Vic Stewart’s offering Lunches and Monday Dinners in December

December 5, 2012 11:30 am

The steakhouse Vic Stewart’s, located at the old railroad station in Walnut Creek doesn’t normally offer dinner on Mondays nor lunches but they are right now in December.

From the Vic Stewart’s website:

Vic Stewart’s opened its doors on December 13, 1993. The Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce hosted its monthly B.A.S.H. on December 16 and a record number of members and nonmembers attended. Vic Stewart’s was filled to capacity. Some came out of curiosity, others to sample the food and most to find a new spot to wine and dine. The latter has proved to be the case. Vic Stewart’s has been selected for several years as the Best Place for Steaks in the East Bay by both the Contra Costa Times and Diablo Magazine. In 1994, the U.S. Beef Council named Vic Stewart’s “Steakhouse of the Year” for both California and the Nation. Over 200 entries were considered and Vic Stewart’s was selected. The award is given for outstanding and continuing innovation in menuing beef, service, quality and preparation.

Thanks to a reader for this tip! If anyone has any news on openings or closing in the area or interesting photos from around Walnut Creek/Lafayette you’d like to see on this blog please email me at the address listed towards the top right. Thanks!

0 Comments

Neiman Marcus Teams Up with Target for Reasonable Fashion Sales

December 4, 2012 11:30 am

I was at the Walnut Creek Target over the weekend when I noticed a Neiman Marcus sign promoting some high end designers like Marc Jacobs, Jason Wu and Diane von Furstenberg. In the photo above you can see a yoga mat and jewelry box by Diane von Furstenberg. You can see the complete 52 item gift collection here. If you’d like a chance to win all 52 items you have until Dec. 10th to enter your email here.

I’m curious why an ultra high-end retailer like Neiman Marcus would agree to this. Would they agree to do a promotion in Kmart or Walmart? Or is Target considered the coolest of the big discount retail stores? Is this to get name recognition to bring more people to Neiman Marcus, or is this to increase revenue from Target paying Neiman Marcus for use of their name? Or a combination of things? I wonder.

It looks like these gifts could be sold out soon so drop by Target if you’re thinking of picking something up!

1 Comment

SOFA a la carte Closed in Walnut Creek

November 28, 2012 8:30 am

Back in June I noted the opening of SOFA a la carte in downtown Walnut Creek on N. Main St. and they are now closed. A sign in the window notes that “custom work still available w/ SOFA U LOVE in SF.”

The iconic store Ming Quong is located right next door, and although they renewed their lease in June, I wonder what’s going to happen if another store or restaurant wants to expand, could be tough for Ming Quong.

0 Comments

Venture Men’s Goods Hosting Open House with Founders of Taylor Stitch on Nov. 29th

November 26, 2012 4:30 pm

Venture Men’s Goods is hosting an open house on Thursday, November 29th from 7pm – 9pm featuring the founders of Taylor Stitch, “makers of well-crafted shirts and jeans made in San Francisco. We will have libations and bites to kick off the holiday season.” Venture is located at 3571 Mt. Diablo Blvd. a few doors down from Patxi’s Pizza.

0 Comments

Liberty Bell Popup Kiosks Open in Walnut Creek

November 26, 2012 11:30 am

Last week I noted the appearance of popup kiosks in Liberty Bell Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek where the restaurant Il Forniao is located, across the street from Nordstrom, and the kiosks are now open. According to the popup website, the kiosks are from:

Danville Chocolates
Alicia Klein
Folkmanis Puppets
Mill Valley Candle Works
Cover-Up Accessories

The photo above is the Alicia Klein kiosk selling handbags and “Taxi” wallets.

Check out the goods from Danville Chocolates:

According to their website you can get a free caramel apple on your birthday for registering your cell phone number.

This kiosk is selling Folkmanis Puppets (Emeryville)

and this one, Mill Valley Candle Works:

Two kiosks were not open over the weekend. According to the popup website one of them is Cover-Up Accessories so I’m guessing one is vacant for now. I like how small, locally produced items are being sold not available nearby. Of all the kiosks I would most like to try something from Danville Chocolates. What do you think of the offerings?

4 Comments

Phoenix Salon & Day Spa getting a Facelift in Downtown Walnut Creek

November 26, 2012 8:30 am

Being that downtown Walnut Creek is becoming an East Bay fashion and salon mecca, Phoenix Salon & Day Spa is getting remodeled to keep up appearances. This looks great, love the wood accents.

2 Comments

The Right Start Baby Store Closing in Walnut Creek

November 21, 2012 8:30 am

The baby store The Right Start is closing in downtown Walnut Creek. Located across the street from the Container Store on Botelho Dr, they offered baby goods targeted to babies up to 18 months. They still have a store in San Francisco in Presidio Heights. Apparently the lease was going way up so they’re bailing by the end of the year.

Now for some interesting news. Word on the street is that this will be the new location for the stationery store Paper Source! Possibly opening this coming April. Stay tuned…

If you’re looking for some baby goods drop by as there should be sweet sales:

4 Comments

See’s Candies at Moraga Farmers Market and Rheem Valley Shopping Center Open Through the Holidays

November 20, 2012 11:30 am

See’s Candies is now available at the Moraga farmer’s market (most weeks) as well as the Rheem Valley Shopping Center. It’s being run by the Kiwanis to support local organizations mostly in Lamorinda. So if you want to show your support and/or don’t want to go all the way to Walnut Creek then check them out and pick out a nice box of chocolates.

0 Comments

Liberty Bell Popup Plaza Opening Soon in Downtown Walnut Creek

November 20, 2012 8:30 am

The City of Walnut Creek has approved six popup kiosks at Liberty Bell Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek where Il Fornaio is located at the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Broadway. They have recently been installed; check out what they look like in the photo above. According to a new website promoting the kiosks:

Liberty Bell Plaza, will become Pop Up Plaza, and provide an opportunity for retail designers actively looking to enter the Walnut Creek area, but have been unsuccessful in finding an available location. The plaza is designed to be a collection of designers and brands not available in the East Bay. The project will be kept fresh and exciting by limiting the opportunity to one through three month.

The Liberty Bell design incorporated into the kiosk design is a nice touch:

Stay tuned for which popups will be opening… What would you like to see at these kiosks?

3 Comments

A Colorful Mind Drawing Studio Closes in Walnut Creek

November 14, 2012 8:30 am

The children’s drawing studio A Colorful Mind has closed recently in downtown Walnut Creek. Back in February I noted the opening so it hadn’t even been open a year. I was scouting birthday locations when I dropped by and couldn’t believe it was gone. It was really nice inside and the teacher there seemed great. Too bad this happened.

2 Comments