Top New Walnut Creek Restaurants and Businesses that Opened in 2010—Or Will Soon

The economy may still be grasping at recovery, but that hasn't stopped people from dining out. Nor has it stopped new businesses from opening in Walnut Creek, or eager developers from launching new projects.

Scouring Walnut Creek Patch's coverage of our restaurant and business scene, I was reminded of restaurants and other businesses that made their debut this year. I also noted projects in the works.

The question I put to readers: Which of these new restaurants or businesses will make it? Which ones do you like and want to support?

I don't claim that the list presented below is comprehensive. It's entirely possible that some amazing new restaurant or shop slipped by as I was scouring our already extensive archives. So please let me and other readers know of worthwhile places to visit.

Vietnamese chic: Pho's Saigon Noodle House opened earlier this year in the space in Newell Place formerly occupied  by Taxi's. Pho Saigon  followed the opening of RJ's Noodle Shop, also on Newell Avenue, and of the more upscale Vanessa's Bistro 2 and on North Main Street. Armed with a Diablo Food Award and in a sign of confidence, Eleve, which serves some of the most authentic spiced Asian food in town, recently opened its second floor to diners. http://crazyinsuburbia.blogspot.com/search?q=Vietnamese+restaurant. And Vanessa's Bistro 2 reopened after a temporary closure caused by a water main break. 

Other restaurants opening in late 2009, early 2010 in downtown: on North Main Street; Brass Bear Delicatessen, a North Main Street version of the popular Alamo delicatessen; and the Persian restaurant on Mount Diablo Boulevard.

The new spring wave: Walnut Creek welcomed an eclectic set of establishments that boast major food and wine talent. They were the Japanese small-plates restaurant in the remodeled Walnut Creek Meat Market; , a "global" small plates eatery on Locust Street; Residual Sugar wine bar, also on Locust Street; and an Italian osteria replacing the former French Le Bistro.

These new spots, with their stylish menus and design, arrived soon after Walnut Creek received a shout-out as a surprising foodie mecca from the lifestyle website, Livability.com. Walnut Creek was And although it's next door to other Bay Area foodie meccas, Walnut Creek has "enough culinary heft to stand on its own," the Nashville-based site said.

You must loosen your belt (literally) for these dessert spots: A new Haagen-Dazs store opened in Broadway in August. Over in Newell Plaza, across from Kaiser Permanente medical center, Loards Ice Cream quietly returned to Walnut Creek.

And, the Walnut Creek branch of Kara's Cupcakes opened in November on North Main Street. These cupcakes are yummy but Walnut Creek Patch Creek Police Beat columnist Creek had one word to say about the $3.25 cupcakes at Kara's: Ouch!

Instantly popular new burger joint: Lines outside the door. That was the case for The Habit Burger, a fast-food hamburger and sandwich eatery chain from Santa Barbara . 

Baby Boom: Destination Maternity opened in the buildng that formerly housed Viking HomeChef and joined downtown's boom in shops serving new parents and expectant moms. Walnut Creek's Destination Maternity is the largest west of the Mississippi River and offers a full line of maternity clothing, active wear, baby apparel  and fashionable diaper bags by Petunia Pickle Bottom. It also has a play area for kids, sports-watching area for dads, a juice bar and a studio where classes for new moms and expectant parents are held.

A Clothing Shop Your Fashion-Forward Teen Son and Daugher Will Like: , next door the Cheesecake Factory. It is a Southern California-based retailer that is riding the wave of youth-oriented outlets inspired by the West Coast surf and skateboard lifestyle. Tilly's describes itself as "the hot chain store" that sells the most sought-out West-Coast lifestyle clothing, shoes, and accessories.

On the Horizon: Grocery stores, fitness centers and controversial fast-food restaurants

Controversy first: Fast-food hamburger chains are not winning over residents with their proposals. Walnut Creek residents who live near  the proposed  North Main Street In-N-Out burger, just over the Pleasant Hill border, that the project would negatively affect their neighborhood's air quality, noise and traffic levels. 

Meanwhile, residents in the Woodlands neighborhood are opening a McDonald's in the Citrus Plaza shopping center.

Two neighborhoods on opposite sides of town are set to get their own grocery stores. But these might be grocery stores that people from all across town will want to patronize.

Positive vibes: Another salad restaurant is coming to Walnut Creek. Tender Greens is to go into a space on Locust Street across from Peet's Coffee and Tea, right next door to Lark Creek Walnut Creek, and in the space formerly occupied by Forward Motion sports shop.

The British chain of Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets is set to open in the next year in the shopping center at Ygnacio Valley and San Carlos Road. Fresh & Easy aims to provide a diverse selection of food, including more fresh and prepared foods.

Developer Hall Equities Group is hoping to tear down an eyesore, the long-vacant former Co-op grocery on Geary Road, and replace it with a sparkling new 25,000-square-foot grocery store, Henry's stores, first established in 1943, replicate the shopping experience of produce stands and neighborhood butcher shops of the 1950s.They sell produce, fresh meats and deli foods, as well as vitamins, supplements and all-natural foods, including bulk grains, nuts and candy.

This proposal is approval for its site plans.

Hall Equities also is looking to open a new 24 Hour Fitness Center and Chick-fil-A fast-food chicken restaurant on the site of the former concrete batch plant on North Main Street. The plant ceased operations in 2006, and the property covers a little more than four acres along Interstate 680, just south of Geary Road. Hall Equities wants to tear down the old plant and construct two buildings, including a 42,300-square-foot structure that would house the 24 Hour Fitness club.

New car dealership: on North Main Street will triple the size of the existing Dirito Brothers. Volkswagen will open its dealership near the northeast corner of North Main Street and Central Road. VW has begun the process to gain city approval to build a 35,000-square-foot state of the art facility. City leaders say this proposal bodes well for Walnut Creek's future economic development because auto dealers are very particular about when and where they build dealerships.