Restaurants and bars may face reopening delays. 

Just like that, outdoor dining, barbershops, and salons are back. But with it comes new caveats for Walnut Creek restaurants and bars setting up tents and heaters outside. In a memo released late Monday, assistant city manager Teri Kilgore stated “no tents should be reinstalled until an inspection has been performed by both the Fire Department and the City. And a new permit approved." (FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR THE STORY)

Openings and closings at a glance.

Good news for spicy food fans. As we first reported in 2020, Los Moles signed a deal with the city to lease the vacant Tender Green’s space where the popular Mexican restaurant is expected to open its fourth location this year. Not far from there, a “coming soon” Taqueria Limon 3 sign popped up at Olympia Place, while over at The Lyric on Locust, contractors were spotted working on a new Spanish-themed eatery. Soon you’ll be able to satisfy your sweet tooth at a new cupcake shop on Main Street and get a caffeine fix across the street at Tellus, an artisanal coffee spot. Speaking of which, we’re sorry to see Coffee Shop on Locust Street has closed.

Over at Broadway Plaza, Godiva announced plans to close all 128 of its chocolate shops in the US and Canada by the end of March, while Heritage Eats called it quits to focus on its Napa food truck and restaurant. Luxury department store, Neiman Marcus, closed its doors downtown, but don’t fret, we have their popover and strawberry butter recipes.

Biden’s Affinity for Buttercup’s Pie

In a year of unprecedented health and security challenges, the 2021 inaugural luncheon was canceled, but if it had proceeded as in year’s past, this local diner’s pie might have played a starring role. Last March while on the campaign trail, President Biden paused for a slice of Buttercup Diner's coconut cream pie at their Oakland restaurant—the family-owned business has five Bay Area locations including Walnut Creek. You can read more about the menus at past inaugural luncheons in Saveur.

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