Valentine’s Day Specials at Walnut Creek Yacht Club on Feb. 14th

February 11, 2013 4:30 pm

We urge you to give us a call asap if you’d like to dine with us on this very oyster-licious day. We will be starting dinner a bit earlier than usual: We will start taking reservations for dinner at 4:00. Our last lunch reservation will be at 2:00 that day. As usual, in addition to our regular menu, Chef Kevin has a special prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu for two.

February 14, 2013
Valentine’s Day Menu for Two
Each of you can choose first and main course.
The dessert is served to share.

Amuse Bouche

Smoked Trout & Fennel Canapé

First Course

Roasted Red Pepper & Crab Bisque
herb cracker, horseradish crème fraîche
or
Fried Oyster & Spinach Salad
bacon, beets, cucumber
tabasco & buttermilk dressing

Main Course

Idaho Trout Valentino
prawn & dill mousse, parsley potatoes
pink peppercorn sauce
or
Moroccan Chicken Brochette
ras el hanout, saffron cous cous, mint
raisins & pistachios
meyer lemon & shrimp sauce

Dessert

Love Potion #21413
warm , spiced, aztec chocolate shot
bittersweet chocolate & rum truffle
chocolate espresso – shortbread cookie
tcho chocolate brownie
dark chocolate ice cream
chocolate sauce, candied hazelnuts

$80.00 for Two
(tax and gratuity are not included)

These menu items will not be available outside of this menu.
The regular menu is also available.

Call us now for Valentine’s Day reservations. We’re filling up.

VALENTINE’S DAY LOYALTY MEMBERS’ RESERVATION SPECIAL
Make a reservation for 4 or more for Valentine’s Day, and you will receive a complimentary dozen Oysters when you come in on 2/14 to dine.
(You must be a Loyalty Member to receive this special, and only one dozen per table of 4 or more. Please mention that you would like to take advantage of this special when you are making your reservation.)

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Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop Opening Soon in Walnut Creek

February 11, 2013 11:30 am

Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop is opening soon in Walnut Creek at the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and N. Broadway across from the DMV. Based on a peek inside it looks like they are ready to open very soon. Check out their menu here. Any fans of this place? Thanks to a reader for the tip!

From their homepage:

Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop sandwiches are made with high quality meats, served on delicious San Francisco style breads – freshly baked, we offer a choice of five different cheeses and also include “everything” (mayo, mustard, our special recipe garlic sauce, lettuce, tomato, pickles, peppers, onions).

Check out the I Love Mr. Pickle’s sign:

I didn’t see an outside sign up yet but the sign is on the door:

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Max Studio Closes in Broadway Plaza

February 11, 2013 8:30 am

The designer women’s clothing store Max Studio closed earlier this month in downtown Walnut Creek in Broadway Plaza. Back in January I noted that Arden B. would be closing as well so I wonder whether there is beginning to be an impact as retailers wait and see whether the Broadway Plaza long term plan will be approved by the city which would increase the retail space significantly but also demolish much of what is there currently. On February 19th the Broadway Plaza owners Macerich will present a refined development proposal so it will be interesting to see what they offer up.

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Building Healthy Soil Talk at Lafayette Community Garden on Feb. 9th

February 8, 2013 4:30 pm

From the Lafayette Community Garden website:

Building Healthy Soil
Lafayette Community Garden
Saturday, February 9th, 2013
1:30 – 3pm | FREE ($5 donation appreciated)

Lori Caldwell, an educator on sustainable gardening from Martinez, invites you to bring a sample of your own soil and learn how to assess it. She will then guide us in ways to improve its health so it works for you. This 90-minute talk includes hands-on demonstration, handouts with references and tips and an opportunity to ask questions.

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Parking Lot Sign of the Day

February 8, 2013 11:30 am

When I saw this sign at a parking lot I thought it was rather odd that they offer parking for an entire day until I realized that it was for 24 Hour Fitness customers only. 🙂

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Oysters at the Downtown Walnut Creek Farmers Market

February 8, 2013 11:30 am

Great news for oyster lovers! The Point Reyes Oyster Company recently started selling Kumamoto, Pacific and other oysters at the downtown Walnut Creek farmers market. In business since 1989, they farm oysters at Tomales Bay right next to Hog Island Oysters. When I dropped by I peppered the man there with all kinds of questions on preparation and safe food handling and he patiently explained how to tell a good oyster from a bad one (knock on it), how to open it (with a screwdriver and butter knife if you don’t have an oyster shucker) and more.

From their website:

We sell many different types of shellfish, including miyagi and kumamoto oysters, manila clams and bay mussels.
Our miyagi oysters are cultured in floating bags at the top of the water column where algae is most dense. These oysters develop a nicely cupped shell. The purple-brown shells are easily opened to expose a blonde meat nearly filling the cup. The sweet soft meat develops a salty tang as it crossed your tongue.
Our kumamoto oysters are cultured in rack tied mesh bags high in the intertidal zone. These little oysters develop plump meats and an extended shelf life. The silver-brown shells are among the easiest to open. Being diminutive has not hampered the reputation of these oysters. Their buttery-sweet taste and firm texture attract novice and confirmed oyster lovers alike.

I’m definitely coming back ASAP with an ice cooler to try these oysters. How do you eat oysters at home, barbecue-style or raw? What kind of sauce to use? Just some lemon juice?

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Friday Question of the Day – Favorite Romantic Restaurant

February 8, 2013 8:30 am

With Valentine’s Day less than a week away I was wondering what people’s favorite romantic restaurant is to celebrate the holiday. Am I missing any on the list below? Is it better to just stay home and celebrate another day when it’s less crowded?

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The Farnsworth Invention Opening at Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette Feb. 7th

February 7, 2013 4:30 pm

From the Town Hall Theatre Company in Lafayette:

The Farnsworth Invention

written by: Aaron Sorkin
directed by: Joel Roster
February 7 – March 2, 2013

I don’t think I stole television — if I did, I did it fair and square.

Joel Roster, Town Hall’s Director of Education, takes on The Farnsworth Invention by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The Social Network) which tells the story of Philo Farnsworth and his race to develop the most influential technological innovation of the 20th Century: Television.

This show is rated PG-13 for adult language.

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Delays at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Construction in Walnut Creek

February 7, 2013 11:30 am

Back in June I noted that The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf would be opening in the Sprouts Shopping Center in Walnut Creek and while The Habit Burger Grill, Freebirds World Burrito, Subway and all other stores have opened up in the center, judging by the photo above there seem to be some serious delays going on to get Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf opened up. I mean, it’s completely bare. Many people have been looking forward to it opening myself included so I’m eager to see some more progress. Stay tuned…

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Chatting with Walnut Creek Mayor Silva at the Downtown Farmers Market

February 7, 2013 8:30 am

The Walnut Creek City Council has a booth at the downtown farmers market (Sundays next to Target) hosted by a city council member and over the past weekend mayor Cindy Silva was there chatting with locals about various issues as well as reminding people about the 2nd Saturday Spotlight events where people can get a behind the scenes look at the Lesher Center, a streetsweeping machine at the city’s Corp Yard and the Lindsay Wildlife Museum. The next event is on February 9th at the Lesher Center where Mayor Silva will give the State of the City address. Props to the City Council for representing at the farmers market!

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February 2013

The Farnsworth Invention