Openings, closings…
THE GOOD HOP BOTTLE SHOP The beer renaissance continues apace with the opening of The Good Hop Bottle Shop at 2421 Telegraph Ave., at 24th Street. (As we reported in January, the all-things-beer shop had hoped to open in February in time for SF Beer Week, but eventually slung open its doors June 15.) The shop offers roughly 600 bottled and canned craft beers from around the world, and 16 taps, featuring primarily local and California brewers’ special beers, and seasonal beers. There’s an impressive “wall of beer” to peruse (pictured above), and you can take away your preferred brew or consume it on site. Owner Melissa Myers, who started working as a professional brewer 16 years ago, is planning monthly events featuring beer and cheese pairings, as well as Meet the Brewer nights. Connect with The Good Hop on Facebook for updates.
BACANO BAKERY TO EMERYVILLE Bacano Bakery plans to open a bakery in the space recently vacated by the much loved Café Aquarius in Emeryville, at 1298 65th St., according to the E’Ville Eye. Bacano currently sells its handmade baked goods — which include many vegetarian and gluten-free options — at the Temescal and Grand Lake farmers markets. According to its website, Bacano is a handmade, vegetarian, gluten-free Bakery. “Our treats are delicious and healthier than alternatives, and come in a wide variety of wonderful flavors. They’re perfect for people with special dietary needs, athletes, people who maintain a healthier diet, and for all those who love quality food.” Their offerings run the gamut from multigrain bread to cupcakes, muffins and donuts, and vegetarian empanadas. The bakery/café hopes to open later this summer.
PERDITION SMOKEHOUSE New barbecue spot Perdition Smokehouse opened last week at 2050 University Ave. in downtown Berkeley, and we hear its beer garden out back has already proven to be a destination spot. Owners are Mike O’Brien and Chuck Stilphen (The Trappist, Trappist Provisions and Mikkeller Bar SF). On the menu: smoked meats served (and charged) by the pound, brisket, pork shoulder, pork ribs, turkey breast, roasted Serrano hot link, as well as sandwiches, sides and desserts. Everything other than the Acme bread is made in house. Perdition will be open for dinner only to start, with plans to phase in lunch service. Check its Facebook page for updates.
What else is going on…
MR. DELIVERY SERVING BERKELEY For years, we in the East Bay have been gasping for food delivery services, and now, suddenly, they are popping up all over the place! (We told you about Caviar recently, and Seamless, Munchery and Postmates also operate locally.) The latest to join the fray is Mr. Delivery, which has signed up 27 Berkeley restaurants so far. These include Julie’s Café, Sliderbar, Joshu-ya Brasserie, T-Rex BBQ, Saul’s and BurgerMeister (see the full list). Berkeley is the first California city served by Mr. Delivery, which is originally a South African company and has 18 cities covered nationwide, with more in the works. How does it work, we hear you ask. Well, you order up your food online, and pay by cash or credit card, with a standard delivery fee is $5.95 (with a processing fee that can vary). Drivers strive to complete deliveries within an hour. Visit Mr. Delivery’s website for details.
MEAD KITCHEN SNAGS GRANT Congratulations to The Mead Kitchen, which won a Berkeley Local Foodmaker Grant from Whole Foods Market Berkeley. The Mead Kitchen will receive 5% from the Berkeley grocery store’s sales July 2. The other two finalists were Cancun Sabor Mexicano and Mr. Dewie’s Frozen Desserts (recently profiled on Berkeleyside). The Mead Kitchen’s drink, which is made from honey, comes in three different flavors — orange-ginger, simcoe (hops) and cherry — and can be found locally at East Bay Spice Co., Albany Taproom, Lanesplitter Pizza and Jupiter.
Hear about local food news scoops or curious about changes you notice in the local restaurant scene? We want to hear from you. Send tips and photographs to tips@berkeleyside.com.
Catch up with more great Nosh stories:
UC Berkeley project studies the West Coast cocktail
Hershey Felder: A master entertainer’s food journeys
Berkeley’s first two parklets to open this fall
Mr. Dewie’s: A nutty twist on traditional ice cream
World Cup 2014: Where to watch it in Berkeley
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