Alameda restaurant opening
Mango & Mint
03.26.24: Newcomer to Alameda Mango & Mint features a menu of refreshing smoothies, rice bowls, spring rolls, vermicelli salads and banh mi, among many appealing options. The Vietnamese cafe took over from permanently departed Left Field Dogs. Mango & Mint, 1606 Webster St. (near Lincoln Avenue), Alameda
Albany restaurant opening
Hella Bagels
03.05.24: This hotly anticipated new bagel shop on San Pablo Avenue, opened March 6 inside the former Christopher’s Nothing Fancy/Syma’s space in Albany, as first reported by the SF Chronicle. Hella Bagels, from East Bay-born bagelmaker Blake Hunter, began in 2020 as a pandemic cottage business out of his Oakland home that progressed quickly to sought-after pop-ups, including out of Berkeley’s Hidden Cafe. The brand has developed a bit of a cult-like following for its classic bagel flavors, and traditional and unique schmears, among other menu items. Hella Bagels, 1019 San Pablo Ave. (between Dartmouth and Marin avenues), Albany
Berkeley restaurant openings
Elsie’s on Solano
02.27.24: Cash Caris’s new restaurant Elsie’s inside the former Delirama softly opened on March 1. Caris pivoted from house-cured pastrami sandwiches in a casual atmosphere to this new sit-down dinner restaurant as a way to pay tribute to the woman who taught him how to cook — his late grandmother, for whom the restaurant is respectfully named. Expect simple, old-fashioned touches on the table and on the very appealing menu. Elsie’s on Solano, 1746 Solano Ave. (near Ensenada Avenue), Berkeley
Tanzie’s Cafe
03.12.24: “Come try our house-made Chiang Mai-style sausage and Thai beignets!” invites the opening signage on the door of new northern Thai brunch spot Tanzie’s Cafe. Also on the menu are warm and cool salads, soft scrambled “lava eggs,” grilled and marinated Thai-style meats, and bowls filled with fresh fruit, yogurt, chia and other nourishing fare. The sweet, welcoming Thai spot next door to the former Homemade Cafe took over from short-lived Nana Thai Bistro, which quietly closed a few months ago. Tanzie’s Cafe, 1453 Dwight Way (between Sacramento and Edwards streets), Berkeley
three.one four
03.26.24: Westbrae’s long-awaited upscale pizzeria inside the former Lalime’s restaurant space opened March 28. Nosh had the story back in 2022; the restaurant’s progress has since been closely followed by Berkeley locals (though admittedly most of it has been shrouded in mystery). The date-night-worthy bar and lounge features a focus on wines and rustic Italian dishes and pizza from chef Mario Vollera. The opening marks the first of several hotly anticipated spring and summer openings down the Gilman Street corridor. We look forward to the first reports. Three.one four…a swanky pizza lounge, 1329 Gilman St. (between Neilson and Tevlin streets), Berkeley
Tsuruya Ramen
03.12.24: The former Cousins Asian near downtown Berkeley is now Japanese eatery Tsuruya. Wearing T-shirts printed with “Extreme Ramen Only”, the staff serves a menu of customizable ramen with various proteins, fixings and spice levels, as well as specialty drinks (hot matcha) and desserts (roasted tea panna cotta), available most nights until 10 p.m. The ramen shop also includes a small, appealing, enclosed patio. Tsuruya, 1926 Shattuck Ave. (between Berkeley Way and Hearst Avenue), Berkeley
Emeryville restaurant opening
Comeback Cafe (Reopening)
03.26.24: Emeryville welcomes back the family-owned Comeback Vietnamese cafe this week, according to a notice from The E’ville Eye. The banh mi, salad, soup, curry and coffee shop on Christie Avenue fed locals and Emeryville professionals for decades, but since 2020 was yet another lingering pandemic closure for which many had given up hope. Just goes to show, never underestimate the power of a good name. The Comeback Cafe, 6009 Christie Ave. (at 59th Street), Emeryville
Oakland restaurant openings
Brewja Coffee Oakland (Reopening)
03.26.24: Nosh is pleased to report that Latina-owned Brewja Coffee has softly reopened in Oakland just in time for spring, after a temporary closure that started around the new year. On offer are Latin-inflected coffee drinks and pastries, as well as additional pantry products that showcase and support local artisans (such as sought-after Kuali salsa).
Additionally, days after reopening the Brewja Oakland, the San Lorenzo flagship suffered a break-in. “The cost of repairs, loss of sales for the day, staff safety, and stress are overwhelming,” owner Brianna Vasquez told Nosh via email. “However, I am determined to stay positive and hopeful. I started this coffee bar in my hometown San Lorenzo in 2019, with big dreams and motivation to play a bigger role in my community. Despite the challenging times we have faced since COVID and 2020, I have had rewarding experiences as a business owner. I never imagined that my journey in business would end up like this, but I am not giving up. It is time for positive change and for us to demand safety in our communities. Small businesses are the heart of our communities, and we will continue to rise above the challenges.” And we will see you at the reopened Oakland shop for a Mexican mocha and a conchita. Brewja Coffee, 409 14th St. (at Franklin Street), Oakland
Brix Factory Brewing
03.05.24: Brix Factory Brewing’s new taproom and production facility is located in West Oakland, just a few blocks from Ghost Town Brewing. The small, friendly team of local craft beer veterans in charge includes co-owner Michael Boals and brewmaster John Gilooly, both formerly of Drake’s Brewing in San Leandro; Brix’s collaborations with other area brewers will only up the offerings. As for a neighborhood perspective, one Reddit reviewer summarized: “Very relaxing venue, the beer was good, and the bartender was very personable. I’ll go back.” Brix Factory Brewing, 2400 Mandela Pkwy. (near Peralta and 24th), Oakland
Cafe Gabriela (reopening)
03.19.24: Oakland’s Cafe Gabriela, closed since 2020’s COVID lockdown, has reopened its cafe dining room and is once again welcoming folks to come in and “land, rest and rejuvenate.” The cafe, owned by Penny Baldado and named for Gabriela Silang, a Filipina revolutionary, is known for its inclusive, community-minded, progressive spirit as well as its strong espresso drinks, hearty sandwiches, salads and other nourishing cafe fare. The cafe first opened in 2010.Cafe Gabriela, 988 Broadway (at 9th Street), Oakland
Glenview Taqueria
03.12.24: Congratulations to the Glenview Taqueria team for their restaurant’s grand opening on Park Boulevard in early March. Diners are praising the warm, no-frills appeal of the space and curated menu of fresh, savory meat, fish and veggie tacos, and larger burritos and bowls. Glenview Taqueria, 4207 Park Blvd. (between Hampel Street and Wellington Street), Oakland
Kevin’s Noodle House (Reopening)
03.26.24: Family-owned Kevin’s Noodle House in East Oakland (also known as Pho Huynh Hiep #1) has reopened for indoor dining after a pandemic dining-room closure (take-out remained available). The local minichain serves affordable, family-friendly Vietnamese fare such as noodle soups, salads, rice plates and stews. Additional Pho Huynh Hieps can be found in Daly City, San Francisco, Concord and Walnut Creek; the Oakland location first opened in 1994. Thanks to Nosh readers for the reopening tip. Kevin’s Noodle House/Pho Huynh Hiep, 1402 E 12th St. (at 14th Avenue), Oakland
Quinn’s Lighthouse (reopening)
04.02.24: Thanks to a tip from a kind reader and coverage from the Mercury News for reopening details of this Oakland waterfront classic. When Quinn’s Lighthouse shuttered in January after 40 years, team members we spoke with did not discount the possibility of an eventual reopening under new ownership. Two months later, family members Tina Tran, brother Nathan Tran and cousin Hannah Nguyen have relaunched the old-timey restaurant and bar, albeit softly for now, featuring a new menu of Vietnamese comfort food such as crepes and banh mi to go with Quinn’s traditional seafood and bar-and-grill favorites. The restaurant quietly reopened March 27. Quinn’s Lighthouse, 1951 Embarcadero, Oakland
Ruby Room (reopened)
03.05.24: In February, The Oaklandside’s Azucena Rasilla revealed that, after a dramatic closure following 25 years, Oakland’s edgy, well-loved dive bar Ruby Room would soon be back in business. As of March 1, die-hard fans can now return to the famous red bar, where some of the former staff have returned to their jobs, thanks to new owners Dawit Kidane and Gibtsawit Abraha, the husband and wife team who also own the nearby Blue Nile Ethiopian restaurant. The bar is open nightly until 2 a.m. Ruby Room, 132 14th St. (at Madison Street), Oakland
Smitty’s Lounge
03.12.24: Long-loved and long-lived dive bar Smitty’s on Grand Avenue is back in action for what is believed to be its 100th anniversary, thanks to new owners JJ Jenkins and Shari Murphy (Merchant’s Saloon, Baggy’s By The Lake). The dive softly reopened in early March and held a grand opening March 30, revealing a subtly refreshed interior and new signage, with the spirit of Smitty’s intact — though as one Reddit post sums up, “I think they’re trying to turn over a new leaf. That’s all I can say.” Jenkins told the SF Chronicle back when the sale was announced in 2023, “There’s definitely a motivation to preserve some of the history of Oakland. It’s a neat slice of, I don’t want to say the darker side of Oakland, but the more fun side.” (And yes, the pool table and pinball machine are both still there.) The bar had been closed up tight since 2020’s first lockdown. Smitty’s Lounge, 3339 Grand Ave. (near Elwood Avenue), Oakland
Richmond restaurant opening
El Jardin De Los Sueños
03.19.24: East Richmond residents have been watching this opening closely, tucked near the entrance to the highway and boasting, in a bonus for the area, a roomy parking lot (though, despite the garden theme, no outdoor seating just yet). Family-owned El Jardin de los Sueños (garden of dreams) joins nearby businesses Catahoula, El Tucan, Factory Bar, Waffles n Cream and PraJam Thai along San Pablo Avenue, offering a fresh array of sandwiches, salads, pastries, including selections from Starter Bakery and Noah’s bagels, specialty coffee drinks and a sizeable menu of fruit smoothies for breakfast and lunch daily. El Jardin de los Sueños, 12411 San Pablo Ave., Richmond
