There’s some news brewing in Rockridge at the former Guest Chef location: PUCQUIO, which had a stint as a pop-up there, will now be there permanently. Carlos Moreira’s Peruvian street food will be available starting Tuesday July 16th (that’s today!) for dinner, and the plan is to add brunch soon. The tentative menu, which you can peek at here, includes ceviches, starters, and a few entrées like jalea and octopus. Seafood is definitely the focus, but that bistec looks pretty rockin’ too. They’ll be open Tue-Sun at 5pm to start (though tonight they’ll open the doors at 5:30pm); hours may change going forward. 5337 College Ave. at Bryant, 415-690-3052.
There’s a new fried chicken kid in town, and this time it’s made with masa and is gluten-free. East Bay Express reports that GREASE BOX opened their brick-and-mortar location on Monday July 15th, with chef Lizzy Boelter’s pastries in the morning, fried chicken for lunch, and barbecue dinners. The first barbecue dinner is Friday July 19th; check out their website for more details. 942 Stanford Ave. at Lowell, Oakland, no phone (yet).
Chowhound reports that AMADEUS, a new café and grill, is now open. The new spot will offer a daily changing menu of roasted vegetables, pizzas, and burgers, much of it cooked on a specially made grill that’s a hybrid of Argentine and American styles (according to Berkeleyside). There will also be desserts (think cupcakes), coffee, and housemade breads. Rock me, Amadeus! Open Tue-Sat 5pm-1pm, Sunday brunch coming soon. 2050 University Ave. at Shattuck, Berkeley, 510-900-5555.
Back in June, tablehopper broke the news that Donato Scotti of Donato Enoteca in Redwood City looked to be involved in a takeover of BORGO ITALIA in Oakland. A press release confirms he is going to be opening DESCO in its place in late July or early August; Scotti is partnering with wine director Eric Lecours (and in case you were wondering, desco means “dinner table” in Latin).
Scotti’s menu will include fresh pasta and pizza (gotta take advantage of the wood-fired oven there), plus classic cocktails, and Italian amari, aperitivi, and digestivi (and vini, natch). And just in time for summer, there is also outdoor seating and an afternoon happy hour with Italian bar snacks. It’s a gorgeous historic building (with tile flooring that is about a century old), and ultimately one that Scotti couldn’t resist moving into. Lunch and dinner will be served. 499 9th St. at Washington, Oakland.
Jalea at Pucquio. Photo from Facebook.
