The Oakland beer hall HOG’S APOTHECARY, from partners Bradford Earle and John Streit, is now softly open, according to their Facebook page. East Bay Express reported that Streit is the chef, and they’re serving classic bar food, including housemade pretzels, sausages, and sauerkraut, along with some more updated appetizers and salads. You’ll find anywhere from 7-12 sausage varieties, ranging from classics like bratwurst to more unusual choices like a house-smoked andouille. Prices are reasonable too: they’re reportedly keeping most dishes less than $10, and a few larger plates will hit the $15 mark. They’ve got 36 beers on tap, many local and some custom-brewed, and three taps for nonalcoholic choices, though no word on any specifics.
Unfortunately, the team is staying tight-lipped on any details, like a menu, beer list, and when the grand opening is, so there isn’t much else to say. But you may recall that Scoop reported that Sayre Piotrkowski is heading up the beer program (which will rock), and that the kitchen will be focused on whole-hog butchery. 375 40th St. at Opal, Oakland, 510-338-3847.
Was sorry to learn the Oakland location Chris Kronner of KRONNER BURGER was working on just fell through. So his search in the 510 (and SF!) for a permanent location continues. In the meantime, he wanted to let me know they are now grinding their 21-day dry-aged beef in-house—Taylor Boetticher over at Fatted Calf styled him with a grinder (thanks Taylor!). Yup, that burger keeps getting better. You can swing by the current Kronner Burger location (at Bruno’s) Sun, Tue-Wed 6pm-10pm, and Thu-Fri 6pm-11pm (closed Mon and Sat). 2379 Mission St. at 20th St.
A couple of other tidbits: fans of classic New Orleans po’boys, gumbo, and étouffée will reportedly find some at the divey ELI’S MILE HIGH CLUB in Oakland, according to the East Bay Express. Couyon Cajun & Po’Boys (chefs David Hledik and Louise Martin) are behind the new menu, which also includes some wicked-sounding pork cracklin’ steamed buns (whoa) and housemade charcuterie. Nothing is more than $10, and you can order your belly-filling feast from the counter from 12pm-10:30pm on weekdays, and until 12:30am Fri-Sat. 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. at 37th St., Oakland, 510-808-7101.
Berkeleyside Nosh reports the old-school MERRITT BAKERY AND RESTAURANT is back in business after a fire closed it down in May. 203 E. 18th St. at Athol, Oakland, 510-444-6955.
Bench seating at Hog’s Apothecary. Photo from Facebook.
