Beyond the Creek

Harvest Prep Kitchen Opens in Danville

December 2, 2015 11:30 am

202 Sycamore Valley Rd W, Danville

A new restaurant called Harvest Prep Kitchen has opened in the Danville Livery on Sycamore Valley Rd. and is open for breakfast and lunch, Tuesday – Friday 11:30 – 3pm and Saturday/Sunday 8:30am – 12:30pm. Check out their takeout menu here.

From their web page:

Chef Tommy DiMella/Owner
Tommy has been cooking for over 20 years using all types of cuisines from different parts of the country. Tommy’s travels have given him a strong background and knowledge with depth of flavors and purity of ingredients that support tradition and taste. To be a good cook you need to know and experience the basics according to Tommy. Chef Tommy believes that to be a good chef you need to take those basic experiences and apply your own personal touch to them without losing their original integrity. Tommy believes that food should be composed of light clean flavors, purity of ingredients and steeped in tradition. He tries not to mask any original flavors of a product. He wants the flavors of his dishes to push and pull off of the main protein dish that he is showcasing.

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ivivva Opens in Broadway Plaza

December 2, 2015 8:30 am

Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek

ivivva, the girls’ athletic wear clothing store, has relocated from their downtown Walnut Creek showroom to a more popular spot right near Macy’s in Broadway Plaza. ivivva is owned by lululemon, which is also relocating to Broadway Plaza this spring.

I like how the new Broadway Plaza store fronts are allowed to have their own unique designs, signage, colors and textures as this makes for a more interesting look compared to the more identically monotonous designs of past and which are visible in other shopping areas where all stores have the same exact awnings, typefaces etc.

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History and Culture of Chocolate and Drinking Chocolate Tasting at Concord Library on Dec 5th

December 1, 2015 4:30 pm

History and Culture of Chocolate and Drinking Chocolate Tasting:

Concord Library
2900 Salvio St, Concord
Saturday, December 05, 2015
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Free

The origin of the word “chocolate” can be traced to the Aztec word “xocoatl,” which referred to a bitter drink brewed from cacao beans. The Latin name for the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, means “food of the gods.” In both the Mayan and Aztec cultures cocoa was the basis for a thick, cold, unsweetened drink called xocoatl, believed to be a health elixir. Join us for an educational and enlightening afternoon as we hear about the evolution of chocolate and sample chocolate in its liquid drinking form. Registration recommended.

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Teleferic Barcelona Opening Mid December in Downtown Walnut Creek

December 1, 2015 11:30 am

1500 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek

The wait is almost over as Teleferic Barcelona is planning to open mid-December in downtown Walnut Creek at the newly developed 1500 Mt. Diablo building at the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Main St. Last week the clothing store Vineyard Vines opened on the first floor and Telerific will be on the second floor.

From their website (via Google translate):

A kitchen level we have also wanted to adapt to American tastes. Very soon you will begin to discover the variety of tapas, cocktails and Spanish tapas that we have prepared.

Note the living wall at left in the above photo. The next time you walk by keep your eye out for hummingbirds who like the flowers and fruit-bearing plants.

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piece. Opens in Lafayette Clocktower

December 1, 2015 8:30 am

3569C Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette

Last month we learned about a new luxury clothing boutique and home accessories shop called piece. would be opening in the Lafayette Clocktower building in downtown Lafayette and they are now open. Early next year they plan on expanding into the space next door next to Lace & Bustle Bridal.

From their Facebook page:

A uniquely edited and carefully curated collection of luxury items for the woman, man, and home.
For when you need that perfect…piece.

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Rainwater Harvesting Workshop on Dec 12th in Walnut Creek

November 30, 2015 4:30 pm

Rainwater Harvesting Workshop:

Private home
Walnut Creek
Saturday, December 12th, 2015
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | $35 – $100 (sliding scale)

Save hundreds of gallons of water by capturing the rain that falls on your own roof! In this hands-on workshop participants will learn while doing, as a rain barrel system is installed in a Walnut Creek backyard. You’ll get all the info about sizing your system, parts, different types of set-ups, and much more. Healthy lunch provided.

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Kit & Ace Opens in Broadway Plaza

November 30, 2015 11:30 am

Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek

We learned that the active wear clothing store Kit & Ace (created by the same person who founded Lululemon) was coming to Broadway Plaza back in June and they are now open despite the unfinished store front. If you look closely you can see there are two mannequins out front featuring their clothing.

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Lush Cosmetics Opens in Broadway Plaza

November 30, 2015 8:30 am

Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek

Last week Kiehl’s and Lou & Grey opened in Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek and on Saturday Lush Cosmetics opened right next to the Macy’s side entrance. You can see the shoe store Ecco right next door and Ivivva opened right across from Lush as well.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

November 25, 2015 4:30 pm

Photo by Flickr user noahbulgaria

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

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Lou & Grey Opens in Broadway Plaza

November 25, 2015 2:00 pm

Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek

Over the summer we learned that the Ann Taylor-owned activewear clothing store Lou & Grey would be opening in the newly redeveloped section of Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek and they are now open (along with Kiehl’s). Ann Taylor Loft is open in downtown Walnut Creek next to Uniqlo. Stay tuned for more store openings on Black Friday such as the girls activewear shop Ivivva.

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