

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Thanks to a reader for sending word that the wait will soon be over as the sandwich shop Ike’s will be opening on April 26th in downtown Walnut Creek a few stores down from the Cheesecake Factory on Locust St. According to their Facebook page:

Are you a Superhero? Are you a Champ? Can you take down theKryptonite?! Well then enter the Kryptonite eating contest at the Grand Opening of Ike’s Walnut Creek on Locust. The contest will take place at 5pm on April 26. The fastest time will win a Free Ike’s for a Year card. Any other participant that finishes in less than 30 minutes will receive a Skip the Line Pass! Think that you can do it? Let me know how come I should choose you to participate. Message me at www.facebook.com/ToBeLikeIke
Oh, the official record is 12 min 14 secs

Take a narrow look at the inside:
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