photo: James Ng
Allison Arevalo and Erin Wade opened Homeroom for lunch last week, and plan to add dinner service this week. There are 10 types of mac & cheese on the menu, including Trailer Mac (with hot dog and crushed potato chips) and and both vegan and gluten free options. When I go check it out, I think I’m going to have to try the homemade oreos topped with sea salt and the beer float (aka bloat).
400 40th St, Oakland
510-597-0400
The Marzano/Garibaldi’s dual restaurant closed last month because it was understandably too much to run two restaurants out of one space. After a quick remodel, it reopened as Hudson, which owner John Hurley described as “a modern American brasserie with Italian influences” in Inside Scoop. Chef Robert Holt is still in charge of the kitchen, which serves appetizers salads, pizzas, pastas and entrees. Barkeeper Alex Conde has put together an interesting cocktail list, with all drinks priced at $11. The lounge is open Sun – Thurs, 4:30 – midnight and Fri & Sat, 4:30 – 1am. The dining room is open Sun – Thurs, 5:30 – 9:30 and Fri & Sat, 5:30 – 10pm. By the way, Marzano on Park Avenue is still up and running.
5356 College Ave, Oakland
510-595-4000
Rich and Rebekah Wood opened Southie next door to their flagship restaurant, Wood Tavern. It’s a small sandwich shop that plays homage to Chef Max DiMare’s native South Boston. At $18, the Dungeness Crab Roll is not cheap, but I have to admit, it was the best crab roll of my life. The crab was studded with crunchy celery, accented with lemon and generously piled in a grilled bun. And heads up, the Truffled Bacon & Egg Salad ($10) the woman sitting at the bar ordered looked absolutely amazing. Next time.
6311 College Ave, Oakland
510-654-0100
photo: Christina Mitchell
Gaumenkitzel, a bakery-restaurant recently opened in the former Metro Lighting space. They serve North German cuisine made from scratch with local ingredients at breakfast, lunch, tea time and supper. It’s open Tues – Sun between 6am – 6:30pm.
2121 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley
510-647-5016
Sacred Wheel Cheese & Specialty Market is Temescal’s newest addition. They sell local and imported artisan products like charcuterie, pickled vegetables and olive oil. I stopped by their Grand Opening party and, at $5, the Half Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Tomato Soup (with PBR) combo is both really delicious and a really good deal. Check it out Tues – Sun, between 11am – 8pm.
4935 Shattuck Ave, Oakland
510-653-1653
photo: Christina Mitchell
Opening Soon
The Parkway, Oakland’s beloved movie theater which served a full menu, including beer and wine to folks lounging on couches, closed in March 2009. The concept is being brought back to life by J. Moses Ceaser, as The New Parkway. For a while, it looked like he was going to lease the building which housed the original theater. Unfortunately, negotiations have stalled at 1834 Park Blvd, so he’s made offers at two other locations: 2345 Broadway (a former Audi dealership in Uptown) and 4799 Shattuck (a former nightclub in Temescal). With over $380,000 already invested, it’s looking like The New Parkway will open somewhere in Oakland this year.
Boot & Shoe Service has been serving pizza, salads and creative cocktails for a little over a year. According to the Chronicle, owner Charlie Hallowell just got the keys to the former Cafe DiBartolo space next door, and intends “to keep it as a great neighborhood coffee shop during the day, and have some connection to Boot & Shoe at night.”
3310 Grand Ave, Oakland
photo: Christina Mitchell
Closed
The East Bay food truck community just lost 2 members. Jon Kosorek started Jon’s Street Eats in August 2009 in hopes of turning it into a full service restaurant. Even after becoming popular for his continuously changing menu, the restaurant never opened, so he decided to take an Executive Chef position in Napa and start looking for the right buyer for his mobile business.
Primo’s Parilla first started serving Argentine asado to the public last March and the chicken and tri-tip slow-grilled next to the truck was an immediate hit. Unfortunately, permit issues with the open grill forced them to change to a sandwich menu in September, and then problems with the truck slowed them down in December. Primo’s officially closed the Parilla a couple weeks ago.
photo: Christina Mitchell
According to a press release published by the Berkeley Daily Planet, Blake’s on Telegraph closed after 71 years in business. The building’s owner is now looking for another restaurant proprietor or two for the 8,500 square foot space.
2367 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley
510-848-0886
In other news…
Adesso is now serving butcher shop sandwiches: porchetta and the “adesso” sub. In addition to their regular hours (Mon – Thurs, 5:30 – 10pm and Fri & Sat, 5:30 – 11pm), they will now also be open for lunch: Mon – Sat, 11am – 2:30pm.
4293 Piedmont Avenue
Oakland, California 94611
510-601-0305
Remember when Disco Volante opened for lunch in December? Well, their liquor license finally arrived, so they added dinner service daily from 6 – 9pm. Dinner specials are available a la carte or as a 3 course prix fixe for $29. Heads up: there are also music performances, which usually don’t have a cover charge. Hours: Mon – Wed, 11:30am – 12am, Thurs-Fri, 11:30am – 1:30am, Sat, 6pm – 1:30am, Sun, 6pm – 12am
347 14th St, Oakland
510-663-0271
photo: Christina Mitchell
Levende East just started a Boogie brunch on Sundays from 11am – 3pm. I haven’t seen the full menu, but I hear it includes Crab Cake Benedict, Stuffed French Toast, Pulled Pork Omelet and Cajun Ham Scramble and a “Build Your Own Bloody Mary” bar.
827 Washington St, Oakland
510-835-5585
Christina Mitchell
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