Boccalone Tasty Salted Pig Parts at Lafayette Farmers Market

October 16, 2012 11:30 am

I finally had a chance to stop by the Lafayette Farmers market on Sunday and was excited to see some familiar shops such as the sausage maker Boccalone – Tasty Salted Pig Parts. Whenever I walk inside the Ferry Building Marketplace in downtown San Francisco and pass by their shop I’m tempted to get something. You can see their cured salumi offerings here and their cooked specialties here. Any recommended salumi to get? The orange and wild fennel salame looks tempting…

From their website:

Boccalone is the creation of Chris Cosentino and Mark Pastore, who are known for their authentic Italian cuisine and commitment to sustainability at Incanto restaurant in San Francisco.

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Starbucks Opens inside Broadway Plaza Macy’s in Walnut Creek

October 15, 2012 11:30 am

Back in August I noted that Starbucks was opening up in Broadway Plaza’s Macy’s in downtown Walnut Creek, and they are now open for business. There is no sign outside indicating a Starbucks, but it’s literally right inside at the corner near Haagen-Daaz.

Check out the cool wall decoration:

Now downtown Broadway Plaza has two Starbucks. They also just bought La Boulange Bakery around the corner (soon to be serving Starbucks coffee), Barnes and Noble has a Starbucks cafe inside, and there is another Starbucks a stone’s throw away in downtown Walnut Creek as well. Does anyone feel like there are too many Starbucks in downtown Walnut Creek? On a side note, I downloaded the Starbucks app on my iPhone to try out the payment by phone and think it’s pretty cool how gift cards can be stored on the phone.

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Walnut Creek’s Corners Tavern New Weeknight Happy Hour

October 12, 2012 11:30 am

From an email:

Corners Tavern’s new weeknight Happy Hour offers hand-crafted cocktails, select artisan beers and an eclectic list of wines, plus some of the best bites in town – all at special mid-day pricing. Beginning October 10, Happy Hour will be available Monday – Friday from 3 – 6pm in the bar and lounge areas. Some of the great finds that we’ll be featuring include $6 wines-by-the-glass. Look for La Grange Tiphaine Chenin Blanc, Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Cadet D’OC Pinot Noir and Potel-Aviron Gamay. We’ll also be featuring some of our most popular cocktails – at just $5 each: Hemmingway Daiquiri, Boulevardier and Moscow Mule. A rotating list of draught beers will also be available for $4 with favorites like Trumer Pils, Bear Republic Red Rocket Ale, Linden St Burning Oak Black Lager and Calicraft Cali Colsch.

Executive Chef Esteban Escobar will also make some of his favorite bar snacks available such as his house made pretzel with Belgian ale mustard for $2, housemade potato chips with Aleppo pepper for $3, smoked chicken wings with achiote and lime for $6 and more. View the full Happy Hour menu.

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Meet the Pomegranate Tree of Downtown Walnut Creek

October 9, 2012 11:30 am

Did you know that downtown Walnut Creek is home to a real pomegranate tree? I had just finished up a meal at the Greek restaurant Pomegranate on N. Main St. near Cypress Ave. and the owner happened to be standing outside. He pointed to the tree in front and said, “Look at the pomegranate tree.” I looked and thought he decorated it with fake pomegranates and replied, “Haha that’s funny”. But he was serious. He planted the tree about 15 years ago and there are quite a few large pomegranates growing right in the middle of downtown Walnut Creek! This is why I like downtown Walnut Creek so much. Secret Koi ponds, and now pomegranate trees. Amazing!

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Progress on Lottie’s Creamery in Walnut Creek

October 4, 2012 11:30 am

Back in August I noted that Lottie’s Creamery was going to open in downtown Walnut Creek on N. Main St. and recently I had a chance to get a sneak preview of the construction and chat with owner Deb Phillips who mentioned that they plan on opening mid-November if everything goes as planned.

Taking a look at the above photo; the rectangular space is going to be a window so people can look inside to see the ice cream being made. As noted previously, they will have their own pasteurizer in-house to make the ice cream. You can see what flavors will be offered here. In addition to these flavors they will also offer seasonal flavors such as peppermint chip and maple just in time for Christmas.

I had a chance to try Deb’s marshmallows that she is experimenting with and it tasted amazing. I can’t wait until this place opens up! The flavor I most want to try is Rocky Road (dark chocolate ice cream, marshmallows and candied almonds). What flavor are you most looking forward to?

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SusieCakes Grand Opening Sock-Hop Oct. 27th in Lafayette

October 3, 2012 11:30 am

Back in August I noted that SusieCakes would be opening in downtown Lafayette this Fall, and according to a Craigslist posting they will be hosting a Sock-Hop on October 27th from 1-4pm:

SusieCakes (www.SusieCakes.com) an all-American homestyle bakery is celebrating the opening of its new Lafayette location with an old-fashioned Sock Hop, Oct. 27 from 1-4 p.m. This family friendly event features 50’s music, vintage cars, activities for the kids, and of course, SusieCakes signature dessert favorites. Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in coloring and costume contests, as well as a raffle to win a one-year membership in the ‘Cake of the Month Club.’

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Art Form Closes – Sunrise Bistro May Expand in Walnut Creek

September 27, 2012 11:30 am

The frame store Art Form closed in July in Walnut Creek, and apparently Sunrise Bistro next door may be expanding although when I dropped by this week the “Available” sign was still visible so maybe it’s not been finalized yet. I have never eaten at Sunrise Bistro, how’s the food there?

Sunrise Bistro is located at 1559 Botelho Drive in Walnut Creek. Check out their menus here.

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Food Scuttlebutt – OI-C Bowl May Close in Walnut Creek

September 26, 2012 11:30 am

OI-C Bowl, a Chinese restaurant in downtown Walnut Creek may close due to the main partner passing away last month. Word on the street is that the other partner who was less involved is looking to sell it off. Whether that means OI C will remain open with a new owner or a new restaurant will take its place remains to be seen.

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Chick-fil-A Opening Nov. 8th in Walnut Creek

September 24, 2012 11:30 am

Although Chick-fil-A keeps delaying the Walnut Creek opening, and the controversy continues, Chick-fil-A Walnut Creek now has signage, so things are definitely progressing steadily. The Chick-fil-A Walnut Creek page notes that opening day will be November 8th. I imagine the Facebook protest page will be updated as well.

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Mixed Grain Korean Cuisine Opens in Walnut Creek

September 21, 2012 11:30 am

Mixed Grain Korean Cuisine opened its doors a couple of days ago, replacing another Korean restaurant, Koreana Kitchen. The new owners redecorated and plan on offering more upscale, healthy dishes, hence the name, “Mixed Grain”, (as opposed to the less healthy white rice).Check out their menu here and here.

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