1273 Locust St Walnut Creek
Thanks to a reader for tweeting us that the frozen yogurt shop Coco Swirl is closing today in downtown Walnut Creek. So if you’re looking for an ice cream doughnut sandwich you’re going to have to head out to their Pleasant Hill location. Last year we noted that this location was available for lease.
1677 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
Last month we learned that the Vietnamese fusion restaurant Élevé would be transformed by the same owner into a casual restaurant focusing on small plates and as you can see the transformation has now begun. Track their progress on Facebook here and bookmark their website for future reference here. They are located in downtown Walnut Creek a block from Civic Park and the current Walnut Creek library.
Dinner for The Dead at Walnut Creek Yacht Club:
Walnut Creek Yacht Club
1555 Bonanza St, Walnut Creek
Wednesday, July 29th, 2015
6:00pm | $65In honor of the 50th Anniversary
of The Grateful Dead(yes Chef Kev is a Dead Head)
We are having a party to help celebrate
the final shows and the end of an era.
Put on your tie dye and come on down
Gather on the Aft Deck 6:00Menu
Electric Kool Aid Cocktail
I love finding new dishes to try at food truck markets like the one shown above that recently stopped in downtown Walnut Creek. But the height of the ordering and pickup windows is dizzily high so I feel like a kindergartner when ordering. Does anyone else feel awkward ordering and picking up from these ultra-high food trucks?
550 Hartz Ave, Danville
In the beginning of the year we learned that Blue Line Pizza was coming to Hartz Ave. in Danville where Rakestraw Books used to be and they have now opened. Check out their menu here. Blue Line Pizza is from the same owners as Little Star Pizza in San Francisco.
From their Facebook page:
The award-winning pizza from legendary SF-based Little Star Pizza is expanding throughout the Bay Area with a new name and look (but same great food). Blue Line Pizza is a neighborhood pizzeria that features tasty organic salads and appetizers, gluten and vegan free options, an assortment of quality beers, wines and signature cocktails, and, of course, our famous Chicago deep-dish and New York thin crust style pizzas.
From a press release:
Food truck lovers rejoice! Beginning on Tuesday, July 14th the community of Walnut Creek can come together to enjoy a variety of Off the Grid food trucks, live entertainment from Oakland’s Borrowed Trouble rock band, wine and beer garden, and lots of tasty reasons to come back every Tuesday with family and friends for this ongoing weekly event.
The location is what truly makes this food truck event unique. The shuttered McDonald’s restaurant parking lot on N. California Blvd. has been graciously donated by Rescore Property Company in order for Walnut Creek to provide this event in a safe and central location. It’s an inspiring example of how a community can repurpose a dated fast food parking lot into a modern food truck and entertainment experience.
“Walnut Creek Downtown has worked diligently for several years to bring an exciting food truck event to downtown for our community to come out and enjoy together,” says Byron Best, Executive Director of Walnut Creek Downtown. “By partnering with the City of Walnut Creek and using the new Downtown Enhancement Initiatives funds, we were able to see this event come to fruition with Off the Grid who we’re extremely excited to work with.”
The rotating lineup of nine food trucks in Walnut Creek will include Drewski’s Hot Rod Kitchen, Gyro Stop Kebab G, ADOruBOwl, and IzzyA’s Frozen Custard. Find the full lineup available at http://offthegridsf.com.
What: Off the Grid: Walnut Creek Downtown food truck event
Where: Walnut Creek Downtown @ 1380 N. California Blvd. Walnut Creek, CA 94596
When: Tuesday, July 14 (and every subsequent Tuesday) 5 to 9 p.m. with music from 6 to 8 p.m.
1353 Locust Street, Walnut Creek
A new restaurant called Fuego Tequila Grill is replacing Taqueria Mexican Grill in downtown Walnut Creek and although there is a major upgrade to the facade being made the Chinese restaurant Dragon’s Pond is still open.
3422 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Bonehead’s Texas BBQ opened last week in Lafayette, replacing Bo’s Barbecue that closed last year. Check out their menu here. The inside looks really nice and spacious with several TVs gracing the walls. There is also plenty of outdoor seating on their patio.
From their Facebook page:
Bonehead’s Texas BBQ is the brainchild of a Silicon Valley salesman who chose to do something he loved rather than continue to put up with the daily commute. As a hobby, Dave Roberson (aka Duroc) has been smoking for friends, family, churches, and large groups for 25 plus years. His first smoker was made from a 55-gallon drum, a stolen grocery cart, (he says someone else stole it, he just didn’t know where to return it to—yeah, right, Dave) and a couple of lawn mower tires. Yep, he’s a real bubba!
All of our products are prepared fresh daily… well most of them. The cole slaw, tater salad and other salads are. But our meats take days to prepare even before they’re cooked. You see, we use rubs on our meats that we allow to soak in for up to 72 hours before they’re placed in the smoker. That’s what makes Bonehead’s different – we’re slow – low and slow smokin’. We use wood fired smokers only – no natural gas or charcoal. We believe natural gas and charcoal leave a flavor that isn’t compatible to tasty food.
More photos of the inside after the jump…
15 Crescent Dr, Pleasant Hill
Earlier this spring we learned that Jack’s Restaurant and Bar would be expanding in the Downtown Pleasant Hill Shopping Center with an additional bar called Jack’s Taps and they are now open. I dropped by and checked out the inside which looks great. Priced at around $6, brews including pale ales, pilsners, porters, stouts and more are available on tap.
7001 Sunne Ln, Walnut Creek
The new Peruvian restaurant Parada is opening this Thursday in Walnut Creek near the Pleasant Hill BART station and I had a chance to check out a preview last night. The inside looks great with hand painted murals and signs throughout giving it a comfy feel. There is plenty of outdoor seating in front and on the side. The Pisco Punch cocktail with pisco quebranta, housemade pineapple gum and lemon was delicious, as were the tapas appetizers. Some of the ingredients and tastes, including some with quite a kick, were new to me and they all tasted outstanding. I can’t wait to come back to try more dishes out!
Check out their menu here and here. You can make a reservation on OpenTable here. They are open for lunch and dinner.
Plenty more photos after the jump…
