Photo by Flickr user Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL)
From the Lafayette Police:
AVOID Pleasant Hill Road at Condit due to PG&E wire down on Roadway. Detours in effect, PG&E working to get road open.
Police and Fire are on scene, initial report was of a grass fire, fire is contained wire is still down.
After several delays, the long awaited Citra Grill is finally opening today in downtown Walnut Creek across the street from the Century movie theater at the corner of Olympic Blvd. and Locust St. I had a chance to stop by during the soft opening on the weekend and tried some of the dishes which were excellent. You can check out their menu here.
When I checked them out I tried the grilled shrimp with cabbage and cucumbers and tomatoes. The shrimp were perfectly cooked and tasted great, as did the cabbage.
I also had the baby arugula salad with a vegetable skewer side. The salad came with dried cherries and lime roasted almonds which tasted amazing. You may have noticed 2 truffles at the upper left of the photo. They are from Barlovento Chocolates and are out of this world delicious. I consider the food here to be quite refreshing, light and healthy.
More photos including the bread oven after the jump…
Back in April I noted that the Swedish weight loss program Itrim was coming to Lafayette, and today is the grand opening. This is the first Itrim location in the United States, with a San Ramon location opening within the next couple of months, and Walnut Creek being considered as well. For those not familiar with the Itrim program, this is from their website:
We educate, motivate and support you through the toughest parts of losing weight and keeping it off. The Itrim program focuses the first 2 to 4 months on helping you lose the weight you want to lose, and the next 22 to 24 months teaching you, practicing with you and supporting you to maintain your weight loss.
Developing the skills to maintain your weight loss takes time, energy, commitment, and practice. Itrim knows this, and has everything you need lined up under one roof: a personal lifestyle coach, fun and effective exercise training, educational life-changing classes, a comfortable member lounge, personal exercise trainers and more.
Work progressed rather quickly and the results are amazing. The addition of the huge windows really lightens the place up inside. The blue paint matching the Swedish flag as well as the copper roof over the cupola really makes this place stand out. What a great addition to downtown Lafayette!
Check out the lounge area (free wifi and iPad usage included):
Among the various gym equipment is a TRX machine:
check out photos of the other gym equipment, locker room, classroom and personal consultation room after the jump…
A free opera concert will be held at the Orinda Community Park this Sunday, July 29th at 4pm through 6pm. Have a great weekend everybody!
The Walnut Creek Tennis Center at Heather Farm Community Park in Walnut Creek has 10 courts and provides lessons for both adults and children, as well as hosting adult leagues and a pro shop to boot. I needed to pick up a tennis racquet for my kid so I dropped by the pro shop and picked up a nice Wilson (they only have Wilson products) racquet for only $20.
The Walnut Creek Racquet Club is based here:
The Walnut Creek Racquet Club (WCRC) was founded in 1969 as a public courts tennis club and is sponsored by the City of Walnut Creek. The club’s purpose is to promote the game of tennis in Walnut Creek by providing a wide variety of tennis activities including league play, tournaments, clinics and special events. WCRC is open to both residents of Walnut Creek as well as non-residents as per its charter. Club membership, numbering nearly 800+ tennis enthusiasts, is comprised of players of all ages and skill – all sharing a passion for the game.
Check out some of the courts below. Notice the lights for night-play:
When I checked it out over the weekend it was buzzing with activity. If you live nearby and have any interest in tennis I’d definitely check this place out and consider becoming a member. It looks like it could be a lot of fun. Does anyone play here? How is it?
Photo by Flickr user Link576
Earlier this week I noted that Chick-fil-A is opening up a new restaurant in Walnut Creek at the old concrete plant on N. Main St, and there was a lot of discussion about refusing to eat there due to the comments made by the president of Chick-fil-A, Dan Cathy, who does not support gay marriage and has supported anti-gay groups. The New York Times published an article last year about the dilemma some people have eating there or not, and just a few days ago published another article noting that The Jim Henson Company will no longer supply toys for the chain, and some cities are stopping approval for new restaurants, while other, such as the former governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, are lining up in support of Chick-fil-A.
When Chick-fil-A opens in Walnut Creek, will you boycott and refuse to eat there? Or will it be business as usual and you’ll check it out?
From the Ruth Bancroft Garden website:
Bring the whole family, and don’t forget your dancing shoes! The Alhambra Valley Band has been entertaining bluegrass fans since 1986. They were one of the Garden’s most popular musical guests last year, and we’re very pleased to have them back again! Pyramid Brewery in Walnut Creek will bring the brews, and the food will be supplied by the ever-delicious Kinder’s BBQ.
www.alhambravalleyband.com
www.pyramidbrew.com
www.kindersbbq.com$15; food and drinks sold separately
Click here to purchase tickets
Spotted in front of Lamorinda Music, Lamorinda Theatre Academy and the soon to be opened Mighty Fine Guitars store. I love finding creative displays like this, hats off to them!
Shiro, the site of a massive fight in January where a Walnut Creek police officer was punched in the face has closed, and in its place, a new restaurant called Hamachi will be opening this Saturday, July 28th beginning 6pm until 1:30am.
From a poster:
Featuring asian tapas, an extended sushi menu and a full martini bar.
Live entertainment from 6:30pm to 1:00am featuring dualing pianos starting at 10:30pm.
I believe this may be the only restaurant with dueling pianos in Walnut Creek. Sounds interesting. According to the owner, they will be playing every Friday and Saturday night with a focus on Jazz. The original chef from Sushi Groove (the restaurant before Shiro) will be working there.
Check out part of the restaurant below:
Hamachi is located at 1523 Giammona Drive in downtown Walnut Creek.
Back in February I noted that Master Diamond closed in downtown Walnut Creek and now the Contra Costa Democratic Headquarters will take over this prime location with a grand opening on August 2nd from 4 – 7 pm at 1372 N. Main St (next to Papyrus). Looks like the president and first lady are already celebrating.