Go get your free ice cream cone at Haagen Daz in downtown Walnut Creek next to Macy’s. This is for today only, until 8pm.
Go get your free ice cream cone at Haagen Daz in downtown Walnut Creek next to Macy’s. This is for today only, until 8pm.
Back in March I pointed out the bizarre bathroom situation at the newly remodeled Peet’s Coffee shop in downtown Walnut Creek. I recently had a chance to revisit, and am slightly amused that although the same bathroom lock is in place, the instructions are gone. If you look closely at the photo, there is just a red arrow pointing left. What this means is, to lock, do nothing. To open, turn left. Obvious, right?
I spoke to an employee there who laughed when I asked him about it. He said they’ve had “nothing but complaints” about it, and that “corporate is aware of the situation”. I wonder if anything will be done about this. Note that I think the token usage is reasonable. It’s the door locking mechanism that I find bizarre.
Progress at the Sprouts Market Shopping Center, located at Geary Rd. and N. Main St. in Walnut Creek, is coming along nicely and is scheduled to be completed sometime this summer. Sprouts is a supermarket mostly in Southern California with a couple of branches in the Bay Area, the nearest one being in Dublin.
The inaugural stores at the center will be:
Has anyone tried the food at Freebirds? How does it compare to Chipotle? Based on the popularity of the Walnut Creek Habit restaurant, it’s not surprising they decided to open up another one.
On a side note, if anyone has information on new restaurants or stores opening up in Walnut Creek, please send me an email to tips(at)beyondthecreek.com I’m usually downtown, but I’d like to know what else is opening up around town.
Last week I noted on the closing of Handlebar Toys in Happy Valley Plaza in Lafayette, and now Lava Pit Fire Grill, located next to Trader Joe’s in the same strip mall has closed as well. The one in Orinda is still open for business based on the sign in the window. Were there any fans of this place?
OI-C Bowl used to be located in a smaller space across the street, while my beloved Crepevine was here, but alas, times change and a few years ago OI-C Bowl moved to 1616 N. Main St. where it’s one of the few Chinese restaurants in downtown Walnut Creek, Dragon’s Pond, Modern China Cafe, and, if it can be considered, P.F. Chang’s being the others.
You can see their menus here. Any fans of this place? What are the best items to order?
The Walnut Creek City Council has unanimously approved a city ordinance, “to regulate the establishment and operation of new alcoholic beverage establishments and to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community by requiring that all alcoholic beverage establishments in the City comply with nuisance-based performance standards.”
You can read the agenda report here and the ordinance here. Considering the alcohol induced fights that broke out downtown over the past year, this seems like a reasonable plan to me. Is anyone unhappy about this being approved?
Back last November I mentioned that the Greek restaurant Opa! was coming to downtown Walnut Creek. They have announced on their website that they will be opening mid June. You can check out their menus here.
Check out the progress of the interior:
Take a look at the floor. Hardwood floors? Actually, it’s concrete made to look like wood. I look forward to checking this place out once it opens.
photo by Stacy Ventura
Corners Tavern recently opened in downtown Walnut Creek in March and will begin serving lunch with an all new lunch menu as well as offer outdoor dining on May 1st. Lunch will be available from 11:30am – 2pm, with a mid-day menu available afterwards until dinner. Check out the lunch menu here. I can’t wait to try the barbecue pork sandwich, pickled peppers, grilled peach salad as well as the Corners burger and house made sausage.
From an email:
Corners Tavern will begin serving lunch on Tuesday, May 1. Open Monday – Friday from 11:30am – 2pm, the menu will feature the same big, bold flavors found on the dinner menu. New lunch favorites will include charred yellowtail fish tacos with green cabbage and avocado cucumber salad; a barbecue pork sandwich with pickled peppers and grilled peach salad; andgrilled skirt steak with spicy butter, grilled green onions and fries.
Corners Tavern will remain open after lunch service with a mid-day menu featuring a limited number of items including salads, the newly added smoked chicken wings, house-made charcuterie, the Corners burger and a variety of light snacks such as the smoked and spiced almonds and duck fat roasted potatoes. The mid-day menu will be a perfect respite for Walnut Creek shoppers looking for a small bite between meals accompanied by a nice, cold beverage. In addition to the new hours, Corners Tavern will open up the outdoor patio for additional seating and (weather permitting) will have the large garage doors at the front of the restaurant open, creating an open-air vibe.
Corners Tavern is located at 1342 Broadway Plaza next to Macy’s and La Boulange Bakery in downtown Walnut Creek. Anyone check this place out yet? You can see the dinner menu here. For the fans, any must order items?
Ever since the Neiman Marcus Cafe opened up in the new Neiman Marcus department store in downtown Walnut Creek last month, I had been hearing about these delicious Neiman Marcus popovers. And when I read that Neiman Marcus would be participating in Restaurant Week which happened last week, I knew I had to go there. If you look at the photo you might think, so what, it’s just a bread roll, but they are made with eggs to give a totally different taste. To top it off, they offer it with strawberry butter, and it’s not even part of the menu, it’s just included with the meal!
The scallop dish below was delicious:
as was the dessert:
What do all three photos have in common? Yes, the irresistible Neiman Marcus popover. Mmmm, yummy! Has anyone been here yet? Any recommended dishes?
Sasa is having their 2nd anniversary party this Thursday at 6pm. From the chamber’s website:
Join us to celebrate our Second Anniversary in downtown Walnut Creek. Come and enjoy mouth-watering nigiri and maki sushi from Chef Philip Yang plus the savory selections of favorites and new creations from Chef Sam Castro … live music, DJ, and a selection of complimentary wines.
Admission includes all wine, food, and entertainment. $59.00 per person (plus tax and gratuity) through April 12; reservations made after April 12 are $65.00 (plus tax and gratuity). Please contact Sasa Restaurant for pre-sale tickets 925.210.0188.