Imagine the Cheesecake Factory with smaller portions, cheffier dishes and an Italian bent.
That’s North Italia, a national chain that debuted its first Northern California location on March 25 in downtown Walnut Creek — right next door to its big-sister restaurant, the Cheesecake Factory.
When asked how North Italia snagged the location of a former Tilly’s, which closed a bunch of stores in fiscal year 2025, and why it moved so close to one of the company’s existing brands, general manager Cole Weidel demurred, saying the area was “a natural fit” that met its “neighborhood restaurant feel.”…