Boss Burger
Thanks to a reader, we’ve learned that Albany’s homey Boss Burger has abruptly closed after 10 years. The neighborhood burger restaurant was first opened by Little Star Pizza’s Jon Guhl in 2014, but underwent several ownership changes during its decade in business. Locals and families will no doubt miss the eatery’s easy, laid-back, diner-style burger fare and quick service. Boss Burgers was at 1187 Solano Ave. in Albany.
Ikaros Greek Restaurant
After 13 years as a pretty dining room on Grand Avenue, Greek restaurant Ikaros has moved to a to-go only format, and the team now cooks out of the Adeline Food Hall ghost kitchen. Current owners chef George Adranly and his wife Rochael took over in 2018, and did their best to maintain the restaurant’s festive atmosphere. The space will soon become new Indian-Himalayan restaurant Bayleaf. Thanks to a kind reader (and Reddit) for the tip. Ikaros Greek Restaurant has closed its restaurant at 3268 Grand Ave. in Oakland, and is now available to-go only from 5333 Adeline St. in Oakland.
Lion Dance Cafe
As announced earlier this month to much disbelief given its immense popularity and many accolades, Lion Dance Cafe closed for good after service on April 27, for familial reasons. “It’s been real,” said the team, reiterating thanks to its patient and devoted customers who, luckily, did not have to wait long for a new outlet for chef CY Chia and Shane Stanbridge’s unique, award-winning Italo-Chinese-Singaporean fare and flavors to emerge. In a surprise twist, the new Temescal bar Tallboy has partnered with the Lion Dance chefs on a menu of elevated bar snacks. Lion Dance Cafe was at 380 17th St. in Oakland.
Matty’s Old Fashioned (Consolidated with Horn)
The Matty’s menu remains available to fans via online ordering apps, but chef Matt Horn devotees should consider 464 8th St. in Oakland as the new home of his touchstone business Horn Barbecue, after last winter’s fire destroyed the original location. As a dine-in concept, Matty’s Old Fashioned will take a back seat to the famous ‘cue, which Horn announced took over the space and reopened on April 26. Matty’s Old Fashioned menu items remain available for takeout or delivery, but Horn Barbecue has taken over the joint at 464 8th St. in Oakland.
Pla Daek Thai Esan
Things don’t look good for Piedmont Avenue’s Pla Daek, the northeastern Thai restaurant that opened in July 2021. Though early reports were positive for chef Wawa Maneewan’s adventurous cuisine, the restaurant seemed to have a tough time finding its footing in the neighborhood and Maneewan left the restaurant at the end of 2022. Pla Daek closed “temporarily” for remodeling several weeks ago but, unless we’re mistaken, evidence of any refresh has not been made apparent, and the restaurant’s phone has been disconnected. Nosh thanks a reader for letting us know. Pla Daek Thai Esan was at 4133 Piedmont Ave. in Oakland.
Top Dog Center Street
Don’t worry folks, the original Top Dog on Durant Avenue in Berkeley (since 1966!) remains open and ready for your quality sausage or frankfurter order, and Top Dog Lakeshore in Oakland isn’t going anywhere. But the Top Dog location on downtown Berkeley’s Center Street will close following service on May 2 after 20 years. As many Berkeley residents are probably well aware, the area at the corner of Center and Oxford streets is in transition, and many restaurants and retail outlets have been closing and/or relocating one by one in anticipation of big changes. The Center Street Top Dog is among those closures, though it might not be forever—according to a representative, Top Dog might reacquire its downtown spot in the future once construction settles. But for now … Top Dog was at 2160 Center St. in Berkeley.
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that chef Wawa Maneewan has not worked at Pla Daek Thai Esan since the end of 2022.
