As part of a chain-wide closing spree, the El Balazo restaurant in Lafayette has closed its doors. All of the other El Balazo locations except for one have closed as well.

According to a report from one of the fired employees, the restaurants were closed as a result of tax issues. Employees were informed of the closure of the restaurants Wednesday, just hours before the restaurants were closed.

The state Board of Equalization filed a lien against El Balazo in November.

This isn’t the first time the El Balazo chain has experienced some issues from the government. In May 2008, 63 workers from 11 El Balazo locations were arrested during a raid by immigration officials.

The semifinalists for the James Beard Awards, arguably the top awards given to restaurants, chefs and other involved in the food world, were recently announced, and the owners of two of Lafayette’s restaurants were named.

The owner of Yankee Pier, Michael Dellar of the Lark Creek Restaurant Group, is a semifinalist for the outstanding restaurateur award. Another semifinalist for the outstanding restaurateur award is Tim Stannard of the Bacchus Management Group, which owns Pizza Antica.

A total of 20 semifinalists were selected in each category. Finalists for the James Beard Awards will be announced on March 22. Winners will be selected on May 3.

The Jack in the Box in Moraga is a favorite hangout for many of Moraga’s students and a place where families grab a quick bite to eat. It will be neither for the near future, as the restaurant was closed by Contra Costa Health Services.

Health inspectors noted a number of violations during their inspection on Feb. 1. Some of the violations were carried over from a previous inspection of the restaurant in October.

Violations included a “lack of diligent preparation practices” and “improper disposal of liquid waste.”

A summary of the report composed by Contra Costa Health Services can be viewed here: http://www.decadeonline.com/insp.phtml?agency=ccc&record_id=PR0008676

If you enjoy cupcakes, then it might be worth your time to take a visit to Orinda’s newest cupcake shop, Republic of Cake. Republic of Cake, located at 2 Theatre Square, Suite 151, in Orinda, opened its doors on Dec. 5.

Visitors to Republic of Cake have already made it their “go-to” dessert location. A major factor that has been bringing back customers is the low prices. The average cupcake costs $1.75, while the most expensive cupcake, “Sam’s Very Messy Chocolate Cupcake,” costs $2.75. For their basic cupcakes, they also offer mini versions that are only 85 cents.

For more information about Republic of Cake or to take a look at their menu, visit their website at http://republicofcake.com.

If the idea of cooking a turkey and all of the other Thanksgiving fixings sounds like a task you’d like to avoid, Metro Lafayette, located at 3524 Mt. Diablo Blvd.,  is offering a special Thanksgiving dinner. For $35 ($25 for kids), you can pick roasted turkey breast, wine-braised short ribs or gnocchi Parisienne as the main course of your three-course meal. Also included with the meal are a variety of desserts and a to-go box for your Thanksgiving leftovers.

To make a reservation for Thankgiving dinner at Metro Lafayette, call 925-284-4422 or use their online reservation system here: http://www.opentable.com/metro-lafayette-reservations-lafayette?rid=17071&restref=17071

For more information about Metro Lafayette, visit their website at  http://www.metrolafayette.com

Three Lafayette restaurants earned their way into the highly-coveted pages of the 2010 edition of the Michelin Guide. Metro Lafayette, Artisan Bistro and Chevalier were all honored in one of the premier restaurant guides in the world.

Restaurants are selected for the guide based on a variety of factors including their food, ambiance and service. Michelin has inspectors assigned to different regions where they spend the year canvassing their region’s restaurants looking for the absolute best all-around restaurants.

For more information or to make reservations at the restaurants mentioned, visit their websites:
Metro Lafayette – http://www.metrolafayette.com
Artisan Bistro – http://www.artisanlafayette.com
Chevalier – http://www.chevalierrestaurant.com

The 2009 Orinda Restaurant Tour will take place this Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. This is the second happening of the annual event.

From 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., hors d’oeuvres will be available in Theater Square. A San Francisco trolley will then take participants on a tour of Orinda’s restaurants from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Dessert will be available from 8:00 to 8:30 p.m. Each restaurant on the tour will offer particpants a small portion of food representing their restaurant.

To purchase a ticket ahead of time, visit http://www.orindachamber.org/OrindaRestaurantTour2009.htm#Reservations. Tickets reserved online before the event are $30, while tickets at the door will cost $35. One glass of wine is included with all adult tickets purchased.

For those who participate in Lafayette’s “nightlife,” Diamond Dave is a legend. Every Wednesday through Saturday night, he performs at Petar’s Restaurant in Lafayette, starting at 9:00 p.m.

Diamond Dave Hosley can play more songs than a jukebox and is always open to playing requests. With his keyboard and microphone ready, he plays a variety of music ranging from the classics to contemporary rap music.

The atmosphere at Petar’s is always a lively one when he’s playing. Many people go to Petar’s just to see him play.

To get a preview of what Diamond Dave is about, visit his website: www.davehosley.com. Petar’s is located at 32 Lafayette Circle. Visit www.petars.com for more information.

Metro Lafayette recently hired Kirk Bruderer as their new executive chef. Bruderer, who grew up in Lafayette, has worked at some of the top restaurants in the area including French Laundry in Yountville and Oliveto in Oakland. He also spent time cooking in a high-class restaurant in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Bruderer comes in ready to work and not afraid to make changes. He has already started making changes to the menu, adding some of his specialties.

Metro Lafayette consistently receives positive reviews from critics and diners alike.

Metro Lafayette is located at 3524 Mt. Diablo Blvd. For more information or to make reservations, visit their website ( http://metrolafayette.com ) or call (925) 284-4422.

Knoxx Restaurant, located at 3576 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette, is up for sale by owner Gary Singh. Knoxx took over the space previously occupied by Pasta Per Tutti a year and a half ago and has been a favorite restaurant of locals ever since.

“Personal issues” were the reason Singh is forced to sell his restaurant, according to the writers at The East Bay Daze blog (http://eastbaydaze.blogspot.com).

Knoxx specializes in Italian “comfort” food and has a large selection of wines.

If you haven’t had the chance to visit this restaurant before, it is worth making a visit before it is sold.