Last month I noted that Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop was opening soon in Walnut Creek and now the signage is up at the N. Broadway and Ygnacio Valley Rd. location so it can’t be long before it’s open now. Thanks to a reader for pointing this out.
Last month I noted that Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop was opening soon in Walnut Creek and now the signage is up at the N. Broadway and Ygnacio Valley Rd. location so it can’t be long before it’s open now. Thanks to a reader for pointing this out.
Yesterday I noted that Bake! was closing in downtown Walnut Creek (formerly Walnut Creek Baking Company) and now a reliable source sends news that the wine bar Residual Sugar is taking over the Bake! location and will include a full-scale kitchen. More info as it becomes available. Residual Sugar is located at 1684 Locust St. right near the Lesher Center for the Arts.
Well, it’s only been about six months since Bake! opened in the Walnut Creek Baking Company location in downtown Walnut Creek but it has now closed according to a sign in the window. Thanks to a reader for sending this update. Previously, the Walnut Creek Baking Company had been in business for over 10 years when they suddenly closed and Bake! took over the equipment and even the recipes. As for what will replace Bake!, who wants to see WCBC come back?
Last week I posted a photo of the unfinished Ike’s Love and Sandwiches sign in downtown Walnut Creek and this is the completed sign. Looks a lot better now. According to Diablo Dish they could be open as early as next week after their final permit gets approved. Can’t wait for this!
With newer pizza joints opening up in downtown Lafayette such as Patxi’s and Pizza Antica, it looks like competition took a toll on Mountain Mike’s Pizza as it closed on February 24th (h/t Patch). Citibank next door also moved out around the same time meaning that the entire building is now empty. That could mean it could be leased together, or torn down for something new as it looked rather dilapidated. Mountain Mike’s in Moraga is still open though in the Rheem Shopping Center.
I actually have never eaten there before; any fans of this place?
Check out the creative moving sign:
While walking by Starbucks in Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek over the weekend I noticed this La Boulange sign on the Starbucks door. Looks like Starbucks is finally trying to offer higher quality bakery items in their stores. Has anyone tried Boulange items at Starbucks yet? How are they?
A couple of weeks ago I noted that the restaurant Rustic Kitchen would be opening where Roya’s Royal Garden used to be on Mt. Diablo Blvd. in downtown Lafayette and now Diablo Dish has more details about the owners and the cuisine, which will be, “seasonal, California-American fare, including daily housemade pastas and flatbreads, grilled fish and grass-fed steak, salads and sandwiches for lunch.”
I had a chance to drop by and chat with co-owner Gary Rust who also mentioned that the cuisine will be organic when possible. Based on his work at One Market, Lark Creek’s flagship restaurant as well as his background growing up in Massachusetts, seafood dishes such as Dungeness crab cakes and lobster salads will be appearing on the menu during the season in addition to house smoked and grilled fish. Add homemade pastas, steaks, burgers as well as an expansive wine list and cocktails designed by former Walnut Creek Yacht Club bartender and Food Network celebrity Manny Hinojosa and this is shaping up to be a must-try restaurant.
Check out the interior progress with new flooring recently put in:
Based on Rust’s description of using reclaimed wood for an upscale casual food environment I’m excited to see how it turns out in a few weeks. Rustic Kitchen is located at 3576 Mt. Diablo Blvd. across from Postino.
Back in January the Walnut Creek night club Vice Ultra Lounge closed after a contentious existence culminating with a sarcastic YouTube video by owner Matt DeLima thanking the city for their ‘help’ through the years. Now, DeLima is back at the same location with a new sports (& coffee) lounge concept called Blu 42. With a full liquor license and breakfast, lunch and dinner menus available, it’s possible to enjoy the game while watching one of the numerous widescreen TVs hanging around the lounge area. Thanks to a reader for letting me know about this.
The back part of the lounge will offer dancing at the end of April. Blu 42 will be open every day until 11pm and in April they are scheduled to be open until 2am. With a full liquor license and dancing you might be tempted to call it part night club, part sports lounge but Blu 42 wants to stay away from that word so call it a dance lounge, call it a night life establishment but remember, it’s not a night club. 😉
Check out their breakfast menu (click to enlarge):
This is part of the sports lounge area:
Blu 42 is located at 1251 Arroyo Way in Walnut Creek between Civic Drive and N. Broadway.
Some more progress at Ike’s as their signage is now up in downtown Walnut Creek near The Cheesecake factory. We’ve been patiently waiting until they open up. Can’t wait to try this place out!
Just read this on Ike’s Facebook page:
Want Ike’s coupons emailed to you (almost) every month? Also, get a FREE sandwich coupon emailed to you on your birthday! Join our E-preciation Club for free HERE: https://secure.murgent.com/emopt/index.php?id=5580
♥ + Sandwiches + Appreciation,
Ike Shehadeh
Ike’s is expanding like crazy with a new location opening in Los Angeles as well.
Canvas and Cabernet, a new paint and sip art studio that serves alcoholic beverages in downtown Walnut Creek has a cool looking wood logo hand-carved from an antique blade displayed in their bar area. Note the various beverages available in the foreground. The place is looking better and better every time I drop by.
Check out their schedule here. Canvas and Cabernet is located at 1421 Locust Street in Walnut Creek.