walnut creek A COMMERCIAL REALTOR WEIGHS IN ON RETAIL TRENDS
WORLD-RENOWNED ARCHITECT ON SARANAP SANCTUARY DESIGN
SETTING THE STAGE TURN YOUR HOME INTO A KNOCK-OUT spring 2017
M
A
G
A
Z
I
N
E
THE RISE OF
URBAN LIVING
i n sid e n e w d ow n tow n dw e l l i n g s
Plus
Spring Events & Adventures I Stories for Food Lovers I Lamorinda’s Wine Country
2
walnut creek / spring 2017
walnut creek M
A
G
A
Z
I
N
E
in this issue
spring 2017
31
urban living Step inside the homes of Walnut Creek's new apartment and condo residents for a glimpse of what it's like living downtown.
spring 2017 / walnut creek
3
in this issue
spring 2017
TALK OF THE TOWN
EAT DRINK
13 DOWNTOWN RETAIL
41 RESTAURANT
A local commercial real estate expert explains the downtown leasing market and his client’s attraction to Walnut Creek.
Sunol Ridge has evolved into a downtown destination. Meet the men who created this swanky watering hole.
16 BOOKS
43 ARTISAN CHEESE
New releases from Bay Area authors.
Northern California is home to awardwinning cheeses. And Bellwether Farms produces some of the best.
18 PROFILE Unleash the artist within at this new art studio with classes for students of all ages.
13
45 WINE The Lamorinda wine country boasts close to 125 vineyards producing some serious sips.
20 ON THE HORIZON Walnut Creek continues to be a hot spot for developers. Here we look at a few residential projects that will soon be underway.
47 SEASONAL FOOD
24 architecture New York architect discusses the design inspiration behind Saranap’s new Sufism Reoriented sanctuary.
24
Follow these easy home staging steps to get your house ready for the market.
ARTS & CULTURE 59 ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE Bay Area exhibits, events, benefits, theater and other notables worthy of your time.
38 TRAVEL
4
walnut creek / spring spring2017 2017
51 DINING GUIDE Great places to eat and drink in Walnut Creek and surrounding cities.
28 real estate
Spend a weekend or a night in San Francisco and be a tourist in your own town.
From lemongrass to lavender and asparagus to green beans, spring brings a bounty of fresh food to local farmers’ markets.
59
SPORTS MEDICINE CENTER FOR YOUNG ATHLETES
SportTalk WEBINAR SERIES
Sign up for the webinars by pre-registering at www.bitly.com/SMCYA2017
2017 SportTalk Calendar The 2017 SportTalk webinars are designed to increase your overall athletic performance and decrease your risk of injury.
Jan
Mountain Biking
Feb
Baseball
Mar
Cartilage Injuries
Jul
Concussions
Aug
Volleyball
Sep
Dance
Oct
Lacrosse
ACL Rehab Prevention 23 & 7-8 p.m.
Nov
Nutrition
Running
Dec
Athletic Trainer Advice
24 21
21
Apr
Free and open to • Athletes ages 9-25 & parents • Youth sports coaches • Athletic trainers • Athletic directors
18
7-8 p.m.
7-8 p.m.
7-8 p.m.
Swimming 7-8 p.m.
May
Jun
20
7-8 p.m.
18 22 19
24 14
19
7-8 p.m.
7-8 p.m.
7-8 p.m.
7-8 p.m.
7-8 p.m.
7-8 p.m.
Increase your overall athletic performance. Decrease your risk of injury.
SportTalk WEBINAR SERIES
Pre-register at www.bitly.com/SMCYA2017
move.train.play. spring 2017 / walnut creek
5
UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS SPORTS MEDICINE CENTER FOR YOUNG ATHLETES
IT’S SPRING
TIME TO GET FIT
walnut creek M
A
G
A
Z
I
N
E
The Insider’s Guide to Walnut Creek Treat yourself to a personal training program with fitness classes and meals designed to help you lose weight, gain muscle, and adopt a new healthy lifestyle!
Now is the time to get started on the new you!
925-360-7051
Personal Training and Nutrition Studios in Lafayette and Orinda
livingleanprogram.com Special New Offer: FIRST PERSONAL TRAINING SESSION FREE Limited Time Only. Offer Expires 4/30/17
spring 2017 Publisher Pam B. Kessler Editor Lauren Kessler Art Director Carrie Wallahan website Cale Finta Photography Beverly Andersen, Jessica Freels, Sarah Grunder Josh Isaacs, Kyle Luman, Brian Murphy, Scott Hein contributing writers Deborah Burstyn, Lynn Carey, Lou Fancher Sophie Johnson, Kathryn McCarty, Fran Miller Alison Negrin, Anneli Rufus, Alix Wall
Enjoy a wonderful day in the wine country
Kessler Communications, Inc. Walnut Creek Magazine Office 1280 Boulevard Way, Suite 108 Walnut Creek, CA 94595 (925)212-5146 Email: publisher@walnutcreekmagazine.com No material from Walnut Creek Magazine may be reproduced without written consent from the Publisher. walnutcreekmagazine.com
WINE TOURS • SAN FRANCISCO TOURS WEDDINGS • BIRTHDAYS • CONCERTS SPORTING EVENTS • AIRPORT • CORPORATE
925-634-7303 finesselimo.com Over 20 years experience TCP 9438
6
walnut creek / spring 2017
ON THE COVER Rooftop at The Arroyo Photography by Josh Isaacs
ce
en e conveni Enjoy th g of Livin
Walnut Creek’s Boutique Senior-Living Community
n…
Downtow
s than 15 while les way from a s e t u in m side! country n e p -o e wid
Celebrate New Experiences – and New Friends! For those who say “Not Me!” to run-of-the-mill retirement living, our condo-style apartment community welcomes and reflects the varied tastes and lifestyles of individuals like you! Embrace your next stage in life alongside others who appreciate the superb amenities The Heritage Downtown offers: Savory Restaurant-Style Dining, Pool & Spa, 24-Hour Fitness Center & Classes, Social & Educational Events and more! In-Home Care assistance is also available as you age-in-place from 62 to 122!
1785 Shuey Avenue | Walnut Creek | CA 94596
925.943.7427 TheHeritageDowntown.com
Call to learn more about our One-of-a-Kind, Wellness Certified, Retirement Living rental community! spring 2017 / walnut creek
7
JUST BE YOGA Bringing the community together to transform lives
From the Publisher New beginnings — that's what spring is all about. The warmth of the sun propels us to move forward and make changes. For many, that means finding a new place to live. I remember my first studio apartment on Polk Street, a block up from the San Francisco Maritime National Museum. It was 1986 and at 25, I was finally making enough money to live alone. My studio looked out on Galileo High School’s athletic field, and if I craned my neck, I could see the bay. Those were fantastic times. There is nothing quite like the freedom of living alone and taking on the challenges of adulthood.
Vinyasa flow, gentle flow, and yin yoga retreats here & abroad + monthly workshops 30 days of unlimited yoga for just $39
2333 boulevard circle walnut creek 855-423-yoga • justbeyoga.com
Today a housing shortage and an inflated rental market have made some of these rites of passage, like renting or buying your own place, unattainable for so many people in the Bay Area. If I were 25 again, I could not afford my Bay Street studio. More and more, we are seeing young adults living at home with their parents as the only economical solution. The Bay Area housing crisis is real and daunting. Thanks to a vertical building boom, fueled by the housing shortage and the growing population, Walnut Creek is adding apartments and condos to its housing mix. In this issue we explore some of the changes in our shifting landscape, and take you inside three new downtown residences, where rents and amenities run high. Since this style and cost of living is out of reach for so many, we must continue to find solutions so our hardworking kids, and downsizing seniors, can afford places to live. Cheers!
Pam Becker Kessler publisher @walnutcreekmagazine.com
PS We love social media! Do you follow Walnut Creek Magazine on Instagram and Facebook? It’s a great way to stay connected and get the latest scoop. Be sure to post your events on our website, walnutcreekmagazine.com.
8
walnut creek / spring 2017
Sexy. Ageless.
Look years younger with dramatic age-defying treatments
Injectables ‘ Facials ‘ Peels ‘ Laser hair Removal halo pro ® ‘ Ultherapy ® ‘ sculptra ® 1501 Mt. Diablo Blvd. , Suite 200 Walnut Creek
925.932.1843 349 Main Street, Suite 204 Pleasanton
925.750.8881
encoremedspa.com
winter 2017 / walnut creek
9
Contributors YOUR
t u C n l a W•••••••••••••••r•e••e••k josh isaacs is one of the Bay Area's premier freelance photographers. A wedding specialist, he’s also well-known for his corporate, real estate, and private party work.
Fran Endicott Miller is a freelance travel and feature writer who enjoys exploring Northern California and sharing her finds with readers.
ACGfNcOP North Locust Street, Between Giamona and Lacassie
OPEN YEAR ROUND
Market Hours: 9am-1pm ORINDA MARKET OPENS APRIL 1ST!
ACGfNcOP
Sophie Johnson is a Walnut Creek native who has had a diverse career in food and technology. When not writing, she is walking Bay Area streets and trails, meeting new people, in order to share their compelling stories.
deborah burstyn is a Walnut Creek-based freelance journalist who has worked as a staff writer for The Washington Post, Newsweek, the Contra Costa Times and the California wine industry.
Lou Fancher is Bay Area writer covering technology, dance, theater, education and sports. She has authored two original children's books and illustrated over 50 picture books.
kathryn G. mccarty has been part of the Bay Area theatre scene for over 20 years. Her award-winning plays have been performed in NYC, LA and Chicago.
Sprin g
ASPA RAG US •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• /CCCFarmersMrkts • www.cccfm.org
10
walnut creek / spring 2017
BEAUTY–IT’S OUR NATURE Expert craftsmanship and well-being are part of every cut and color at Thirteen. That’s why we became an Aveda Concept Salon. Each service includes a ritual of renewal, from stress relieving scalp treatments to hand massages. Plus, we carry the entire line of Aveda products so you can continue the experience at home.
BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY.
1525 Locust Street, Walnut Creek
(925) 932-2242 13hairsalon.com
spring 2017 / walnut creek
11
Parking Keeps Business Happening
ParkSmart keeps business happening by being an industry leader in parking innovation, technology and services.
Download the FREE Downtown Walnut Creek Parking App See available parking and rates. It's fast and easy.
For more information contact
ParkSmart, Inc. 12
925-933-8795 | parksmartinc.com
walnut creek / spring 2017
talk
of the town
trends | local authors | development | architecture | home staging
DOWNTOWN RETAIL A local commercial real estate expert weighs in on trends shaping the city
J
BY lou fancher ohn Cumbelich has his finger on the pulse of the Bay Area commercial real estate. From the Walnut Creek headquarters of John Cumbelich & Associates, the company’s founder and CEO brings over 30 years of real estate know-how to properties and clients that include Tiffany & Co, Apple, GAP,
Target, Walmart, Bank of America, Pier 1 Imports, Pottery Barn, Sprouts and Starbucks. Attracted to a career that afforded him time away from the desk so he could be outdoors “kicking the tires with buyers and sellers,” Cumbelich says the industry has become institutionalized with more assets held in fewer hands. Even so, his player-coach ➤ spring 2017 / walnut creek
13
talk/real estate managerial role as a business owner gets a daily jumpstart from the real estate market’s ever-cyclical swings. The tale of what could be called Walnut Creek’s “two cities”—Broadway Plaza and the traditional downtown area north of Mt. Diablo Boulevard— reflects the market’s volatility, according to Cumbelich. Overall the city’s vacancy rates during the fourth quar-
ter of 2016 rose slightly from 4.8 to 5.1 percent, but “there’s not a vacancy problem by any conventional metric,” says Cumbelich. “Measured against other markets or internally, it’s strong. Ninety-five percent occupancy isn’t a problem. We’re only a few points away from what is effectively full occupancy, based on historical highs of 97 percent.” Even so, he says Broadway Plaza’s expansion has temporarily “sucked the oxygen” from other leasing projects. “The mall’s 100,000-square-feet of newly available world-class inventory has allowed vacancy to creep up. This combined with the new Agora multiuse development at Newell and Main added another 35,000-square-feet of
14
walnut creek / spring 2017
new space to the leasing pie,” he says. Confident excess inventory will be absorbed, Cumbelich says the owners of Broadway Plaza have shown they can rethink their initial strategies to achieve occupancy goals. “They thought a super-premium brand anchor tenant would attract others, but none wanted it. That told me Walnut Creek is a lifestyle market, not a Gucci market. Old Navy is about the
farthest you can get from Neiman Marcus.” Cumbelich finds the shift “heartening” and says Walnut Creek is “the capitol city in the East Bay” for retailers. Noting a void in regional malls, especially in Oakland, he says national brands look at the Bay Area and leap to capture east bay shoppers by selecting Walnut Creek. “There’s a herd mentality, and as we have successful retailers, others follow.” He points to recent openings at Broadway Plaza: H&M, Zara, True Food Kitchen and Kendra Scott. Which begs the questions: Why did Barnes & Noble and Sports Authority close? And why is Tuesday Morn-
ing relocating? “Sports Authority had bankruptcy and closed their stores. That’s not a local matter,” he says. “Barnes & Noble went out because of the devolving nature of bookstores. A 30,000-square-foot bookstore is a yesteryear’s concept. Amazon Books coming in with a 5,000-square-foot store makes sense. It’s no different than the electronic market, which went from big box to smaller-footprints like Apple. And discount doesn’t work. Tuesday Morning had thin margins and needed attractive rental rates to pencil out. The temporary vacancies will be absorbed.” The traditional downtown is a different story. Forty to fifty percent of the roughly 115,000-square-feet of vacancy is located in the pocket north of Mt. Diablo Boulevard where assets are owned by family trusts, individuals and longtime owners. “You have inconsistent levels of investment and varying degrees of how much energy property owners put into the buildings,” says Cumbelich. Mixed rental rates and leasing terms mean vacancy issues will exist until there’s enough pedestrian traffic to support the area. Large footprint retail tenants that can pay the high rents—grocery stores, office buildings and parking lots—are not viable because large spaces are non-existent. Housing, Cumbelich says, is the key variable for solving the area’s vacancy issues. “The most meaningful n Walnut Creek’s downtown real estate cycle is the introduction of more housing,” he says. With occupancy rates comparable to the Pleasant Hill and Lafayette he says, “It’s good times for commercial real estate in the East Bay. Rents are at historic highs, occupancy is near record, and new development is coming on the market.”
DYNAMIC SENIOR LIVING IN WALNUT CREEK
see the future. seize the moment.
OPEN FOR PREVIEWS AND APPOINTMENTS Your place in Walnut Creek. Now you can see (and reserve it) for yourself at the Viamonte Preview Center. Opening in 2020, Viamonte will place you at the intersection of nature and culture, serenity and vitality, creative cuisine and cosmopolitan shopping. Adjoining The Orchards, a walkable community of shops, restaurants and tree-lined walkways in sight of Mt. Diablo, Viamonte is now accepting refundable deposits on a limited number of architecturally distinctive residences. RESERVE NOW TO RECEIVE THESE LIMITED-TIME BENEFITS:
• 15% discount on Assisted Living/Memory Care • 5% Entrance Fee Reduction • 80% Repayable Entrance Fee (vs. standard 75%) • Residence customization during construction • Complimentary receptions and gatherings • Second person Entrance Fee waived • Parking deposit and monthly fee waived
CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT: 925-278-6019 VIAMONTELIVING.ORG
I
OPENING 2020
Viamonte at Walnut Creek is a creative collaboration from the team that brings you the well-established Continuing Care Retirement Communities of The Tamalpais, The Sequoias and spring 2017San/Francisco, walnut The Sequoias Portola Valley. Viamonte Senior Living is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation and has sole financial responsibility for the development and operation of Viamonte at Walnut Creek.
creek
15
good reads
Books by Bay Area Authors by lynn carey
Cut: A Medical Murder Mystery Amy Peele
(She Writes Press, April) After spending 35 years in the organ donation and transplant business, Marin County’s Peele decided to write about it. In her new novel, a transplant nurse and her best friend investigate the “equity” of organ distribution which takes them on a trip across the country and into the lives of the rich and famous. In their quest for answers, both women’s lives are endangered.
Dynastic, Bombastic, Fantastic:
Reggie, Rollie, Catfish and Charlie Finley’s Swingin’ A’s Jason Turbow
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, March) Remember the crazy days of baseball in the 1970s when Finley owned the Oakland A’s and drama occurred on and off the field? Bay Area author Turbow follows up on his 2011 novel “The Baseball Codes” with a deep dive into the gossipy, outrageous and sprawling history of this winning team and its legendary stars— Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, Rollie Fingers and Vida Blue.
In This Grave Hour Jacqueline Winspear
(Harper, March) Good news for fans of London detective Maisie Dobbs: the 12th book in the mystery series is here. With the first taking Maisie into World War I as a nurse, this one opens on the verge of World War II with Maisie investigating the murders of Belgian refugees from 23 years earlier. As Londoners prepare for invasion, Bay Area author Winspear gives Maisie another intriguing mystery to solve.
How to Be Married: What I Learned From Real Women on Five Continents Jo Piazza
(Harmony, April) Within hours after the proposal, San Francisco journalist Piazza bought a wedding dress on her iPhone, and five months later wore it down the aisle. Smart enough to know it’s not all about cake and champagne, she wanted to know how to make marriage last. So Piazza and her husband traveled the world, interviewing hundreds of married men and women on everything from polygamy in Kenya, open marriage in France, sex in Orthodox Israel, and marital equality in Sweden.
La Vie Rustic: Cooking and Living in the French Style Georgeanne Brennan
(Weldon Owen, March) James Beard Award-winning author Brennan’s newest book on rustic French cooking is chock full of food you can whip up at home. Brennan, who lives on a farm in Northern California, weaves stories from her life in Provence with more than 100 recipes—zucchini and pine nut fritters, home-cured olives, chicken liver pate, snail-stuffed mushrooms, and lavenderpepper goat cheese.
AUTHOR GALA Two local authors join former Contra Costa Times Book Club Diva Lynn Carey in conversation at the Acalanes Author Gala on May 23 at 7:00pm. Melanie Gideon’s “Valley of the Moon” features a single mom who discovers a village in Glen Ellen caught in a time-warp caused by the 1906 earthquake. Caroline Paul’s “The Gutsy Girl, Escapades for Your Life of Epic Adventure,” features historical women who were doing more than cross-stitching. Del Valle Theater, 1963 Tice Valley Boulevard, WC. Tickets $15; call 925-280-3980 ext. 4133.
16
walnut creek / spring 2017
Because of them, it is. Specializing in comprehensive cutting-edge treatment programs for all forms of cancer and blood disorders, we provide the best possible care experience. We understand the concerns and challenges faced by you and your family, so we ensure the most sophisticated levels of medical oncology and hematology care, while providing you with the utmost support, compassion, and respect. WALNUT CREEK | DANVILLE | SAN RAMON | CONCORD | ROSSMOOR contracostaoncology.com | 925.939.9610
Have you ever wanted l o n g e r, thicker,
* Delicate strands are individually and meticulously applied to your natural lashes to mix beautifully for a look that’s all your own. * For all occasions, special occasions or just because. * Wear day and night. * Save time getting ready for your day. * For women of all ages. * Want to learn more, call for a complimentary consultation.
Michelle Handy , L.E.
Walnut Creek’s Premier Eyelash Stylist
(925) 305-1497
Eyelash
* Eyelash Extensions feel natural and weightless.
S e m i - P e r m a n e n t
Only you will know they’re not your lashes
Extensions
EYELASHES ?
www.michellehandy.com at Sola Salon Studios, Walnut Creek, CA
spring 2017 / walnut creek
17
talk/profile
Unleash the Artist Within
I
At Rebel Art School
It’s all about the process at Walnut Creek’s new Rebel Art School. It’s about that exhilarating feeling of channeling your inner creativity, being in the moment and making something just for fun. Sometimes the results end up looking pretty darn good, too.
Like the black horse. A dainty abstract sculpture on the shelf the day we visited Rebel Art School beautifully conveyed the swoop and grace of a real horse. If the piece was in an art gallery, you might be tempted to buy it. “An eight year old crafted the horse out of paper and paint,” owner and teacher Alexandra Hollingshead, age 26, revealed. “I teach the kids about observation and proportion and how these things work together,” she explains. “But I never tell them how something should look. There is no right or wrong in art.” That goes for grown-ups who take her classes too. “Adults have had many more years of being told they’re no good at art; that they can’t do it,” says Hollingshead. “The approach to making art that focuses only on the results, not the process, can take away confidence. We’re building confidence as well as the joy of making art.” Joy in making art has been a constant throughout Hollingshead’s life, much of which has been spent in Walnut Creek. She attended Walnut Creek Intermediate after her family
18
walnut creek / spring 2017
BY DEBORAH BURSTYN
moved here when she was a young teen. At Las Lomas High School, she was an AP Art Student, and then at San Diego State University, she studied painting, printmaking and art history. A graduate art program in Galway, Ireland was up next, but on a visit home, a chance reconnection with a former school acquaintance turned into love and marriage. Galway’s loss became Walnut Creek’s gain when Hollingshead decided to channel her ambitions into opening a new art studio in the little Bont Lane cottage, once home to Safest Way driving school. And it doesn’t hurt that her husband is the noted floral designer Darwin Harrison, who along with his mother Susan, owns the award-winning Florali. The Rebel Art School space—with its long, adjustable-height art tables and white chairs, light wood floors and white walls, accented with wooden easels and inspirational bits of art––evokes a functional charm. “I wanted a space to do my art and create a welcoming space for the community,” says Hollingshead. Classes include watercolor, acrylic, sculpture and mixed media collage. She offers “mini-rebel” workshops for children ages two and up. There are also full and half-day art camps and parties for kids and adults. Hollingshead and her flower-arranging husband hope to do workshops together on wreaths, flower crowns and corsages. “The outpouring of love and support from the community has been amazing.” rebelartschool.com.
Award-Winning Wedding & Lifestyle Photography A v a i la b l e
9 2 5 - 2 8 5 - 7 3 1 6
f o r
P r i v a t e
E v e n t s
Josh Isaacs Photography
j j i s aa c s . c o m
spring 2017 / walnut creek
19
talk/development
On the Horizon Happenings, announcements and things to know about
residential development trend continues It’s no minor fete to develop commercial/residential projects in Walnut Creek. From start to finish—including approvals, permitting and actual construction—the process takes close to three years. And it’s expensive. Yet, Walnut Creek continues to be a hot spot for developers who are targeting the Bay Area housing shortage and building apartments and condos at a record pace.
According to a report released by Jeff Weil, executive vice president at Colliers International, “the Bay Area has added 531,000 jobs in recent years, but only a fraction of this number in new housing units. In some cities, just the permits and fees can cost $100,000 or more per unit, and it can take years to get approvals. The suburbs don't want 60-story, high-density housing next to public
Newell Avenue Promenade Suburban-style strip malls from the 80s may soon be a thing of the past in the increasingly dense, pedestrian-minded Walnut Creek. While a formal application has not yet been submitted, a multi-use complex with 100+ apartment units and 142,000-square-feet of ground floor retail is slated to replace the existing shopping center on Newell Avenue adjacent to Trader Joe’s. Initial plans call for building height comparable to Kaiser across the street and the Agora next door, as well as a pathway for walking along the creek and public gathering areas. Feedback on the project from community members and city officials suggests a strong desire for the developer to reduce mass and create a natural pathway connecting Main Street to California Boulevard. * preliminary renderings
20
walnut creek / spring 2017
transportation, so our housing imbalance is here to stay.” With Walnut Creek rents on average $2500 per month for a one bedroom apartment, and over $3500 per month for a two bedroom, the challenge for the future is how to build housing that’s affordable.
F & M BANK What once was a go-to nursery store owned by Target will soon become the regional offices for F&M Bank. Demolition is expected to begin on the vacant Target Garden Center, and construction of a new, 5,700-square-foot free standing bank, with drive-up ATM and customer parking, will take its place. If the architecture looks familiar, it is: the same firm designed Neiman Marcus. MBH Architects
1716 Lofts Another project in the works, led by Walnut Creek-based LCA Architects, is a five story mixedused design on the vacant parking lot between Walnut Creek Ford and J. Rockliff Realtors. Part of the North Main/Ygnacio Valley specific plan, which calls for development of mixed-use residential buildings, including apartments, condos and town homes on the 30-acres extending from Civic Drive to Ygnacio Valley Road, the 1716 Main Street project includes 42 apartments and over 2,500-square-feet of ground floor retail with parking. Currently under review, if approved, it will join other new apartment housing in the area including the Arroyo and the Ascent, as well as the Landing (178 units) to the south and the Bart Transit Village (596 units).
WHAT’S IN STORE Marking its third move, ATLAS & ATHENA returned to Main Street combining men’s, women’s and home goods in a new store. Before the dust even settled, SCOUT & MOLLY’S BOUTIQUE signed a 10 year lease in the former Atlas space on Botelho. Sad news for treasure hunters, TUESDAY MORNING lost its lease with no word of a new location in town. Everybody’s excited about AMAZON BOOKS coming to Broadway Plaza, bringing with it a café and big space for reading. And speaking of coffee, San Francisco favorite PHILZ is opening next to Genova Deli on California.
spring 2017 / walnut creek
21
on the horizon
Bay Rock Luxury Residences At 2211 North Main Street, The Richmond Group has an apartment complex in the works. Once home to La Virage restaurant, the vacant lot is under city review for construction of a new five-story, 52-unit multifamily apartment building with underground, onsite garage.
TREAT YOURSELF OR A LOVED ONE TO A RELAXING TREATMENT! spa packages & gift cards available
NEW PARKS AND PLAZAS If you like the new parklets popping up downtown, more outdoor gathering spaces are coming your way. As part an effort to expand cultural attractions, the LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS plans to increase the size of its existing outdoor plaza by 2,000-squarefeet. WALNUT CREEK DOWNTOWN is working on a mini-plaza—at the corner of Main and Cypress Streets—creating an area for the community to gather, eat and socialize. New hardscape, seating areas and landscaping are on the way.
R Spa is located in Renaissance ClubSport and is open to the public. Enjoy complimentary parking and use of our luxurious amenities including whirlpools, steam rooms, and saunas.
22
walnut creek / spring 2017
Call R Spa to book your appointment: (925) 942-6379 2805 JONES RD. WALNUT CREEK
GOT BUZZ? EMAIL US: publisher@walnutcreekmagazine.com
HAIR | NAILS | SKINCARE | MASSAGE | STORE | GIFT CARDS 1475 N. BROADWAY | WALNUT CREEK | 925.947.1814 | WWW.CHANGESSALON.COM
e h t e te v a S Da June 24, 2017 9am - 12pm Lafayette Reservoir
Sponsored by Walnut Creek Magazine www.diabloballet.org spring 2017 / walnut creek
23
talk/architecture
Serenity Now World-Renowned New York Architecture Firm Creates New Sufism Reoriented Sanctuary
I
conic American architect Philip Johnson catapulted to mid-century-modern fame during the 1950s with the creation of his Glass House in posh New Canaan, Connecticut. A few years later, Johnson’s collaboration with Mies Van Der Rohe on Manhattan’s MadMen-era Seagram’s Building cemented his reputation as a major force in modern architecture. Alan Ritchie joined Johnson’s architecture firm in 1970 and worked on major projects
24
walnut creek / spring 2017
By Deborah Burstyn with him including Trump International Hotel and Tower at 1 Central Park West in New York City, as well as televangelist Robert Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral near Anaheim, California—now a Catholic church. When Johnson retired at in 2003 at age 96, he put Ritchie in charge. Now at age 75, Ritchie and his firm Philip Johnson Alan Ritchie remain sought after for major commissions. “I figure I have at least 20 years to go before I retire,” quipped British-born Ritchie from his New York office when we spoke by phone.
“But this is a legacy practice and we seek to maintain the quality and reputation Philip Johnson established.” At an impressive 66,000-square-feet— 44,000-square-feet of which are underground—construction of the sanctuary was paid entirely with private funds Sufism Reoriented raised over 40 years. The organization has approximately 350 members in Walnut Creek and another 150 in Washington D.C. ➤
By Philip Kan Gotanda Directed by Mina Morita
Stockton, California. 1945. Three sisters return home after internment in this tender and truly heartwarming story of what it means to be American. The Resident Professional Theatre Company of the Lesher Center for the Arts
March 31 - April 29 Season Sponsor
Michael Butler ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Scott Denison
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Season Partner
www.LesherARTScenter.org spring 2017 / walnut creek
25
talk/architecture How did you become involved in a project in Walnut Creek? When Sufism Reoriented first called and asked if I would be their architect, I thought the group was based in another country and the project would be overseas. But Sufism Reoriented is an American group. Their spiritual leader, Dr. Carol Weyland Connor, also has a residence in Washington D.C. where they have another congregation. When we met, Connor told me she wanted something like the museum for pre-Columbian art at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington D.C. designed by Philip Johnson. She explained the Sufisim Reoriented spiritual philosophy revolves around togetherness and circular connections. Connor requested a sanctuary designed in a circle. I came up with this idea for domes topping circular cylinders with rooms for meetings, classes and galleries to showcase their art collection. I sketched it
out in a little freehand drawing. And she was amazed that it was exactly as she had envisioned it. That is how it came about. What was a major design challenge? Even though the building sits on a three-acre site, we could not accommodate all of their programs and provide adequate parking. So we came up with the idea for
26
walnut creek / spring 2017
a large underground concourse below the main prayer hall. There is a spectacular commissioned piece of sculpture in gold and bronze, so it picks up the gold accents in the hall. The statue is of a person aspiring to reach up and the circular stairs wraps around it. The statue is 38 or 39 feet high. It had to be hoisted in through the dome. What do you like about the architecture? I like the sculptural form. It is a type of building that I call ‘habitable sculptures’— the domes are an integral
part of the design with circular skylights on top. As the sun moves, it changes the light on the walls and the doors. The light changes the patterns of the shadowing. That’s very exciting to me. We were very integral in laying out the interior spaces too; shapes, forms and details of floors and columns. The building is a total whole—harmonious inside and outside, with light as a key ingredient.
What makes the project unique? The circle is a pure geometric shape. It has been used for thousands of years to symbolize completeness and togetherness. The Sufism Reoriented philosophy is based on serenity. While there are beautifully painted murals in the lower gallery, white is the common denominator throughout down to the white marble floors.
Michael L. Wang, MD FACS
PROVIDING QUALITY MEDICAL AND SURGICAL EYECARE FOR OVER 75 YEARS Eye Physicians
Comprehensive Ophthalmology Cataract Surgery Clinical Professor, UC San Francisco Chief Ophthalmology Summit Medical Center
of the East Bay
Medical Corporation Diplomates, American Board of Ophthalmology
Steven G. Pascal, MD Two East Bay Locations
Comprehensive Ophthalmology Cataract Surgery Clinical Instructor, California Pacific Medical Center
80 Grand Ave., Suite 700 Oakland (510) 893-4318 Mon-Fri 8:00AM-5:00PM
Jane V. Loman, MD Comprehensive Ophthalmology Cataract Surgery Complex Glaucoma Clinical Instructor, California Pacific Medical Center
3730 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite 218 Lafayette (925) 283-8400 Mon-Wed 1:00-5:00PM Your vision is our top priority. As leaders in comprehensive eye care, our physicians provide patients with state-of-the-art treatment for cataracts, glaucoma and many other eye conditions.
eyephysicianseastbay.com
spring 2017 / walnut creek
27
C.H. Design Services
talk/real estate
Setting the Stage preparing a home for sale How one local realtor goes a step further in readying her listings for market
D
espite rising home values and flocking house hunters, top realtors agree that a well-staged property turns mediocre interiors into standouts. Teresa Zocchi, a local agent with Dudum Real Estate Group, considers home staging an essential part of the sale process and offers this service to clients as part of her realty services.
28
walnut creek / spring 2017
By fran miller
“When potential buyers enter your home, they need to envision themselves in the environment. We work hard to create a sense of neutrality,” she says. Zocchi and her stager, Cathy Lee Cibelli of C.L. Design Services, refurnish, redecorate, and reorganize homes so they sell fast—and for the highest possible price. Stagers know that home-buying isn’t all about logic and numbers. Zocchi says professional staging works
because it helps would-be buyers connect to the space—you’ll never see family photographs or personal clutter around. Instead, staged homes hit the market with a clean aesthetic: simple lines, sparse furnishings, and neutral hues sprinkled with bright pops of color. “Staging is so much more than arranging furniture,” says Zocchi. Homeowner’s furnishings are used when possible and supplemented with Cibelli’s décor stock, much of which she sources at HomeGoods. ➤
walnut creek M
A
G
A
Z
I
N
E
SHOPPING. DINING. CULTURE. health. TRAVEL. AND THE LATEST BUSINESS SCOOP. WE DO IT ALL IN PRINT AND ONLINE. COMING UP . . . THE FOOD AND FASHION ISSUE MAY/JUNE 2017 For ad rates and more information, phone (925) 212-5146 or email publisher@walnutcreekmagazine.com
CHECK US OUT @ WALNUTCREEKMAGAZINE.COM
29
walnut creek / november december 2016
spring 2017 november december 2016 / walnut creek
29
real estate
Legendary Fresh Food
Serving Breakfast and Lunch Daily Enjoy our Healthy Comfort Food Mon-Sat 7:00AM – 3:00PM Sunday Brunch 7:00AM – 3:00PM
(925) 930-0122
1559 Botelho Drive, Walnut Creek sunrisebsitrocatering.com
Darlene BaxtER Agent Baxter Insurance Agency 2216 Morello Ave., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 925.270.1991 business • 925.915.9337 cell dbaxter@farmersagent.com License # 0G53463 Auto • Home • Life • Business • Workers Compensation
Since 1983, we have been feeding millions of meals to thousands of hungry people Contra Costa County. Your school, church, business, or civic group can help feed the hungry. We need volunteers and donations!
In hot markets like Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill, where homes sell quickly, clients ask if it’s necessary. Zocchi, who spends upwards of $3k on a staging job, says her work typically brings in higher sale prices. According to the Real Estate Staging Association, an organization for home stagers where Cibelli is president, on average staged homes spend 90% less time on the market and sell within 23 days or less for higher values. “I want perspective buyers to walk away with that wow factor, and I want my sellers to receive top dollar,” says Zocchi. “And staging plays a critical role in the equation. My goal is to make every home sparkle.”
Expert tips on how to make your home market-ready:
• Clean inside and outside. Wipe walls, clean windows and manicure the yard.
• Float furniture away from walls. Create cozy conversational groupings.
Contact Us: (925) 293-4792 • loavesfishescc.org
• Try furnishings in new spaces; a little-used table can become a desk, or a living room armchair might make a nice bedroom sitting area.
• Paint walls the same color as drapery to give the illusion of more space.
• De-clutter rooms and store personal items.
• Purchase new pillows for sofas and chairs.
ED ANTENUCCI Owner/Broker UC B REAL ESTATE Buying, Selling Or Investing? Let’s Talk, I’ll Listen! Real Estate Advisor with over 22 yrs. experience & over 3,700 homes sold!
925-351-8686 ed@homeinsider.com
30
walnut creek / spring 2017
• Paint! A fresh coat of neutral color works wonders.
URBAN LIVING The rise of apartment and condominium dwellings in Walnut Creek BY S O P H I E J O H N S O N P H O T O G R A P H Y BY J O S H I SA AC S With home prices sky-high, millennials are setting up abodes in apartments, while baby boomers are cashing in and downsizing to smaller, luxe condos. Here, we go inside three homes inhabited by some of Walnut Creek’s new residents for a glimpse of what it’s like living downtown. spring 2017 / walnut creek
31
urban living
SETTLING IN New residents share their stories on how Walnut Creek became home
I
t wasn’t too long ago that Walnut Creek drew people primarily for its top-notch schools, pastoral hills and suburban homes with private pools and two-car garages. While this residential landscape retains its rich appeal, a new population has emerged—the city dwellers. These urbanites are inhabiting the apartments and condominiums cropping up all over town, lured by walkability to shopping and dining, plus the host of smart and stylish amenities many new residential communities offer.
32
walnut creek / spring 2017
FROM COAST TO COAST
F
iancés Jeff Kari and Juliana Tokumo first met in New York City in 2014. “Jeff would drive to Queens to hang out with me, and I'd stay in Manhattan with him on the weekends,” says Juliana. “Our goal was to move to the West Coast, so when Jeff's company had an opening in the Bay Area, we jumped. We flew to San Francisco on January 24th, found this apartment at The Arroyo on the 25th and moved in on February 1st.” Escaping the winters and exploring the green hills around Mt. Diablo were compelling enough, but the couple also sees parallels to the Big Apple. “The experience we have every time we go to Sasa is always great—it’s on par with NYC restaurants.” Other local favorites within easy walking distance are Lettuce and Tender Greens.
complete with a fitness center, cabana-style beds, sweeping views, and poolside fire pits. The twenty-somethings already feel part of the neighborhood, commenting on how nice people are in Walnut Creek and laughing at how locals love to complain about the rain. They don’t miss the cold East Coast weather, but look forward to frequent visits from family. “We’ve never had a guest room until now,” Juliana proudly announces.
Indeed, Jeff and Juliana both remark on the differences between living in Manhattan and living in their brand new Walnut Creek apartment. “In NYC we had only two burners, and now our stove is worthy of a professional cook.” Cabinets and closets provide plenty of useable storage space, and the couple’s cozy 2-bedroom-2-bath apartment, which goes for $4050 per month, has two outdoor patios including one off the master bedroom. But it’s the other features at The Arroyo that make it stand out. While its exterior modern façade is somewhat unremarkable, the interior plush garden common area is a lush and inviting space complete with a coffee bar. The rooftop terrace is reminiscent of a world-class resort
spring 2017 / walnut creek
33
urban living
THE GOLDEN YEARS
C
urt and Jane Blomstrand are the definition of downsizing baby boomers—people who left large suburban residences for an urban lifestyle. Yet, the charming couple prefer to call their new way of life something else. “Reinvention is a better word,” says Curt, a retired home builder and father of three who lived with his wife Jane for over 40 years in a large Lafayette rancher before moving into their Cole Avenue condo. “I was tired of the honey-do list. Every weekend, there were chores and the little burdens of having a well-maintained home. I knew it would be an adjustment, especially for Jane who loves to garden, but our lives are so much fun now!”
34
walnut creek / spring 2017
After reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up, Jane was inspired to de-clutter her Burton Valley home and keep only items that were useful and meaningful. She also held on to a few family treasures and artwork curated from years of travel. “Going through decades’ worth of things was so freeing.”Curt and Jane gave the rest away then used an estate company to clear out the remainder. “We didn’t want to bring very much with us.” The Blomstrand’s efficiently designed, 2000-square-foot condo is simply stunning. Part of a 12-unit building constructed by Lenox Homes, the couple purchased the two-bedroomplus-den residence last year for a cool $1.2 million. Panoramic views of Mt. Diablo provide the backdrop for a dazzling downtown city-scape, endlessly enjoyed from the outdoor
patio and floor to ceiling windows. Attention to detail is evident throughout the spacious interior in everything from the concealed European hinges to the Bosch appliances. It’s not just the opulent materials but also the functionality of the space that impresses. “The layout of the rooms is just so practical,” says Jane. While the chic condo is within easy walking distance to BART, food, and entertainment, a stateof-the-art car lift system provides residents with ample parking. “Every morning I walk to Starbucks, stroll through Broadway Plaza before the
shops open and make a big seven-mile circle back home,” says Curt. Friends and family love to visit. For the Blomstrand’s four grandkids, their downtown home feels like Disneyland. “We take them to the movies, dinner at the Cheesecake factory then hit S.F. Creamery on the way home. Our granddaughter Olivia laid back on the couch overlooking the city lights the other night and said, ‘I love this place, it’s so relaxing.’” *The Lenox team is taking the concept one block over to Trinity Avenue and building a similar condo community.
spring 2017 / walnut creek
35
urban living
living the luxe life
A
s transformative as the interior spaces are for many new urban residents, it’s living in the heart of downtown Walnut Creek that makes all the difference. Walking to restaurants and bars were major draws for Theresa Baumgartner, a personal injury attorney with offices in Lafayette. “I love the kale salad and the skinny margarita at True Food Kitchen. I definitely eat out more often now, but burn off any extra calories with a quick workout at Pure Barre just down the street,” she laughs. Theresa was renting a sprawling 3,300-square-foot home on an acre of land in Pleasant Hill before moving into her spacious tri-level apartment at The Agora last summer. With its central location at the corner of Newell Avenue and Main Street, her two-bedroom-two-bath apartment separates living spaces into three levels: kitchen, living room and bath on level one, bedrooms on level two and a private rooftop lounging deck on level three. “I love the rooftop patio on
36
walnut creek / spring 2017
the third floor of my townhouse. It’s private and it feels like an oasis,” says Theresa. Caroline Doyle, property manager at The Agora, says, “Our residents are a mixture of three groups: working professionals, young families with school age children, and retired couples or singles who have sold a home and are now empty nesters. They are looking to live carefree by choosing to rent rather than to own.” Prices here range from $4000-$5300 per month depending on the space. While the monthly outlay is steep, the location and amenities are clearly worth it for residents; all 49 units at The Agora are currently leased. The contemporary community offers residents conveniences like pick-up dry cleaning and proximity to Trader Joes, Whole Foods and Broadway Plaza. “The bar at California Pizza Kitchen is just downstairs and Corner's Tavern is a great place to hang out,” says Doyle. While most apartment dwellers consider themselves lucky if a washer/dryer comes with their unit, living at The Agora comes with some nice perks—rooftop pool and sun deck, 24-hour fitness center, community kitchen and lounge, bio-filtration areas for pets, advanced sound proofing and electric vehicle charging stations. The gated underground garage may be full of parked cars, but residents tie on their sneakers to explore the city instead of driving. “I hardly move my car on the weekends,” says Theresa.
spring 2017 / walnut creek
37
travel
Saturday in the city BY FRAN MILLER
Whether it’s a one night trip or a weekend odyssey, the city by the bay has it all Tourists know it. So do travel agents and guide book editors. San Francisco has it all—major league baseball, world-class museums, restaurants galore, theater and shopping, plus magnificent views. And it’s all just a hop and a skip across the Bay. Where else can you experience so much diversity so close to home? The next time the travel bug bites, stay at one of the city’s remarkable boutique hotels, and play tourist in your own backyard.
38
walnut creek / spring 2017
WHERE TO STAY With its great location, bold décor and thoughtful extras, Pineapple Hospitality’s Alise (580 Geary Street) may become your new favorite. Centrally located near some
of the best neighborhoods the city has to offer—Union Square, Nob Hill, Fisherman’s Wharf and SOMA— sophisticated travelers have a new destination for weekend adventures. ➤
MAKE IT A RITUAL Join us for exceptional food and hospitality in the lobby lounge or restaurant
LIVE MUSIC FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS Free Valet Parking 7 Days a Week
Executive Chef Joseph Waizeniak
Elite Limousine
ELITE
L
IM
C
.
EL
O IN
The Walnut Creek Marriott 2355 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek | (925) 934-2000 | marriottwc.com
YOUR LEADER IN BAY AREA LIMOUSINE SERVICES
Private Wine Tours to Napa and Sonoma Valley Professional Luxury service to SFO, SJC and OAK airports Ask about our round trip discounts and free hours of limousine service!
Call Toll free 1.800.820.2059 | 925.957.8888 | www.elitelimo.com
spring 2017 / walnut creek
39
travel
A fine art collection, elegant scroll work and a dramatic palette of yellow, black and grey form the backdrop of an expansive lobby filled with stylish furnishings and a sleek bar. Here, guests linger over coffee or cocktails while taking in the bronze, life-size sculpture by Karen LaMonte, glass panels by David Willis and works by artists like Victor Ostrovsky, Robert Kuo and Peter Anton. Cozy, modernized rooms at this historic property feature marble bathrooms, lacquered chests, plush robes and complimentary high speed WIFI. The hotel’s unique European Naked Experience™ provides each guest an individually folded down duvet. This special touch, combined with the crisp San Francisco air wafting in through an open
40
window, is the recipe for a sublime sleep experience. Prefer your windows closed? All of the rooms are air conditioned and upgraded with soundproofing.
WHAT TO DO AND EAT After a quick boost from a cup of in-room Keurig coffee, head out for a stroll or cruise on one of the hotel’s complimentary yellow bikes. Go on a shopping spree, explore museums, forage at the Ferry Building or get your heart pumping
walnut creek / spring 2017
on a hike up one of the city’s steep hills. Plan your itinerary around a show—SHN’s Hamilton is on stage across the street. When it’s time to eat, head to dinner at one of our local faves, Bluestem Brasserie (1 Yerba Buena Lane). Chef John Griffiths works his magic in signature dishes like chicken liver toast: two thick pieces of toasted levain spread with chicken liver mousse pate, then topped with seasonal pickled fruit. Other menu highlights include lamb tartare, duck confit salad and the house-ground brasserie burger. Off-the-hook desserts include warm brioche bread pudding smothered in vanilla ice cream and bourbon caramel. Don’t miss a peek at the LED-lit bar, designed to mimic firefly light in a meadow. If you still have a little energy left, end your evening with jazz and cocktails at the swanky Black Cat (400 Eddy Street). This gritty and glam hot spot, within the city’s historic arts and entertainment district, features two levels of
seating, live music, timeless cocktails and an artisanal champagne collection.
P.S. If you just can’t leave Fido at home, bring him along. For a small fee, The Alise provides dog beds, water bowls, and treats for its furry guests. And Dash, Pineapple Hospitality’s mascot stuffed husky, welcomes guests big and small to their rooms with a little love. The small stuffed animal is yours for $25, and proceeds benefit the humane society.
eat & drink partners in craft | artisan cheese | lamorinda wineries | seasonal food | DINING GUIDE
Sunol Ridge
Meet the men who created this swanky watering hole
B
BY LOU FANCHER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSH ISAACS
ehind the ranch-style decor and southern-inspired American cuisine at Sunol Ridge, sophistication and commitment to service shine. Customers tout its large selection of carefully curated craft beers—38 on tap—regional wines, specialty cocktails and a signature ranch burger that owner Christopher George unabashedly calls “the best, no skimp burger in town.” The eclectic menu features satisfying small plates like Ahi tuna poke and fried green tomatoes meant to share, while mains like the braised beef cheeks and tapioca crusted snapper satisfy a hearty appetite. But no meal here is complete without delightful beignets and crème brulee for dessert. ➤
spring 2017 / walnut creek
41
eat & drink When Chris George and his partner, Mark Flaherty, transformed the restaurant space in 2014, they spared no expense—a leather bar is covered in authentic cow hides, a granite gathering table doubles as a work of art complete with water fall, and an outdoor patio is richly appointed with copper lighting and a community fire pit. Both men also share a dedication to fresh, flavorful food served in a lively, wellappointed environment. George was born and raised in Martinez in a family of six children with schoolteacher parents. His father, a science teacher, had a green thumb. “Everything came from the garden. Only tuna came from a can,” George recalls. “My father was a product of the Depression and believed you raised everything you were going to eat.” George’s mother had a knack for feeding her “little army” with Italian dishes, pork chops and tater tots. As a teenager, he remembers seeing syrup poured out of a bottle for the first time—his family made their own—and thought, “Why not make it yourself?” Flaherty says an intense curiosity about home-brewed beer forged their friendship. Unknowingly, each gave the other a beer kit one Christmas. After some serious research and much tasting, the idea of opening a simple pub became a substantial restaurant concept. At Sunol Ridge, Flaherty is the front man—overseeing
42
walnut creek / spring 2017
the beer on tap, refining the menu and handling customer relations. He also responds directly to Yelp and other online reviews by inviting people who report dissatisfaction to come back in and talk with him. “Diners during a special night out don’t want to say something and ruin the evening. I understand that. At first, it was hard not to take bad reviews personally. But now we look at them, dissect them with the staff, and fix the problem.” George says hiring a team with strong people skills has made all the difference for business. “A person can be celebrating a work anniversary or the passing of a loved one. Two people might be in-and-out, all business—or a couple may want to sit at a table for hours after the meal is over because it’s their first night out without the kids in months. Seasoned and welltrained servers understand the difference.” Now that Sunol Ridge is established, George’s “day job” as President and CEO of CMG Financial, a privately held mortgage bank, only allows him to visit the restaurant a few times each month. At home, his wife, Teresa, is the family chef. “I have a tough time boiling water, but she’s phenomenal and even leaves me prepared meals with cooking instructions when she’s out of town. Otherwise, I’d probably be eating fried bologna sandwiches,” he says. Or, making more frequent trips to Sunol Ridge for that can’t-miss burger and one of Flaherty’s hand-picked brews.
well
Photography by derrick story
eat & drink
Cheese, Please Creamy and delicious, cheese may be the perfect food. Luckily for us, Northern California produces award-winning cheeses––here we meet a top producer. BY FRAN MILLER
C
indy Callahan never intended to start a cheese empire. It all happened quite by accident. When a friend pointed out the flock of sheep she maintained on her small Petaluma farm might be good for something more than lawn mowing, a cheesemaker was born. In 1992, Callahan toured Italian dairies and creameries to learn milking and cheesemaking techniques, and soon began producing California’s first commercial sheep milk cheeses with her son Liam. Since then, Bellwether Farms has turned-out some of the country’s best artisanal cheeses and dairy products. Regularly featured in high-end restaurants and national publications, Bellwether uses traditional ➤
spring 2017 / walnut creek
43
eat & drink “It’s the smoothest, creamiest ricotta on the market. It’s actually a shame to use it in a recipe, when the best way to enjoy it is simply by the spoonful.”
techniques to create expertly aged farmstead sheep milk cheeses—San Andreas, Pepato and Ricotta. They also produce fresh and aged cow milk cheeses—Carmody, Fromage Blanc, Crescenza and Ricotta—along with a line of yogurt with milk from a neighboring Jersey dairy farm. A trove of 2016 awards and accolades recognized Liam’s artistry, particularly for the fluffy and delicate texture of his whole milk ricotta. To make ricotta, Liam starts with a vat of cultured Jersey milk and Pepato whey before stirring in white vinegar, measured by eye. The concoction sits for 25 minutes while fat, puffy curds resembling melted mozzarella begin to form. Once set, he scoops handfuls into perforated molds to solidify. The retail product is sold in this original draining basket. The exceptional flavor and texture is legendary as it elicits oohs and aahs from cheese aficionados who won’t use anything but in ricottabased recipes. “Liam’s ricotta is absolutely the best,” says Barb Welms, a former Cowgirl Creamery employee who knows a little something about cheese herself. “It’s the smoothest, creamiest ricotta on the market. It’s actually a shame to use it in a recipe, when the best way to enjoy it is simply by the spoonful.” As a working farm, Bellwether is unable to host the legion of fans who want a firsthand look at their processes. Admirers instead find it in the dairy case at Whole Foods Market, where many of Bellwether’s products are found.
44
walnut creek / spring 2017
CHOCOLATE RICOTTA ICEBOX CAKE INGREDIENTS Nonstick cooking spray 14 ounces semisweet chocolate (do not use chips) 2 containers (15 ounces each) Bellwether Farms Whole Milk Jersey Ricotta, room temperature 3/4 cup heavy cream 1 package (9 ounces) chocolate wafers (about 44 cookies) DIRECTIONS Prepare pan: Remove sides from a 9-inch round springform pan. Place sheet of waxed paper on bottom, leaving an overhang; lock sides onto bottom, firmly securing paper. Spray with cooking spray; line sides with a strip of waxed paper 28 inches long and 4 inches wide. Make mixture: Break 12 ounces of chocolate into pieces. Place in heatproof medium bowl set over (not in) a pan of simmering water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chocolate melts, 8-10
minutes. In a food processor, blend ricotta until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl. Add warm chocolate; blend until smooth. In a large bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form. With a rubber spatula, gently fold cream into chocolate-ricotta mixture. Assemble cake: Arrange half the cookies in an overlapping pattern to cover bottom of pan. Spoon half the chocolate-ricotta mixture on top of cookies; smooth top. Cover with remaining cookies; top with remaining chocolatericotta mixture, and smooth. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 2 days. Cut and serve: Release sides of pan and remove waxed paper from sides. Using bottom piece of waxed paper, pull cake onto a platter; with a metal spatula, lift cake and remove waxed paper. Using a vegetable peeler, shave remaining 2 ounces chocolate over top of cake. With a knife dipped in hot water, cut cake into 10 slices (wipe and dip after each slice). Enjoy!
Local Wine Country GROWERS IN LAMORINDA POUR SERIOUS SIPS
W
ine lovers are likely familiar with California’s varied AVA’s (American Viticultural Areas), each characterized by a unique climate, suitable soil and good grape growing conditions. Carneros, Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, Oakville, Rutherford, Stags Leap District, Yountville and Lamorinda are all AVA’s. Yes – Lamorinda. It became an AVA in 2013 as a result of the Lamorinda Winegrower’s Association’s (LWGA) lobbying efforts. They asserted that the East Bay territory’s cool climate and hillside vineyards make it an ideal winegrowing region. With topography and conditions much like neighbor Napa, Lamorinda’s temperatures are
moderated by its hilly terrain and cooling fog that rolls in during hot summer days. The Lamorinda AVA boasts approximately 125 vineyards producing mainly Chardonnay, Syrah, Cab Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. Most vineyards are located in backyards on under an acre. Only a few are visible from public roads. The LWGA and its members promote their status as a winegrowing region and seek to enhance marketability of Lamorinda grown grapes and wine. Members also support each other with the exchange of vineyard maintenance and sustainability tips. —Fran Miller
Captain Vineyards
Family-owned and operated by Sal and Susan Captain, this Moraga based winery blends upwards of 35 reds, available at the winery or online. Join the ‘Captain Club’ and take part in harvest, bottling, labeling and wine releases. “We take pride in every step of our production process: energy conservation, dry farming, zero waste, and reduced carbon footprint,” says Susan. “Our goal is to grow grapes for everyone's favorite beverage in a manner that doesn’t cause environmental damage.” captainvineyards.com
Vicenza Ranch Tony Inzerillo converted a horse barn on his Moraga property to house 20 barrels of wine from which he produces 150 cases per year of awarding winning varietals. He works directly with local grape growers to make Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Meritage, Petite Syrah, Sangiovese, Super Tuscan Blend and Zinfandel. His wines can be found at Amoroma in Moraga, La Coco in Berkeley, and a few Italian delis. Inzerillo is also known for his exclusive Pear Wine, made annually for the Moraga Pear and Wine festival. vincenzaranch.com.
spring 2017 / walnut creek
45
eat & drink
deer hill Vineyards Located in a quiet suburb of Lafayette, Deer Hill has been family-owned and operated since 1998. Bill and Alissa Scanlin take pride and care in producing small batches of smooth, bold, and flavorful Cabernet Sauvignons that are less filtered than commercial wines, giving them more character. Every grape bunch is carefully handpicked to ensure great taste and quality wine. Find it at Total Wine in Pleasant Hill. deerhillvineyards.com
The Ward Family planted 1500 Pinot Noir vines in Lafayette in 1999. Their grapes continue to thrive on a southwestern facing slope just past the coastal fog belt where days are warm and nights are cool. The steep hillside dictates that the vineyard is completely hand farmed. Dry and silky, with flavors of cola, nutmeg and mace, Los Arabis Pinot has a sweet finish. Named for the Arabian Horses that ran the hillside for years, their wines can be found in fine local restaurants, Total Wines, Diablo Foods, and Jackson’s Liquor. losarabisvineyards.com
los arabis Vineyards meadow view winery Bill English began making award-winning wine in 1976, but it wasn’t until 2016 that he sold his first bottle. Now, his wines can be found at Jackson’s, Wine Thieves, Total Wine, Diablo Foods, Postino and Orinda’s Cine Cuvee. He makes Chardonnay, Rose, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and a Super-Tuscan style blend, with partners Doug Spear and Isabelle Ord, who provide Meadow View grapes from their Moraga vineyard. meadowviewwinery.com
46
walnut creek / spring 2017
What's in Season
lemongrass When life gives you lemongrass… make meatballs. This Southeast Asian grass is a tough, leafy herb with tempting fragrance. It’s floral without being cloying, lemony without being tart. This easy to grow perennial is happy in full sun. If gardening’s not your thing, look for this special herb at local farmers’ markets or a local grocery store. Lemongrass is delicious in all kinds of recipes. Lop off the spiky tops and peel away the tough outer layers of white stalk. Crush, slice, or mince the five inches of pale bottom, and lemongrass will reveal itself. It works especially well with garlic, onion, and ginger, the flavors that often partner with it in recipes. ➤ spring 2017 / walnut creek
47
eat & drink TURKEY AND LEMONGRASS MEATBALLS IN LETTUCE CUPS 4 Servings MEATBALLS 1 lb. ground turkey (or substitute with pork) 1 lemongrass stalk, bottom 5 inches only, smashed with rolling pin, then minced 1/2 C. chopped shallots 2 T. chopped fresh cilantro 2 T. fish sauce 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1 tsp. vegetable oil 1 tsp. sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper DIPPING SAUCE AND ASSEMBLY 1 lemongrass stalk 1/4 C. fresh lime juice
48
walnut creek / spring 2017
1/4 C. fish sauce 2 T. chopped fresh cilantro 2 T. grated carrot 4 tsp. brown sugar 2 tsp. minced green Thai (or serrano) chile 2 T. vegetable oil 1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated 1 small Persian cucumber, thinly sliced Meatballs: Keep meat chilled while making lemongrass paste. Combine lemongrass, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and remaining ingredients in a food processor; pulse until paste forms. Add chilled turkey or pork, pulse to blend. Shape mixture into 24 balls. Place on baking sheet. Cover and chill at least 1 hour and up to a day.
Dipping sauce: Cut bottom 3 inches from lemongrass. Smash with rolling pin, then mince. Measure 1 T. salt into a bowl then add lime juice, fish sauce, cilantro, carrot, sugar and chile to a bowl; whisk until sugar dissolves. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs; brown until cooked through, turning occasionally, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a platter. Arrange lettuce leaves and cucumber on platter with meatballs. Allow guests to assemble at table and drizzle with dipping sauce.
BACKYARD BOTANICALS Celebrating the bounty of gorgeous and useful plants from the garden BY LOU FANCHER
W
ritten by San Franciscobased authors and landscape designers Stefani Bittner and Alethea Harampolis, Harvest (Ten Speed Press) features unusual projects created from common plants to produce an extraordinary array of fragrances, cocktails, beauty and food products, textile dyes and floral arrangements. Graceful photography by David Fenton accompanies the step-by-step instructions for planting, growing, harvesting and utilizing over 47 plants and flowers. Skin care recipes use petals, seeds, leaves, fruits and flowers to make Apricot Facial Mask, Rosewater Facial Toner, Yarrow Herbal Tincture and Gardener’s Salve. Bring the garden into the kitchen for Poppy Seed Dressing, Lemon Bee Balm Tea, Edible Flower Garnish, and Late-Season Herb Salad. It’s nearly
impossible to imagine a more charming addition to grilled steak, fish, or vegetables than Blooming Butter, a delicious concoction made from Bachelor’s Buttons and sweet butter. Most delightful are the fresh flower arrangements and unexpected cocktails. Crabapple branches look tender arranged in a steel blue vessel; artichoke heads blend with wild carrot flowers and nasturtium vines in a Wizard of Oz-like table display; a simple pruning of blackberry branches results in a bountiful cascade of color for a kitchen counter. Garden-sourced cocktails like Papa’s Finger Lime Gin & Tonic promise to “pop on your tongue” with caviar-like bubbles of citrus flesh. Scented Geranium Sugar brightens after-dinner liqueurs or nonalcoholic drinks with its lemony aroma and flavor.
LEMONGRASS SALT SCRUB Lemongrass has antibacterial, antioxidant, and other therapeutic properties. After a day working in the garden, lemongrass is a remedy for aches and pains. Use this salt scrub on your hands daily or on sore muscles once a week while taking a deep soak in the tub. 1 or 2 fresh stalks lemongrass 1 cup sea salt ½ cup almond or olive oil Finely chop lemongrass by hand or in a food processor. Combine chopped lemongrass, salt, and oil in a bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon—or even better, use your hands. The texture should be moist enough to hold together but not overly oily. (If too oily, add a pinch more salt.) Scoop the scrub into a 12-to 16-ounce jar and seal with a lid. Use within 2 weeks. Spoon a small amount into your hands, gently rub it in, then rinse your hands with warm water.
spring 2017 / walnut creek
49
FARMERS FRITTATA By Contra Costa Certified Farmers' Market Sundays on Locust Street in Walnut Creek
Here in Northern California we enjoy a bounty of fruits and vegetables when the weather warms in spring. Typical months to find fresh, locally grown asparagus and green beans at farmers' markets are March through June. High in protein, full of fiber and low in calories, these vegetables are great ingredients to add to your diet. Roast them with a olive oil or get a little more creative and try this recipe.
Ingredients 8 large eggs Generous pinch of kosher salt 2 dashes black pepper 1/3 cup whole milk (or half and half) 1 teaspoon olive oil ½ cup chopped asparagus (additional to garnish top if desired) ½ cup chopped green beans 1 spring onion thinly sliced 1 teaspoon thyme 3 tablespoons feta cheese, crumbled
Directions Preheat broiler to high. Whisk together seasonings and milk or half and half. Heat a well-seasoned 9-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil, asparagus, green beans and onions. Lightly sauté for three minutes. Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and thyme. Carefully pour egg mixture over cheese. Cook over medium heat until eggs are partially set, around 5minutes. Remove from stove and place under oven broiler 5” from heat for 2 minutes or until browned. Serve for brunch or add a salad for a light dinner. Enjoy!
50 50
walnutcreek creek/ /spring spring2017 2017 walnut
walnut creek M
A
G
A
Z
I
N
E
Dining Guide where to eat now Edited by Anneli Rufus
These listings include advertisers and non-advertisers at the discretion of Walnut Creek Magazine. We suggest that you phone the restaurants ahead for reservations, current hours, and days of operation. All listings are in the (925) area code, unless noted otherwise. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please write to us: Dine, Walnut Creek Magazine PO Box 5550, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 or email us at info@walnutcreekmagazine.com.
AMERICAN
sweet Savory salty spicy
the johnny cash burger
CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED BURGERS, FRIES & COMFORT FOOD SCRATCH COOKING • CRAFT BEER & COCKTAILS LU N C H • D I N N E R • W E E K E N D B RU N C H
1548 Bonanza Street, Walnut Creek, (925) 945-6960 BRODERICKROADHOUSE.COM
BREAKFAST JOINTS / BURGERS / SALADS / BARBECUE BACK FORTY TEXAS BARBECUE: Meat is king here - from steak and sliced brisket to chicken and ribs, much of it cooked according to Austin-style family recipes.100 Coggins Dr., Pleasant Hill, 935-1440, backforty.us. BUCKHORN GRILL: When it comes to big salads, Buckhorn is a star. Casual and comfortable, the downtown eatery serves fresh veggies and grilled meats in satisfying combinations.1171 Locust St., 945-7676, buckhorngrill.com. BUTTERCUP: At this family- run restaurant, it’s all about savory homemade meals. Besides big breakfasts, Buttercup dishes up lunch and dinner. And on Fridays, they serve Matzo Ball soup. 660 Ygnacio Valley Rd., 932-2763, buttercupgrillandbar.com
DENICA’S: There’s a lot to love at this north Walnut Creek restaurant starting with the mouthwatering pastries lining the bakery’s shelves. Other show stoppers include Benedict four ways and big salads. 2280 Oak Grove Rd., 945-6200, denicascafe.com.
KATY'S KREEK: With 12 kinds of Eggs Benedict, a full bar and brunch served every day, this is the place to satisfy your cravings. If your taste buds prefer the sweet, Katy's is famous for its blintzes and Swedish pancakes. 1680 Locust St., 946-0949, katyskreek.com.
spring 2017 / walnut creek
51
Happy hour AT FUEGO TEQUILA GRILL
LARK CREEK: This upscale restaurant specializes in fresh seasonal comfort food. Popular dishes Include roasted chicken, tamale pancake and Steelhead salmon. 1360 Locust St., 256-1234, larkcreek.com. LETTUCE: A salad emporium that loads farm-fresh produce into
authentic MEXICAN FOOD ✶ nfl sunday ticket ✶ FOOD AND DRINK SPECIALS DAILY
happy hour Mon-Sat, 2-6pm
generously sized classics and creative new inventions. 1632 Locust St., 933-5600, lettuce1.net.
MOOYAH: It’s a franchise with a load of personality. Take your kids to this colorful burger joint and let them build their own burger and eat it with a side of fries. 1815 Ygnacio Valley Rd., 280-5555, mooyah.com.
RUTH’S CHRIS STEAKHOUSE: New Yorks, rib eyes and filets are
served on sizzling 500-degree plates cooked to perfection. Round out the meal with spinach au gratin and potatoes Lyonnaise at this swanky steakhouse. 1553 Olympic Blvd., 977-3477, ruthschris.com.
STANFORD’S: Happy hour is hot here with steak bites, flatbreads, and burgers on the menu. This is the place to take a shopping break and sip a signature cocktail. 1330 S. Main St., 944-0895, stanfords.com.
1359 Locust Street, Walnut Creek (925) 891-4023 fuegotequilagrill.com
STADIUM PUB: Around for decades, the place is covered in sports memorabilia and wall to wall TVs. The menu is stuffed with BLTs, hot dogs, burgers and fish tacos. 1420 Lincoln Ave., 256-7302, stadiumpub.com.
CORNERS TAVERN: Upscale comfort food served in a spirited
atmosphere. Get communal around the 30-seat bar or hang out in the lounge alcoves with mussels, sliders or garlicky shrimp. Great collection of craft beers. 1342 Broadway Plaza, 948-8711, cornerstavern.com.
HOME OF CHICKEN AND WAFFLES: Classic fried chicken is served moist and tender. Eat it with waffles or something savory like the house grits, biscuits and collard greens. Open until 4am on weekends. 1653 Mt. Diablo, 280-1653, homeofchickenandwaffles.com. SUNRISE BISTRO: The emphasis here is on fresh, healthy food. For breakfast try the sweet potato hash or yogurt pancakes. At lunch, you can’t go wrong with a chicken salad sandwich or big salad. 1559 Botelho Dr., 930-0122, sunrisebistrocatering.com. THE COUNTER: Upscale burger joint where they make it the way you want it, from exotic to classic, and top it with your favorites. Plump patties range from beef, bison, turkey and ahi tuna. 1699 N. California Blvd., 935-3795, thecounterburger.com. THE ORIGINAL HICK’RY PIT: This diner is known for its honest American food served all day with a heaping side of hospitality. House specialties are barbecue ribs and homemade pies. 1495 S. Main St., 935-7450, hickrypit.com.
52
walnut creek / spring 2017
ASIAN
CHINESE / VIETNAMESE / JAPANESE / THAI DRAGON POND: Executive Chef Xiao creates Hunan and Mandarin delicacies. House favorites include Mango Chicken, Honey Walnut Prawns and Salt & Pepper Calamari. 1353 Locust St., 926-0278, dragonpond.com. LE CHEVAL: Renowned for its classic Vietnamese cuisine; vermi-
celli salad, ginger crab and lemongrass chicken. 1375 N. Broadway, 938-2288, lecheval.com.
KACHA THAI BISTRO: An extensive Thai menu goes beyond the basics with dishes like coconut-milk-roasted duck served in a half-pineapple. A chic setting glamorizes the satay, plar, and larb. 1665 Mt. Diablo Blvd., 988-9877, kachathai.com. MIXED GRAIN: Authentic Korean comfort food. Try the bibimbap, a big bowl of fluffy rice, colorful vegetables and creamy egg. Nine condiments accompany every meal, including spicy cucumber and seaweed salad. 1546 Bonanza St., 938-5959, mixedgrain.com. NAMA SUSHI: This casual sushi spot in a north WC strip mall is always packed with raw fish fanatics craving the chef’s creative rolls, ocean fresh fish and Japanese fare. 1502 Sunnyvale Avenue, 932-9540.
OI-C BOWL: Delicious Chinese food served in a spacious setting with outdoor patio. Spicy Szechuan cuisine, big noodle bowls and Bento Box lunch specials. 1616 N. Main St., 287-8118, oicbowl. com. PF CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO: This large Chinese restaurant manages to feel intimate with an interesting menu that draws on multiple Asian cooking styles. Try the lettuce wraps and Dan Dan noodles. 1205 Broadway Plaza, 979-9070, pfchangs.com.
SASA: Upscale Japanese izakaya with dazzling décor and decadently fresh fish. Melt-in-your-mouth sashimi is served with an array of sake.1432 N. Main St., 210-0188, sasawc.com.
VANESSA'S BISTRO: During happy hour, prices at this popular
Vietnamese spot drop to $6 for most small plates and cocktails including green papaya prawn salad, petrale sole fish tacos and crispy Saigon rolls. 1512 Locust St., 891-4790, vanessasbistro2.com.
YAN’S CHINA BISTRO: This spicy-food haven makes its pot stickers to order and vegetables crisp. Bestsellers include Singapore noodles, salt & pepper pork chops and Mongolian beef. 3162 Danville Blvd., Alamo, 837-8298, yanschinabistro.com.
spring 2017 / walnut creek
53
CALIFORNIA
PASTA / FISH / ORGANIC PRODUCE A’TRIO: Lively restaurant-lounge inside the Walnut Creek Marriott turns out delicious California cuisine with a Mediterranean flare. Flatbreads, salads, tasty burgers and salmon. Live music on weekends. 2355 N. Main St., 934-2000, marriottwalnutcreek.com.
1515 RESTAURANT LOUNGE: Always bustling for cocktails, flavorful pastas and fresh fish, the heated outdoor patio is a good place to people watch. 1515 N. Main Street, 939-1515, 1515wc.com. CITRUS: This hip restaurant inside Renaissance Club Sport, fea-
763
SAVORY
HOME COOKING Serving Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Daily • Full Bar 660 YGNACIO VALLEY ROAD WALNUT CREEK
(925) 932-2763
best prices in town Locally-Owned for Over 25 Years
tures Pacific Rim dishes and California classics. Sunday brunch is a weekend ritual with Bloody Mary’s on the patio. 2805 N. Jones Rd., 938-8700, renaissanceclubsport.com.
CHOW: Always packed with locals, the menu offers plenty of comfortable choices from sandwiches to brunch fare. An adjoining market sells organic greens, and fresh meats. 53 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette, 962-2469, chowfoodbar.com.
MAIN STREET KITCHEN: Farm-fresh ingredients grace the menu here. Standouts include fish and chips with house cabbage slaw. Burgers are made from grass-fed beef and fried green pickles come with a lemon aioli. 1358 N. Main St., 933-1001, mainstkitchen.com. METRO: In a seriously chic space with a huge outdoor patio, the kitchen turns out international fare from diverse organic ingredients. 3524 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 284-4422, metrolafayette.com. THE PEASANT'S COURTYARD: A casual spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner served in a charming outdoor courtyard. Pancakes, ribs, burgers and calamari. 3195 Danville Blvd, Alamo, 362-0088, thepeasantscourtyard.com. VA DE VI BISTRO: With its sophisticated vibe and al fresco dining under an old oak tree, the restaurant's sips are accompanied by a sampling of small plates--bite size burgers, pasta, risotto, and seafood. 1511 Mt. Diablo Blvd., 979-0100, vadevi.com.
ITALIAN / pizza
Specializing in Bourbon, Whiskey & Vodka Over 500 Labels of Premium Wine T wo W a l n u t C r e e k L oc a t i o n s
Newell Liquors 1270 Newell Avenue 925-295-0225
54
Olympic Liquor & Grocery 2400 Olympic Boulevard 925-934-8450
walnut creek / spring 2017
IL FORNAIO: Italian food so innovative, you’ll forget it’s a chain. Lovely dining room with outdoor seating in the heart of downtown shopping. 1430 Mount Diablo Blvd., 296-0100, ilfornaio.com. MONTECATINI RISTORANTE: An Italian restaurant with staying
power; it opened the day of the big earthquake in 1989. The traditional menu features excellent seafood, pastas and veal. 1528 Civic Drive, 943-6608, montecatiniristorante.com.
POSTINO: In a romantic, fireplace-studded, brick building, executive chef Stewart Beatty and his team create elegant dishes from fresh seasonal ingredients. 3565 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 299-8700, postinorestaurant.com. PRIMA: Everything’s made fresh on the premises at Chef Peter
Chastain’s acclaimed contemporary Italian restaurant. His flavorful risottos and light gnocchi will have you coming back for more. 1522 N. Main St., 935-7780, primaristorante.com.
ROCCO’S: This is the place for pizza aficionados. The meaty Dominator and vegetarian Dante’s Inferno are house specialties, along with heaping pastas and salads. 2909 Ygnacio Valley Rd., 947-6105, roccospizzeria.com. SKIPOLINI’S: Fans flock here for the family vibe and can't- miss pies. The Martinelli, white sauce topped with red peppers, cayenne chicken and fresh spinach, is a house favorite. Legend has it the Prego pizza brings on labor quicker than you can say "more pepperoni, please." 1535 Giammona Dr., 280-1100, skipolinispizza.com. PINKY’S: Perfect for birthday parties and post-game feasts, Pinky’s is a Walnut Creek tradition. Simple, affordable and comfortable, the pizzeria has remained true to its vision since opening in the 1960’s. 2085 N. Broadway, 939-5000, pinkyspizzawc.com.
MEXICAN
MDine-in MCarry-out MCatering MBanquets MSaloon
EL CHARRO: A Lafayette favorite, the margaritas are magic accompanied with chips, salsa and “cheese dip.” From fish tacos to burritos, this restaurant has served generations of locals. 3339 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 283-2345, elcharro1947.com. MARIA MARIA: This beautiful Mexican restaurant is known for its creative dishes like creamy duck tacos, mole short ribs and spicy sweet chile rellenos. Start your meal with guacamole and margaritas. 1470 N. Broadway, 946-1010, mariamariarestaurants.com. MI CASA: The owners are from Honduras and the menu may
LEGENDARY TEX The way it was meant to be.
fool you. Mildly spiced cuisine mixes tastes of Mexico and Central America. Weekly specials include $2 Taco Tuesday. 2195 N. Broadway, 937-8800, micasa-wc.com.
MID-TO-FAR-EAST Gyros / Greek Salads / Kabobs
BABALOU'S: Great food at great prices. The Middle Eastern menu
is seductive for vegetarians and carnivores alike—with aromatic meats and a tempting display of salads served in a brightly muraled room. 1645 Bonanza St., 930-8000, babalous.com.
925-935-1440
100 Coggins Dr., Pleasant Hill backforty.us facebook.com/backforty
spring 2017 / walnut creek
55
JACK’S: This restaurant has a warm vibe and big bar. Souvlaki and spanakopita honor the owners' Greek heritage; an eclectic international menu featuring pasta, steak and breakfasts. 60 Crescent Dr., Pleasant Hill, 849-6195, jacksrestaurants.com. SILK ROAD: Good food served in a sunny patio setting. House fa-
vorites are kabobs, gyros and falafels, but save room, you can make a meal from the appetizer plate served with piping hot pita bread. 1440 N. Main St., 932-9090, silkroadwalnutcreek.com.
SEAFOOD SCOTT'S: Elegant surroundings, attentive service and good food. They also do a lavish Sunday brunch, catering and social events. 1333 N California Blvd., 934-1300, scottsrestaurants.com.
WALNUT CREEK YACHT CLUB: For over 15 years, WCYC has been cultivating customers with its lobster and crab feasts, fresh oysters, and fresh fish. The restaurant’s specialties — killer cocktails and phenomenal fish —attract barflies and foodies alike. 1555 Bonanza St., 944-3474, walnutcreekyachtclub.com. YANKEE PIER: Bustling seafood house has an East Coast vibe and
a menu featuring fresh-shucked oysters, an array of grilled fish, popcorn shrimp, and beer-battered clams. House-made desserts and full bar. 3593 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 283-4100, yankeepier.com.
SOUTH AMERICAN Peru / Chile / Spain PARADA: While the menu offers a diverse selection, the ceviche is a must. Fresh fish is marinated in lemon juice and chilies and served with toasted corn nuts and spiced sweet potato. Rotisserie chickens are also a big seller, along with mac n cheese. 7001 Sunne Lane, 448-8118, paradakitchen.com. SABORES DEL SUR: Chilean cuisine reigns at this north Walnut Creek eatery. You can't go wrong the robust empanadas stuffed with meat or vegetarian fillings inside fresh, flaky pastry dough. 3003 Oak Rd., 954-8300, saboresdelsursf.com. TELEFERIC BARCELONA: Walnut Creek's newest Spanish hot spot serves tasty bites known as pinxtos, ahi tuna swabbed in wasabi sauce, along with fresh paella and steak in a stunning atmosphere. 1500 Mt. Diablo Blvd., 451-9576, telefericbarcelona.com.
DELIs / cafés
salads / soups / sandwiches CREPES OOH LA LA: Thin pancakes made the Parisian way, poured on a hot griddle and spread to thinness. Range of toppings for sweet and savory palates. 1548 Locust St., 944-5790.
56
walnut creek / spring 2017
GENOVA: Italian meats, fresh ravioli and sauces. Take a number;
fans line-up for the fresh sandwiches at lunch. Two WC locations: 1105 S. California Blvd., 939-3838 and 2064 Treat Blvd., 938-2888. genovadeli.net.
MORUCCI'S: Fans travel from several towns away for these savory sandwiches. Try the 6 3/4: turkey, tomato and fresh mozzarella on ciabatta, pastrami or the popular chicken Caesar sandwich. 1218 Boulevard Way, 939-2426.
A B E T T ER B R E E D
O F B U R G E R.
©2017 MOOYAH FRANCHISE, LLC.
KINDER'S MEATS: Specialties at this family-run favorite include marinated ball tip, tequila-lime ribs, and barbecue chicken doused in signature sauce. 1831 Ygnacio Valley Road and 1293 Parkside Drive, kindersmeats.com.
MR. PICKLES: This little sandwich shop serves up flavor-packed sandwiches at great prices. Big enough to split, bread is baked fresh and packed with your favorite fillings. 1991 N. Broadway, 280-5510, mrpicklesinc.com.
sweets, treaTs and bakeries 54 MINT FORNI: Italian bakery features pizza, focaccia and pastries created from authentic Roman recipes. A flaky croissant filled with rich pastry cream, is intoxicating.1686 Locust St., 476-5844, 54mint.com.
1815 Ygnacio Valley Road, Ste D • Walnut Creek, CA 94598 Across from Heather Farms 925.280.5555 • Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm
CREAM: The winning combination of ice cream sandwiched between two warm cookies can't be beat. Neither can its superfriendly price of $3 or creative combos like double chocolate chip with peanut butter. 1372 N Main St., 891-4041, creamnation.com. LOTTIE'S CREAMERY: Scoops are packed with fresh ingredients at this ice cream parlor, where everything, including the cones, is made in-house. 1414 Main Street, 472-0723, lottiescreamery.com. NOAH'S BAGELS: Neighborhood deli serves fresh-baked bagels, sandwiches and home-style soups. Two Walnut Creek locations: 1930 Mt. Diablo Boulevard and 730 Bancroft Road, noahs.com.
SAN FRANCISCO CREAMERY: Perfect for birthdays and celebrations, serving up ice cream and toppings the old fashioned way. 1370 Locust St., 926-0228, sanfranciscocreameryco.com. SWEET AFFAIR BAKERY: Sandwiches are legendary here, so are
the morning buns, cream cheese croissants and array of muffins, cakes and cookies that make this a mainstay for over 30 years. 1815 Ygnacio Valley Rd., 944-1910, asweetaffairbakery.com.
MENTION THIS AD AND RECEIVE A FREE APPETIZER WITH PURCHASE OF ANY ENTRÉE*
Reservations: 925/938-8700 2805 Jones Road Walnut Creek, CA 94597 renaissanceclubsport.com *EXPIRES 4/30/17
spring 2017 / walnut creek
57
58
walnut creek / spring 2017
art & culture
MUSEUMS | EXHIBITS | EVENTS | WORKSHOPS | THEATER | DANCE
Neo-Atlantis (2008) by Lynn Aldrich. A “coral reef” sculpture from sponges, scrubbers, scouring pads, mop heads, and brushes.
MATERIAL GIRLS Artists Lynn Aldrich and Sabina Ott take basic materials from everyday life and turn them into surreal works of beauty. A box of aluminum foil, a ball of Styrofoam and a toilet plunger are transformed into surprising installations by these two nationally renowned artists. “The sculptures are steeped in personal concerns about social and global politics, yet also have an audacious and playful sense of humor, so the work is coupled with comic relief,” says Curator Carrie Lederer. Opening reception March 23, 6-8PM, show runs through June 4. Bedford Gallery, 1601 Civic Drive, WC, bedfordgallery.org.
spring 2017 / walnut creek
59
art & culture
EXHIBITS OF DOGS & OTHER PEOPLE Step into the wondrous universe of Roy De Forest where art brims in a kaleidoscopic of colors and quirky characters. This special retrospective takes a look at this influential northern California artist’s career through 50 paintings and sculptures. April 29-August 20, Oakland Museum of California, museumca.org.
HIPPIE MODERNISM: THE STRUGGLE FOR UTOPIA This major exhibition shows us how the counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s impacted global art, architecture, design and contemporary life. Through an array of works in print, art and film, it conveys the social, cultural, and political turmoil of a transformative time. Through May 21, UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, bampfa.org.
EVENTS MONET: THE EARLY YEARS In the first major U.S. exhibition devoted to the initial phase of Claude Monet's career, explore a range of works by the artist which depict his daring mastery of art before his years as an impressionist. Through May 29, Legion of Honor, SF, famsf.org.
60
walnut creek / spring 2017
ARTISAN CHEESE FESTIVAL California’s premier cheese and wine event is back celebrating all things cheese. The festival brings together artisan cheesemakers, authors, chefs, brewers, winemakers and enthusiastic guests for three days of tasting, education and fun. March 24-26, Sheraton Sonoma County, Petaluma, artisancheesefestival.com.
Lafayette’s
DOGTOWN DOWNTOWN
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017 10AM - 12PM Lafayette Plaza Park
Corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. & Moraga Rd.
CIDER SUMMIT
TOUR THE WILD SIDE
The region’s largest cider tasting festival brings together top cider makers and ciders from around the world at the beautiful Civil War Parade Grounds on the Presidio. Nearly 200 selections of cider will be available to taste. April 22, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., cidersummit.com.
Safari West is marking April Fool’s Day with wild and bold tours in its natural sanctuary of inclusion. Here all creatures, great, small, pawed, clawed or hoofed, live and play side by side by side. On the tours you’ll learn some ‘alternative facts’: giraffes are not tall; lemurs are taller. Sloths are faster than cheetahs. And zebras have no stripes. April 1, Santa Rosa, safariwest.com.
AUTHOR GALA The Walnut Creek Library Foundation hosts its annual author’s gala, “Dinner Among the Stars,” at the downtown library featuring an evening of fine cuisine and cocktails with 18 Bay Area authors who mix, mingle and autograph their latest novels. April 22, wclibrary.org.
DIABLO TRAILS CHALLENGE Hosted by Brazen Racing, this fundraising run for Save Mount Diablo showcases the mountain’s natural beauty and helps Save Mount Diablo to preserve, defend and restore the land. The 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and 50K races begin and end at Castle Rock Recreation Area in, Walnut Creek. To register for the April 15 run, go to brazenracing.com.
DOG PARADE 10am (begins @ Lafayette Library and Learning Center)
ACTIVITIES • Demonstrations • Dog Adoptions • Vendors
CONTESTS Enter your dog in any/all contests, FREE registration starts 9:30am @ Lafayette Plaza Park • Best Team Tricks (Owner and Dog) • Doggie Vogue - Lafayette’s 2nd Annual Canine Fashion Show • Dog who can “Stay” the longest • Best of Show
MORE INFO Lafayettechamber.org/dogtown
PRESENTED BY Lafayette Library & Learning Center Lafayette Chamber of Commerce • City of Lafayette
LAFAYETTE CHAMBE R Minuteman Press Lafayette
spring 2017 / walnut creek
61
art & culture
LIVERMORE VALLEY UNCORKED The Tri-Valley Conservancy invites you to enjoy unlimited winetasting, delicious hors d’ oeuvres, and a chance to meet winemakers and growers from the Livermore Valley, all while helping to preserve more of the valley’s land. April 13, Palm Event Center, Pleasanton, trivalleyconservancy.org.
CALISTOGA FOOD & WINE A delicious weekend is in store celebrating the best regional fare and wines in the valley. The event kicksoff with a winemaker dinner followed by an afternoon tasting the rich flavors of Calistoga through small bites, live cooking stations and wines. April 21-22, calistogafoodandwine.com.
CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL This annual festival is one of California’s most prominent celebrations of Asian traditions. This year marks its 50th Anniversary with two consecutive weekends of performances,
62
walnut creek / spring 2017
crafts, food, and martial arts. On April 16, don’t miss the Grand Parade as it marches up Polk Street. April 8-9 & April 15-16, Japantown, San Francisco, sfcherryblossom.org.
PRESIDIO PICNIC San Francisco’s largest community picnic is back! Surrounded by the iconic beauty of the Presidio Trust, foodies gather on Sunday’s to sample diverse foods and beverages from Off the Grid and local chefs, play lawn games, do a
little yoga, and listen to music. Every Sunday through October from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., San Francisco, presidiopicnic.com.
FIESTA DE JARDIN Get ready for a Latin-inspired celebration of spring. At this festive garden party dance to live Latin jazz, taste authentic tapas, mojitos, craft beer, wine and more! Proceeds benefit the Gardens at Heather Farm. May 7, 2:00-5:00pm, gardenshf.org
17th ANNUAL
Fundraising Pet Walk & Free Community Festival Saturday, May 20 Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek Fundraising Pet Walk
9:30 - 10 am
Community Festival
10 am - 4 pm
Adoptions c Rescue Groups c KOFY-TV Doggie Casting Call Pet Wellness Fair c Dog Wash c Best Dressed Pet Contest KID ZONE c Raffle Prizes c Vendor Booths c and more!
Walk to Save Lives! Join the Pet Walk! Put your paws to the pavement to save lives at the fundraising Pet Walk, immediately preceding the Animals on Broadway community festival! Walk as an individual or team to reach our goal of $90,000 to help even more homeless dogs and cats.
Register today at arflife.org Pet Walk Info: petwalk@arflife.org c (925) 296-3156 Raffle donations, vendor and sponsor opportunities: khuls@arflife.org c (925) 296-3118 Sponsored by
spring 2017 / walnut creek
63
art & culture WALNUT CREEK FIRST WEDNESDAYS The downtown Cypress Street fest returns on the first Wednesday of every month with food, fun, shopping, games, dancing, and lots of live music. 5:30-8:30pm, April 5, May 3, June 7 walnutcreekdowntown.com.
EAT WITH THE ANIMALS ON EARTH DAY Bring the whole family for a continental breakfast alongside Lindsay’s birds of prey—even watch them chow down their first meal of the day! This special family event gives you exclusive access to Lindsay Wildlife Experience before it opens to the public. As an extra-special treat, the new Bald Eagle will make its first appearance. April 22, 9:00am, lindsaywildlife.org.
BRINGING BACK THE NATIVES GARDEN TOUR This self-guided tour of 41 private gardens showcases the habitats homeowners have
64
walnut creek / spring 2017
created for local wildlife in pesticide-free, native, waterconserving plant environments. A printed guide directs your weekend tour throughout the East Bay.
Native plants sold at a number of the gardens. May 7, to register go to bringingbackthenatives.net.
WORKSHOPS/CLASSES FERMENTATION FOR HEALTH Learn how to make probiotic drinks with Chef Alison Negrin at Diablo Valley College, who removes the mystery and reveals the benefits of probiotics. Taste, create and practice in this hands-on class. April 1, 10:00am to 12:30pm, DVC HSF Kitchen, Pleasant Hill, sustainablecoco.org
LOSE THE LAWN, GET A GARDEN This informative, and FREE workshop is designed for homeowners interested in replacing their water-thirsty lawns with water efficient landscaping. Experts from the Contra Costa Water District provide advice on how to make it happen. April 29 & May 27, 9:00am-noon, 1331 Concord Avenue, Concord, sustainablecoco.org.
SPRING WATERCOLOR IN THE GARDEN Learn the basic techniques of watercolor painting in the beautiful outdoor setting of the Ruth Bancroft Garden with artist Wendy Soneson. Beginners and experienced painters are welcome. April 5, 12 and 19, ruthbancroftgarden.org.
DOWNTOWN HISTORY TOURS Join the Walnut Creek Historical Society on a free docent-led downtown history tour, and learn about the city’s past. This easy 60-90 minute walking tour brings to life the early times and explains how development made Walnut Creek a regional destination. Second Saturday of month, March-October, walnutcreekhistory.info.
AUTHOR TALK How does your cultural background inform your view of the world? Author Joe Lurie shares a wealth of stories that illuminate the origins and pitfalls of cultural misunderstandings in our globalized society. His book “Perception and Deception” synthesizes his experiences in the Peace Corps and 20 years serving as Executive Director of U.C. Berkeley’s International House. April 4, 6:30pm, Lafayette Library, lafayettelib.org.
spring 2017 / walnut creek
65
art & culture
like 100,000 other Japanese Americans incarcerated during WW2, they discover resuming pre-war life is complicated. Renowned playwright Philip Kan Gotanda pens a heartwarming story balancing comedy, romance and suspense in this Center REP production. DETAILS: March 31-April 29, Walnut Creek, lesherartscenter.org.
bay area theatER
Peter Quilter’s Tony Award nominated END OF THE RAINBOW, produced by OMG, I Love That Show, features songs performed by Judy Garland during her 1968 “comeback" concerts, when she attempted to rekindle her career, in the months before her death. DETAILS: March 31 - April 23, Walnut Creek, lesherartscenter.org.
It’s the hottest ticket in town. Tony Award winning HAMILTON comes to San Francisco’s SHN with a score blending hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, and R&B by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who has created one of the most remarkable musicals in American theatre history. DETAILS: Through August 5, San Francisco, shnsf.com.
GREASE is the word. Start your engines, grab your bobby socks and gear up for a 50s rock ‘n roll extravaganza. Jive to one of Broadway's longest running musicals when Contra Costa Musical Theatre brings this nostalgic blast from the past to stage. DETAILS: March 31-April 30, Walnut Creek, lesherartscenter.org.
When the SISTERS MATSUMOTO return home after internment in an Arkansas camp,
Berkeley’s Shotgun Players perform NORA, a work that delves into gender
By Kathy McCarty
66
walnut creek / spring 2017
COMING soon... MAY JUNE 2017
SPRING FASHION dynamics, deceit, and courage illustrating the inherent patriarchy of American culture and its impact on society, with themes as pertinent today as they were when the story was first penned in 1879. DETAILS: Through April 16, Berkeley, shotgunplayers.org
Side. HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN, a play-with-music written and performed by the award-winning actor and musician, epitomizes the American Dream. DETAILS: April 4 - 30, Berkeley, berkeleyrep.org.
Clothing & Tabletop Landscape Design Inspiring Women Taco Challenge
Georgia Engel, most notable for her role as Georgette in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, stars in JOHN as an eccentric landlady who boards a couple in her Gettysburg bed-and-breakfast, in this ghost story with a millennial twist. DETAILS: Through April 23, San Francisco, ACT-sf.org.
and more… Ad Close: 4/24/17 Release Date: 5/12/17
Internationally acclaimed pianist Hershey Felder returns to Berkeley Rep for a tour-de-force performance tracing Irving Berlin’s trajectory from Czarist Russia to New York’s Lower East
FOR EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING INFORMATION publisher@walnutcreekmagazine.com or (925) 212-5146
walnut creek M
A
G
A
Z
I
N
E
Walnutcreekmagazine.com
spring 2017 / walnut creek
67
art & culture
“Dracula,” “Hamlet,” and “Charlie’s Aunt” in a performance that celebrates all the things we love about theatre and everything that can go wrong making it. DETAILS: April 14-30, Danville, villagetheatreshows.com.
Forty-four years after ROE v. WADE, the landmark case legalizing abortion, the law continues to be debated. In this world premiere, co-produced by Berkeley Rep and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, playwright Lisa Loomer examines the personal journeys of Norma McCorvey (“Jane Roe”) and her lawyer Sarah Weddington in the years since the ruling. DETAILS: Through April 2, Berkeley, berkeleyrep.org.
68
walnut creek / spring 2017
Travel deep INTO THE WOODS for an encounter with Little Red, Rapunzel and a powerful witch in this acclaimed Fiasco Theater production featuring 10 actors and one piano who innovatively retell this dark fairytale. DETAILS: Through April 2, San Francisco, shnsf.com. Summer stock becomes a LAUGHING STOCK when a struggling theatre company, short on time and money, produces
Based on the true story of National Geographic photographer Loren McIntyre's 1969 expedition into the Amazon rainforest, THE ENCOUNTER, reveals his discovery of a little known tribe. Stateof-the-art sound technology creates a three-dimensional audience experience. DETAILS: April 25-May 7, San Francisco, sfcurran.com Aurora Theatre continues its 25th Anniversary celebration with Sarah Greenman’s LENI based on the life of Leni Riefenstahl, a German filmmaker notorious for her Nazi Propaganda, in this work directed by Jon Tracy. DETAILS: Through May 7, Berkeley, auroratheatre.org.
10 Years of
walnut creek M
A
G
A
Z
I
N
E
20 07 - 2 0 1 7 Celebrating ten years of our favorite covers, each one with its own special meaning and focus. Forever grateful for our talented team of writers, designers, photographers and community contributors who make each issue of Walnut Creek Magazine happen in print and online. Of course none of it would be possible without our loyal team of advertisers, especially those who have been with us from the beginning. Cheers to the future and many more engaging issues of Walnut Creek Magazine!
walnut creek M
A
G
A
Z
I
N
E
MAY / J UNE 2 010
NEW
ASIAN EATERIES
Shibata on Tour with Rihanna Summer Hot List for Kids Secret Sculpture Garden
R E S TA U R A N T S | A R T | E N T E R TA I N M E N T | P E O P L E | E V E N T S
walnut creek The Insider’s Guide to Walnut Creek
MAY /JUN E 2011
M
A
G
A
Z
I
N
E
MARCH/APRIL 2011
THE ULTIMATE WORKOUT:
A New Spin on Dance Samantha Abrantes On Tour
Spring
Teens Talk About Future Dishing At The Market
Fashion Plus
Put Your Look Together Romantic Dresses Timeless & Chic Urban Looks
New Books The City Revealed Real Stories Lively Arts Scene
R E S TA U R A N T S | A R T | E N T E R TA I N M E N T | P E O P L E | E V E N T S
walnut creek walnut creek LEGACY FOOD MANUFACTURER Moves to Walnut Creek
M
A
G
DROUGHT RESILIENCE Resources for Home and Yard
A
Z
LEADER OF THE PACK A Dog-Walking Wonder
I
N
E
JULY / AUGUST 2015
Meet The Morucci’s Serving With Compassion Best Dog Beaches For Escaping The Heat
Dog Days THE
OF
MAY / JUNE 2016
M
A
G
A
Z
I
N
Wild World
E
COMFORT FOOD OF
35
PUT THINGS TO R ON YOU BUCKET LIST
SUMMER
WOMEN TO WATCH: Meet Six Game Changers Who Make the East Bay a Better Place
spring 2017 / walnut creek
69
event scene
taste & Toast to education PHOTOGRAPHY BY jessica freels
1
2
3
4
Travel on a downtown a culinary tour when Walnut Creek Education Foundation’s (WCEF) annual fundraiser returns May 10.
5
6
1. Chef Arash Main Street Kitchen 2. Chef Bahmin Tehrani Lettuce 3. Il Fornaio Catering Manager Victoria 4. Buckhorn Grill Roadhouse Salad 5. Montecatini’s Teresa Cheung with Extreme Pizza’s Dave Wright & his family 6. Voices for music education
70
walnut creek / spring 2017
event scene
1
east bay women's conference 2017 PHOTOGRAPHY BY jim fidelibus
Packing the grand ballroom at the San Ramon Marriott, over 500 women came together to “unleash their potential” at a day of learning and connection.
2
3
4
1. Actress Ashley Judd and Jane Willemson John Muir Health 2. Back Row: Marcie Hochhauser, Sarah Chance, Shawn Filardi, June Krug, Ruth Maricich, Stri Zulch, Colleen Benatar Front Row: Jenevieve Holman, Ann Wilber, Vangie Long 3. Theresa Alfaro, Cathy La Rocca, Gayle Vassar, Linda Rimac Colberg, Mary Brooks 4. Debbie DiMaggio, Debi Hemmenter Lean In, Amaryllis Fox, former CIA Officer
spring 2017 / walnut creek
71
A look back
Circa 1890, Walnut Creek Historical Society
The Venerable Rogers Hotel After two decades of ranching and farming, commerce came to Walnut Creek in the late 1800’s when the need for a downtown hotel drew William Rogers to the village. After a stint as a San Francisco police officer, he opened Rogers Hotel in 1879 on the corner of Main and Walker (now Duncan) streets. Equipped with a dining room, bar, dance hall and several sleeping rooms upstairs, the two-story hotel became a social stop for travelers on their way from Concord to Danville and Lafayette. Business was also brisk with visitors from San Francisco and Oakland, prompting Rogers to convert the dance hall into additional guest rooms. The hotel’s success also led to an array of entrepreneurs opening businesses downtown. *Sources: Walnut Creek An Illustrated History by Brad Rovanpera
72
walnut creek / spring 2017
General & Pediatric Dentistry At Shadelands Dental Care
Creating Smiles That Last A Lifetime Emergency & Walk-ins Welcome
Call us today to schedule your new patient appointment
Porcelain Crowns & Bridges Cosmetic Dental Implants Root Canal Services
925-930-8555
shadelandsdental.com
Tooth-Colored Fillings Lower Radiation Digital Xrays Custom Sports Guards Nitrus Oxide Available Most Insurance Accepted
925-930-9390
shadelandspediatricdentistry.com
520 lennon lane suite A • walnut creek
500
89 Welcome Exam
Off Dental Implants &Free Consultation
Custom Sports Guard
Includes: Cleaning • Polishing and Xrays
(for qualifying cases)
With an exam, cleaning & xray (for children 12 yrs. and younger)
$
$300 value
$
Free
$250 value
spring 2017 / walnut New Patients Only. Offers are cash or your insurance may cover. Offers cannot be combined. Offers good until 4/30/2017
creek
73
WORK OUT. PLAY. RELAX.
GET A FREE GUEST PASS*
CALL (925) 478-7332 OR VISIT WWW.RENCLUBSPORT.COM RENAISSANCE CLUBSPORT WALNUT CREEK 2805 JONES ROAD | WALNUT CREEK, CA 94597 *Some restrictions apply. Must be a local resident, first-time guest, 21 years or older to receive free guest pass. One per household. ID is required. Call or come in between 9am and 7pm to redeem this offer. Expires 4/30/17.
spring 2017
the rise of urban living
walnut creek magazine