Danville Square
Although zpizza in Danville Square has closed a sign in the windows points out that their San Ramon location remains open. Check out their menu here.
1387 Locust St, Walnut Creek
Thanks to everyone who sent word that Crogan’s Bar & Grill is closing next week on January 23rd in downtown Walnut Creek after 39 years. In 2014 their alcohol license was suspended for a couple of weeks and over the summer there was a homicide nearby which resulted in their hours being cut by the city as you can see in the sign below.
From the Facebook event page:
It’s with a heavy heart that we announce that after 39 years of business, Crogan’s will officially be closing the doors on Monday, January 23.
Many of you have been following the dealings with Crogan’s and the city of Walnut Creek. Unfortunately, the city has made it clear that they have very specific ideas in mind for what Walnut Creek should be and Crogan’s no longer fits into their narrative. Ultimately, we have been forced to close our doors.
Orchards Shopping Center, Walnut Creek
The Jack’s Urban Eats signage is now up in the Orchards shopping center in Walnut Creek and according to their Facebook page they plan on opening mid to late January. Check out their menu here.
406 Hartz Ave, Danville
The Italian restaurant Mangia Mi has expanded into the building in front on Hartz Ave. where the antique and interior design boutique Sweet Magnolia used to be where they added a new bar and additional dining space. Check out their food menu here and drinks menu here.
Dojo Ramen Bar is “coming soon” to Sunvalley shopping center in Concord, right next to the Round 1 Bowling & Amusement center on the lower level.
370 Hartz Ave, Danville
A new ice cream / frozen yogurt shop that we learned would be opening on Hartz Ave. in Danville called Bloogrape Organic Sworls has now opened. In addition to ice cream and frozen yogurt they have an additional base option call “vegan coconut base”, available in plain or chocolate that sounds intriguing. Check out their menu here and here. Their website is here.
Ygnacio Plaza, Walnut Creek
In October we learned that the Taiwanese-based T4 boba tea cafe would be opening in Ygnacio Plaza in Walnut Creek and the signage is now up so the opening shouldn’t far off. I wonder if they’ll have any popping boba? Check for updates on their Facebook page here.
1550 Olympic Blvd, Walnut Creek
Thanks to @brandishstudio for pointing out that Citra Grill is closing in downtown Walnut Creek. They opened in 2012 and featured fresh Mediterranean-style California cuisine such as skewers, salads and soups. Check out their menu here.
According to a letter in the window, they lost their lease unexpectedly and are looking for an alternate location where they plan on converting to a “more traditional full-service restaurant”.
1320 Locust St, Walnut Creek
When Veggie Grill opened about a year ago in downtown Walnut Creek I didn’t expect to be eating a burger there a year later but when I received an email asking me to try their new plant-based Beyond Burger I figured it was time to try another veggie burger. You see, about every decade or so I try one and then go back to a hamburger with real fat that can’t be beat. I still shudder thinking about my first veggie burger in the 1980’s.
This time around was different though. Unbelievably it tasted very close to a real hamburger. I couldn’t believe it. Not only did it taste like a hamburger, it looked like one, too. It was seared on both sides and, made with beet juice, it apparently caused a bit of a surprise for some who cooked it as it looked like it was bleeding! 🙂 At $12.95 it’s not exactly cheap but it does come with fries which tasted nice as well. As I get older I’m glad there are healthy options that don’t sacrifice taste. Check out the burger and sandwich menu here.
From a press release:
This is the first fast-casual concept to serve the revolutionary Beyond Burger by Beyond Meat, the world’s first plant-based burger that looks, cooks and tastes like fresh ground beef, on a large scale. Veggie Grill has created the VG Beyond Burger, an incredible classic-style burger built with grilled onions, special sauce & American “cheese.”
VG Beyond Burger:
Photo from Veggie Grill
3555 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
I walked by the Chinese restaurant The Tasteful Noodle the other day in Lafayette and noticed a “Placard Pending” sign in the window from the county health division calling the restaurant “Poke Go”. That combined with the curtains in the window may point to a new poke restaurant coming to Lafayette? With Hawaiian-style poke restaurants popping up left and right around here I wouldn’t be surprised.
