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.
With all these blockbuster movies being released as the summer movie watching season starts I’ve been wondering what must-see movies people are planning on seeing. I want to see We are the Best, but a mindless blockbuster also sounds good. So what movie, blockbuster or not, are you most looking forward to seeing this summer?
Sweet Thursday with Author John Lescroart:
Lafayette Library and Learning Center
3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Thursday, June 26th, 2014
7:00pm – 8:00pm | FreeJohn Lescroart returns to Sweet Thursday to discuss his 25th novel, The Keeper, featuring Dismas Hardy and Abe Glitsky on the hunt for clues about a woman who has gone missing.
On the evening before Thanksgiving, Hal Chase, a guard in the San Francisco County Jail, drives to the airport to pick up his step-brother for the weekend. When they return, Hals wife, Katie, has disappeared without a clue. When Hal becomes the prime suspect, he brings in Dismas Hardy for his defense. Hardy calls on his friend, former homicide detective Abe Glitsky, to look into the case.
Against a backdrop of conspiracy and corruption, ambiguous motives and suspicious alibis, an obsessed Glitsky closes in on the elusive truth. As other deaths begin to pile up he realizes, perhaps too late, that the next victim might be himself.Free event; refreshments will be provided. Register at tinyurl.com/johnlescroartkeeper
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.
In May the Lafayette Juniors held their annual kitchen tour and I have been highlighting kitchens from the tour; check out the farmhouse, Cape Cod, ranch homes and now featured is a Happy Valley rustic kitchen.
The purpose of the kitchen tour is to help raise funds for local non-profit organizations and a couple of weeks ago the Lafayette Juniors distributed close to $50,000 to this year’s beneficiaries including First Place for Youth, STAND!, SEED, the Lafayette Library, and Twin Canyon Camp.
More info about this rustic home:
The rustic home was a complete tear down and remodel. The home’s rock exterior makes it feel like a true eclectic traditional home. The kitchen opens up to both the family room and outdoors for easy entertaining. The large island, steam oven, convection oven, and built-in hutch are some of the many highlights of this kitchen. The Warwick inset cabinet doors add extra space to the cabinets and drawers as well as a handsome feel to the entire kitchen.
Shaded terraced area with pond in back:
More photos of the inside after the jump…
Family room opens to kitchen:
Built-in Miele Espresso machine:
“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…
Latin Rock – Tribute to Santana:
Moraga Commons Park
1425 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga
Thursday, June 26th, 2014
6:30pm – 8:30pm | FreeZEBOP! consists of seven energetic musicians who take great pride in performing the music of Santana with passion and dedication. ZEBOP! has gained the attention of Santana fans as evidenced by their achievement of having been voted the Best Tribute Band in Northern California in the 98.5 FM KFOX Last Band Standing Contest. It is the dedication and wealth of talent that these musicians collectively contribute that makes the ZEBOP! experience a memorable one, keeping any crowd on their feet while moving to the music of Santana!
71 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette
The rustic, casual eatery American Kitchen is planning on a soft opening next month in July according to their Facebook page. As you can see in the photos their signage is up. Stay tuned…
