1110 Concord Ave, Concord
Blaze Pizza, the pizzeria backed by basketball star LeBron James, is expanding like crazy with a new location opening soon in Concord in the new development that replaced the old Peppermill restaurant on Concord Ave. This development is also home to Habit Burger Grill and Noodles & Company. Focusing on fresh ingredients and customized pies, find out what they offer on their menu here.
1500 Mt Diablo Blvd. (3rd floor), Walnut Creek
Last May we learned about a new restaurant featuring seasonal, American cuisine called ROOFTOP that would be opening on the third floor of the new development at the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and N. Main St. in downtown Walnut Creek and they plan on opening next month in April according to their Facebook page. On their website if you scroll around you can get a preview of their menu featuring dishes such as, “banana leaf wrapped black cod, cilantro, kaffir lime” and “grilled short ribs, spicy slaw, hoisin”. There will also be a raw bar as well as hand-crafted cocktails and select wines. The executive chef is Justine Kelly, who competed on Iron Chef and was the Chef de Cuisine at the San Francisco restaurant The Slanted Door.
From their website:
Whether enjoying sunset vistas or star-filled nights, Rooftop offers a stunning backdrop for enjoying world-class cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, and carefully selected wines while soaking up unparalleled views of Mt. Diablo. Rooftop is an alluring lounge and outdoor terrace in the center of downtown Walnut Creek, featuring several dining areas surrounded by reclaimed brick, water features, and a lush living wall.
Food and drinks at Rooftop are as distinctive as the space itself. Chef/partner Justine Kelly delivers ingredient-driven, new American classic interpretations prepared using only the freshest ingredients- herbs often plucked from the living wall itself. With its retractable rooftop, fans, mister and extensive heating system- Rain or Shine Rooftop truly is an all season destination.
Located on the second floor of this development is the Spanish pintxos and tapas restaurant Teleferic Barcelona which we had a preview of in January. On the first floor is the clothing store Vineyard Vines and soon to open pizzeria Slice House.
250 Buskirk Ave, Pleasant Hill
Last week we learned that Office Depot is closing in Pleasant Hill and now, thanks to a reader for pointing out this Contra Costa Times article that Total Wine & More will be opening in this location. Their nearest location right now is in Fremont. Check out their website here.
1419 Moraga Way, Moraga
Thanks to a reader for sending word that Terzetto Cuisine has closed in the Safeway shopping center in Moraga.
1524 Locust St, Walnut Creek
San Francisco-based Peruvian restaurant Limon Rotisserie is coming to downtown Walnut Creek and according to the owner are “hoping to open by the end of August“. They will be located where Inge’s Footwear used to be on Locust St. Check out their food menu here and drinks menu here. Check for updates on their Facebook page here. I look forward to trying their free-range, open flame slow roasted rotisserie chicken!
From their website:
Executive Chef Martin Castillo has created Limon’s inspiring and culture blending dishes. This innovating Peruvian restaurant consolidated itself as a trendy destination for diners. In the spirit of perseverance, Chef Castillo along with his brothers Antonio and Eduardo all used this experience to learn, grow, and expand. Only a few years later, the well-established Limon Rotisserie became huge success for the Castillo brothers. The ambiance is as energetic as its menu, featuring an upscale setting with a modern flare. The bright colors represent a quintessential Peruvian hue while the Latin lounge music engages you soul to complete the experience. Under Castillo’s direction, Limon has been featured in numerous magazines, both national and international television channels. It has been voted as one of the Top 100 Restaurants in San Francisco for numerous years, 2002-2007 and again in 2009.
1401 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek
The women’s clothing store Chico’s is closing in downtown Walnut Creek on May 24th after 15 years. Although they are located next to Neiman Marcus and P.F. Chang’s in Broadway Plaza, this spot is not part of Broadway Plaza. Their nearby Lafayette and Danville locations will remain open.
The Lafayette Whole Foods unfortunately stopped carrying ostrich eggs, but if you’re looking for some giants eggs look no farther than the Shadelands Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market in Walnut Creek. I stopped by last weekend and spotted giant green emu eggs being sold. While not quite as large as an ostrich egg, as you can see from the quarter laying on top of one of the emu eggs, they are very, very large. And green. $12 an egg. Anyone try an emu egg before?
1500 Newell Ave, Walnut Creek
Last week we learned about the new apartment complex Agora at South Main coming to the corner of S. Main St, and Newell Ave. in downtown Walnut Creek, and thanks to a reader for sending word that Kona Grill, a casual dining restaurant featuring sushi and American dishes, is looking to opening here as well, next to California Pizza Kitchen.
2675 Mitchell Dr, Walnut Creek
A huge recreation center featuring four full-sized basketball courts plus a separate training court with basketball machines as well as another training area opened recently in the Walnut Creek Shadelands area. I dropped by recently while and it was jam-packed full of kids of various ages playing regulation games. I’ve never seen so many hoops in my life. If you like basketball this looks like the perfect place to go and play. Check out all the features of this new center here. For performance training information click here.
From their website:
The Ultimate Fieldhouse has four regulation, state of the art full length basketball courts, a separate training court featuring five baskets, and shooting machines to provide practice repetitions for players. There are a total of 32 baskets in the facility! There are also four volleyball courts along with a number of other additional opportunities for other youth activities, to share in this wonderful, first class facility.
250 Buskirk Ave, Pleasant Hill
Office Depot is closing in Pleasant Hill a couple of stores down from Best Buy and they are having a closing sale with the entire store “up to 50% off”. That may sound good but please note the “UP TO” part. There were some things 5% off and other items 20-30% off that are priced higher than Amazon.
