Here’s the menu for The Little Pear, Rodney Worth’s new Walnut Creek bistro

Rodney Worth, the chef known for his slow-braised lamb shank at Danville’s The Peasant & the Pear, is opening a new restaurant in Walnut Creek called The Little Pear.

The location at 1699 North California Blvd. is right by BART and should appeal to commuters wanting a quick bite and those who prefer to sit for a while. “The concept is to be a neighborhood bistro with great specials, happy hours, always having multiple soups, etc.,” says Worth.

The menu just got posted and includes starters like cast-iron Mexican white prawns in butter-chardonnay sauce, beer-battered broccoli with buttermilk ranch and cheddar fondue with pear. There are soups and salads, including a grilled version of Shrimp Louie, and sandwiches and entrees like braised short ribs and king salmon with cauliflower risotto.

There’s something called a “Rodzilla Burger” made with wagyu, crispy onions and barbecue sauce, and of course the chef’s famous lamb shank, braised osso buco-style and served with creamy polenta and gremolata.

Longtime visitors to Worth’s restaurants – aside from The Peasant & the Pear, he has one in Danville called The Peasant’s Courtyard – might find this new place’s moniker familiar.

“I had a restaurant in Blackhawk Plaza named the Little Pear for years,” Worth says. “After COVID and the mall being really slow, we ended up closing it. But I’ve always loved that concept where it’s simple, quick and easy.”

Deciding to open in Walnut Creek was tied to a very Walnut Creek-ish prerogative: parking.

“I’ve always been looking for a location in Walnut Creek, but I’ve always worried about the parking issues,” the chef says. “So when we found this location and they had forty free, two-hour parking spots, and then forty more parking spots with an outside patio and the perfect size, we jumped on it.”

The Little Pear will have a full bar and a California-based wine list, and will pour barrel-aged cocktails including, perhaps, Worth’s popular Pear-tinis.

“The space is just really nice on the corner of California and Cole,” he says. “Great sunlight, great little patio…. We’re going with a very simple design inside with lots of wood – butcher block and table tops.”

Expect The Little Pear to open as soon as the liquor license arrives, probably toward the end of July. Follow updates on the restaurant at rodneyworth.com/location/the-little-pear.