The ramen takeover continues, with the news from Scoop that Kyle Itani of Hopscotch is opening a ramen offshoot called ITANI RAMEN later this year. Itani only just signed the lease, though it won’t be opening until fall at the earliest. Once they do, you can expect a small menu, with only a few types of ramen on offer each evening, not unlike Itani’s Yonsei pop-ups from a couple of years ago. He wants to keep the project focused but casual, with an emphasis on fun. There is also talk of late-night hours, yes! 1738 Telegraph Ave. at 18th St., Oakland.
Enjoy this year’s early spring weather with the primavera aperitivo hour at ~A16 ROCKRIDGE~ every evening from 5pm to 6:30pm. There will be daily specials on batch cocktails ($6), Italian beer ($3), and wine by the glass ($6-8), as well as daily changing snacks ($4-6) like meatballs with tomato sauce, Grana Padano, and basil, or burrata with dragoncello, pistachio, sea salt, and crostini. There will also be complimentary nibbles like cheese, charcuterie, and nuts. Aperitivo hour is available in the bar only.
As of Sunday February 15th, there’s a new hot spot for eating outdoors in Oakland, Bites at the Lake. It’s happening on Sundays from 12pm to 3pm, in the Lakeview Library parking lot. Participating food trucks will change weekly, but look for folks like Liba Falafel, Fist of Flour, and Doc’s of the Bay; follow along on Twitter and Facebook for updates. The area offers plenty of lawn seating at Lake Merritt, so bring chairs and a blanket for picnic perfection. 550 El Embarcadero at Lakeshore, Oakland.
A look into the bar area and dining room at A16 Rockridge. Photo: © tablehopper.com.
