Well, East Bay, I have some good news and I have some bad news. Let’s start with the good stuff: opening today in Uptown Oakland is ITANI RAMEN from Kyle Itani of Hopscotch, working with executive chef Brian Ikenoyama. And how handy, it’s right by the Fox Theater.
To recap, the seasonal menu will highlight ramen from different regions (prefectures) of Japan while showcasing seasonal Bay Area ingredients and housemade noodles. Some menu items include shoyu (soy) spring ramen with ground chicken, yu choy, bamboo shoots, and green onion ($12); and nanban zuke ramen (cold) with pickled sardines, jicama, peppers, and green onion ($12). Starters like pork gyoza ($7 for 5) and mini rice bowls with uni, ikura, and jidori chicken egg ($15) will be on offer, plus an in-restaurant vending machine offers desserts like Kracie Soy Ice, Pocky, It’s-It Ice Cream, Baumkuchen roll cakes, and other Japanese treats. Local and Japanese beers, sake, shochu, and beer-and-a-shot combos, plus cold-brew coffee on tap, cans of green tea, Ramune soda, and Calpico yogurt drink will be available too. Open daily for dinner 6pm-12am. 1736 Telegraph Ave. at 18th St., Oakland, 510-788-7489.
The East Bay Express mentions that Chikara Ono of the popular AS B-Dama at Swan’s Market has soft-opened his next project, DELAGE, also in Swan’s, in a former bubble tea shop adjacent to the food court area. This is a sushi-based project (AS B-Dama is more of an izakaya), and the sushi chef is Masa Sasaki, previously at Maruya in SF’s Mission. There will also be some modern appetizers from Keisuke Akabori, previously at Spago in Beverly Hills. It sounds like it will be omakase to start (an affordably priced one, this isn’t about crazy SF omakase pricing), and dishes will be added in time. There are 10 seats at the bar and 12 seats at four-tops. Hours sound a bit TBD as well, starting Wed-Fri 5:30pm-9pm. 536 9th St. at Clay, Oakland, 510-823-2050.
More good news: fans of Mica Talmor’s delicious Israeli and Mediterranean dishes at BA-BITE will be happy to have a new weekend brunch to hit. Shakshuka in the house! Open Sat-Sun 10am-3pm. [Via EBX.] 3905 Piedmont Ave. at Montell, Oakland, 510-250-9526.
We knew this was coming, but it doesn’t diminish the sadness: after 90 years (yes, 90) in business, GENOVA DELICATESSEN has closed. The DeVincenzi family is looking for another location where they won’t have to raise prices, and reportedly the landlord is looking for another local deli to take over the space. BIG, LONG, SLOW SIGH. [Via Mercury News.] 5095 Telegraph Ave. at 49th St., Oakland.
Over the weekend, North Oakland’s SALSIPUEDES closed. Owner Jay Porter, who is also behind The Half Orange restaurant in Fruitvale, has not decided on the future of the space yet, so it’s currently available for one-off events and pop-ups. 4201 Market St. at 42nd St., North Oakland.
Shoyu ramen with Jidori egg at the new Itani Ramen. Photo: Jessica Warner.
