Cypress

Love hate relationship with Cypress leaves me at a 3-​star review.
The Good: Happy hour everyday features $ 1 soup, $ 1 Truffle Fries, $ 1 salad, $ 5 Mediterranean plate, and other foods that are very good deals. The happy hour also features $ 15 pitchers of mojito or russian lemonade, discounted house wine, and other very affordable drinks that you just can’t beat. I mean, $ 1 big-​ol-​cone of truffle fries?! Beat that McDonalds…
The Bad: The bartenders have yet to actually get any of our drink orders correct 100% of the time. Each time I go, I inevitably either have to send one back or just be ok with something I didn’t order. The food is worth the happy hour price… but full price? Not really.
All that being said, I keep coming here for happy hour so I must think its ok right? I have assumed that happy hour is indicative of the quality of service and food for the full priced (expensive) menu, and thus never had a desire to eat/​drink here full price. That being said, I will continue to return for happy hour for the foreseeable future.

Good service and food was fantastic. Had crab cakes for starter, split heirloom tomato salad. Entrees of Ahi and Scallops were both excellent. Wine prices are very reasonable had Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc that was great. Fun to use the electronic tablet to review wine and drink menu.
Would recommend.

Went here for my sister’s birthday and the service was HORRIBLE. The hostess sat us in the patio which would’ve been nice if the waitress came to check on us. We requested four different times to get basic things like: turn outdoor lighting on, get utensils and water and wait for it… menus! We waited 30 minutes to get cocktails during happy hour.
The only reason I’m giving this place 2 stars is because the Mac and Cheese, hummus plate, sliders and truffle fries are good. The chef is doing his thing in the kitchen. At least one person is doing his job!

Cypress has turned their happy hour into a sad hour.
The $ 1 small bites still remain (fries, mussels, green beans) but now their mojitos are somewhere around $ 17 a pitcher. The mojitos are really weak and worth $ 10 but for $ 17 I’d rather drink beer.
Stupid move by Cypress. Plan your happy hour so that you can still make money because if you keep it the same but double the prices you are going to lose regular customers.
When it first started the sliders were cheaper, they had a great St. Germain cocktail and the mojitos were a good price. It seems like they wanted to lure people in and make some buzz before turning into an overpriced trendy restaurant with mediocre food (like most other new american restaurants in WC).
Oh well, if the happy hour reverts back I’ll update my review.

Unfortunately, after happily coming here several times for food and drinks, after tonight 7÷3÷2013, it will be our last.
The main reason was our waitresses behavior, I believe her name was Lindsey. We came for cocktails, and to begin she gave us the wrong drink, understandable mistake so we enjoyed them anyway. I asked about the happy hour that starts at 9pm, and she said there was no such thing, its only on the weekends. I was confused because I have recently been to the happy hour so I googled up on my phone and there says happy hour. Not only that, but it is also noted directly on the menu, marked with different drink specials for each night of the week. Her response was it is the restaurants choice whether to have happy hour or not.
We were finished here so I asked for the check. Waited a little bit and I believe her delivery of the check was: «Here, I am not sure what you want to do with this» and sort of dropped it on my lap… My wife and I both looked at each other confused and taken back by this behavior. I have seen this kind of stuff on TV, but I did not know people actually behave like this.
I will not be returning back here based on the experience we had tonight, which is unfortunate because I liked the place. As a note to the owners, or management: You need better management of your staff. It is unacceptable to be treated like that in a place you come to trade your money for enjoyment. If you don’t its only a matter of time before your customers begin to disappear.
1 Star. No more deserved. And you have lost my business.

Cypress is participating in WC Restaurant Week.
music: nice soft instrumentals
eats: benedict brunch, 3 items for $ 20 (great deal!)
–comped fresh fruit basket/​powdered baked pastries (yummy) 4ish stars
–soup de jour 5 stars
had cheese, veggies, and very sweet broth: tasty, fullfilling
–eggs benedict
lots of sweet, tasty ham slices,
eggs benedict on toast nice 5 stars
cubed potato bland 3 stars
–chocolate de tart
not available come serving time
–crème brûlée substituted
standard custard with frozen strawberry slices on top.
taste just average 3 stars
foodnotes:
–took a few minutes before given a menu (had to ask for it)
–food took awhile to show up
–food inconsistent. some fab, some average
–service leisurely, nonobstusive
after each item, was asked «how was it?
–dining area reserved for fashinon show, sat at bar.
–used Unilocal deal this time, Unilocal deal wasn’t accepted at HH last time.
–food much better than HH offerings.

THE DOLLAR MENU: NOT JUST FOR FAST FOOD
I love me some good happy hour. There are several places in Walnut Creek that I regularly go with friends, depending on the day of the week and the special being served. I find Mondays are the best for oysters around here, Tuesdays for tacos, etc. But what happens if you want $ 1 oysters on a Friday?! Search no more! Cypress has your happy hour needs covered. Monday through Friday, the happy hour menu here stays the same.
The dollar menu features steak tartare, escargot, oysters, frites, salad, soup, and chips & dip. I’ve tried everything except the soup.
(Note: there’s no bluecheese — which I love dipping my fries in!)
If the food hadn’t been so fun and delicious, this would be a three or four star review for service. It gets crowded in there but that’s no excuse for being a little slow. Sometimes, a LOT slow. The first time I was in there I had arrived just after 5 to meet friends. Once there, I’d been sitting half an hour before I had my drink order taken. It was 5:40 and Happy Hour ends at 6 (though, the waiter did let us order another delicious mojito pitcher not long after 6, at happy hour pricing — the mixed berry mojito is amazing and you get a big pitcher for $ 10). Food took equally as long.
I haven’t found the people taking the orders to be all that friendly. Kind of short; like they’re very rushed and too busy to make you feel really welcome. But that’s ok. The food servers on the other hand are very friendly when bringing out the dishes. I stopped two employees and asked questions about the place — I wanted info. on the back room for private parties, and the size of the outdoor patio. Jose offered to take the time to show me the patio and really gave me his full attention while we spoke. I’ll definitely be back here in summer for patio seating!
The item I intend to try next is the Caesar salad. We saw a couple next to us order it and they made the dressing tableside. There is nothing that beats homemade, fresh Caesar salad dressing. The guy making it put on a little show for them as well. Very cool!
1 star lost for service.

I feel like I always end up coming here when I’m in Walnut Creek with my parents. And my parents have impeccable taste. Every time I come, the food has been delicious, the service is impeccable, and we just always have a good time.
Classy place, check it out.

Our motto is «We travel for French cooking.» All over, from Mendocino to Monterey (we’re retired, and dining is our hobby). This place was lovely, stylish… and a culinary embarrassment. It didn’t help that service was indifferent, either. If you are looking for an alternative to Chapeau!/SF or Bistro 29/​Santa Rosa, you won’t find it here.
The cream of mushroom soup had the odd resinous flavor of rosemary, with very little finish. Once you swallowed, all the mushroom taste and creamy flavor was gone. It should be noted, btw, that Cypress is one of those restaurants that adore crème fraiche. It isn’t always listed as an ingredient but it’s in a lot of their food, including this soup.
The cassoulet was a ridiculous concoction of beans — half of which were mashed into a purée, half of which were undercooked and crunchy. The duck confit was dry, tough, and then overcooked, to add insult to injury. The boar sausage was missing in action. The pork, which should have been braised with the beans into juicy succulence, instead was a GRILLED BONELESS PORK CHOP. Yes, complete with grill marks! Plopped on top of those hideous beans like a chewy dry top hat.
The sea bass was a bit overcooked but acceptable, but the tomato-​butter sauce, although tasty, bore only the faintest resemblance to a classic Sauce Provencale. The salmon roulade was overcooked (do we see a theme here?) with a tasteless risotto side.
The side of chopped Brussels sprouts with bacon was tangy with balsamic, livening up the risotto which it desperately needed. But the side of turnips was ill-​conceived: watery turnip wedges in a sauce of salt, crème fraiche, and EVOO. Did these four items come together in a creative new way? Nope, not a chance. It sounds bad, and WAS bad.
Cypress did a lackluster, unauthentic Bananas Foster — really? How hard is it to make an ice cream sundae? — and combined anise and orange together for a very strange-​tasting crème brulee. Adding still another insult, the crème was thickened with cornstarch, a definite no-​no.
The coffee was mediocre and the cappuccino was in disguise as a latte. What else could we expect?

I’m old, I like to be in my pajamas by 8:30 most nights and I hate loud places that are a «scene.» So, when my friends suggested Cypress for a 6 o’clock get together on Friday night, I was relieved and willing to partake. We sat in the front area near the piano and enjoyed the ambiance and calm, relaxing atmosphere. We ordered appetizers from the bar menu-it’s not a vegetarian friendly place so I ended up eating fries (shame on me, right)
Cocktail menu on iPads they bring to you, which is pretty slick. Attentive server, relaxed pace drinks and appetizers. All in all, a pleasant night. Fries for dinner, only group under 55 in the place and still home in PJ’s by 8:30-yes please!
So, yeah, not or everyone, but a pleasant subdued place to meet up.
#6/​100 The Unilocal 100 Challenge!

Right from the get go the service was attentive and friendly, in a very natural but still professional way. Upon approaching our table and introducing himself, our server asked if we were there celebrating and when we told him yes (5 years since we first met) he said that they would treat us to a complimentary dessert. He then promptly took our drink orders.
We were there on a random weekday and it wasn’t busy at all. I felt like they were cooking just for us as our drinks and meal were paced nicely.
We started with the caesar salad which they call something else but it is a caesar salad. They make it table side, including the dressing. This was my favorite thing. I could eat that salad all day long.
For my main dish, I ordered a scallop dish and my honey ordered a steak something. The scallops were perfectly cooked with well paired sides. A bit on the sweet side overall, but that usually works for scallops, as it did in this case. My honey enjoyed his dish, which included bone marrow. Fancy.
We couldn’t resist ordering a side of mushrooms to split. I love mushrooms but they were very earthy tasting. Way too earthy for me. I could have done without them for sure.
The complimentary dessert was a chocolate thing and it was delicious.
I purchased a Unilocal Deal but we decided to save it for a future visit. We plan to return, special occasion or not.

I LOVE this place, what can I say? The outside of the restaurant has that «get ready to spend 100 bucks here» look about it, but honestly, they have a GREAT Happy Hour menu (I should also mention that I’ve only been here for Happy Hour). Plus, their Happy Hour is everyday from 3−6pm, and again from 9pm until closing. I used to be a Stanford’s Happy Hour kind of girl, but trust me folks, this place is MUCH classier.
Let me tell you why their Happy Hour is awesome: 99 cent Oysters Rockefeller.
This place has an upscale, chill, romantic vibe. In addition, there is often a man playing the piano (he is also a super nice guy! Tip him well, people!).
One thing I find unique about this place is that their wine menu is brought out to you on an iPad, with which you select your wine (s) of choice. Very fun and modern!
The service has always been friendly (hello awesome lady who owns a chinchilla!). We are always treated like friends here, which makes us want to stay for another round of drinks!
A COUPLE OF THINGS I SHOULD MENTION ABOUT THIS PLACE:
As other reviewers have mentioned, there is a guy who works at the bar who claims to be an expert on beer and wine. He is the same guy who deviated from the recipe when making one of my cocktails because «that’s how [he thinks] it should be made». He made us feel like he was «too good» to be serving us, which I found extremely off-​putting.
Another thing: Don’t expect them to stay open until their regular closing hours. I rolled in with a friend last Thursday night around 9:30pm, and the place was totally empty. We were told that they would be closing the place in 20 minutes. Upon hearing this, we walked across the street and spent the rest of the night bouncing between Lift and Redux.
Other than those two issues I have with the place, Cypress is truly a gem in Walnut Creek for Happy Hour. Four stars!

I am def a fan! came here for my gf bday brunch. the food was pretty tasty. everything we ordered was not a disappointment.
Mimosas
Tartare
Escargot
French Toast
Saumon Fume
Saumon Fume Benedict
Service was excellent. I will def make my way back here to enjoy the music.

Flies, flies, flies. Flies everywhere — in my face, trying to get to my food, all up in my ear.
Escargot
— likely the BEST escargot i have had thus far (had it 3 times in my life) the oil/​sauce that it’s swimming in is just the best garlicky, oniony, buttery, just something about it is sooo good. i could just dip bread into that sauce all day. the escargot was nice and tender.
Crabcake benedict
— nothing too impressive or memorable, there was an overuse of the sauce that made my benedict super heavy tasting and the potatoes seemed like they were kept in a steamer overnight, it did not taste freshly cooked, neither did my friends bell peppers.
$ 1 mimosa — nobody liked it but its a cheap toast!
our waitress was an older latino lady and she was very nice, however the water splashed on my face as she poured the large chunks of ice cubes in, when i used to serve people i would take the cup outside the table and refill that way.
overall it was alright. i would just get a few orders of escargot and bread. and maybe sit closer to the windows so the flies need to travel further to get to you

Steak was tough. Low grade meat. Sea bass so so. Duck was ok. For the price I expected more with the quality of food.
On a positive note, wonderful ambience, good music and superb interiors. Good selection of drinks. Fancy drinks menu on iPad.

55%
Pretty good French bistro
***Short Review
Came here with a smaller party in Nov’12
Food seemed a bit ‘hit & miss’.
–The French Onion Soup I had was pretty good, not great.
I liked how the broth was very hot, not too sweet or heavy.
Nonetheless, I don’t think there was much that set itself apart from other french onions.
–The Roasted Half Duck with Duck fried rice was generally good.
It was generally rich, delicious, and hearty.
For $ 27-​ish, there was a lot of food.
While the duck breast came out well, much of the leg and skin were undercooked.
–The Baked Alaska was average.
The meringue on the outside worked nice, it was light and had good char.
The inside mint chocolate chip ice cream cake wasn’t very good.
It reminded me of something you might get at Baskin Robbins.
Value seems okay.
Although the quality of food can vary, usually the portion sizes are very generous.
Unless you have a larger appetite, it’s possible to share items and dine for less.
Service was notably good.
I found the servers to be attentive, efficient and friendly.
It seemed that our food came out quick, while the pacing was consistent.
Outside design is very modern and pleasing.
The interior design resembled more of a supper club.
It was comfortable but not so much my thing for bistro dining.
Detailed Review will get more into the dishes I tried.
***Detailed Review
–L’oignon. French Onion Soup $ 8 (Dish Rating 55%)
Pic:
This seemed like a pretty straightforward preparation and it wasn’t bad all.
The only thing I noticed that was different was that it didn’t seem to have as much cheese as a more conventional French Onion Soup. Usually the lid of the soup is closed off by a thick layer of cheese, but here it’s not the case. For better or worse, the soup isn’t quite as heavy. Nonetheless, the presence of the cheese flavor didn’t seem compromised. I think this was the best part of the soup.
The broth itself was appropriately piping hot. The broth was generally sweet but not overpoweringly so. The consistency of the broth was light. It was solid, comfortable soup. Portion size is reasonable. There isn’t a notable weakness. However, I didn’t see that there was anything distinctly innovative or exceptionally delicious about it.
Canard. Roast half duck with duck fried rice $ 27 (Dish Rating 74%)
Concept of this dish is very good. Its essentially half a good sized duck served over a ‘fried rice’ of wild rice and duck. However, there were some execution issues, intentional or not, that I didn’t care for.
The duck itself was slightly under-​cooked for me. Much of the meat toward the inner portion of the duck was closer to a pink. This worked great for the duck breast. It didn’t come out so well for the leg and skin. As much as I usually love duck and enjoy some level of gaminess in the bird, I thought here the effect was slightly too aggressive. For the duck breast portion, I found the gaminess to be less overpowering. It was juicy and not too raw or dry, just about perfect.
For the leg, the gaminess seemed a bit harsh. After a few more bites, the experience became more tiresome. The skin and fat underneath of the duck came out more rubbery than crispy. While the flavor of the duck skin was delicious and essential, I thought the texture was unpleasant.
The duck fried rice was pretty good, not great. It had a more subtle salty and savory presence, which reminded me of soy-​sauce but not in a crude ‘Panda Express’ kind of way. The wild rice had a nice chewy texture and was coated with a delicious oil that wasn’t too heavy. A more generous portion of rice is also given. I had trouble noticing much duck meat inside the rice, and it was possible there might not have been any at all. The rice worked okay with the duck. It seemed interesting in concept, but the flavors appeared to be more on the safe side.
This is heavy and generously portioned dish. For more modest appetites, its fair to share this an entrée between two diners. The value for $ 27 seems very reasonable. Overall I found myself enjoying this duck dish, even though it had the potential to be much more.
To be continued. Review to be updated shortly.

We got to try this place during the Cypress YEE. We enjoyed the food and drinks during the event and thought of coming back here later on.
After walking around Yerba Buena Island, I finally felt a little hungry but did not want to eat a lot. We didn’t want to drive to San Francisco either, just wasn’t in the mood that day. We were trying to decide where to eat in the East Bay and remembered this place for really good bites during the YEE. I suddenly remembered the Oyster that Anna D. had me tried at the event so when the boyfriend recommended this place I was like, «Let’s go!»
Two things I was excited as soon as we got seated, cocktails and Oysters or anything from the ocean on the menu. Since we got here at around 7 PM, we didn’t make it for the happy hour. :-(I still ordered the Huittres du Jour (Oysters of the day) $ 14 for 6-​piece. Fresh and the size are perfect, medium. And we ordered before that from their iPad cocktail menu our drinks which was very helpful to figure out what kind of drinks to get cuz it had photos of how each drinks exactly look like. I picked mine based on the pictures, Ginger Citrus Fizz $ 10 for me and my man ordered the Lemon Blueberry Fizz $ 10.
Our main course was Coquilles Saint-​Jacques $ 25, pan-​roasted scallops, carrot vinaigrette and Thon Ahi, seared Ahi tuna, tomato vinaigrette $ 23. Big piece of scallop, cooked perfectly, vegetable not overcooked. It felt very light in my stomach. There is a recommended drink that would go along with this entrée next to it on the menu. I tried the seared Ahi, I liked it but it was just mediocre to my boyfriend’s liking. Has my standard gone down? lol. He did think my scallops were good tho.
We shared their award-​winning dessert: Tarte Chocolat, Dark Chocolate Ganache Tart with Espresso Sauce, $ 9. Omg, if I knew it was that good I would have gotten one for each so we didn’t have to share it. I highly recommend it!
We had a great service too. Food was worth every penny we spent. We don’t mind coming back here again.

Tell me, when was the last time you ate something that cost you 99 cents? I bet it came in paper bag with little salsa packets on the side, huh? Or maybe from selection C8 in the break room vending machine? I definitely bet it wasn’t an aphrodisiatic mollusk smothered in a creamy bacon sauce, served with mignonette on a salted platter. Am I right, or am I right?
Well it’s about time you discover the unthinkable — 99 cent happy hour oysters from 3−6pm at Cypress, in Walnut Creek of all places! Let the shock and delight settle in for a second. Now, most places with these kind of deals have peanut shells on the floor or reek of stale beer, but Cypress defies the odds with it’s unbearably swanky Mad Men-​esque setting, lengthy cocktail list, and white-​tablecloth service. I still can’t believe it’s true.
And just have a look at those fresh shuckers! No wimpy reject oysters here — just the same juicy gems you’d pay top dollar for anywhere else. You can get them raw or rockerfeller — still 99 cents. Then there’s the $ 5 well cocktails, $ 3 draft bees, and $ 10 pitchers of mojitos or St Germain sparklers. I can’t imagine why you’d spend your precious happy hours anywhere else in the Creek.
Granted, I have yet to experience Cypress during non-​happy hours, but it’s really cool to see what a following they have. Chef Rick is rolling out some very unique happenings like the soon-​to-​launch Bubble Lounge nights, French family style dinners, and someday soon… an outdoor patio area. Yes, the secret’s out.
If you only knew Cypress as ‘that place the other fancy restaurant used to be’, you’ve got to visit and update your notes.

We only had an hour and a half to snack and imbibe one Friday. It was roughly 4:30pm. We parked and had planned on going somewhere else when I saw the grand opening sign in the window.
I was saddened by the closing of the previous place but was delighted the full bar carried over into this new posh restaurant.
Our seats were automatically at the bar. Our first drink was the Nicee. Consisting of Finlandia pink Grapefruit Vodka, Limoncello, Campari, Lemon Juice & Simple Syrup. Nicee was so nicey, nicey.
They had only been open two days and the bartender said he was still learning how to make some of these drinks.
The Comstock was our second drink. Made with Ketle One Vodka, Grand Marnier, Pomegranate, Lime Juice & Simple Syrup. Not only was this drink like liquid magic but it photographed beautifully. It was my favorite of the bunch.
In the middle for our nibbles we got an order of the Tartare. Blade chopped New York served with Capers, Gherkins, Shallots and toast points. I kind of likes it but my husband hated it and said it reminded him of dog food.
I hate Capers so I picked them out. It was an interesting starter but I don’t think I’ll get it again. They also bring food out on these carts. Even while sitting at the bar they prepare the food behind you on the cart.
All over the restaurant they had these carts with various salads and flambé being mixed up. I deducted a star for this. It was uncomfortable and cramped feeling with the carts.
Our last tag team cocktails were a Cosmo for me and a hand crafted, custom Side Car for my husband. The bartender made it with Hennessy. May I say that it was one of the best Side Cars I’ve tasted. This guy really knew what he was doing.
I really, really enjoyed my cocktails. Wished I’d tried something else to eat though. For cocktails alone this place is an excellent five stars. Food presentation… mmm not so much for me.
We shall be back, thirsty or not.

The Rabbit Died and I Ate It!
So said Gayle as she devoured «Thumper» at last night’s wonderful meal at Cypress. A work colleague from Houston had invited us out for Dinner and it was a wonderful time out. Gayle also found that her Bombay Sapphire Martini was perfect. As for my work mates? We also had a good time and really enjoyed each others company (even though work subjects occasionally snuck into the conversations).
Our only complaint is that the space is a little loud, which made it difficult to talk at times. We also agreed that the service was superb, starting at the front door, continuing on to the iPad Wine List lesson (and selection), segueing to table side food preparation, winding down to dessert, and ending with an opened door for us and a sincere Thank You.
The rest of us enjoyed the Grilled New York Pepper Steak (with Frites and Green Beans), which was nicely matched with a nice bottle of red wine. Wine prices started at the low $ 20s per bottle and went up from there. Gayle’s marker of finding a glass at less than $ 10 a glass was met. Plus it was kind of cool to swipe through the iPad screens of choice and description. We shared and enjoyed 2 desserts — a luscious chocolate tart and a tasty fruit and curd dish.
Cypress is a little «High End» even for Walnut Creek. However, the prices are a good value for the food quality, portions, and service, and there are the Lunch and Sunday Brunch specials. And when you consider this space’s short-​term predecessor (Vesu), this restaurant seems destined to do well.