LOOK OUT, AUSTIN We brought you the news last week that a BBQ spot called Perdition Smokehouse would be taking over the space that was briefly Amadeus at 2050 University Ave. The Chronicle’s Inside Scoop reports that Chuck Stilphen, who runs The Trappist in Oakland, Ol Beercafé & Bottle Shop in Walnut Creek, and Mikkeller Bar in San Francisco, is behind the venture. With chef Michael O’Brien at the grill, the plan is to provide Texas-style barbeque. Stilphen, known for his craft beers, told Inside Scoop: “Our main goal there is to provide good barbeque. The beer just kind of goes with it.” Stilphen hopes Perdition can be open in June.
MMM DONUTS Coffee Conscious in Berkeley’s Westbrae neighborhood reopened earlier this week, offering vegan-organic donuts from Pepples Donuts, vegan pastries and organic coffee. Espresso is coming soon. With the Westbrae Biergarten nearing completion, this quiet corner of Berkeley could become a new noshing hotspot. Berkeleysider Rachel writes in to note that with Doughnut Dolly planning to open in the new Gilman District development on 10th and Gilman, “we might have a little bit of a Donut Hole going on in my own neighborhood.” Coffee Conscious is at 1312 Gilman St.
44 RESTAURANT & BAR Mark Jones and Ramone Smith last Friday opened 44 Restaurant & Bar at 3290 Adeline St. Jones and Smith moved from a smaller location in Hercules to the 4,000 sq. ft. Adeline space. Kenneth Wynn is the executive chef, and the Facebook page describes the food as “new American.” Berkeleysider Marcus tells us: “The food has always been good at the old location: give them a shot.” 44 will be open from 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sunday.
VERSAILLES Versailles Nail Spa & Waxing recently opened at 2980 College Ave. in the Elmwood. According to Berkeleysider Julie Nachtwey, “a small group of women formerly with Galaxy Nails just started working in a much nicer, more professional space.” The location is just a few doors down from the Elmwood Rialto movie theater.
BYE BYE BANZAI Owner and sushi chef Hide Nagano is retiring and will be closing Banzai, 1019 Camelia St., in the next month or two, reports Berkeleyside’s own Siciliana Trevino. “My all-time favorite Japanese restaurant in Berkeley. Darby and I have been going there practically since it opened 25 years ago last Monday.” A new restaurant, Sanctuary Bistro, has the public notice for change of ownership in the window.
Shop Talk is our 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, shoot us an email with the details. Read previous Shop Talk columns, and check out Bites for the latest East Bay restaurant news.
