SF Chefs is expanding to the East Bay this year with Showcase Dinner Menus at Chop Bar, FIVE, Lake Chalet, Meritage at the Claremont, and Miss Pearl’s Jam House.  The three course menus are all unique and some of them offer wine pairings.
Mon – Sun, 8/9 – 15
$35 and $50

Slow roasted chicken with Good Foods house made bacon, white and yellow corn, sweet torpedo onion, heirloom tomatoes, basil, and seared okra. Photo: Christina Mitchell

Larry McClendon wants to bring fresh and healthy food to Oakland.  So he partnered with Dontaye Bell, chef/owner of Good Food Catering, to host a 6 course Oakland Underground Dinner at his upcoming Berlyn’s Eatery. Make reservations by emailing lamcclendon@comcast.net.  Here’s a picture of the chicken from the last dinner, which was comforting and expertly balanced. This is the new menu: Heirloom tomato salad with herb vinaigrette, seasoned ricotta and toasted bread; Smoked turkey and Black eyed Pea Soup with summer greens, onions and corn; Fritto Misto with wild arugula and basil aioli; Grilled Watermelon with mint and chili oil; Slow Roasted Catfish with collard greens, garlic, sweet onions and cucumber salad; and “New” Peach Cobbler.  Proceeds will help offset the costs of opening Berlyn’s Eatery.
132 International Blvd, Oakland
Tues, 8/10, 6 – 8:30 pm
$50

I mentioned Slow before, but to recap, it’s chef/owner Kyle Anderson’s inexpensive, casual gourmet restaurant.  Slow officially opened on 8/6 with seasonal lunches (around $6) and dinners (around $12) served in the 30 seat restaurant and 30 seat patio. Meals will also be available for grab-and-go service and curbside pickup, so there aren’t many excuses left for not eating sustainable, organic local food. It’s open Mon – Sat, 11am – 9pm.
1966 University Ave, Berkeley
510-647-SLOW (3663)

Sorrento Cooler at Locanda da Eva. Photo: Christina Mitchell

When Locanda da Eva officially opened a couple weeks ago, I went to the soft opening party/artist reception.  I sampled a few of the pizzas and this is a picture of my refreshing Sorrento Cooler (Barbancourt 8 Year Rum, limoncello, amaretto, lemon, soda).  Former SF Weekly food writer Robert Lauriston and chef-partner Huw Thornton (former SPQR and A16 sous chef) are behind the project and Jackie Patterson (Heaven’s Dog) created the cocktails.  Expect pasta (small $8 – large $17), pizza ($13-14) and other Italian dishes on the daily changing menu, with influences from other parts of the Mediterranean.  They open at 5pm Tues – Sun, and I’m looking forward to checking out their Late Night Menu, which is offered 10pm – midnight Tues – Sat. Hey, sometimes you just want a midnight snack.
2826 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley
510-665-9601

I’ve heard a lot about a new Izkaya (a Japanese pub) in Berkeley. Chef/owner Christian Geidemen (formerly of Ozumo) officially opened Ippuku a couple weeks ago and is serving grilled meat skewers and shochu (a Japanese liquor). I am very excited to check this place out.  For now, take a peek at the pics of the space, which was designed by Zen Buddhist priest Paul Discoe, on Umami Mart.
2130 Center Street, Berkeley

Jason Sum’s family runs the Berkeley Thai House, but now he’s stepping out on his own.  Sumo Grub opened in the former Top Dawg space, across the street from Berkeley High.  Along with, burgers, salads and rice bowls, they also serve Asian and American fusion food, like curry dogs, and tempura dogs.  The focus on all things fried is taken to the next level with mac & cheese, Oreos, and even deep fried pizza.
2235 Milvia Street, Berkeley

Hi-Suk Dong and his wife Sanju Dong (who is also the chef) closed Soizic last month and opened another restaurant next door to their popular Mua.  The name of the new restaurant next door?  Nex.  They serve “neighborhood bistro food” like “wood-fired pizzas, slow cooked entrees, seasonal appetizers,” and I heard something about a funnel cake dessert.  Dinner is served between 5 – 10ish, and lunch service will start this fall.

2442 Webster Street, Oakland

510-238-8224

There are three new restaurants on the same block of Oxford Street in Berkeley and only one serves meat:

Pulled Pork Sandwich at Ironwood BBQ, photo: Christina Mitchell

Ironwood BBQ is currently in soft-open mode.  They started developing recipes in SF at the Golden Gate Golf Course.  When non-golfers started coming in to eat, they decided it was time to open a legitimate shop.  I always get weak in the knees when I see a pulled pork sandwich on the menu, and this one didn’t disappoint.  Just be sure to pay the extra $1 to get it Memphis Style (extra sauce and slaw).  Stay tuned for their official Grand Opening party…
2130 Oxford Street, Berkeley
510-981-8028

Cinnaholic, a vegan cinnamon roll shop also opened a couple weeks ago.  With limitless options, it’s pretty overwhelming for the indecisive (like me).  You start with a cinnamon roll and then choose a frosting and topping. It took me about 10 minutes and several samples to end up with the “deal of the day.” It was a Peach Pie Cinnamon roll with fresh fruit and oats sprinkled on top. By the way, it was my first time signing my name with my index finger on their Ipad cash register.  Very cool.
2132 Oxford Street, Berkeley

Saturn Cafe recently opened, too.  It’s the second location of the vegetarian Santa Cruz diner that serves comfort food.  They’ll have the same menu, plus live music and plan to be open until 3 am, after the permits are approved.
2175 Allston Way, Berkeley

Opening Soon…

After 2 years of delays, I noticed some activity at Falanghina, in the space next door to Sea Salt, and SFoodie has more information. The new name is Paisan and the K2 Restaurant group expects to open the Italian restaurant in about a month.
2514-2516 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley

Closed…and reopening

After opening in 1929, and struggling through tough times, Neldam’s Danish Bakery closed its doors a few weeks ago. But don’t worry too much, because Inside Scoop brought word that a group of ex-employees, along with the landlord, have grouped together to form a co-op.  In the next few weeks, they plan to reopen in the same space as A Taste of Denmark.  Using new recipes, they will serve similar Danish sweets and add some Korean items from the landlord’s heritage.
3401 Telegraph Ave, Oakland

Chef Shuffle

Chef Jared Gallagher helped open Lake Chalet about a year ago,  but he recently moved on, according to Inside Scoop.  Instead of finding a replacement right away, owners Gar and Lara Truppelli have decided to hire chef Jared Doob to head all 3 of their restaurants (Park Chalet and Beach Chalet in SF, along with Lake Chalet).  Apparently, Doob was the chef at Lulu before becoming the corporate chef of DSE Restaurants.
1520 Lakeside Drive
510-208-5253

In other news…

The fried chicken sandwiches put Bakesale Betty on the map.  The brisket sandwiches introduced last year added to the loooong line around the block.  Bakesale Betty just introduced their third sandwich on their Facebook page: a Sloppy Joe with Prather Ranch organic beef, house made tomato sauce, cayenne, onions, cilantro and pickled jalapeños on a soft bun.  It’s available at both locations starting Tuesday 8/10.
5098 Telegraph Ave, Oakland
510-985-1213
2228 Broadway, Oakland
510-251-2100

Hibiscus opened in January 2010 and has been serving Caribbean Creole inspired cuisine. But until recently, their Caribbean Creole inspired cuisine was only available at lunch. Starting a few weeks ago, they started lunch service.  Cutter (pronounced Cuttah) is the word for sandwich in the Bajan dialect, and there are 3 on the lunch  menu: corned beef, flying fish and ham & cheese.  All are served with seasonal greens and waffle chips.  Don’t worry, the fried chicken is also available at lunch. Wed – Fri, 11am – 2:30pm.  The team is also unveiling a Happy Hour Wed – Fri, 4:30 – 6:30 with discounted cocktails.
1745 San Pablo Ave, Oakland
510-444-2626

Geisha. Photo: Dave C. on Yelp

Two more bars are open in Oakland:

The owners are Asian American, but the name of their new bar “plays upon and reinforces racist and sexist stereotypes about Asian women.”  Even with the controversy, Geisha is now open.  According to Oakland Trib’s Night Owl, they plan to serve lunch and dinner from noon to 10 pm, and discounted cocktails and appetizers during happy hour from 4 to 7 pm.
316 14th Street, Oakland

Tamarindo had been planning to expand into the space next door with a Tequila bar, and now Inside Scoop reports it’s open. Owned by Alfonso Dominguez, the goal is to bring awareness about the world of tequila through one ounce pours and handcrafted cocktails (like a tequila Manhattan).
468 Eighth Street, Oakland
510-444-1944

Can you believe another bar is expected to open in the next week or two?  It’s a nice space in Oakland with specialty cocktails, but I’m not supposed to spill the beans until the official grand opening.  Stay tuned…

photo: Middle East Market

Middle East Market is a specialty grocery store that just started serving special Friday Night Dinners.  Lamb shank, chicken and rice with lima beans and dill were served last week, but the menu will change.

2054 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley

510-704-8800

Fridays, 4 – 8 pm

Café Rouge is hosting another class, and this one is all about sausage.  The class will be both demonstration and hands-on.  Victoria Wise will join the Cafe Rouge owner, head butcher and executive chef to add her expertise.  As the first chef at Chez Panisse, owner of Pig by the Tail (the charcuterie that used to be across the street) and author of the just released Sausage: Recipes for Making and Cooking with Homemade Sausage, she has a lot of knowledge to share. You’ll take home 2 pounds of sausage.  And, if it’s anything like the poultry class, you will learn a lot.

1782 Fourth Street, Berkeley

510-525-1440

Mon, 6/21, 6:30

$65

County Line Harvest started offering their Mystery Boxes in the East Bay last week at Café Rouge.  Instead of buying the same vegetables at the farmer’s market, you can pick up a box and try cooking with new ingredients.  I had never worked with turnips, summer savory or broccoli rabe until I saw them in my box, along with an easy recipe.  Be sure to e-mail clharvest@gmail.com to reserve your box.  They’ll be at Gather next week and back at Café Rouge on July 20, but if there’s a lot of interest, there could be weekly offerings.

2200 Oxford Street, Berkeley

Tues, 6/22, 5 – 7 pm

$25

East Bay Vegan Bakesale is back at Issues.  Some of the best vegan bakers in the Bay Area will be selling their specialties.  Proceeds go to Walk Oakland Bike Oakland and the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society.  E-mail ebveganbakesale@gmail.com if you’re interested in helping out.

20 Glen Ave at Piedmont, Oakland

510-652-5700

Sat, 6/26, 11am – 3pm

Gather is hosting Dinner and a Movie on their outdoor patio.  After a buffet BBQ, Edible City will show a special sneak preview of a new film, then hold a panel discussion with local food activist Jessica Prentice and the filmmakers.  Limited to 50 people.

2200 Oxford Street, Berkeley

510-525-4864

Tues, 6/29, 8 – 10pm

$85 ]]> http://eastbaydish.com/?feed=rss2&p=523 2 http://eastbaydish.com/?p=521 http://eastbaydish.com/?p=521#comments Fri, 18 Jun 2010 08:09:31 +0000 Christina Mitchell http://eastbaydish.com/?p=521 Just opened

Lanesplitter, the East Bay New York pizza chain, has been adding branches, with the LakeMerritt pit stop opening last year.  The newest pub opened in Emeryville on Thursday.  They aren’t serving beer yet, but pizza is available from 11 am to midnight everyday.

3645 San Pablo Ave, Emeryville

Thursday was a big day for Emeryville, because the new Farmer’s Market also launched.  Located next to City Hall, and across from Pixar, over 35 artisans and farms were there selling fresh fruit and veggies, flowers, honey, pastries, wine and cheese.  Prepared food includes tamales, empanadas, spring rolls, kettle corn, gyros, bbq, so it also sounds like a good choice for lunch. And I heard they will keep your food fresh until the end of the day, so you can pick it up after work.

Haven Street, Between Park & 40^th Street, Emeryville

Thursdays, 12 – 6:30 pm
Opening soon

Rockridge’s Café Zoe is planning to open this Sunday from 7 am to 7 pm.  They’ll serve Ecco coffee, tea, iced drinks and Artisan pastries to start, and eventually, they will they expand the menu to include sandwiches and salads.

6000 College Ave, Oakland

Speaking of coffee in Rockridge, I also noticed some activity down the street at the space formerly known as Cafe Lyon.  Tablehopper has some details for us: Bica Coffeehouse will serve coffee from local roasters De La Paz, Verve, Ritual, Flying Goat and Barefoot.  Owner Jake Brodden also plans to serve tea, pastries and toast with local jam and honey at Bica, which is the Portuguese word for espresso.  Proposed hours are 6:30 am – 6 pm, with plans to open in the next few weeks.

5701 College Ave, Oakland

photo: Christina Mitchell

Berkeley’s connection to Charlie Trotter seems to get stronger every year.  Chris Blue, a former pastry chef at Charlie Trotter opened Chocolatier Blue onUniversity Avenue in 2008.  Veronica Laramie, who also cooked at Charlie Trotter, and her husband Christopher, opened the avant-guard eVe next door in December 2009.  Now, Kyle Anderson, another Charlie Trotter alum, is opening Slow, which is located on the other side of Chocolatier Blue.  The local, seasonal menu will featureCalifornia cuisine with a European twist: confit salmon, caprese sandwich and braised short ribs.  Lunch (around $6) and dinner (around $12) will be served in a sunset yellow and orange dining room, with lots of natural light and tables and chairs were made from wood reclaimed from an 1822 railroad tunnel.  There are 30 seats inside and up to 30 seats in the outdoor patio and Slow is scheduled to open next month.

1966 University Ave, Berkeley

510-647-3663

After more than 2 years of delays, construction has finally started at Falanghina.  Named after an Italian wine varietal, the casual Italian trattoria will serve antipasti, house made pasta, and traditional Neapolitan pizza made in a huge wood oven.   The K2 Restaurant Group, the owners of 5 East Bay restaurants, including Sea Salt next door, plan to keep the brick walls and exposed beams in the 80 year old building.  Proposed hours are 11 am – 11 pm, 7 days a week, and they plan to open in the next few months.

2514 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley

Only in Berkeley is it possible for vegan cinnamon rolls to be sold next door to sustainable Memphisstyle BBQ.  The old Ben & Jerry’s has been split into 2 spaces: one side will be occupied by Cinnaholic, and the other will be the home of Ironwood BBQ.   Brisket, roast, chicken and ribs will be dry-rubbed then slow cooked in custom built Wham Turbo BBQ pit (only 3 exist on the West Coast – LA, Seattle, and SF).  Ironwood plans to open in July.

2130 Oxford Street, Berkeley

510-981-8028

Taste different wines and stroll through Downtown Walnut Creek during the Third Annual Wine Walk in Downtown Walnut Creek.

Wed, 6/23, 6 – 9 pm

$25 in advance, $30 at the door

Urban Legend’s barrel tasting is next weekend.  Sample their 2009 wines (Dolcetto, Tempranillo, Malbec, Syrah) and current releases.  Platinum Catering will serve handmade salumi and vegan snacks.

621 4^th Street, Oakland

510-545-4356

Sat, 6/26, 12 – 6 pm

$25 in advance, $30 at the door

photo: dopo

Dopo is hosting a prix fixe wine dinner, featuring traditional food from Eastern Sicily which will be paired withMount Etna wine from Alberto Graci.  Reservations are required.

4293 Piedmont Ave, Oakland

510-652-3676

Sun, 6/27, 5pm and 8pm

$75

Wine Thieves has two locations in Concord and Clayton, and they’re planning to open another store in Berkeley.  The stores are known for their selection of affordable wines procured by shrewd buyers who “steal so you don’t have to.”

2926 Domingo, Berkeley

Concord based E.J. Phair Brewing Company and Alehouse has been serving craft ales and lagers with food pairings since 2000, and now has plans to open a second location later this summer in Pittsburg.

200 East 3^rd Street, Pittsburg

925-252-9895

photo: Spenger's

Who wants $5 movie tickets?  After having dinner at Spenger’s during their “Reel to Reel” promotion, you can buy discount movie tickets.  But hurry, because the special is only good through September, or while supplies last.

1919 Fourth Street, Berkeley

510-845-7771

photo: Oakland Greek Festival

Opa!  The Oakland Greek Festival starts today with delicious sounding goodies: “We have put our heart, soul and favorite Greek seasonings into our many delicious foods for you. From gyros and lamb sandwiches to wine and Frappe beverages, we want you to taste Greece!” There will also be live music and traditional Greek dance performances.  I have never been to this festival before, and it sounds like I’ve been missing out!
4700 Lincoln Ave, Oakland
510-531-3400
Fri, Sat, 5/14 – 5/15, 10 am – 11 pm
Sun, 5/16, 11 am – 9 pm
$6

Ferment Change is planning a little shindig to raise funds for City Slickers, a local food justice org.  There will be music (a bluegrass trio on the patio outside and 2 DJs inside; there will be prizes (City Slicker gear, gift certificates, organic plants and more); and there will be fermented food (so bring something to share).
390 27th Street, Oakland
Fri, 5/14, 7 – 10 pm
$10-30

San Francisco-based Yats is hosting an all-you-can-eat crawfish boil in Oakland this weekend.  That sounds like the best deal, but they’re also offering crawfish/bbq shrimp po’boys and 3 lb bags of crawfish to-go. Space is limited, so it’s probably a good idea to save your seat – like right now.
1097 53rd Street at San Pablo, Oakland
504-231-8612
Sat, 5/15, 1 – 6 pm
$25

Gather is hosting a vegan, family-style benefit dinner for Earth Island.  Afterward, in the theater next door, there will be a lively debate around the question: “Can you be a good environmentalist and still eat meat?” Nicolette Hahn Niman – a Marin rancher and author of Righteous Porkchop – will argue that you can. Howard Lyman – the author of Mad Cowboy: Plain Truth from the Cattle Rancher Who Won’t Eat Meat – will disagree.
2200 Oxford Street, Berkeley
510-809-0400
Thurs, 5/20, 5 pm dinner, 7 pm debate
$50 for dinner, $10-20 for the debate

“Farmer Jane: Women Changing the Way We Eat,” is a brand new book by author and sustainable food activist, Temra Costa. To celebrate the book, which is hot off the presses, the author will bring along other inspirational women (Nancy Vail, Pie Ranch; Novella Carpenter, Biofuel Oasis and writer; Deborah Koons Garcia, filmmaker and radio show co-host) for a panel discussion.  Chef/owner Amy Murray is also on the panel and hosting the event Revival Bar + Kitchen, which is scheduled to open soon.  The kitchen will provide food and beverage tastings, along with local food artisans.
2102 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
510-332-6752
Thurs, 5/20, 6:30 pm food tasting, 7:15 panel
$10

Speaking of book launches, Pastry chef/owner Jennifer Millar is going to host the celebration for Farmers’ Market Desserts (by Jennie Schacht) at Sweet Adeline Bakeshop.   There will be samples of some recipes from the cookbook, including miniature chocolate cherry cupcakes, strawberries & cream cake roll, rhubarb parfaits, pavlovettes with lemon-lime cream and berries and more!  Be sure to RSVP here, so they’ll have enough sweets.
3350 Adeline Street, Berkeley
510-985-7381
Sat, 5/22, 4 – 7 pm

Fri, 5/14, 5 – 9 pm
College Avenue, between Broadway and Claremont

According to legend, Martinez is where the very first martini was made in 1870.  In fact, the cocktail was called the “Martinez special” and later shortened to Martini.  The Martini Festival is the official celebration of this claim to fame, and in addition to the drinks, Greek, Chinese, Southeast Asian food and sweets will be served by local restaurants.  There will be complementary limo and horse drawn carriage rides for the lightweights and/or responsible drinkers.
525 Henrietta Street, Martinez
Fri, 5/14, 6:30 – 10 pm
$40 per person, or $75 per couple (includes food, 2 drink tickets and a martini glass)
Congratulations to the owners of Bar Dogwood, which just received a stamp of approval from the city.  You can order locally sourced, hormone free meat by the pound or snack on salumi and cheese while you enjoy a drink.  A bar and meat market = two birds, one stone.  Now, we’re just patiently waiting for Bar Dogwood to open.
1644 Telegraph Ave, Oakland

I noticed that  Trueburger just got their liquor license, and an east bay dish reader confirmed they now have beer on the menu.
146 Grand Ave, Oakland
510-208-5678