North Italia to Open in Walnut Creek

The new 8,500-square-foot Walnut Creek restaurant is located at 1179 Locust St. in Plaza Escuela and will feature seating for over 200 guests. The design includes an open kitchen, allowing diners to watch the pasta-making process, as well as an al fresco bar and patio for outdoor dining. North Italia's menu will offer weekday lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Signature dishes include handmade pastas like pappardelle bolognese and spicy rigatoni vodka, along with pizzas and small plates such as white truffle garlic bread. Brunch offerings are set to include unique items like a Breakfast Carbonara and Tuscan Hash. The restaurant's interior will feature a unique mural with imagery inspired by Northern California landscapes, a commission from Local Edition Creative. This custom artwork is part of the chain's effort to create a neighborhood feel rather than a standard chain atmosphere. North Italia was founded in 2002 by restaurateur Sam Fox and is part of his Fox Restaurant Concepts group. In 2019, The Cheesecake Factory acquired Fox Restaurant Concepts, including North Italia, in a deal valued at over $300 million. The Cheesecake Factory plans to expand the North Italia brand to as many as 200 locations nationwide. The Walnut Creek location will be the seventh North Italia in California and is part of a broader expansion that includes another new restaurant in Brea. The chain has grown to nearly 50 locations across the United States. The arrival of North Italia will add to a competitive dining scene in Walnut Creek, which is already home to approximately 14 other Italian-inspired restaurants. City officials had identified the Plaza Escuela location for the new restaurant.