What a sneaky, yet hilarious name for a cocktail lounge, “The Office”! Spotted in Concord. I can only imagine the conversations taking place based on this subterfuge.
What a sneaky, yet hilarious name for a cocktail lounge, “The Office”! Spotted in Concord. I can only imagine the conversations taking place based on this subterfuge.
Fieldwork Brewing Meet-and-Greet-and-Eat:
Pizza Antica
3600 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Saturday, January 23, 2016
5:00 PM – 8:00 PMAt this meet-and-greet affair, enjoy casual conversation with brewers Barry Braden and Alex Tweet, while sipping some of their small-batch brews and pigging out on a porchetta sandwich. We will be featuring a rotating selection of Fieldwork’s beers throughout SF Beer Week.
Willows Shopping Center, Concord
The Sacramento-based restaurant, Dos Coyotes Border Cafe, featuring Southwestern cuisine, is set to open a new location in Concord according to this Sacramento Business Journal article. A photo from the City of Concord Instagram page indicates that it will be located right next to the restaurant Eureka! which opened last September. Check out their menu here. Stay tuned…
From their website:
The first Dos Coyotes opened in The Marketplace in North Davis on January 5th, 1991. The menu was a little smaller than it is today. Our original tacos were – literally – two warm corn tortillas, tender, flame-broiled steak or chicken, onions, cilantro, a charbroiled cebollita green onion and whatever salsa you liked. Simple. Pure. Delicious.
One of the first big changes we made was adding “seasonal specials.” Our fixed menu was popular, but it didn’t give us the room to explore or opportunity to truly take advantage of the region’s incredibly flavorful, diverse produce. The seasonal specials changed all that. They gave head chef Mark Casale and I the freedom to experiment… to create new items and give customers a vibrant, evolving culinary experience.
In the 20 plus years since we opened that first restaurant, Dos Coyotes has grown, but the core principles haven’t changed – delicious food, engaging atmosphere, exceptional value. That’s why I started Dos Coyotes and why I go to work today. I love watching people walk through the door, enjoy our food and appreciate what we have to offer. That’s why we’re in business.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
The children’s store Land of Nod, owned by Crate & Barrel, recently opened a temporary pop-up shop within the Broadway Plaza Crate & Barrel in downtown Walnut Creek. It’s very small, framed in wood and shows off a children’s bed, crib and various toys and accessories. Check out their website here. It looks like Crate & Barrel is testing how popular it will do with the potential for a separate opening in Walnut Creek in the future. Stay tuned…
A One Man Music Festival – Walter Strauss:
Mighty Fine Guitars
85 Lafayette Cir, Lafayette
Saturday, January 23rd, 2016
8:00pm | $15-$20 suggestedThis will be a pass-the-hat party with a Suggested Donation of $15 – $20 per person.
No RSVP required. No babes in arms, please. BYOB.
1960 Concord Ave, Concord
Thanks to a reader for pointing out that the gatropub The Pig & the Pickle closed last month, at least temporarily, in Concord. Their Facebook page has no mention of a reopening so not sure what to make of their goodbye note. Anyone know what’s going on? I enjoyed their food and beers quite a lot when I’m over there. Really good stuff!
From their Facebook page:
Dear Friends of Ale Industries,
We want to let you know that in order to restructure and reinvent our retail presence, we are temporarily closing The Pig & The Pickle as of today.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed The Pig & The Pickle as much as we’ve enjoyed building it, and we hope that in the wake of our attempt at bringing an adventurous spirit to Concord, CA we have inspired moments of joy, entertainment, hilarity and awe. We advance ourselves through your love, support, and dedication and we want to thank you so very much.
To continue discovering great Ale Industries beers, visit the Jingletown Jazz Room in Oakland, and look out for updates from us!
Thank you for your loyal support,
–Ale Industries
1513 Cypress St, Walnut Creek
Last month we learned about Renew Cryotherapy coming to downtown Walnut Creek, and they have now opened. Take a look at the photo below for a look at the cryotherapy machine. Next to the machine there are changing areas and men are required to wear their underwear (optional for women). They offer 1, 2 and 3 minute sessions so this can actually be done during one’s lunch break. Normally a session runs $65 but the first session is available for $40. Read about what to expect here and find out about their pricing here.
From their website:
Renew Cryotherapy has arrived in Walnut Creek where you can experience the benefits of Whole Body Cryotherapy, a newer technology in cold recovery. We are a family owned business whose members have been in the healthcare industry for decades.
The Renew Cryotherapy family’s mission is to help people. Whether you’re an athlete, a weekend warrior, an active senior or just suffering from pain or inflammation, Renew is ready to be part of your health and wellness.
This is an adjunct three minute therapy that helps improve human performance, quicker recovery and anti-aging. We are excited to help you renew your body with this innovative cold application.
My Hero! Contemporary Art & Superhero Action – Opening Reception:
Bedford Gallery
1601 Civic Drive
Sunday, January 17th, 2015
3:00pm – 5:00pm | $5Experience the escapades of iconic superheroes with this pumped-up collection of international artworks in a variety of media. As contemporary idols, superheroes provide a rich source of inspiration for artists around the world. My Hero! celebrates and re-envisions the possibilities that exist when you have a magic cape, lasso, or some superhuman power that changes everything.
At the exhibition reception, watch as local artists display their unique interpretations of the superhero concept or personal avatars. Wearable art show participants will walk the runway donning costumes, capes, masks and other handmade designs.
Open to the public. Admission: $5 adults, $3 youth (13-17), children 12 & under free.
1500 Mt Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek
The long awaited opening of the Spanish pintxos and tapas restaurant Teleferic Barcelona in downtown Walnut Creek is near and last night I was able to get a preview a few days before they open this Sunday, January 17th.
Entering from Mt. Diablo, a staircase and elevator ensconced in brick and lit by Edison vintage bulbs hanging from varying heights lead to the second floor where the restaurant is located. At left is the outdoor dining area and bar with views of Neiman Marcus and downtown Walnut Creek while at right is the main restaurant area. Everything looks incredible including the architectural details such as the distressed metallic walls (which is also visible outside), interior design, not to mention the food, which was off the hook delicious. I’m not sure how ethical it is to eat foie mousse but as this is one of their signature specialties it was insanely good. If you’re a blue cheese fan you won’t want to miss trying the Spanish Valdeón (from León) blue cheese for dessert. As someone who usually sticks with French Roquefort, Valdeón is now my new favorite!
If you ever had dim sum then you’ll be comfortable with the pintxo (skewer in Basque) carts as they roll from table to table offering small bites on skewers or small plates. To keep track of what is ordered from the Pintxo cart a Santo Domingo metal can is left on your table where you can deposit the skewers which are then used to calculate what was ordered. There is also a paella cart that comes by with a giant paella pan if you order paella.
Finally, don’t forget to look up as one of two cable cars glide over your head as you can see in the photo below. This is a signature element of all Teleferic restaurants that you don’t want to miss. There are plenty of photos after the jump that show off all the great elements, check it out!
The history of Teleferic:
Plenty more photos of the inside after the jump…
Thanks to a reader for sending. Free shirts and glasses at Pyramid Alehouse in downtown Walnut Creek which closed the other day.