Just opened
Farmers Market favorite,Scream Sorbet, has just unveiled a line of sorbet sandwiches and opened a brick and mortar location. There are several varieties available, but my favorite was the Molasses Gingersnap cookie with Blue Bottle Coffee Almond Sorbet. The flavor combo was new and exciting, yet familiar and comforting. I also went to a tasting in the commercial kitchen, where the owners described their revolutionary techniques and passed out scoop after scoop of their unique flavors for us to taste. I lost count at 10. Follow them on Twitter to find out about the next event.
5030 Telegraph Ave, Oakland
510-394-5030
photo: Christina Mitchell
San Francisco-based Kara’s Cupcakes has 5 locations in the Bay Area, and opened the 6th in the East Bay a couple weeks ago. Along with their regular menu, the special flavors (Peppermint Twist and Pumpkin Spice) will be available until 12/31.
1388 North Main Street, Walnut Creek
Disco Volante is now open for lunch, Mon – Fri, 11:30 – 2pm. Once the liquor license kicks in, dinner service will begin, as well as live musical performances. There were several delicious sounding dishes on the menu when I stopped by, like the Persimmon salad ($7) and English steak and potato pie ($11), but I was in the mood for a burger. The substantial Volante Burger ($13) is served with farmhouse cheddar, pickled pepper aioli and crispy, fried-to-order french fries. Oh, and bacon jam on the side.
347 14th Street, Oakland
510-663-0271
photo: Christina Mitchell
Family-owned Good Bellies Cafe opened a few weeks ago in Oakland’s Temescal District. Local vendors like McLaughlin Coffee Company are supported and the menu includes dishes like the Breakfast Sandwich (eggs scrambled with home grown herbs, cheese, house spicy aioli on your choice of fresh breads).
4659 Telegraph Ave, Oakland
510-594-1900
Opening soon
According to Grand Lake Neighbors, Top Dog is moving out of their location in CVS (5100 Broadway, Oakland) and moving into the former Rainbow Ice location. First established in 1966, the mini-chain has 4 locations in Oakland and Berkeley and serves over 10 varieties of hot dogs, including all beef, Lemon Chicken and a veggie dog called The Wienie.
3272 Grand Ave, Oakland
510-843-7250
Closing
After two and a half years in business, Amanda’s will close on 12/31. Owner Amanda West was not able to successfully renegotiate the terms of the lease with the landlord, but the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year is working on a Plan B. Stay tuned. The healthy fast food restaurant will be open every day from 11am to 9pm, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day until its last day of service on New Years Eve.
2122 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
510-548-2122
photo: Amanda’s
Digs Bistro opened above ground on Dwight Way 3 years ago, after getting its start as an underground restaurant, Unfortunately, it will now close after service on New Year’s Eve, according to Inside Scoop. The past 3 months have been the best ever, but Chef-partner Heidi DiPippo can’t maintain the pace and could not negotiate a buy-out. The restaurant is usually closed on Tues and Wed, but will stay open for its entire last week.
1453 Dwight Way, Berkeley
510-548-2322
Food writer turned restaurateur Robert Lauriston decided to close Locanda da Eva after only 4 months in business. He told the Inside Scoop the restaurant probably would have been more successful if it had been focused on familiar food like Zax Tavern and Casa de Eva, previous tennents of the building. I don’t know about that, but I do know that both the chef (Huw Thornton) and pastry chef (Raina Fletcher) are really talented. Can’t wait to see where they end up next.
2826 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley
photo: Locanda da Eva
In other news…
It’s the end of an era. Chef Paul Canales, who started at Oliveto as an intern 15 years ago and has been the executive chef for the past 5 years, is moving on. He recently left the restaurant to start working on his own restaurant, which will also hopefully be in Oakland. Owner Bob Klein chose Jonah Rhodehamel (formerly sous chef at La Folie, Zinnia and Americano) to be the new executive chef because “He is truly passionate about the food we love, he’s smart and a very good cook and he’s a straight shooter.” The new chef will expand the selection of salads, antipasti and vegetables. His first special dinner is on New Years Eve.
5655 College Ave, Oakland
510-547-5356
Plum has recently had a few changes. First, they started serving lunch Mon – Fri, 11am – 2pm. Then, Chef Charlie Parker (formerly at Cellar Door Cafe, Manresa) started at the restaurant, and will soon start making changes to the menu. And finally, tablehopper reported that Pastry Chef Bill Corbett will leave on Jan 4 and head over to Absinthe in the city. But don’t worry, because Deanie Hickox (formerly at Manresa, Ubuntu) will take care of your sweet tooth.
2214 Broadway, Oakland
510-444-7586
photo: Christina Mitchell
Addie’s Pizza Pie also added lunch service a couple weeks ago. This means the salad, pizza and frozen custard are now available Mon – Fri from 12 – 9:30pm and Sat 5 – 9:30pm.
3290 Adeline St, Berkeley
510-547-1100
Christina Mitchell
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