Thanks to everyone for sending word that Starbucks is closing all La Boulange cafes by September, including ones in Danville, Lafayette, and Walnut Creek. I’ve had good experiences eating here so this is more disappointing news. Starbucks will continue to carry the La Boulange brand within Starbucks but based on what I’ve tried that’s a far cry to what was offered in the La Boulange cafes themselves for some reason.
376 Park St, Moraga
In March we learned that a new restaurant called Graze would be replacing Shish Kabab Show in the Rheem Valley Shopping Center in Moraga and Graze has now opened. For now they will be open for lunch Wednesdays through Saturdays and after July 4th they will also open for dinner, noon through 8pm. The owners used to have a restaurant called PAU in Hawaii serving the same dishes (besides the pizza), using fresh, local ingredients. Check out their lunch menu here and drinks menu here. Beer and wine will be available.
1400 Willow Pass Rd, Concord
Lin’s Buffet opened last month in Concord where Buffet City used to be, a couple of blocks from Hobby Lobby.
1352 Locust St, Walnut Creek
From an email:
I’m excited to share that Tender Greens’ Walnut Creek location will host Farmer Market Cooking Classes & Summer Series with Chef Sean Eastwood with three editions of a Farmers Market Walk, Cooking Class and Lunch with Bay Area local, Chef Sean (you may have seen his Farmer’s Market experience in the San Jose Mercury News Eat Drink Play column recently, and he’s excited to bring this experience to Bay Area locals, firsthand!)
The first class will be on Sunday, June 14, 2015 beginning at 9 a.m. with a seasonal focus on stone fruits (cherries, peaches, apricots, pluots and cherries), and will continue once a month all summer long. Each class will have a different seasonal focus and guests can opt for one class or take all three. A full schedule of this summer’s events is below.
At each class, guests can enjoy an interactive, hands-on farmers market walk with Chef Eastwood to learn about the local produce with tastings along the way. With their farmers market haul in tow, guests will fully immerse themselves in the farm-fresh lifestyle by joining in a cooking class led by Chef Sean, followed by a private lunch with wine pairings.
1677 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
As a huge fan of Élevé‘s pork firepot dish, it’s with trepidation learning that the Vietnamese restaurant will be closing on June 27th as chef owner Michele DuRye plans on reopening as an American style restaurant late July. Called Library on Main, according to Diablo Dish, it will, “feature a retro library theme, walls of books, quotes from famous writers, and other nods to the written word” which is apt since the original Walnut Creek library was located at this corner. Stay tuned…
3160 Danville Blvd, Alamo
Thanks to a reader for sending word and photo showing the new Alamo Grill signage at the Stone Valley Center in Alamo. The previous restaurant, Izzy’s, closed on April 13th. According to Diablo Dish, it will feature hearty dishes like a Horseshoe sandwich and lighter fare such as salads.
1552 Locust St, Walnut Creek
A couple of weeks ago we learned that Izakaya Jun would be soft-opening in downtown Walnut Creek and they opened over the weekend. The wood paneling looks great with a long bar towards the back and various sake bottles decorating the perimeter. I sat there and enjoyed eating dishes I haven’t tried since being in Japan such as shiokara (fermented squid) and yaki onigiri (grilled rice balls) with ume (pickled plum) and grilled salmon. (See photos after the jump). Both went great with the draft Asahi beer they offer. (Warning: shiokara is an acquired taste, try it if you dare!) Check out their appetizer and sashimi menu here, the entrees menu here and drinks menu here. They are also open for lunch.
More photos including food and entrance after the jump…
1500 Mt. Diablo, Walnut Creek
Back in February we learned that a new rooftop restaurant called Lighthouse would be opening at the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and N. Main St. in downtown Walnut Creek and now California Home + Design reports that the top floor restaurant will be renamed ROOFTOP with executive chef Justine Kelly, formerly of Slanted Door and The Battery in San Francisco, at the helm.
ROOFTOP is expected to open, “late fall 2015”, will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and will feature a, “raw bar, multiple fire pits, and plentiful lounge seating”.
Check out the cool rendering of the inside:
Robert Becker / IDF Global
Check out the bricks going up:
15 Crescent Dr, Pleasant Hill
Back in March we learned that Jack’s Taps would be opening early summer in the Downtown Pleasant Hill Shopping Center and their signage is now up. The sign notes that 20 taps will be featured including micro, local and organic brews.
From their Facebook page on May 10th:
Jack’s in PH will be closed for construction so we can break open the wall and connect Jack’s Taps to Jack’s restaurant and bar!!!
3629 Mt Diablo Blvd
Anyone know what’s going on at Johnny’s Donuts in Lafayette? A reader emailed:
Once a month or so, I take my 9 year old there in the morning for a donut. He’s been going in by himself to buy a donut since he was 6, and he says the people are not the same and they are not nice anymore…that they ignore him. And the donuts look different.
