Lots of new projects in the East Bay, starting with MOCKINGBIRD in the former Hibiscus in Uptown Oakland. Diablo Dish notes the owners are William Johnson and Melissa Axelrod, who both have quite the local culinary pedigree (their backgrounds include Zuni, Delfina, Spruce, and the like). The menu is very NorCal (check it here); dinner Tue-Sat. 1745 San Pablo Ave. at 18th, 510-290-0331.
Paella fans: you can indulge in your love of this Spanish dish at the newly opened VENGA PAELLA in Oakland. Chef-owner and Catalonia-born Eduardo Balaguer has been running a catering business but this is his first brick-and-mortar; his family is behind Casa Balaguer, a traditional paella restaurant in Valencia, Spain. There are a few paellas, plus some tapas and dessert, and beer and wine. Open for lunch Mon-Thu 10:30am-2:30pm; Fri 10:30am-9pm (happy hour 4pm-6pm). 229 Brush St. at 3rd St., Oakland, 510-628-0018.
Fans of the late-night ramen at Oakland’s Hopscotch will be happy to know their Yonsei Ramen Shop has returned to Friday nights. Not only does it now start at 10pm, but it also moved into a new annex a couple of doors down from Hopscotch. Seasonally inspired ramen is offered until it runs out (or until 1am). 1915 San Pablo Ave. at William, Oakland, 510-788-6217.
Oakland now has a counterpart to SF’s Sushirrito (think sushi burritos): TORPEDO SUSHI. Eater notes owner Luis Sanchez is committed to using sustainable seafood: he sources 80 percent of his seafood from Water 2 Table (impressive). Open for lunch Mon-Fri 11am-3pm for now. 25 Grand Ave. at Broadway, Oakland, 510-228-4111 .
According to a Chowhound post, the former East End Pizza in the Alameda Marketplace has moved into a bigger space, and taking its place is BARON’S EATS, offering sausages, burgers, and sandwiches by David Samiljan of Baron’s Meat & Poultry. Follow Baron’s on Facebook for updates. 1650 Park St. at Buena Vista, Alameda, 510-864-1915.
Yonsei Ramen. Photo from Facebook.
