444 Front St, Danville
Thanks to everyone for sending word (and photo) that Taco Bell Cantina is coming to the former Burger King spot on Front St. and Hartz Way in Danville.
From their website:
This isn’t just any Taco Bell. Introducing our Taco Bell Cantina restaurants, equipped with a fancy new look, open kitchen, custom menu and specialty alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, sangria and liquor versions of our classic Freezes. Find a Taco Bell Cantina restaurant near you.
1522 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
Sad news that PRIMA Ristorante, open for 43 years, is permanently closing in downtown Walnut Creek due to the Covid-19 pandemic. On the bright side, the wine shop next door, PRIMA Vini will remain open. Check out their online shop here.
From their closing announcement:
As you well know, the COVID pandemic has wreaked havoc throughout the entire restaurant community, and since our mandatory closure in early March, Chef Peter and I, after 21 years together as friends and colleagues, 15 of them as partners, have looked high and low for a path forward- a way to get PRIMA Ristorante back to its accustomed role of bringing its unique sense of Italian hospitality to the good people of Walnut Creek. Alas, though, it appears that events have conspired against us. The longer the restaurant has been closed, the harder it has been to find a way to successfully reopen. We’ve finally come to the realization that we won’t.
Outdoor dining is now permitted in Contra Costa county, and as you can see in the above photo many people jumped at the chance to dine out at Modern China Cafe in downtown Walnut Creek. Quite a few other downtown spots were also quite busy and I’m sure it’s going to pick up further with summer approaching, as long as Covid-19 infections remain stable. Do you plan on eating out anytime soon?
Danville Livery
Last August we learned that the Japanese fusion restaurant Aozora would be coming to Danville Livery where Jules Thin Crust Pizza used to be and they are now getting ready to open next month with a special menu available for takeout. I was able to get a preview of the inside which you can see below. There will also be an outdoor dining patio (seen in the above photo on the left). This will be a great place to enjoy Japanese fusion, with a full bar available, including whiskey, and in the meantime, be sure to order takeout to try something new, and support local businesses. Check for updates on their website here and Insta here.
261 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette
It looks like Lafayette is getting a new Japanese restaurant with Kiku Sushi coming to Lafayette Circle right next to Back to the Table cooking school. Stay tuned…
Citrus Marketplace, Walnut Creek
Thanks to those who emailed (and sent the above photo); Denica’s, which opened about seven years ago, recently closed at Citrus Marketplace in Walnut Creek. Their other three locations are temporarily closed due to the pandemic. Check for updates on their website here.
Plaza Escuela, Walnut Creek
I wonder if Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in downtown Walnut Creek updates their business casual proper attire rules on an ongoing basis? I imagine every now and then someone comes in wearing something not on the list; the manager rolls their eyes and has a new sign printed with additional attire not to be worn.
Business Casual
Proper Attire Required Please
Kindly remove your hat
when entering the restaurant.Thank you for not wearing:
Gym wear or sweat pants,
tank tops, clothing with
offensive graphics or language,
exposed undergarments,
cut-off shorts, or beach flip-flops.
1548 Bonanza St, Walnut Creek
I want to give a shout-out to Broderick in downtown Walnut Creek for having a “clean & sanitized” pens bucket in addition to a “used pens” bucket. Not to mention the Purell bottle nearby. I don’t feel that comfortable ordering takeout but would definitely order from Broderick next time I’m in the mood for takeout!
On a side note, over the weekend I phoned in a pizza order for pickup. The person at the counter wasn’t wearing a mask and gave me a pen without mentioning if it had been sanitized. There was no concern about social distancing and I got the impression he couldn’t care less about getting coronavirus or transmitting it to others. Not setting the best example for someone manning the takeout section of a restaurant.
405 Railroad Ave, Danville
Thanks to everyone who sent word that Homegrown Sustainable Sandwiches, which opened a few years ago, closed recently in Danville. A new restaurant called Hopstone Cafe is supposed to open here shortly, hopefully they’ll offer take-out and delivery.
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