Opening sometime in May or June near Lake Merritt will be LA GRANDE JATTE KITCHEN. Owner May Seto (previously a GM at Delfina and wine buyer for The PlumpJack Group) is working alongside her mother to open this deli/diner that will be focused initially on lunch. Think healthy and affordable sandwiches and salads, which you will be able to enjoy at the 12-seat counter or at some outdoor tables—or get something to go and enjoy it while sitting by the lake. Seto will also have a selection of beer and wine—she wants the neighborhood to have a good retail option. Construction should begin in March. Hours are TBD, but it should be open Mon-Sat. Stand by for more in coming months. 576 Grand Ave. at El Embarcadero, Oakland.
A friend pointed me to some ads on Craigslist for HOT ITALIAN, an import from Sacramento. I got in touch with one of the owners for details about the location, and she declined to share any info (not hot). But The Sacramento Bee did get some info after all: the pizzeria will be opening in the Public Market in Emeryville. Diablo Dish chimes in with an anticipated opening of April. 5959 Shellmound St. at Powell, Berkeley.
Berkeleyside mentions FREE HOUSE in the former Adagia space. Some posts on Yelp (including some informative shilling) mention pub food like mac and cheese, and iceberg wedge salad, cassoulet, plus 15 beers on tap, a fireplace, and full bar. A tipster let me know the former chef at Monk’s Kettle (Kevin Kroger) is running the kitchen, so if some dishes seem familiar to you, now you know why. Mon-Fri 11am-12am, Sat 4pm-12am. 2700 Bancroft Way at College.
Future home of La Grande Jatte (will be on the far left). Photo courtesy of May Seto.
