Co-chefs/owners Trace Leighton and Daniel Clayton recently closed Nibblers Eatery & Wine Bar and reopened it as The Fig Tree on Sunday. It’s a more casual restaurant, but still offers seasonal and sustainable dishes. And since figs are in season, they’re all over the menu: proscuitto wrapped figs ($8) , duck paté with candied figs ($9), aritsan cheeses with fig jam ($9), cedar planked rock cod with fig chutney ($12) and a warm fig sticky ($7) pudding. Don’t worry if you don’t like figs; there are plenty of other delicious sounding dishes on the menu. The Fig Tree is open for dinner Tues – Sunday from 5 – 10pm and lunch service will be added soon. The owners are also opening Origen in Berkeley (in the former Locanda da Eva space) in the next few weeks. More on that later.
1922 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill
925-9440402
photo: The Fig Tree
Where are you getting your next caffeine fix? Maybe at one of our three new coffee shops?
Awaken Cafe is planning to reopen as a full cafe and beer/wine bar in the fall. In the meantime, they opened a cart last week. Espresso drinks and whole beans are available Mon – Fri from 8 – 10am, and occasionally at night to coincide with the performances at the Fox Theater.
1429 Broadway Ave, Oakland
photo: Awaken Cafe
Boot & Shoe Service also opened a Coffee Shop next door to the restaurant, in the former DiBartolo Cafe, last week. According to Inside Scoop, they’re serving Signtglass coffee, breakfast pastries and housemade granola. Owner Charlie Hallowell plans to add a lunch menu and even charcuterie and cocktails in near future.
3308 Grand Ave, Oakland
510-763-2668
Owner Todd Spitzer opened a second location of Remedy Coffee in the Berkeley Art Museum last month. But it doesn’t sound like your average coffee shop in this Thrillist video. In addition to their regular menu, they’re also serving breakfast pizzas and pulled pork sandwiches!
2625 Durant Ave, Berkeley
Former Café Rouge head butcher Scott Brennan is officially opening The Fifth Quarter, his charcuterie business at Kensington Farmers Market this Sunday. Berkeleyside reported that he plans to offer at least 10 items each week, including “Mexican Chorizo, Merguez Sausage, Bourbon Beef Jerky, Country Style Pork Paté, Pickled Lamb’s Tongue, Corned Beef and Liverwurst.
Kensington Farmers Market
Oak View Ave at Colusa Cir., Kensington
photo: The Fifth Quarter
Chef/owner Jason Kwon is in the process of transforming Joshu-ya Sushi Bar into Joshu-ya Brasserie. He plans to keep the Japanese influence with dishes like a Cured Salmon Salad with shaved daikon, fennel, Asian pear and truffle-creme fraiche sauce. Kwon will source seasonable, sustainable ingredients and plans to open next month. The restaurant will be open daily for dinner (5 – 10pm) and Mon – Sat for lunch (11:30am – 4pm).
2441 Dwight Way
510-848-5260
Christina Mitchell
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