After noting some ABC license activity, we were wondering what was going into the former Sea Salt space on San Pablo in Berkeley. Scoop reports that David Stevenson of neighboring Paisan has taken over the space. He’s calling the project THE LONGBRANCH, which is an homage to the Berkeley rock club Longbranch Saloon. The original Longbranch was quite the scene in the 1970s, apparently, with acts like Earth Quake, Band of Gold, and even the Grateful Dead playing. The full bar will focus on whiskey, rye, and bourbon, along with 25 beers on tap and an additional 50 by the bottle. On the menu, look for comfortable, American food, including a “nine-dollar burger.” Right now, Stevenson is aiming to open this July. 2512 San Pablo Ave. at Dwight.
BISSAP BAOBAB has opened a location in Oakland, according to East Bay Express. Right now, they’re softly open, and mostly catering to the lunchtime crowd with wraps and savory crêpes. Their liquor license is coming, as are dinner hours, but for now hours are 11am-3pm Tue-Sun. 381 15th St. at Franklin, Oakland, 510-817-4722.
Shuttered downtown Oakland bar THE GOLDEN BULL has officially reopened under new ownership, East Bay Express reports. They’ve got a pool table, a renewed focus on cocktails, and beers on tap. Hours are Mon-Sat 4pm-2am and Sun 12pm-2am. 412 14th St. at Franklin, 510-452-2855.
JWeekly reports that AMBA RESTAURANT in Oakland is going to start serving kosher meat, after years of serving only vegetarian food. Look out for items like beef kebabs and chicken shawarma, in addition to their Israeli-style vegetarian choices. 6464 Moraga Ave. at La Salle, 510-339-8000.
And now for some coffee news: it looks like West Oakland is about to get a new spot for coffee. Bay Area Bites reports that KILOVOLT is now open, serving Sightglass coffee, pastries, and bagels out of the former Cypress Steel space. 1829 Mandela Pkwy at 18th St., 510-725-2822.
And Sprudge reports that a new coffee roaster is moving into Berkeley, SUPERSONIC COFFEE. Under the leadership of John Laird (formerly of Verve), a group of collaborators including alums of Four Barrel, Dillanos, and Stumptown will be roasting and selling retail coffee, starting this summer. They’ll also be serving coffee to the public out of a restored 1965 Airstream trailer and plotting a flagship café somewhere in Oakland. 2322 5th St. at Bancroft, Berkeley.
The new Oakland Bissap Baobab. Photo from Facebook.
