Featured – Page 170 – Beyond the Creek

Video Rentals are Dead – Long Live the Video Rental Store! Take One Video in Pleasant Hill

February 11, 2016 8:30 am

1928 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill

I can’t remember the last time I visited a video rental store. With Blockbuster gone, and being able to rent movies online, I haven’t been to one in over 10 years. Recently I was checking out the soon-to-open Wisegirl restaurant in Oak Park Center in Pleasant Hill when I passed by a bonafide video rental store (originally based in Lafayette) called Take One Video. Feeling nostalgic, I decided to check it out and realized that not only do they carry uncommon out-of-print films not available on Amazon or Netflix but actually carry blu-ray new releases for $5/week with a $1 discount if it’s returned within 2 days. This is cheaper than renting online at Amazon or Apple!

Not only are the video rentals reasonably priced, but the employees are super-knowledgeable and make great recommendations as well. Having two kids five years apart I was wondering whether one movie was appropriate for my younger child when one employee I talked with steered me away from it and instead recommended a great movie that our whole family enjoyed. I returned it the same weekend so ended up with a $4 rental which isn’t even available to rent online. Check out their website here.

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Wisegirl Ristorante Italiano & Cocktails Opening Soon in Pleasant Hill

February 9, 2016 11:30 am

1932 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill

Thanks to a reader for sending word that Wisegirl Ristorante Italiano & Cocktails will be having a ribbon cutting on February 18th in Oak Park Center in Pleasant Hill where Dallimonti’s Italian Restaurant used to be. According to a city architectural memorandum, “the remodel proposes to establish a “speak easy” design theme, harkening back to the Prohibition days of the 1920’s/1930’s for a new restaurant”.

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Haleh Pastry Opens in Downtown Walnut Creek

February 8, 2016 11:30 am

1632 N. Main St, Walnut Creek

Back in December we learned that Honey Berry closed in downtown Walnut Creek next to City Hall and thanks to everyone for sending word that the Persian bakery Haleh Pastry has opened in this spot. The desserts including cakes look amazing as you can see from the photos below. They even have Persian pistachio nuts you can buy in bulk. I can’t wait to try this place out!

I’m not sure whether GELATO on Rinehart’s clock outside will be updated to reflect the bakery. Any suggestions? How about BAKERY? PASTRY? MAJOON?

More photos after the jump…

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Pandora Opens in Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek

February 8, 2016 8:30 am

Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek

In August we learned that the jewelry store Pandora would be coming to Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek and they have now opened next to L’Occitane en Provence as you can see by the cool looking mosaic at left.

Note that the mosaic at left was done by Jennifer Kuhns. Check out her website here.

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Worth Ranch California BBQ & Saloon Opens in San Ramon

February 5, 2016 11:30 am

2410 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon

Chef Rodney Worth, owner of the Prickly Pear Cantina and the Peasant and the Pear in Danville, recently opened a new restaurant called Worth Ranch California BBQ & Saloon in San Ramon’s Courtyard Center. Check out their menu here. I tried the pulled pork sandwich with “napa cabernet bbq sauce topped with coleslaw on an artisan bun” and it was delicious! Being the coleslaw fan I am, even though the sandwich is topped with coleslaw, I chose coleslaw for my side and was not disappointed. The pulled pork was tasty as well.

From their website:

Worth Ranch, the newest addition to the Worth Group’s collection of boutique restaurants, is located in San Ramon, just 1000 feet away from the original location where the dream started over ten years ago. Worth Ranch is the first of Chef Rodney’s restaurants dedicated to his personal favorite style of cuisine-BBQ. He has been working for many years to perfect his rubs and slow cooked process for the variety of meats offered on his menu. From brisket, to ribs to tri-tip, Worth Ranch is Chef’s take on what he calls “California BBQ.” Because Worth has sampled BBQ from across the country, from Memphis to the Carolinas, from Austin to Kansas City, and everywhere in between, he thought it important for his menu to reflect his diverse tastes. And because his passion for fine food is a priority, don’t be surprised to see some interesting takes on tried and true favorites!

Pulled pork sandwich:

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Sweet Tooth Alert – Godiva opening Shop in Broadway Plaza

February 4, 2016 11:30 am

Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek

In addition to all the new shops opening in Broadway Plaza recently, including the recently announced relocation of Tommy Bahama, it looks like the Belgian chocolate maker Godiva will be opening a new shop as well, near Macy’s, according to one source. Stay tuned…

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Navlet’s Garden Centers Closed – Will Reopen as Sloat Garden Center

February 4, 2016 8:30 am

800 Camino Ramon, Danville

Thanks to a reader for sending word that the Danville Navlet’s Garden Center has closed. All Navlet’s garden centers will be become Sloat Garden Centers and reopen on February 19th. Check out the Sloat Garden Center website here.

From the Navlet’s website:

After 130 years of serving local gardeners, Navlet’s Garden Centers will be closing its doors. We truly appreciate your support over the years and will always be grateful. We are fortunate to be able to pass the torch to Sloat Garden Centers, another highly respected, locally owned and operated garden center.

We are confident that you will enjoy your shopping and gardening experience with Sloat as much as you did with Navlet’s. The stores will be reopening by February 19 with many familiar faces.

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Chalogy Asian Tea Experience + Cornology coming to Downtown Walnut Creek this May

February 3, 2016 11:30 am

1349 Locust St, Walnut Creek

What are the chances that not one but two Asian boba tea cafes are coming to downtown Walnut Creek?! Earlier this week we learned that Piedmont-based Mr. Green Bubble would be opening on Locust St. in downtown Walnut Creek and now another Asian boba tea shop, Chalogy, is coming to downtown Walnut Creek, also on Locust St, where House of Beads used to be. They plan to open by May.

Not only will Chalogy (from the owners of Drgaon’s Pond next door) offer hand crafted Asian tea, boba tea, and snow ice desserts but they will also be hosting the return of the flavored popcorn shop Cornology to downtown Walnut Creek. (You may remember Cornology in Broadway Plaza which closed 2 years ago). Check out their boba tea offerings here, snow ice menu here and snacks menu here. This is great news for downtown as summer approaches…

From their website:

At CHALOGY®, it’s all about offering the best flavored Asian Tea and Snow Ice that is both healthy and environmentally sustainable. We obsess over every detail that makes a quality blend to simply dazzle your taste buds with our unique blend of tea, toppings, and ice products using the freshest natural ingredients with as much organically produced, local ingredients as possible.

Located in Walnut Creek, CHALOGY is a purveyor of fine Taiwanese Boba Tea and Snow Ice from the esteemed owner’s of Dragon’s Pond in The San Francisco Bay Area.

CHALOGY® will be opening in downtown Walnut Creek, California in early May 2016. Chef Xiao Lin and partners have been busy concocting their quality interpretations of classic Boba tea and frozen desserts in their daring new ventures into the uncharted territories of beverages and desserts.

CHALOGY’s interior, designed by the award-winning Jeff Young, reflects the hip sensibilities of the surrounding area while also paying tribute to Walnut Creek’s storied past. The cafe offers the choice to observe passers-by from the bar, or watch the art of mixing drinks as it occurs in the open-kitchen.

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Patrick James Relocating to Danville Hotel Town Center this Spring

February 3, 2016 8:30 am

Danville Hotel Town Center, Danville

The men’s clothing store Patrick James is relocating from their Blackhawk spot to a great corner location at the new Danville Hotel Town Center on Railroad Ave. This is next to where Danville Brewing Co. will be.

Old Blackhawk Plaza location:

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The Karate & Fitness Place Closes in Moraga

February 2, 2016 8:30 am

1375 Moraga Way Moraga

The Karate & Fitness Place has closed in Moraga. Word on the street is they moved to Concord but no mention on their website yet. Anyone know what happened?

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