1320 Locust St, Walnut Creek
Last month I noted that construction had begun on Veggie Grill in downtown Walnut Creek where the post office used to be on Locust St. and if you look in front you might not realize that it’s completely gutted and doesn’t even have a roof! The photo above is the view from the backside towards Locust St.
From a press release:
Corners Tavern, the contemporary American gastropub nestled in downtown Walnut Creek’s Broadway Plaza, has appointed Gavin Schmidt as Executive Chef. Gavin has been with Corners Tavern since its inception and was instrumental in shaping the original and subsequent menus. Gavin’s resume prior to Corners Tavern is like reading a page from the San Francisco Chronicle’s Top 100: Coi, Campton Place, Fifth Floor, Aqua and Elisabeth Daniel; restaurants where his roles varied from Sous Chef to Executive Chef.
“It’s Not a Wine Dinner, It’s a Beer Dinner” Dinner:
Walnut Creek Yacht Club
1555 Bonanza St, Walnut Creek
Wednesday, June 25th, 2014
6:00pm | $65Local Brew from Schubros Brewery in San Ramon
Join us as we welcome Brewmaster Mike Johannsen. Mike will be on hand to talk with us about their brews their brewery, and craft brewing.
Gather on the Aft Deck 6:00
Dinner at 6:30Appetizers
Cherry Rye Nico
Maine Rock Crab Stuffed Red Potatoes
sierra jack, candied jalapeño, roasted garlic
Bay Shrimp & Sweet Yellow Corn Fritters
spicy cherry onion dip
Moroccan Swordfish Meatballs
nico braised lentils, mint, lemon zestFirst Course
Las Trampas Pale Ale
King Salmon Pastrami Gravlox Salad
mâche, shaved red onion, pickled fennel
golden tomato, swiss cheese, rye croutons
rubenesque dressingMain Course
680 IPAMeyer Ranch Beef Brisket
ipa braise, red potatoes, cippolini onions
grilled yellow zucchini, balsamic syrup
parmesan, roasted heirloom carrots
chef kev’s horseradish-beer mustard, pretzel rollsDessert
Diablo DarkTCHO Chocolate & Toasted Walnut Tart espresso pastry, spiced rum whipped cream
toffee cream anglaise$65 per person
tax and gratuity are not included
family style seating and service
1388 Locust St, Walnut Creek
Last month I noted that Sunol Ridge Restaurant and Bar would be opening soon in downtown Walnut Creek and they are now open. Previous posts show the front of the restaurant but as you can see the side entrance to their patio looks amazing as well. Check out their menus below (click the menu for a larger view).
Diablo Dish recently reported that the chef has switched to Frank Jordan, who “worked as chef de partie for Top Chef Season Six–winner Michael Voltaggio at his West Hollywood restaurant, Ink”.
Menu:
An amazing new exhibit called The Skull Show is being shown at the Bedford Gallery in downtown Walnut Creek in the Lesher Center now through August 31st. This was really fun to check out, one of my favorites!
From their website:
Closing our season, the Bedford will narrow its focus to the physical and historical world of the skull. The Skull Show examines the role that skulls have played in the historical register, as memento mori, traditional religious icons, and vanitas themes in still life paintings. The Skull Show will also highlight the role the skull has played in the contemporary arts, exploring its appearance in counter cultures such as skate, surf, tattoo, as well as urban graffiti projects.
More photos of the exhibit after the jump…
1501 N. Broadway #260, Walnut Creek
Yesterday I noted that the women’s fashion boutique Bella Mar Boutique opened where Bartlett Baron Men’s Fashion used to be; they are now located in a very office-like space directly above on the second floor in the same building (see photo after the jump for the hallway viewpoint). As I was walking to their new location I felt as if I was going to my dentist’s office. Inside is a high end men’s fashion store that reopened 3 months ago.
From their website:
Bartlett Baron Mens Fashion has always taken pride in offering unique fashions that blend together classic and contemporary styles. With our move we have created a truly one of a kind destination that focuses on the most important person – YOU!
According to their website they are offering 25% off their entire collection through June 25th.
Photos of the inside after the jump…
Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Wednesday, June 25th – Sunday, July 6th, 2014It’s a life lived out loud in this exhilarating new musical that weaves myth, memory and music to tell the uplifting and poignant story of one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time. It’s 1966 and the fabled songstress is preparing for one of the most important concerts of her career. Ella reflects on her life, her secrets and the love of music that made her soar. Featuring more than a dozen of her most famous hits, including They Can’t Take That Away From Me, How High the Moon, and That Old Black Magic, this swinging celebration is a must-see dazzling musical event for anyone who wants to fall in love with the magic and soul of Ella Fitzgerald all over again.
1501 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek
A new women’s fashion boutique called Bella Mar Boutique has opened in downtown Walnut Creek where Bartlett Baron Men’s Fashion used to be on N. Broadway directly across from the Walnut Creek Library.
From their Facebook page:
Bella Mar is a women’s clothing boutique. We offer contemporary, sophisticated, unique apparel, and accessories. We provide fashion to set apart from the crowd.
Our buyers hand select pieces that are in trend and in season. Bella Mar will bring you designer fashion at a fraction of the cost of the overpriced designer labels.
Bella Mar’s purpose is to offer a total shopping experience, with individualized customer service, and fashion forward personal styling, while maintaining an approachable retail atmosphere.
Inside:
A couple of years ago I noted that the Hand of Peace sculpture by California-based artist Beniamino Bufano would be displayed in Civic Park in downtown Walnut Creek for the next 25 years and the sculpture is now being displayed right next to the Walnut Creek library. It’s a lot bigger than I anticipated!
The co-owner of the Walnut Creek jewelry and gift shop Ming Quong, Nona Mock Wyman, composed a haiku to celebrate its return:
as today’s children
behold Bufano’s vision
they too shall stand tall
Backside view:
Photo by Paul Hara
Birthday Celebration for Lord Richard, the Turkey Vulture:
Lindsay Wildlife Museum
1931 1st Ave, Walnut Creek
Saturday, June 21st & SUnday, June 22nd, 2014
11:00am – 4:00pm | $8.50Lindsay Wildlife Museum hosts two days of celebrations honoring the 40th birthday of Lord Richard, the turkey vulture who greets and delights museum visitors from her al fresco aviary at the Walnut Creek Museum’s entrance. The parties include birthday cake specially baked for Richard, arts and crafts, learning the turkey vulture dance, storytelling and animal keeper talks about these magnificent birds. Guests will even learn to smell like a turkey vulture. The Museum’s longest resident, Richard was first raised by a San Francisco family after she was orphaned. When she came to the Museum in 1974, she was assumed to be male because, without more intimate examination, female and male turkey vultures look identical. Then, in late 1980, Richard laid an egg.