Walnut Creek

Restaurants

Sweetwaters Cafe Opening at Lyric in Downtown Walnut Creek


Lyric, Walnut Creek

Michigan-based Sweetwaters Cafe is opening their first California location right in downtown Walnut Creek at the new Lyric complex on Bonanza St, a couple of stores down from Drybar, which opened recently. Check out their menu here. They feature a variety of coffees and teas such as French Vietnamese Au Lait and Cocoa Cappuccino and teas like Winter Blossom and Japanese Sencha. They also offer frozen drinks, shakes and pastries, desserts as well as lighter fare such as quiche, sandwiches and salads. Interestingly, it looks like the boba craze must have not hit Michigan as I don’t see any mention of boba drinks!

From their website:

Wei and Lisa Bee founded the first Sweetwaters in 1993 in downtown Ann Arbor near their alma mater, The University of Michigan. Inspired by their love of food and drink and driven by their creativity, Sweetwaters was conceived and brought to life. The marvelous result: a coffeehouse that celebrates classic café fare alongside globally influenced coffees and teas in an environment that is both classic and friendly—just like Wei and Lisa.

September 19, 2017 11:30 am

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Events

Model Rocket Build and Launch at Walnut Creek Library Sept 20th


Model Rocket Build and Launch:

Walnut Creek Library
1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek
Wednesday, September 20th, 2017
4:00 – 5:00pm | Free

Kids will be building and decorating model rockets, and then watching them pneumatically launched into the sky! We use card-stock and foam to construct these simple and safe models, and “blast off” will be performed by library staff. All supplies will be provided. Meet in the patio off the Children’s Storybook Room. (Registration required)

September 18, 2017 4:30 pm

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Restaurants

Lettuce Restaurant & Catering Expands in Downtown Walnut Creek


1632 Locust Street, Walnut Creek

In the spring we learned that the popular downtown Walnut Creek restaurant Lettuce would be expanding next door where Pro Home Systems used to be and they are getting close to opening although interestingly the signage says, “Tossed Catering”. Check out their menu, which also includes sandwiches,  pasta and soups here. Earlier this week we learned that Baygreens Gourmet Salad is opening on Mt. Diablo Blvd. a few blocks away.

From their website:

We serve delicious sandwiches, fresh salads, yummy soups, authentic Italian pasta, and daily specials made with the finest quality ingredients from local farms and ranches brought to you by friends of the farmers. Our salads, 16 different homemade dressings, and soups are gluten-free. Our meat, vegetarian, and vegan sandwiches are made with Acme breads.

September 14, 2017 11:30 am

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Bars

Farm Creek Brewing Company Closing Sept 23rd in Walnut Creek

Thanks to everyone for sending word. Sad news especially considering their grand reopening was just last month but glad they can spend more time with their family in the south.

From an email:

From the beginning, Farm Creek Brewing has always been about family. And community. We’re proud to be part of an amazing community of supporters and friends. But, we’re missing out on time with our families back home in the south. We can always make more beer, but we can’t make more time.

Heather and I have decided that it’s time for us to create the next chapter of the Farm Creek story.

We will be closing the taproom and brewery in Walnut Creek, California and relocating Farm Creek. The Janinda’s are going home.

The taproom will be open during normal business hours until September 23. We’ll begin disassembling the brewery and taproom shortly after that.

This past year has been an adventure for us and we’re glad we could share it with you. Now, come by the taproom and share another beer with us. And be ready to come visit us on the east coast soon!

September 13, 2017 11:30 am

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Daily Life

How are the Solar Powered Garbage Bins Working out in Downtown Walnut Creek?

Earlier this year downtown Walnut Creek got solar power garbage bins which compact the trash every hour or so. I like how they come with a foot pedal to open but as you can see in the above photo there are potential problems. When I dropped by a few days later the front was completely removed. The other cans looked fine so I hope this isn’t a harbinger of things to come. How do you like the new bins?

September 13, 2017 8:30 am

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Events

Mountain Shadow Short Film Competition at Las Lomas Theater in Walnut Creek Sept 15th & 16th


3rd Annual Short Mountain Shadow Film Competition:

Los Lomas High School Theater
1460 S. Main St, Walnut Creek
Friday, September 15th, Saturday, September 16th, 2017
7:30pm | $12

Mountain Shadow Film Society will present the 3 rd Annual Short Film Competition Sept. 15 th and 16 th at the Las Lomas High School Theater. A 29-member jury previewed 346 submissions to select 13 finalists who will present their outstanding films in person for audience choice awards.

Included will be 5 live-action / narrative, four animated and four documentary shorts for a total running time of 110 minutes followed by the filmmakers engaging the audiences with Q&A. This year’s finalists come from all over the country, including SoCal, Utah, Iowa, Illinois, Pennsylvania and one New Yorker. One filmmaker is coming from Brussels making this annual competition an international event!

From audience balloting, 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd place winners will receive $1,000. $500 and $250 respectively. All remaining finalists will receive $150. Unlike most film festivals, this competition has no submission fee for filmmakers. Instead Mountain Shadow pre-selects a limited number of finalists for this competition who are required to present their films in person. Based on Mountain Shadow’s efforts to support and encourage the cinematic arts in the community, the event is sponsored, in part, through the generous financial backing of Film Society members and local businesses.

September 12, 2017 4:30 pm

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Restaurants

Baygreens Gourmet Salads Coming to Downtown Walnut Creek


1653 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek

Home of Chicken and Waffles closed last month in downtown Walnut Creek and according to Diablo Dish, Oakland-based Baygreens Gourmet Salads will be opening in this spot possibly in early 2018. Check out their menu here.

From their website:

A healthy life begins with the food you eat. At baygreens gourmet salads, we know how important this is. Inspired by farmer’s market sensible dishes, we aim to fuel your dining experience with nutrient dense foods to keep your body and mind healthy.

We are committed to using only natural and organic produces and meats whenever possible. All of our dishes are prepared with the finest ingredients sourced from local farmers, and are made fresh to order on a daily basis. Feeling hungry yet? Take a look at our delicious and healthy selection!

September 12, 2017 1:15 pm

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Transit

Walnut Creek Transit Village Parking Garage Construction Begins


Walnut Creek BART Station

Thanks to a reader for sending word about the new Walnut Creek Transit Village at the Walnut Creek BART station. First up is a new BART parking garage. For more information on the transit village, which will feature 600 apartments plus retails shops and restaurants, click here.

From the project website:

Construction of the new parking garage at BART will begin in September 2017 featuring:

  • 900+ parking stalls- 100 more than current capacity
  • Upgraded bus facility
  • New BART police station
  • New passenger drop-off area
  • Enhanced bike and pedestrian paths
  • Artwork by Dan Corson

Prior to building the new garage, access adjustments will be made to the existing BART parking garage and the North parking lot. During this time, there will be temporary closures of access roads and entrances to the existing garage and parking lots.

The project will add 100 additional parking spaces and improve access and safety for pedestrians, cyclists and buses. There will be no loss of parking during construction.

September 12, 2017 8:30 am

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