Here’s a quick update on ~CHEZ PANISSE~: After suffering an unfortunate fire in the front of the restaurant on March 8th, the damage is a bit more extensive than originally thought. According to this post on the Chez Panisse website, the reopening dates of the upstairs café and restaurant are currently TBD. The post mentions: “Kip Mesirow, the original artisan builder of the restaurant, has flown out from Vermont and is leading a team of talented woodworkers to rebuild both porches and redesign the façade of the building.” Best wishes to the team as they rebuild.
According to Berkeleyside Nosh, there’s a new craft beer garden and burger restaurant opening called MOXY BEER GARDEN in South Berkeley’s former Casa Vino. The owners (Mike and Amy Voisenat) are currently behind the Hobnob restaurant on Park Street in Alameda. Look for a variety of burgers, 14 craft beers on tap plus bottled selections, and a variety of wines by the glass. They start renovations in the beginning of April. When Moxy opens, lunch and dinner will be served Tue-Sun. 3136 Sacramento St. at 66th St., Berkeley.
Also mentioned in Berkeleyside Nosh: The restaurant opening in the soon-to-be-closed Caffe Venezia space will be MONARCH TRADING CO. New owner Joel DiGiorgio is reportedly close friends with Caffe Venezia’s owners and will be opening a “Californian crafthouse” restaurant serving pizza, salads, and California-centric wines and beers. Caffe Venezia has a final hurrah on Tuesday April 9th; Monarch should open in the summer. 1799 University Ave., Berkeley.
Quick bite: According to ABC license activity, CLAYPOT will be opening in the former Bacheeso’s. 2501 San Pablo Ave. at Dwight, Berkeley.
Carpenter Kip Mesirow’s sketch of the new front of Chez Panisse; photo via Facebook.
