nytimes
The James Beard Awards are often compared to the Oscars, and the semifinalists were recently announced. Congratulations to Adesso (Best New Restaurant) and Jorg Rupf (Best Wine and Spirits Professional). Michael Dellar of Lark Creek Restaurant Group (Lark Creek in Walnut Creek and Yankee Pier in Lafeyette) and Tim Stannard of Bacchus Restaurant Group (Pizza Antica inLafayette) are both up for Best Restauranteur. Check out the other semifinalists here. The finalists will be announced on 3/22 and the James Beard Award Ceremonies will be on 5/2-3.
Just opened
After several weeks of anticipation, SR24 opened last week. Located a block away from its namesake (State Route 24), Chef Josh Woodall is serving affordable classic comfort food, with nothing on the menu over $20. Check out the menu on their facebook page.
5179 Telegraph Ave at 51st, Oakland
510-655-9300
berkeleyside
I heard about Elmwood Cafe a while back, and they are now open, according to Berkeleyside. Both the manager and the pastry chef used to work at Cafe Fanny before opening in the former Ozzie’s Soda Fountain space. They restored the original interior and are open 7 days a week from 7am – 10pm, and serve healthy, organic food (porridge, soups, salads and panini). Half of the profits will be donated to the customers’ choice of charities.
2900 College Ave (at Russell), Berkeley
It looks like breakfast got a little easier for commuters at the MacArthur BART Station when Guerilla Grub recently started selling chorizo breakfast burritos. Since their profile on SFoodie, they’ve also added chicken and beef tamale breakfast burritos and are working on a lunch menu with pulled pork and pulled chicken sammies. You can keep up with them on Facebook.
MacArthur BART Station
510-919-3913
Yardie Jerk
After closing for a 4 month vacation, Yardie Jerk, re-opened on 2/23 with extended hours. Now you can get Jamaican BBQ from 11:30am – 7:30pm on Tues – Sat. I have to get over there and try the food, because, they say it’s “da real ting, mon.”
3301 San Pablo Ave at 33rd St, Oakland
510-547-4900
Gather has been serving dinner since December and just started lunch service this week. With salads, soups, pizzas and dessert on the menu, there’s something for almost everyone: vegans (tomato pizza with herbs and cashew puree), vegetarians (local chanterelle pizza) and carnivores (pork leg confit pizza with carmalized onions). Breakfast, brunch and seating on the outdoor patio are all slated to start in April.
2200 Oxford Street, Berkeley
510-809-0400
Opening Soon
photo: Christina Mitchell
After closing in August for a face lift, the renovated Oakland Museum of California and the brand new Blue Oak Cafewill be unveiled on May 1. Expect a seasonal menu from Chef Robert Dorsey (former Bay Wolf chef and former owner of Blackberry Bistro), featuring his signature shrimp n’ grits, and other dishes inspired by all the delicious cuisines ofCalifornia. So this spring you can go learn about different cultures in the museum, and then try the food in the cafe. The catering arm of the operation will be handled by Karen Bevels Custom Catering and Events.
By the way, this what Chef Dorsey served at SFnoir’s Shrimp & Grits Taste Off last week – his version was definitely one of the favorites.
1000 Oak Street,Oakland
510-238-2200
Also aiming for a May launch, Amy Murray (the chef and co-owner of Venus) will open another restaurant in the former Downtown Restaurant space. The Chronicle reported that it will be called Revival Bar and Kitchen and they’ll serve artisanal cocktails and dishes made with local ingredients and whole animals.
2102 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
sfgate
According to Oakland North, the wait for Bakesale Betty’s second location is almost over. After originally signing the lease two years ago, owner Alison Barakat is planning to open in April on Broadway. She also hopes to add more sweet and savory items to the menu, since the new space will have a larger kitchen.
Broadway at Grand Ave, Oakland
Burgermeister, the award winning San Francisco based mini-chain, is taking over the old Baja Fresh location in Berkeley. They’re shooting for a March or April opening with the regular menu, and the brunch menu will start 5 months or so after that.
2237 Shattuck Ave at Kittredge, Berkeley
A handful of food bloggers have gotten book deals in the past few years. We’ve even seen a movie inspired by one of these books – if you STILL haven’t seen Julie & Julia, stop reading and go rent it right now! We’ve also seen a food blogger (Molly Wizenberg) open a pizzeria (Delancy) in Seattle with her husband. Well our own Allison Arevalo, the force behind the food blog Local Lemons, is going to open a restaurant with her husband and some friends. It will be called Little Mac, and they’ll serve comfort food like mac and cheese (of course), salads and homemade Oreo cookies. They’re looking at locations in downtown and uptown Oakland, and hope to be open sometime this summer.
Christina Mitchell
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