WALNUT CREEK, CA — The restaurant taking over the former Oyama Sushi space is slowly coming into better focus. We now know more about the food planned for Salt & Lime, along with the chef who will lead its kitchen.
The new restaurant is headed to 1521 N. Main Street in downtown Walnut Creek, immediately next to 1515 Restaurant & Lounge. Oyama closed earlier this year after nearly 13 years in business.
When we first reported on Salt & Lime in July, a state liquor license application provided an early look at the project. At that point, the cuisine was still unconfirmed.
Now, there’s a clearer picture: Salt & Lime is planned as a full-service Mexican restaurant, with Diablo Valley College culinary alum Chelsea Ozuna leading the kitchen.
In a recent announcement celebrating Ozuna, the college said she has traveled and cooked around the world. Her plans for Salt & Lime include Mexican dishes prepared to order, sauces and salsas made from scratch, and specials that will change over time.
That gives diners a better sense of the restaurant’s direction, although a complete menu and prices were not available in the materials we could verify.
There are also familiar downtown restaurant connections behind the project. Our July reporting identified DTV Corp as the company seeking the alcohol license transfer, with Saul David Tallarico listed as chief executive officer and Antone Sean Dudum as chief financial officer. Dudum is also associated with neighboring 1515 Restaurant & Lounge.
The application reported in July was for a Type 47 license, pointing to plans for a full bar. That earlier application should not be taken as confirmation of the license’s current approval status.
Hiring has been another sign of preparations. A Walnut Creek Downtown Instagram announcement advertised open interviews for Salt & Lime on September 8, and the restaurant has established its own Instagram account, @saltandlimewc.
The biggest remaining question is when diners can actually visit.
As of October 2, Salt & Lime’s website still displays “Coming Soon,” along with the North Main Street address and phone number, (925) 457-5456. We could not verify a firm opening date.
We’ll be watching closely, and we’ll let you know as soon as we learn more about an opening date. Make sure to join our free 925 News newsletter so we can keep you in the loop.
