On Friday, December 13, BH Wood-Fired Grill, a restaurant serving California-inspired cuisine, debuted within the former Bounty Hunter Walnut Creek space, which has been temporarily closed since September. BH Wood-Fired Grill will pay homage to Northern California’s bountiful agricultural landscape – with a focus on wood-fired meat and seafood – and feature an expertly curated wine menu, seasonal craft cocktails, and a revamped interior that infuses the space with a new level of vitality and sophistication.
Bounty Hunter Walnut Creek enlisted the help of San Francisco-based Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group (HNG) to breathe new life into its existing downtown Walnut Creek location. HNG is the restaurant management group that owns 7 Adams, Trestle, The Madrigal, The Vault Steakhouse, The Vault Garden, and MAMA Oakland. BH Wood-Fired Grill’s operation is under the direction of HNG co-founder Ryan Cole, with menu development by HNG Executive Chef Jason Halverson, the cocktail menu designed by Suzanne Miller, Bar Manager at The Madrigal, and the wine list built by HNG Beverage Director Steve Izzo. This is HNG’s first project in Walnut Creek.
“We are excited to be part of a wave of openings in downtown Walnut Creek,” said Ryan Cole, co-founder of HNG in a statement. “There’s new energy here, and our goal is to offer high-quality food and standout service that will keep customers coming back again and again.”
The new menu will offer a fresh and uncomplicated take on American cuisine. The use of “BH” in the name honors the ethos of the original Bounty Hunter in Napa, with its passion for highlighting California’s agricultural bounty. The restaurant will also continue to make use of the wood-fired grill but with an emphasis on simple, high-quality meat and seafood preparations rather than smoked meats. Guests can choose from an all-day menu of entree-sized salads, appetizers and hot sandwiches while still having the option of ordering a well-executed steak or whole Maine lobster. Craveable standbys like Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Prime Rib French Dip, The Steakhouse Wedge, and Schmitz Ranch New York Strip off the wood-fired grill alongside fresh, modern updates to classics like Shrimp Louie Lettuce Cups, Truffle Beef Carpaccio, Grilled Globe Artichokes, Mt. Lassen Trout, and Asian Noodle Salad.
BH Wood-Fired Grill’s cocktail program will feature a selection of generously sized classics made with high-quality seasonal ingredients. Look for familiar flavors like the Judgement of Paris with indigo gin, bianco vermouth, prosecco, plum & tomato shrub and lemon juice; California Buckeye with reposado tequila, orgeat, apricot puree, and lemon juice; and The Leafcutter with vodka, strawberry-honey infusion, fee foam (vegan egg white), and lime juice, as well as a selection of zero-proof cocktails.
Continuing the legacy of Bounty Hunter’s wine country roots, BH Wood-Fired Grill will offer a wine list curated by Steve Izzo that highlights California wines by the glass and by the bottle, along with imported French and Italian varietals sourced to pair with American classics like French fries and filet mignon. Beer is available on draft and in bottles, with an emphasis on Northern California brewers like Oakland United Beerworks, Almanac Beer Co., Cooperage Brewing and North Coast Brewing. Removed during the renovation is Bounty Hunter’s former retail bottle shop.
The focal point of the restaurant is a horseshoe-shaped bar, where walk-in guests can order from the full menu. A new lounge area with low tables and double-sided Chesterfield couches – also reserved for walk-ins – has been added for drinks and cozy conversation. The redesigned interior includes a large piece of abstract artwork on the back wall that is evocative of a vineyard, a nod to the original Bounty Hunter in Napa, and visually extending the space. Low-hanging pendant lights bring greater warmth to the high ceilings, and a sophisticated blue-and-black color palette ties the space together.
Located at 1521 Mt Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, BH Wood-Fired Grill is open Monday through Thursday from 4pm to 9pm and Friday through Sunday 11:30am to 9pm. Happy Hour is offered daily from 4pm to 6pm, with $5 off all appetizers, $10 wine and cocktails, and $5 draft beer. There is free four-hour public parking one block away, in addition to street metered parking. Reservations for the dining room are encouraged via OpenTable, but bar and lounge seating are available to walk-ins. The outdoor courtyard is currently closed and will reopen in 2025.
