Photo by Flickr user noahbulgaria
I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Over the summer we learned that the Ann Taylor-owned activewear clothing store Lou & Grey would be opening in the newly redeveloped section of Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek and they are now open (along with Kiehl’s). Ann Taylor Loft is open in downtown Walnut Creek next to Uniqlo. Stay tuned for more store openings on Black Friday such as the girls activewear shop Ivivva.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Last week I noted incorrectly that the skincare company Kiehl’s would be opening last Friday but now they are open for real in Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek. Check out the history of this New York-based skincare company here. They first opened in New York’s East Village way back in 1851.
1636 Cypress St, Walnut Creek
Just in time for the holiday shopping season, a new spa that we learned was coming this summer called The Woodhouse Day Spa is opening in downtown Walnut Creek this Friday, November 27th. Check out their spa services here. I had a chance to get a preview and took plenty of photos, including the quiet rooms, massage rooms, Vichy rainfall room, salon area and more which you can see after the jump. Note that the outside doors you see in the above photo will be replaced with mahogany doors soon.
After checking out the spa, curiosity got the better of me and feeling adventurous, I decided to book a Vichy rainfall sleep treatment. For those of you not familiar with Vichy, check out this page here. After checking in you are given a robe and slippers to change into (private lockers are available) and then you can relax in a spacious quiet room while drinking Harney & Sons tea or cucumber and mint infused water so it’s best to arrive early. I had the hot cinnamon spice tea which was delicious. They also have snacks while waiting until the treatment begins. (Men have a separate quiet room). Later, the massage therapist walks you to the treatment room. I’ve had various spa treatments before but this was one of the most interesting experiences I’ve had. A shower lying down with eight nozzles raining water on your body while getting a massage!
From The Woodhouse description:
The sound of rain on a tin roof! This sleep inducing treatment begins with Vichy Rainfall relaxation followed by a deeply comforting back, neck and head massage. The essence of specially curated aromatherapy oils designed for sleep, fills the room and you engage in inhalation techniques that serve as your entry into a serene, blissful state.
If you’re in downtown Walnut Creek and enjoy spas you should definitely check this place out.
Plenty more photos after the jump including the vichy rainfall room after the jump…
ETE Model Train Display:
Blackhawk Museum
3700 Blackhawk Plaza Cir, Danville
Friday, November 27th, 2015 – Sunday, January 3rd, 2016For the 15th year, the European Train Enthusiasts (ETE) will bring their HO scale European Model Trains and Modular layout to the Blackhawk Automotive Museum to brighten the holiday season. ETE’s Module Group has created remarkably detailed scale versions of European landscapes including: mountains, villages, bridges, farms, lakes and industries, which come alive when they operate their trains through the countryside.
Each day throughout the run of the exhibit, you will enjoy seeing a wide selection of locomotives, freight and passenger cars from various countries in Europe, as different members of ETE operate the layout.
To learn more about the European Train Enthusiasts, visit their website here:www.ete.org.
960 Moraga Rd, Lafayette
According to Diablo Dish the French restaurant Chevalier is closing on December 13th, having been open for the past 7 years. Has anyone tried the coq au vin over there? What do you recommend to try? Next door you can see Swad Indian Cuisine preparing to relocate from their nearby downtown Lafayette location.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Kiehl’s and L’Occitane en Provence were both supposed to open during the Broadway Plaza “reveal” last Friday but when I dropped by on Saturday, neither of them were open and no other new stores were open either. Despite nothing being open on the newly developed side, at the time I dropped by before lunch there was a freshly laid asphalt path from Nordstrom to the soon to be opened Lululemon on the corner of the new development. There was no barrier so I strolled by slowly checking out the new stores when all of a sudden a gigantic forklift vehicle backed up and missed me by a few feet. I caught my breath and moved on to check out the new stores opening such as Kit & Ace, Madewell and Lou & Grey. (When I came back a few hours later, the path to the newly developed side was completely closed.)
On the way to downtown Walnut Creek I noticed two familiar protest signs. Construction started a long time ago so not sure why they decided to start protesting now.
Mitchell Canyon trailhead
96 Mitchell Canyon Rd, Clayton
Friday, November 27th, 2015
9:00am – 3:30pm | $6 per carGet outdoors and get healthy! From the trailhead, we will climb past Mitchell Rock, Twin Peaks, and through some steep and rocky sections to Eagle Peak with its magnificent view of the Diablo summit, North Peak and the canyons below. Our return route will be via Murchio Gap, Deer Flat and Mitchell Canyon. Allow 6.5 hours for this 8-mile loop with a cumulative climb of 3,101 feet. Steady pace with lunch break. Wear layered clothing, and bring a lunch or snacks, liquids, and hiking poles if you use them. Be prepared for mud and poison oak. Rain cancels.
This is Hike #7 in the newly released Hiker’s Guide to Mount Diablo State Park.
2 Theatre Square, Orinda
Earlier this month we learned that the Mexican restaurant Barbacoa closed in Orinda Theatre Square, to be replaced with a new restaurant called The Fourth Bore Tap Room and Grill and they are opening this Tuesday, November 24th. Check out the food and cocktail menu here and wine/beer menu here. The menu notes, “We proudly server Richard’s grass fed beef from Moraga, CA”. It doesn’t get more local than that! I’m looking forward to trying the Smokehouse BBQ burger (cheddar cheese, bacon, onion strings, lettuce, tomato, bbq sauce, served with Fourth Bore potato chips). The Fourth Bore will feature 30 beers on tap with a pub style menu.
More photos after the jump…
1301 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
The wait is over as the the clothing store Vineyard Vines opened in the new 1500 Mt. Diablo building opened over the weekend. Check out the massive swordfish inside as you enter. If you’re into preppy clothing you’ll LOVE this store. Check out their online catalog here.
More photos after the jump…
