Openings…
ARTICHOKE BASILLE’S PIZZA New York style pizza slices are coming to Berkeley’s Telegraph Avenue neighborhood with the opening — before Halloween it is hoped — of Artichoke Basille’s Pizza at 2590 Durant Avenue, on the corner of Bowditch. Jim Trevor, who is helping open the new pizzeria, says it’s the first West Coast location for the group which has several New York branches — including three in Manhattan (one of which is pictured top), one at La Guardia airport, and another within a casino in Queens. Francis Garcia and Sal Basille, pizzaiolos, cousins and best friends, opened the first Artichoke Basille’s on 14th Street in New York City in 2008. They learned their trade at the family restaurant, Basille’s, in Staten Island. Such has been the taste for their pizzas that fans, according to the company, now include Keith Richards and Momofuku’s David Chang. Why Telegraph? “Not many places in the Bay Area have foot traffic like Telegraph Avenue,” said Trevor. And he adds: “College students can eat pizza morning, noon and night!”
SUKHO THAI Rockridge’s own gourmet ghetto should soon be welcoming new Thai restaurant Sukho Thai to 5498 College Ave. (at Lawton). The restaurant is being opened by the same people behind Thai Delight Cuisine at 1700 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley, and promises to serve “healthy and delicious” traditional Thai dishes, with vegetarian and organic options a speciality. The space, which is right near Rockridge Café, is currently being renovated. We’ll keep you posted on when it opens.
LAST CALL BAR The Berkeley Rep has quietly opened a rather cool-looking bar called Last Call where ticketholders can cap off a night after select evening performances throughout the season with wine, spirits, and nibbles from local vendors. As if that weren’t good enough, the samplings are free! Early partners include East Bay Spice Company,Trumer Pilsner and TRU Organic Vodka. The Last Call bar is located at the rear of the outdoor courtyard accessible from the Roda Theater, and the decor and subdued lighting are suitably theatrical. Cheers!
GOGI TIME Looks like new Korean BBQ and hot pot restaurant Gogi Time — which we tipped you about in August — is close to opening at 2600 Telegraph Ave. in Oakland. A nice big restaurant sign is now up and the eatery was issued a temporary beer and wine license on Sept. 24. “Gogi” means meat in Korean, in case you didn’t know. Share your reviews if you get in before we do!
NEW SWAN’S MARKET SPOT The owners of Japanese eatery B-Dama on Piedmont Avenue plan to open a new restaurant, yet to be named, in a vacant space across from Cosecha in Oakland’s blossoming Swan Market neighborhood. According to Inside Scoop SF, the menu will likely depart from the focus on shokudo and izakaya at B-Dama — Japanese street eats are being considered. We’ll keep you posted.
What else is happening…
FOOD FOR STONERS Commercial kitchen Uptown Kitchen and their partners at the Sound Room are hosting a foodie event with a difference to coincide with First Friday’s Art Murmur in Oakland on Friday Oct. 3. On offer is “Food Made for Stoners” — which will likely include Tamales & Salsa from Santipapas – “life’s too short for boring salsa”; Pork Belly & Turkey Sliders from Keena’s Kitchen Catering Service; Grilled Cheese Sandos by Grilled Cheese Guy; and Ice Cream made for Stoners (think bacon, chocolate, peanut butter) by Kim Beirs. There’ll be “showtunes with super titles” from the East Bay Symphony and Choir, and art by Michael Tunk and Cara Enclosed. No cover charge. Uptown Kitchen is at 2145 Broadway (at 22nd).
Recent Nosh stories (in case you missed them):
Eat Real: A local food extravaganza
The Hog’s Apothecary: new to the Temescal neighborhood
Nosh on the town: Homestead on Piedmont Avenue
Read all about it: Tipsy Turvy at the Tribune Tavern
Bites: What’s new in East Bay food, XXXVIII
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.
