500 Bollinger Canyon Way, San Ramon
An “Indian inspired” restaurant The Salt opened recently in San Ramon. Check for updates on their Insta page here.
500 Bollinger Canyon Way, San Ramon
An “Indian inspired” restaurant The Salt opened recently in San Ramon. Check for updates on their Insta page here.
1552 Locust St, Walnut Creek
The Japanese restaurant Kurumi that opened a few years ago in downtown Walnut Creek and switched ownership late last year was papered over when I walked by a few days ago. Phone is disconnected. Not looking good…
Broadway Pointe, Walnut Creek
A couple of years ago the boba cafe iTea opened in downtown Walnut Creek in the Broadway Pointe plaza across from Nordstrom but they have closed/rebranded with another boba cafe opening in its place called Teapot. As you can see from the menu below they also offer snacks and meals in addition to boba drinks.
College Park Center, Pleasant Hill
Recently I found myself strolling around College Park Center in Pleasant Hill when I passed by this bakery call Starbread, “Home of the Seniorita Bread”. I thought to myself, a Mexican bakery, no big deal, and moved on. As I lingered nearby, this sweet, sweet smell permeated my senses and I walked back to the bakery, this time peeking inside. “Hmm, looks like some kind of donuts, let me check this out”, I thought to myself. For $2 for a bag of five I figured, why not?
Needless to say, they were delicious and these aren’t even the famous seniorita breads. It turns out, this isn’t even a Mexican bakery; it’s a Filipino bakery and they offer other goods like roasted garlic peanuts and Camachile cookies which go great with coffee and tea. Addictingly so. My waistline may not thank me, but my taste buds sure are grateful! If you’re in the area be sure to check this place out.
More photos of food and the inside after the jump…
La Fiesta Square, Lafayette
Thanks to a reader for sending word that Chow in Lafayette has closed after over 15 years in business. To the rescue is Lafayette Restaurant Group, which opened Tutu’s Food & Drink with the same menu as Chow, sans alcohol for the time being until they can get a new license. The little market and bakery on the side thankfully remains, although they no longer sell wine bottles etc. there either. Check out their food menu here and drinks menu here.
Diablo Plaza, San Ramon
A bit late posting about this but the Indian restaurant Jalsa Kitchen opened late last year at Diablo Plaza in San Ramon. Check out their menu here. I stopped by recently and had their samosa chaat with garbanzo, mint, tamarind & yogurt which was delicious! If you’re in the area definitely drop by to try this place out.
From their website:
Jalsa Kitchen is an attempt by the well known Jalsa Catering & Events team to bring the devoured Jalsa food within the reach of food lovers in various cities in San Francisco Bay area. Our goal is to introduce the global community to the classic and modern aspects of the India food in a casual atmosphere. We are going to be adamant about sourcing high quality seasonal produce from the local farms. Quality and taste would be our core focus and we will leave the rest for our customers to decide.
The Shops at Todos Santos, Concord
I Love Teriaki & Sushi will be reopening across the street to the new Shops at Todos Santos plaza where Bangkok Kitchen used to be.
The Orchards at Walnut Creek
The juice bar Clean Juice is coming to the Orchards shopping center in Walnut Creek. Check out their menu here. In addition to juices they also offer Acai bowls, avocado and other toasts, and cleanses. I wonder how this will compare with Joe & the Juice?
From their website:
Clean Juice® started in 2014 as the brainchild of Kat & Landon Eckles. Landon, after spending years traveling internationally, was ready for a career change and more time at home with his growing family. Kat had spent the better part of a decade making smoothies and juices at home and shot off the idea of opening a juice bar in the Charlotte area.
The Orchards at Walnut Creek
The restaurant Sourdough and Co, that we learned would be coming to the Orchards shopping center in Walnut Creek in February, has now opened. Check out their menu here. I’m curious to try a Reuben or roast beef sandwich here.
3501 Clayton Rd, Concord
A new traditional Japanese restaurant called Izakaya An opened recently in the same small strip mall where Concord Tap House on Clayton Rd. in Concord is. Check out their tempura, grilled fish and kobachi menu here, hot pot, and noodle menu here, and ochazuke and dessert menu here. As someone who lived in Japan for several years in the 90’s this place reminds me most closely to the cozy izakayas I encountered over there. Even the music playing here is from the 80s/90s. I definitely want to try this place out soon!
From their Yelp page:
Authentic Japanese Izakaya An, is clean and cozy at-home-like atomosphere gives you relaxed vibe where you can come enjoy yourself or with friends and family. We are specialized in kobachi (small homestyle dish) to compliment Japanese Sake and beer as well as charcoal grilled Yakitori, tempura, ochazuke and noodles.
