Openings, closings…
CAPTAIN & CORSET Captain & Corset, described as a new American bistro, is now up and running at 2212 Broadway in Uptown Oakland, according to Inside Scoop SF. The restaurant is a collaborative project between several Oakland restaurant veterans, including Paul Fitzpatrick and Sam Patel from the Ike’s sandwich group, Kiri Eschelle, the former owner of Levende and Levende East, and Carlos Nieto, an Oakland-based event planner. The menu has been designed by Sophina Uong, executive chef at Picán across the street. Dishes might include Coca-Cola pork conserva, Caesar salad with chopped kale, coffee-braised lamb taco, cast-iron-roasted mussels, mustard-crusted bone marrow, spicy bacon and trofie pasta, and broiled chicken paillard. Uong said: “It’s not a wine bar, that wasn’t working. It’s more of a quirky restaurant.”
SOPHIA CAFÉ Sophia Café at 1247 Solano Ave. in Albany closed its doors on May 31. The owners say they will be opening in a new location “in the near future.” The café earned praised for its “yummy” food on Yelp, particularly its falafel. One customer said he had eaten delicious falafel there, “and the best hummus and baba I’ve ever had.”
PETER’S KETTLE CORN Peter’s Kettle Corn, which, until now has been operating at farmers’ markets and street fairs, is opening its first brick-and-mortar location at 4139 MacArthur Blvd in the Laurel District, according to the East Bay Express. Design features include a custom-made service counter built by students in the Architecture Academy program at East Oakland’s Fremont High School. Co-owner John Ngu said he will be using a 5,000-square foot outdoor area for pop-ups and other community events. Connect with Peter’s Kettle Corn on their Facebook page.
BARLATA Temescal tapas joint Barlata at 4901 Telegraph (at 49th St.) is shuttering in the coming months. Tablehopper reports that a new restaurant and bar called Grange Hall will be opening in its place. Its owner, Matt Burger, said they would be serving craft cocktails, beer, and “approachable food,” including burgers. Burger will be executive chef and he is aiming for a mid-September opening after a brief remodel.
PERDITION SMOKEHOUSE Berkeley’s Perdition Smokehouse, a new BBQ-craft beer spot, which, as we have reported, is opening at 2050 University Ave. (between Milvia and Shattuck), has delayed its opening until Friday June 20. The owners, you’ll remember, are Mike O’Brien and Chuck Stilphen (founder of Øl Beercafe, The Trappist, Trappist Provisions and Mikkeller Bar SF). The menu, created by Mikkeller Bar-executive chef Mike O’Brien, a co-owner and executive chef at Perdition, is deliberately minimalist, O’Brian told Inside Scoop SF. The opening night menu will consist of just two starters, hush puppies with honey butter and chili verde with sour cream and cilantro. The smoked meats, served (and charged) by the pound, are the showpiece entrées, with Storm Hill Angus brisket, Duroc pork shoulder and St. Louis pork ribs, Diestel Farms turkey breast, and made-in-house roasted Serrano hot link. There will also be three sandwiches (pulled pork, brisket, and a chopped brisket with sliced hot link, slaw and pickles), five sides (including cowboy beans, mac and cheese, and corn and black eyed pea salad), and a few desserts. Everything other than the Acme bread will be made in house, and Perdition will be open for dinner only to start, with plans to phase in lunch service. Check their Facebook page for updates.
What else is going on…
FATHER’S DAY BBQ Celebrate Father’s day on Sunday with an all-you-can-eat barbecue at the Pyramid Alehouse in West Berkeley. Barbecue ribs and free range chicken will be served with a variety of sides and the standard Alehouse menu will also be available. Raffle tickets cost $10 to support Pints for Prostates and come with a free beer, as well as a chance to win a trip to Germany during Oktoberfest. Event is limited to those 21 and older. Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door. Begins at 12 p.m. on Sunday.
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