Walnut Creek
In June we learned that Starbucks would be shuttering all La Boulange cafes in September and sure enough, as you can see in the photos, both the Lafayette and Walnut Creek locations are gone. What cafe would you like to see open up here?
Lafayette
1179A Locust St, Walnut Creek
Last month we learned that Pressed Juicery would be opening where Pinkberry used to be in Plaza Escuela in downtown Walnut Creek on Locust St. and they have now opened. Intriguingly, in addition to cold-pressed drinks, they also offer a frozen yogurt-esque/soft serve sorbet-esque option called FREEZE. Note that although it looks like frozen yogurt, it’s NOT frozen yogurt as it only uses the same ingredients in their cold-pressed drinks, no dairy and no added sugar. Thankfully they offer samples of any of their drinks and freeze flavors. I was doubtful about their freeze but I tried the vanilla and chocolate flavors and it was delicious! I ordered a vanilla freeze (see photo below). It comes with two toppings. I tried chocolate gogi berries and blueberries which was quite refreshing. Check out their drinks menu here and here, freeze menu here and freeze toppings menu here.
It’s unfortunate they removed the outdoor seating that Pinkberry had. I thought maybe that would be added later but the server mentioned that Pressed Juicery doesn’t offer any seating by design. Maybe it’s healthier drinking/eating while standing?
Vanilla freeze:
Park Plaza, Lafayette
In July we learned that the Danville-based restaurant Sideboard would be opening next spring in the newly redeveloped Park Plaza in Lafayette and as you can see from the Sideboard bench spotted outside things are progressing. It looks like both spots in the above photo will be occupied by Sideboard. On the other hand the gluten-free bakery Mariposa, that was also supposed to come to Park Plaza has decided to opt out and will no longer be coming to Lafayette according to Diablo Dish.
Locust St, Walnut Creek
The building that features the Chinese restaurant Dragon’s Pond and the future Fuego Tequila Grill has finished up their external makeover in downtown Walnut Creek. This is what it looked like four years ago when the outside redevelopment was just beginning. Looks like Dragon’s Pond lost the paint battle in the middle.
1822 Grant St, Concord
Grant Street Pub & Pizzeria opened at the beginning of summer in Concord a block from Todos Santos Plaza where Time Out Sports Bar used to be. One interesting thing I learned is this place used to be a tiki bar. Check out their food menu here and beverage menu here. They plan on opening up the upper floor which has an additional bar sometime in the future. Check out the amazing outside mural after the jump made by the owner.
More photos after the jump…
1975 Diamond Blvd, Concord
Last month we learned that the southern California-based restaurant Eureka! would be opening in the Willows Shopping Center in Concord on September 7th, and recently I was able to get a preview of the inside. They also have a Berkeley location and are planning on opening new spots on the Apple campus and in Mountain View in the South Bay. Check out their burger menu here and starters/salads/taco/signatures menu here. I’m looking forward to the bone marrow burger and butterscotch rum pudding! This location will also offer a brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays in addition to lunch and dinner. Check for updates on their Facebook page here. There will be 40 American craft beers on tap with 20 of them featured in a rotating selection. (Check out the closeup of the rotating beer list sign after the jump). The bar also has a huge whiskey and bourbon selection.
The inside looks amazing and feels quite spacious thanks to the huge vaulted ceiling and wide sliding doors making for a great inside/outside dining experience. Handcrafted wood from historic American barns, factories, and whiskey distilleries adds a warm element to the overall design. This is a great addition to the newly redeveloped Willows Shopping Center and I look forward to trying this place out soon!
Plenty more photos after the jump…
965 Mountain View Dr, Lafayette
Last December we learned that Susan Foord Cafe was closing in Lafayette near Trader Joe’s and now a new restaurant called Bistro Burger & Grill will be opening there in mid-September assuming everything goes as planned with final inspections. I dropped by and spoke to the owner who said the menu will be more upscale than their four San Francisco locations (check it out here). In addition to burgers there will also be grilled dishes, beer, wine and more. The inside has been completely remodeled with two flat screen televisions and is much more spacious. Stay tuned…
172 E. Prospect Ave, Danville
Earlier this month we learned that the Amalfi Coast pizzeria Locanda Ravello would be opening in Danville on Prospect Ave. and they opened last week. Check out their menu here. Find out more about the owner here. Note the beautiful photo of the inside on that page. 🙂
Lafayette native Kimberli Haris (now living in Benicia) will be demoing her organic Otter Pop style ice pops called Fairyella at Diablo Foods in Lafayette today from 11am to 2pm and the Walnut Creek Whole Foods from 3 – 6pm. As a child she loved walking across Mt. Diablo Blvd. and hanging out at Orchard Nursery while sipping an orange soda. With this I knew I had to try the Fairyella orange ice pop which I picked up at the Walnut Creek Whole Foods. Made with organic orange, pear and sweet potato without any added extra sugar it was quite refreshing and good for me, too! 🙂
In additon to orange they also offer:
From their website:
We handcraft our Ice Pops with all organic raw ingredients that are always unpasteurized, non-gmo and gluten free. We source the most local fruit and vegetables possible through Capay Organic Farms and freshly juice it into our Ice Pops with no stabilizers or additives except for a touch of organic cane sugar or agave. All certifications to come as we grow with you.
1 Camino Sobrante, Orinda
The Chinese/Japanese restaurant Niwa has temporarily closed in Orinda for remodeling and is planning to reopen sometime in late August. Check out their menu here.
