After BAY WOLF closed in September, many were left wondering who would be the next taker for the historic space. It ends up it is Rich and Rebekah Wood of Wood Tavern and Southie, who just signed the lease on Friday. Rich said, “It’s a dream come true” and it ends up the Woods had one of their first dates at Bay Wolf; they also became good friends with Michael Wild over the years.
They plan to open an intimate American brasserie, but they love the quaint nature of the space and that it’s a touch fancy, and want to preserve that. Describing Wood Tavern as the big brother and Southie as the little brother, Wood states this is definitely going to be the girl in the family. Chef-partner and Oakland-born Yang Peng, who started at Wood Tavern as a pantry cook in 2007 and worked her way up to executive chef, will be overseeing the new project.
They will be doing some exterior and interior work on the place and hope to open in midsummer of 2016. There isn’t a name yet, but one thing they will have is a liquor license; they ended up winning in the license lottery, how’s that for good luck? Imagine a martini before your meal, next year! 3853 Piedmont Ave. at Rio Vista, Oakland.
Elmwood neighborhood restaurant THE ADVOCATE is now serving weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10:20am-2:30pm. The brunch menu includes new dishes like caramelized French toast with huckleberries and dulce de crescenza, or cazuela-baked eggs with peperonata, cannellini, and pickled pepper salsa, as well as popular items from their regular menu, like chicken liver toast and a wood-fired burger. In addition to brunch dishes, you’ll find a selection of brunch beverages, including a rhubarb spritz with City of London gin, Aperol, lemon, rhubarb, and cava, or try their house Bloody Mary with Sobieski vodka, tomato, chipotle, lime, urfa pepper, and escabeche. 2635 Ashby Ave. at College, Berkeley, 510-370-2200.
Chowhound brings word that East Bay ramen pop-up IppoRamen is now appearing at Tokyo Fish in Berkeley, with about five seats at a folding table.
Also via Chowhound: there’s a new banh mi place on the North Oakland/Berkeley border called MAI BANH MI. The reports on Yelp mention friendly owners, good food, and a nice price. 6601 Telegraph Ave. at 66th St., Oakland, 510-788-5755.
Tonight (October 27th), KRONNERBURGER is hosting Chris Fischer from Beetlebung Farm on Martha’s Vineyard. He’s doing a dinner promoting his new book, The Beetlebung Farm Cookbook: A Year of Cooking on Martha’s Vineyard (5pm-10pm), and the theme is rabbits. Email to reserve. Also for your calendar: there will be a release dinner with Scribe Winery on November 2nd. 4063 Piedmont Ave. at 41st St., 510-823-2371.
The (former) deck at Bay Wolf. Photo via Facebook.
