
Openings, closings…
ORDINAIRE New wine bar-wine shop, Ordinaire (as in “vin ordinaire”), has just opened at 3354 Grand Ave. in Oakland. Owner Bradford Taylor, who is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in English literature at UC Berkeley, said the place specializes in featuring small, boutique wineries, mostly from California, but also from France, Italy and Germany. Taylor has written in detail about what prompted him to open the shop (which was originally going to be called Red Whale) on Cal’s English Department’s website. Taylor is also offering a very small food menu with locally cured charcuterie, artisan cheese, and simple salads. Follow Ordinaire on its Facebook page. (Sounds not unlike Botella Republic which is slated to open in downtown Berkeley early next year.)
JEWEL BOX COFFEE ROASTERS Blue Bottle alum and current Roast Co. head roaster Brad Joyce and Pizzaiolo bar manager Kate August have raised more than $15K on Kickstarter with a view to opening a new café/roasters called Jewel Box, according to Zagat. Details are few and far between, including where the place might pop up, but an opening date is slated for 2014 next year.
PENROSE & SONS The latest venture from Charlie Hallowell (Pizzaioloa, Boot & Shoe Service), Penrose & Sons, is tentatively slated to open in early October, according to Diablo Dish who has an update on the restaurant and bar which has been more than a year in the planning. Hallowell says the bar will take center stage, but the food promises to be interesting too with North African and Middle Eastern meat-focused dishes cooked in a wood-burning hearth. Penrose & Sons will be at 3311 Grand Ave., Oakland.
JACK’S CHOWDER HOUSE Looks like a new restaurant called Jack’s Chowder House is coming to 66 Franklin St. at Water, to be part of the burgeoning food scene in Jack London Square, according to Tablehopper. We’ll bring you more details when we have them.
What else is happening…
Recent Nosh stories (in case you missed them):
High levels of lead are an issue for backyard chickens
Tomato spice cake: A scrumptious seasonal sweet
Nosh on the town: Dishcrawl in Jack London Square
Chef Stephane Tonnelier takes the helm at Five
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. Catch up with previous Bites columns.