A new dining and entertainment establishment, Ruby Lou’s, has recently opened its doors in Walnut Creek, California. The venue offers a unique blend of upscale dining, imaginative cocktails, and a playful atmosphere aimed at both children and adults. This innovative concept is the brainchild of Megan Abraham Benshalom, who has transitioned from a successful 20-year career as a mixologist to establishing her own restaurant.
The inspiration for Ruby Lou’s stems from Benshalom’s four-year-old daughter, Ruby Lou, who has become the namesake of the restaurant. After spending long hours in her previous role as the general manager of the View Lounge in the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, Benshalom felt a strong desire to create a space where families could gather and enjoy themselves. “I have a 4-year-old daughter whose name is Ruby Lou,” Benshalom shared. “And she named the restaurant after herself.”
Benshalom’s vision for Ruby Lou’s was partly fueled by her experiences at family-friendly venues, particularly during her daughter’s birthday celebrations. After the closure of Skipolini’s in May, she recognized a gap in the market for establishments that could cater to both children’s parties and adult dining. “What I’m creating for Walnut Creek is an experience for multiple generations,” she stated.
A Whimsical Atmosphere with Gourmet Offerings
Upon entering Ruby Lou’s, guests are greeted by decor reminiscent of a fantastical world, inspired by the works of Roald Dahl. The bar features stools designed to resemble Oreo cookies and ice cream cones, while lollipops and candy-themed decorations bring a sense of whimsy to the environment. “I’ve created, like, an immersive floral candy garden,” Benshalom explained.
The menu at Ruby Lou’s promises to impress with a selection of gourmet snacks and cocktails. Benshalom, drawing on her extensive experience as a high-end mixologist, has crafted a unique cocktail menu featuring several signature drinks. In addition to local beers and wines, the food offerings include elevated versions of classic favorites. Guests can enjoy nachos made with homemade potato chips and slow-braised short ribs, as well as Wagyu beef hot dogs served on pretzel buns. For dessert, children can indulge in an ice cream bar with flavors such as huckleberry, pistachio almond, and birthday cake. The “yolo” sundae, which offers a scoop of each flavor, is a particular highlight.
For entertainment, Ruby Lou’s features interactive games designed to engage both children and adults. Kids can enjoy claw arcade games and play classics like Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders, which are creatively integrated into the dining tables. Adults can partake in larger-than-life games of KerPlunk, encouraging social interaction away from their devices.
Hours and Future Plans
Ruby Lou’s is currently available for private events, with plans to open to the public on a wider scale in the near future. The hours of operation will be from 16:00 to 22:00, Wednesday through Friday, and from 12:00 to 22:00 on weekends. The venue is located at 1501 N. Broadway in Walnut Creek, and more information can be found on their Instagram account, @rubylouswalnutcreek.
Benshalom describes Ruby Lou’s with the tagline, “Family by day, fabulous by night,” emphasizing the versatility of the space as a dining and entertainment venue for all ages. With its unique approach to family-friendly dining, Ruby Lou’s is poised to become a memorable addition to Walnut Creek’s culinary landscape.
