Good news for cheese fanatics (i.e. most of us): SF’s Mission Cheese was originally going to be opening a second project MAKER’S COMMON in SF, but now it’s going to be on University in Berkeley. It’s going to be a larger project, with a sit-down restaurant and retail market. Nosh reports founders Sarah Dvorak, Oliver Dameron, and Eric Miller are still raising money for the project in case you want to get involved. 1958 University Ave. at Bonita, Berkeley.
This summer, craft brewer Half Moon Bay Brewing Company will be opening PACIFIC STANDARD in downtown Berkeley, a taproom and bottle shop. There will be 15 to 20 local and regional beers on tap, with up to 50 percent of the beer sourced from the on-site brewery at Half Moon Bay Brewing Company. 2055 Center St. at Shattuck, Berkeley.
Olive oil lovers know THE PASTA SHOP is one of the best places to buy and learn about olive oil, and on Saturday May 14th is their Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Festival 2016 at the Berkeley store. Taste EVOOs from California, Italy, and Spain and talk with the experts while enjoying the ice cream and olive oil sundae bar. Ten percent off all bottles of olive oil, score. 1pm-3pm. 1786 4th St. at Delaware, Berkeley, 510-250-6004.
Great news: Scott Brennan, formerly from Cafe Rouge—who has been making charcuterie on his own for the past five years and selling at farmers’ markets in Berkeley on the weekends—will be opening a retail storefront of his business, THE FIFTH QUARTER CHARCUTERIE, in Montclair Village in Oakland. He is gunning to open sometime in July in the former Amba Falafel space. Besides having a meat counter for his wide selection of sausages, pâtés, cuts of meat, and prepared foods, he will also be offering sandwiches and expanding into dry-cured meats. Bring on the boudin blanc, duck rillettes, and stuffed quail. 6464 Moraga Ave. at La Salle, Oakland.
We read on Chowhound that PHILOMENA PIZZA has opened in East Oakland from the owners of Portal, serving thin-crust pizza and microbrews. Open Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun brunch 10a-3pm and dinner 3:30pm-10pm. 1801 14th Ave. at E. 18th St., Oakland, 510-532-2399.
And a quick update on the former Bay Wolf location: Scoop reports Rich Wood (Wood Tavern, Southie) will be calling it THE WOLF. There will be a bar, the kitchen is expanding (and will have a 12-seat dining counter), and the patio will remain! Look for a possible opening in November. 3853 Piedmont Ave., Oakland.
Opening on Sunday May 15th will be the CUESA-operated farmers’ market at the Jack London Square Farmers Market—they are taking over for Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association, which has run the market since 1989 (many of the same vendors will still be there). You can read more in this FAQ, but the hours are Sundays 9am-2pm, year-round, rain or shine. Jack London Square, 387 Water St., Oakland.
The future entrance to Pacific Standard. Rendering courtesy of Half Moon Bay Brewing Company.
