54 Mint Forno Opening Italian Bakery in Walnut Creek in Feb

December 20, 2013 11:30 am

1686 Locust St, Walnut Creek
Back in August of last year the Walnut Creek Baking Company closed for good and now 54 Mint Forno will be opening an Italian Bakery in February at this downtown Walnut Creek location on Locust St. It looks like this is related to 54 Mint with locations in San Francisco and Concord.

From a Craigslist job posting:

54 Mint -Il Forno will open an Italian Bakery in Walnut Creek downtown. We are looking for an experienced baker/pastry chef to oversee the operation and production of a small bakery.
Breads, pizza, focaccia and simple Italian pastries will be our core business, salary will be adequate to the experience proven. Opening mid Feb . 2014.

Sign:

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Vic Stewart’s Open for Lunch through December 24th in Walnut Creek

December 19, 2013 10:00 am

850 S. Broadway, Walnut Creek

Thanks to a reader for sending word that the steakhouse Vic Stewart’s in Walnut Creek will be open for lunch from 11am – 2pm on weekdays through December 24th..

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The Salad Spot Opens in Walnut Creek

December 17, 2013 11:30 am

3003 Oak Rd, Walnut Creek

Thanks to a reader for sending word that The Salad Spot recently opened in Walnut Creek near the Pleasant Hill BART station in the PMI Plaza. Check out the menu in the photo below. According to a description in the window The Salad Spot existed in Florida but the owner relocated to the Bay Area and reopened it here.

From their Facebook page:

Now you can make your own salad or wrap the way YOU like it! Your choice of greens, proteins, and a HUGE assortment of delicious salad toppings.

Great proteins: Albacore white tuna, grilled chicken breast strips, cheeses, fresh tuna salad, cranberry chicken salad, curried chicken salad.

Healthy toppings: flax seeds, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, slivered almonds, peanuts. Home-style soups!

Home-made HOT BAR! Incredible Beef Meatballs. Build your own Turkey Meat Tacos. Stuffed Pepper Stew. Tuscan White Bean Stew. Turkey Chili with Beans.

Salad & Hot Bar — $7.49/lb Soups by the cup.

VALIDATED PARKING

Inside view:

Menu:

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Roam Artisan Burgers Opening this Week in Lafayette

December 16, 2013 11:30 am

23 Lafayette Cir, Lafayette

The wait is almost over as Artisan Roam Burgers is opening later THIS week in downtown Lafayette according to the owner. As you can see from the photo above the signage is up. I peeked inside and it’s looking awesome. I can’t wait to finally get to try out one of these burgers!

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Yogurt Park Closes After 26 Years in Broadway Plaza

December 13, 2013 11:30 am

Yogurt Park has closed their Broadway Plaza location after 26 years due to the Broadway Plaza redevelopment taking place very soon. However, they plan on reopening in two years when the new Broadway Plaza opens. According to a sign in the window, “The mall has granted Yogurt Park the opportunity to re-open in approximately two years after all construction is complete”. Their Berkeley location will remain open.

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Walnut Creek N Main / Mt Diablo Corner Project Getting a Cafe & Covered Rooftop Dining Area

December 12, 2013 11:30 am

1500 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek

Back in February I provided an update to the N Main / Mt Diablo Corner Project in downtown Walnut Creek and now the plan has been slightly updated again with a cafe going in on the ground floor and a covered rooftop dining area above as you can see in the rendering. Check out Diablo Dish for more details and renderings.

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Roam Artisan Burgers Opening before Christmas in Lafayette

December 10, 2013 11:30 am

23 Lafayette Cir, Lafayette

Back in May I noted that Roam Artisan Burgers was planning to open in October in La Fiesta Square in downtown Lafayette and according to Lamorinda Weekly they now plan on opening by Christmas. Check out their menu here.

From Craigslist:

Roam Artisan Burgers offers delicious burgers, sides, shakes and sodas crafted from fresh quality ingredients that have been carefully sourced from a select group of purveyors. Roam is committed to utilizing sustainable meats and produce, as well as other high-quality ingredients in its menu, which begins with 100% grass-fed beef, free-range turkey, all-natural bison and an organic veggie burger. The burgers pair perfectly with Roam’s lineup of Straus Family Creamery shakes, house-made sodas, wine and kombucha on tap, and local brews.

Roam offers lunch and dinner in a casual, counter-order setting that is fun, family-friendly and eco-conscious.

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Smitten Ice Cream Coming to Lafayette

December 9, 2013 8:30 am

3545 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette

Back in August I noted that Cold Stone Creamery was closing to make room for Smitten Ice Cream and Smitten is definitely opening in this location. Right now the inside is completely bare but the Smitten plans are visible in front.

From the La Fiesta Square website:

We are excited to announce that Smitten Ice Cream is coming to La Fiesta Square.

Smitten Ice Cream uses the freshest and purest ingredients to freeze each batch of ice cream to-order, from scratch, in 60 seconds with the help of patented, liquid nitrogen-enabled Brrr™ machines.

It’s new, old-fashioned ice cream — and we know you’re going to love it.

Look for more details regarding opening date soon. In the meantime, we invite you to watch this video, which tells how Smitten Founder Robyn Sue Fisher turned her passion for ice cream into this unique ice cream business.

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Japanese Restaurant Serika under New Ownership in Orinda

December 6, 2013 11:30 am

The Japanese restaurant Serika in Orinda Theatre Square is getting new owners based on a sign in their window. See sign below:

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MexCal Restaurant Opens in Orinda

December 5, 2013 11:30 am

65 Moraga Way, Orinda

In October I noted that a new ‘fuscion’ resturant was opening in downtown Orinda on Moraga Way and it turned out to be none other than Danville-based MexCal, which opened last Friday. The Orinda location will also feature fresh tortillas made daily as well as mostly organic dishes made with locally grown vegetables.

The inside is spacious:

Check out the menu and photos of the bar after the jump…

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