Spotted at a very cool store, can anyone guess which one?
I can’t believe it’s been an entire year that this blog has been up and running. I attempted to make three new posts every weekday and came pretty close. With a new job it’s become a bit harder to keep up but I enjoy checking out the new things going on in the area. Thank you to everyone who reads and participates on this blog. I know it’s small but if anyone has any suggestions on topics you’d like to see or improvements that could be made the coming year please let me know. I can be reached at adam [at] beyondthecreek.com
In case you’re interested, this blog first focused on Walnut Creek and later added Lafayette with occasional posts on Orinda and Moraga. The header image changed from the Neiman Marcus construction to the backdrop of Mt. Diablo, and recently the logo has been updated.
I look forward to keeping up the posts this coming year and beyond, thanks!
From the Walnut Creek Downtown Association website:
5th Annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat
Friday, October 26th from 2-6pmCollect as much candy as you can at participating downtown businesses. Come dressed in your costume!! The WCDBA encourages participants to be eco-friendly!
Participants- please bring your own favorite candy bag!
*Starting location will be at Lesher Center for the Arts*
1601 Civic Drive
To receive a bag and map of participating businesses, you must begin at the Lesher Center for the Arts between 2pm-5:30pm. Children 10 & under must be accompanied by an adult. We hope to see you there!
Special note: This Trick-or-Treat event takes place in the traditional downtown area. Broadway Plaza hosts their own Trick-or-Treating event on October 31st.
I received word from Diablo Foods editor Ethan Fletcher that the special November Food issue including the Food Awards is now available. Check out the Food Awards here, and the November issue here.
The awards are broken down into five areas, “The Perennials”, “Signature Dishes”, “New Restaurants”, “Top Chefs”, and Dining Destinations”. Walnut Creek and Lafayette (sorry Orinda and Moraga) restaurants were awarded:
The Perennials: Prima Ristorante, Va de Vi
Signature Dishes: Artisan Bistro (Pan-Seared Wild John Dory), Chevalier (Vol au Vent de Ris de Veau Braise au Madere et aux Morilles), Elive (Market Fish Curry Xao Lan), Ottavio (Gnocci di Ricotta con Sugo di Anatra Affumicata)
New Restaurants: Corners Tavern
Top Chefs: Steve Jaramillo (Metro)
I think Walnut Creek Yacht Club should have been on the Perennials list. Should anything else have been included or not? Also, check out this week’s Diablo Dish for lots of news and info on the East Bay food scene.
Spotted in downtown Walnut Creek, this is the smallest truck I have ever seen. Surely this is a custom job, right?
Back in August I noted that the Martinez bakery Le Gateau Elegant would be relocating to Walnut Creek, and I just received an email from the owner stating the relocation has begun in earnest:
Just wanted to update you, we have begun our relocation to Walnut Creek today. First with our oven being relocated as I am writing this. We expect to open in 2-3 weeks after final approvals from the Health Department and Walnut Creek building department . We are very excited to move our bakery, product and name to Walnut Creek!
So I would say the bakery should open sometime in November. By the way, during my jury duty stint in Martinez a couple of weeks ago I happened to walk past the original Le Gateau Elegant and tried a cookie which was very good.
Spotted at my new favorite thrift store, Rainbow’s End in downtown Walnut Creek:
From 1959, Let’s Dance with David Carroll and his Orchestra
Does anyone remember when this was first released? Was it popular?
Phoo by Flickr user Metal Chris
From the City of Lafayette website:
Please join us at the Lafayette Community Center in the Live Oak Room for a ghoulishly good time!
Friday, October 28 and Sunday, October 30
5:00-7:00pm (not too scary; parents accompany children 7 and under)
7:30-9:30 (very scary – for children 8 and over)
Ages 7 and under $3
Ages 8 and over $5Sponsored by the Lafayette Youth Commission
Proceeds benefit the Lafayette Youth Commission Projects
The amazing Lafayette Whole Foods, in addition to selling black water is now selling ostrich eggs for $49 a pop! They come from Tehachapi, CA (a couple of hours north of Los Angeles), home of the Indian Point Ostrich Ranch where you can take a tour to view the ostriches. How cool is that?
Now what do you do with ostrich eggs? Do use them in place of regular eggs? For example if a recipe says to use 6 eggs can you substitute one ostrich egg? Can you use them for Easter egg decorations? How many people would an ostrich egg omelet feed? By the way, the eggs next the ostrich eggs in the photo are actually duck eggs, which themselves are bigger than chicken eggs, so these are some HUGE eggs!
