Two years in the making, the excitement surrounding the Bonanza Street debut of LITA is palatable. Shrouded in mystique and a multi-million-dollar investment, this new downtown culinary destination engulfs the senses with distinctive décor, sensuous tastes, and well-crafted cocktails.

Best known for Walnut Creek’s Broderick Roadhouse, Lafayette’s Batch & Brine, and Oakland’s World Famous Hot Boys, the latest Ghaben family venture serves up Latin and Caribbean flavors—guava coconut kampachi ceviche, beer battered wild rock cod balls, and jerk chicken in tacos, curries, and sandwiches—led by executive chef Nick Peters. 

“We wanted to do something different in Walnut Creek; something that wasn’t already here,” says co-owner Rolla Ghaben. “We worked with chefs in Miami to develop the concept and Caribbean inspired cuisine. There’s nothing like LITA in the Bay Area, it’s truly special.”

The ample cocktail menu features a deep bench of high-end rums, all the sassier when served for two in copper goblets filled with a tropical fusion of passion fruit and hibiscus juices plus three shots of rum. Lead bartender Alex Arriaga, who got his start mixing Polynesian-style drinks at Trader Vic’s, calls his signature cocktail Queen Anne's Revenge.

From the plush custom booths to the infinity mirror wall, Miami based Interior designer Antoinette Emanuel has created a lively sophisticated atmosphere.

1602 Bonanza Street, Walnut Creek, litawalnutcreek.com