It’s a new year, and a new start for the Garibaldi’s/Marzano on College Avenue, which just closed for a remodel and will be reopening in a couple weeks as HUDSON from restaurateur John Hurley and co-owner Justin Hafen. Looks like running two restaurants simultaneously was proving to be too much of a strain. Hurley says, “So after a year and a half of juggling them side-by-side, we just felt the need to simplify things and bring that beautiful space back into one restaurant.” (The original Marzano location on Park Boulevard and the original Garibaldi’s location in San Francisco will remain unchanged.)
Hudson will be a modern and large New American brasserie, with executive chef Robert Holt weaving in some Italian influences, and a very seasonal/local/product-driven approach. Holt’s background includes Marzano, Primo (in Maine), Acquerello, Cetrella in Half Moon Bay, and Boulevard. The space is being designed by Jeff Jones of Atlanta, and will include “a cozy lounge area with sofas, throw-pillows, floor lamps, sexy mesh drapes, and playful light fixtures made out of reclaimed wood wrapped in colorful rope with industrial light bulbs hanging below. A similar look then carries into the main dining room, where all of the tabletops are made from beautiful old barn wood, which is contrasted on the walls by large acrylic black and white photographs (also by Jeff Jones) of the surrounding Oakland hilltops.” The head barkeeper is Alex Conde (Marzano on Park, César, and 15 Romolo), who will be creating an “eclectic” cocktail program, bridging innovation and a nod to the past. Hudson will be open nightly for dinner, Sun-Thu 5:30pm-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm, and the lounge will be open Sun-Thu 4:30pm-12am, and Fri-Sat 4:30pm-1am with a separate bar snack menu. 5356 College Ave. at Hudson, Oakland, 510-595-4000.
