1632 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
Ikoi Sushi opened back in September in downtown Walnut Creek and their signage is up. There used to be a little “IKOI SUSHI” sign on the Rinehart Clock in front but that has been removed, leaving the GELATO text left over from a previous cafe, Honey Berry.
Photo from Pokeatery
1345 Newell Ave, Walnut Creek
The poke craze continues… Last December we learned that the frozen yogurt shop Blush was closing in Walnut Creek (near Whole Foods), to be replaced by Pokeatery, and they have now opened. There are two other Bay Area locations (San Mateo and Castro Valley) with Walnut Creek being their first franchise location. Check out their Walnut Creek menu here and find out more on their website here. I look forward to trying out a Dole whip float (see photo below)!
From a press release:
Inspired by the love of the Hawaiian Islands, Pokeatery founders, Joann and Derek Chung, wanted to bring some of their favorite flavors to the mainland and offer a place where anyone could come and enjoy great poké bowls as a meal whenever they crave it. Pokeatery has taken the Hawaiian flavors of poké and updated them with a modern California twist, offering several delicious varieties made with sashimi-grade Ahi, Albacore, Salmon and more. Their sustainably-sourced, quality seafood menu is complemented with quality produce and ingredients. Pokeatery offers a wide variety of bases, sauces and toppings, allowing customers to create customizable poké bowls in a fast casual atmosphere.
Photo from Pokeatery
Photo from Pokeatery
Lafayette Forge
A new coffee and “spirits” spot called Papa’s Coffee & Spirits is coming to the Lafayette Forge shopping plaza where the Lafayette Art Gallery used to be. According to the California ABC pending permit the owner is the same as Bonehead’s Texas BBQ located next door. Stay tuned…
The Veranda, Concord
San Diego-based Puesto, the “Mexican artisan kitchen & bar” is coming to the Veranda shopping center this summer, right next to the IMAX movie theater. Check out their menu at one of their other locations here.
From their website:
Before Puesto, we had all left San Diego to chase ambitions in other ventures. Though we found individual success in other places, it was tacos that brought us back together and back to California —Chef Luisteen’s tacos, to be exact. His passion for completely re –defining the taco brought us back to our hometown of San Diego to start a family business, the taco stand we’d never even dreamed of. Now we’re tacoteurs and have never looked back.
Danville Livery
Hawaiian Wow Wow Lemonade, which we learned would be coming to Danville Livery in October, is getting closer to oepning with their signage now up. According to a New Year’s post on their Instagram page they “promise to be open soon!”. Learn more about their handcrafted lemonade here.
125 Hartz Ave, Danville
In November we learned about a new Japanese restaurant called Kibo Sushi that would take over where Kane Sushi used to be in Danville and the signage is now up with an additional “Grand Opening Soon” temporary sign up as well. Stay tuned…
1353 Willow Pass Rd, Concord
In October we learned that GEN Korean BBQ House would be coming to Concord where the old Sizzler used to be on Willow Pass Rd. and the signage is now up as they get ready to open, hopefully soon. Check out their menu here and Concord Facebook page here.
From their website:
The character for GEN simply means, “The beginning”, and we welcome you to join us in the art of Korean barbeque. We are looking to transcend the norm of Korean BBQ by fusing different flavors that we have found using ingredients from different parts of the world.
The Veranda, Concord
Plenty of pizza choices coming to Concord with Mod Pizza opening recently in the new Veranda shopping center in Concord. Check out their menu here. Yesterday we learned that the Neapolitan pizzeria MidiCi will be opening next door at the Willows shopping center.
Willows Shopping Center, Concord
In addition to burgers and Mexican food you’ll soon be able to get your pizza fix as the franchise Neapolitan pizzeria MidiCi is coming to the Willows shopping center where Road Runner Sports used to be. Check out their pizza menu here.
From their website:
Our certified pizzaiolos (pizza makers) invite you to select fresh, natural, high quality, mostly non-GMO high quality ingredients to create your ideal Neapolitan Pizza in the open, center-staged bustling kitchen, also known as “the heart”. We meet rigorous gastronomic rules to serve authentic Neapolitan Pizza, famous for its a chewy and crisp dough topped with all-natural ingredients, all baked to perfection in 90 seconds. Staying true to Neapolitan heritage, our dough is made with only four fine ingredients – non-GMO double zero flour imported from Naples, pure water, sea salt and live yeast. The authentic and pure garnishes include – crushed non-GMO Italian peeled tomatoes, fresh whole mozzarella and non-GMO, Italian extra virgin cold-pressed olive oil.
2035 Salvio St, Concord
The very first Mom’s Touch chick and burger franchise restaurant from South Korea (with over 1000 restaurants) opened yesterday near Todos Santos Plaza in Concord where Wild Ox used to be. There is a new patio outside and the inside looks very nice. Prices are reasonable and with New Orleans/Korean style seasoning this is definitely something I want to try! Check out their menu here.
