Bites is Nosh’s round-up of restaurant and bar news in the East Bay. Got a tip or a scoop? Send it our way at nosh@berkeleyside.com. Bites is produced by Nosh in collaboration with Christina Mitchell, founder of East Bay Dish. (And we’ve started numbering Bites so you can check out previous editions and be sure you are up with all the food news.)
Coming soon…
CHOLITA LINDA BISTRO Word on the street is that Cholita Linda, which until now has served its Latin American “dressed up” street food treats at farmers markets and the like, is opening a bistro in Temescal. The plan is to take over three stores — S&S Seafood at 4923 Telegraph Ave., a vitamin store and a hair-braiding place — and turn them into a restaurant. Cholita would be one of three foodie newbies coming to this vibrant neighborhood: Indian street food spot Juhu Beach Club, run by Top Chef alum Preeti Mistry is due to open March 1 at 5179 Telegraph Ave. in the old SR24 location; and beer and sausage place The Hog’s Apothecary is coming to 375 40th St. soon. The transformation of this vibrant Oakland neighborhood continues. There’s no word yet on Cholita Linda’s Facebook page, and attempts to reach the business had been unsuccessful at press time, but we’ll keep you posted.
MARROW Jon’s Street Eats was one of the first new-school food trucks in the East Bay. After a couple years, owner Jon Kosorek moved on to an executive chef position in Napa in 2011. Well, according to Diablo, he’s back. The plan is to open a restaurant in the former Looney’s BBQ location in downtown Oakland. The concept is a “meat-centric place” with Kosorek ordering one animal at a time and using the different parts through his entire menus. The new spot will be called Marrow and will cater to the downtown lunchtime crowd. Kosorek hopes to open sometime this spring. 325 19th St, Oakland.
What else is going on…
SF BEER WEEK SF Beer Week starts Friday and there are more than 100 events lined up in the East Bay alone. The schedule is kind of overwhelming, so pace yourself. As a finale to the week, Haven is hosting a dinner with The Trappist. Executive Chef Kim Atler will prepare a five-course menu with beer pairings. 44 Webster St., Oakland; 510-663-4440. When: Sunday, Feb. 17. Cost: $80
OLIVETO Oliveto’s 14th annual Whole Hog dinners have been announced. Chef Jonah Rhodehamel will use “over 2,000 lbs. of pork from eight whole animals” to prepare Zampone, Boudin noir and house-cured meats. The menu hasn’t been finalized, but will respect the whole animal. 5655 College Ave., Oakland. When: Feb. 18-23.
HAWKER FARE As noted last week in Bites, Hawker Fare recently got a full liquor license. Now, along with beer and wine, they’re also serving punch bowls and jello shots, says the East Bay Express. 2300 Webster St., Oakland.
ANGELINE’S Angeline’s Louisiana Kitchen is celebrating Mardi Gras with plenty of specials, including Fried Alligator with garlicky aioli ($10.95) and Gator Chili (slow roasted bacon, beef, pork, & alligator in tomatoes, red beans, garlic & Cajun spices, topped with cheddar cheese, $6.95). King Cake is also available for pre-order. Each cake is filled with blueberries and cream cheese, and decorated in Mardi Gras colors. Laissez les bons temps rouler! 2261 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley; 510-548-6900. When: Tuesday, Feb. 12.
BOCANOVA Diablo reported that Bocanova’s executive chef, John Ledbetter, is moving on to a new restaurant in Newport Beach, Calif., to be closer to his family. His replacement hasn’t been announced, but we’ll keep you posted. (Bocanova photo by Christina Mitchell.) 55 Webster St., Oakland; 510-444-1233.
VALENTINE’S DAY It’s time to start thinking about Valentine’s Day, and Kitchener has goodies available Feb. 13 for advance purchase, with pick up starting at 3 p.m. Then, at 5 p.m., the gallery across the street, Creative Growth, and Kitchener will open their doors for a Valentine’s Night Market with arts & crafts, and food and wine for sale. Artisans include Art Is In Coffee (fudge, vegan fudge, coffee), Bump City Bakery (lemon and chocolate mini pies), Chunky Pig, Green Girl Bakeshop (ice cream sandwiches), Oakland Bakes, Oven Lovin Catering (cupcakes and truffles), The Stroopie Gourmet (stroopwafels), Sugar Knife Marshmallows, Barbarian Gourmet (duck potstickers and heart cookies), Green and Go (spring roll salad with baked tofu), Javi’s Cooking (empanadas and alfajores), SunnySide Biscuits and Catering (oyster po’ boy biscuits), Flan Flan Ta-Ta’s and Lusu Cellars. Did we mention the free beer? 372 24th St., Oakland; 510-835-5885. When: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 9 p.m.
VIVA AMORE Custom poems, flowers, music, food, wine… get ready for Viva Amore at Rock Wall Wine Company next week. Le Truc, Asena, Toque and Apron, Bombzie’s BBQ and Dragon Rouge are taking care of the food and everyone will be able to vote for best pairing. The winning restaurant will get bragging rights and, more importantly, a case of wine. Wine by the glass will be available for purchase and the 2011 Romancer (Malbec, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot blend) will also be released at this event. Sounds like fun, right? 2301 Monarch St, Alameda. When: Friday, Feb. 15, 6-9 p.m. Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door.
CHOCOLATE AND BEER AT THE CRANEWAY Speaking of Valentine’s Day, there’s also the fourth annual Chocolate and Beer Festival coming up at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond on Saturday, Feb. 16. The event runs from noon to 6 p.m. as part of SF Beer Week. Organizers promise a “fun afternoon of exquisite gourmet chocolates and local craft brews.” Tickets get you product samples, live entertainment and prizes. The event is advertised as family friendly, and there’s a free shuttle to and from BART. 1414 Harbour Way South, Marina District, Richmond. Cost: $15 online, $25 at the door. (Kids 12 and under are free)
GRAND LAKE KITCHEN Grand Lake Kitchen has announced, via a sign out front, that it will start dinner service Feb. 13 with a new menu. A note on the restaurant’s Facebook page says the menu will be sent out to its newsletter subscribers. 576 Grand Ave., Oakland; 510-922-9582. (Hat tip: Ms. Barstool Risa Nye)
Quick hits and tidbits…
- Inside Scoop reports that Lungomare opened in Oakland on Thursday. Bites posted background on the restaurant last week. The restaurant’s Facebook page said, of a friends-and-family preview Wednesday, that the night “went Great. Food, Cocktails were amazing!! We did have some issues with our ordering causing long ticket time, but we have hopefully worked it all out.” Grub Street says the restaurant will have dinner service only through Sunday, and will be open all day beginning Monday.
- Grub Street has posted the menu for Temescal’s new Juhu Beach Club (to open March 1), and Berkeleyside reporter Emilie Raguso is scheduled to get a preview of the new spot as part of this Sunday’s “Taste of Temescal” event with Edible Excursions. Photos will be forthcoming.
- Albany’s Cafeina, a popular cafe that focuses on local, organic food, with house-made baked goods that are always delish, has expanded into a formerly vacant space next door. Albany Patch has the scoop.
- The Box and Bells preview dinner later this month, coming up at Hawker Fare, sold out in just three minutes, but NOSH will be there and will definitely report back. Box and Bells, set to open in the former Somerset space later this year, perhaps in May, is the newest endeavor by Commis chef James Syhabout.
- The East Bay Express reviews Miss Ollie’s in Old Oakland and Luke Tsai does a round-up of where to find the best winter greens at local dining spots. (Miss Ollie’s announced dinner service this week on Facebook.)
- Chef Daniel Patterson, of Haven and Plum in Oakland, and Coi in San Francisco, was recently interviewed by Eater. He has a new cookbook coming out, and expounds on his ideas about “deliciousness” and the evolution of Coi over its seven year history. (Speaking of Haven, Grub Street has declared its Dungeness crab salad “actually pretty awesome.”)
- Patricia Untermann writes about the newest chefs at Chez Panisse, which she declares “the most representative restaurant in the Bay Area, and the continues to be the best.”
- Rockridge’s Ramen Shop got a photo feature and short overview in the New York Times magazine.
- Michael Bauer says Comal has some of his favorite roast chicken in the Bay Area. (It was the only East Bay spot to make his list.)
- Last but not least, check out the Nosh interview with Suzanne Drexhage, owner of west Berkeley’s Bartavelle; read about City Slicker Farms which is expanding its urban edible gardens to supply local residents with fresh produce; and meet the two Italians at Baia Pasta who are crafting artisanal noodles in Jack London Square.
Bites is Nosh’s round-up of restaurant openings, happenings and closings in the East Bay. Got a tip or scoop? Send it our way to nosh@berkeleyside.com. Follow Berkeleyside NOSH on Twitter, and on Facebook.
Some of these items may first have appeared in Shop Talk, Berkeleyside’s regular column in which we post updates on Berkeley businesses. If you’re a Berkeley business with news, or a Berkeleysider who has spotted a change in your neighborhood or on your travels, email us with the details. Read previous Shop Talk columns here.
