The Veranda, Concord
Earlier this month we learned that Coffee Shop would be opening this summer in the Veranda shopping center in Concord and right next door, Residual Sugar Wine Bar, with their main location in downtown Walnut Creek, is progressing as well as you can see in these photos. There is a huge patio area on the side and the fountains in front of the IMAX theater are nearby so this is going to be a great spot to hang out once they open.
1506 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
In the beginning of May we learned of a new restaurant called Roll House Specialty Rolls opening in downtown Walnut Creek where Main Street Deli / Brass Bear Delicatessen used to be and it looks like they’re almost finished judging from a look inside. I couldn’t find any online presence yet…
Blackhawk Plaza, Danville
The liquid nitrogen-based, made-on-demand ice cream shop Creamistry, that we learned last summer would be coming to Blackhawk Plaza in Danville, has now opened. Their official grand opening will be this Saturday, June 16th. For a detailed menu click here.
501 Hartz Ave, Danville
The Italian restaurant Basil Leaf Cafe is closing this August in Danville. The owners of Harvest across the street will be opening a Mexican restaurant here called Cocina Hermanas. Stay tuned…
Lafayette Mercantile
Last year Philz Coffee opened in downtown Walnut Creek and this year they’ll be coming to Lafayette where Homegrown Sustainable Sandwiches used to be in the Lafayette Mercantile shopping center. They are currently hiring a store leader here. Check out their store menu here.
The Veranda, Concord
Last month we learned that Coffee Shop, which originally opened in Walnut Creek several years ago, would be coming to Danville and they are also opening at the Veranda shopping center in Concord as well. This location is directly across from the IMAX movie theater and as you can see in the above photo, the outdoor seating area is spacious and amazing! Whoever picks Coffee Shop locations is very smart as these locations are always perfectly situated with great outdoor seating options.
Plaza Escuela, Walnut Creek
Poke Bar, yet another Poke restaurant has opened in Walnut Creek, this time in Plaza Escuela, where Inge’s Footwear used to be. Check out their Walnut Creek menu here. Now downtown Walnut Creek has four poke restaurants not to mention other restaurants offering poke bowls like Lemonade and Pacific Catch:
Are there any poke restaurants without poke in its name?
Agora at South Main, Walnut Creek
Today, San Francisco-based Pacific Catch Westcoast Fish House opened their second East Bay location at the Agora at South Main apartment complex in downtown Walnut Creek. Check out their menu here. On Friday I had a chance to check out a preview and as you can see in the photos below the contemporary design looks great. Appropriately enough, fish-themed artwork hang on the walls, and I’m happy to report that sanitary door openers in the bathrooms like can be found at Dos Coyotes in Concord are there as well. The lobster roll and guaca-poke (ahi poke + guacamole) and chips were refreshingly delicious. Free parking (if you can snag a spot) is available below ground. I look forward to coming back soon! It’s good to see high quality dining spots sprout up in this section of Walnut Creek.
From their website:
Pacific Catch is a modern, comfortable, Westcoast Fish House that combines fine-dining culinary experience with a casual California lifestyle. Dedicated to delivering high quality seafood with a unique perspective, the menu explores preparation styles and ingredients found throughout the Pacific. We also offer a variety of lunch and dinner “Chalkboard” specials and a rotation of promotions highlighting a specific region in the Pacific, or local, seasonal offerings.
3602 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Batch & Brine, a new restaurant opening in Lafayette on June 4th is all ready and yesterday there was a preview to see how everything came out. As you can see in the above photo the outside is wrapped in reclaimed wood interspersed among living walls with indigenous succulents making this one of the nicest looking restaurants in the area. The inside is equally as impressive with giant windows that open butterfly-style allowing both light and fresh air in. The outside has a long fire pit and plenty of tables in front and to the sides. Don’t forget to check out the photos below for a closer look. The food I tried tasted great and am looking forward to trying the house-made pastrami sandwich!
Batch & Brine will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. for lunch and dinner; brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check out their gallery here.
From a press release:
With a menu rooted in the family’s passion for bold flavors and seasonal food, the ownership team and Executive Chef Suarez, an alum of the French Culinary Institute and former culinary director for Rosa Mexicano, are expanding the definition of the classic burger at Batch & Brine, and also offering hearty appetizers, salads, sliders, loaded fries, and weekend brunch. At Batch & Brine, burgers are the main event, but these burgers are globally inspired and take the concept of a hand-held meal to a new level. On the opening menu, guests will find nine, crave-worthy burger creations blending flavors and ingredients that celebrate the family’s Mediterranean and New Mexican heritage. Must-try burgers include patriarch Zafer Abu-Ghaben’s Kufta Burger and Falafel Burger, Chef Suarez’s Steak au Poivre Burger, and Victor Ghaben’s Hatch Chile Burger, featuring the one-of-a-kind “Hatch” chile, which is grown only in New Mexico’s Hatch Valley. Other staples on the menu include pickle-brined chicken and house-made pastrami sandwiches; kale, beet, cauliflower or grilled ribeye salads; the Shaved Ribeye Bao Slider; and a French fry selection topped with duck confit, Hatch chile verde, or pastrami and cheese.
1601 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek
Earlier this year we learned that Starbucks would be coming to downtown Walnut Creek where Vitamin Shoppe used to be with scuttlebutt indicating it would be one of those fancy “Reserve” cafes but according to a Starbucks district manager I spoke with it won’t be a Reserve. However, at 2,500 sf, and seating (including a bar) for 60, offering nitro cold brew there will be great ambiance.
A short hop away is Coffee Shop and Peet’s Coffee so there will be plenty of coffee options around there.
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