Here are some quick news tidbits for you, with links will tell you more!
Opening this Wednesday in Uptown Oakland at the Kapor Center for Social Impact is AGAVE UPTOWN, from Oaxacan chef Octavio Diaz (he is also behind Agave Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar in Healdsburg). Look for authentic and handmade Oaxacan dishes—of course there is a mole on the menu, which his mother helps make in the kitchen every day. There are also botanas like molotes, masa pastries filled with chorizo, potato, and cabbage topped with queso fresco, and rotisserie chicken. Many dishes feature ingredients sourced from Mexico, which Diaz brings back a few times a year, like spices and chiles. Arcsine designed the space, which includes a full bar serving craft cocktails. There are many handmade touches in the pottery and more. Open Sun-Wed 11am-9pm, Thu-Sat 11am-10pm. Brunch is coming soon. 2135 Franklin St. at 22nd St., Oakland, 510-288-3668.
Over at FIREBRAND ARTISAN BREADS in Uptown Oakland, Pal’s Takeaway has discontinued their sandwich service. Firebrand has a new chef, Tommy Schnell, most recently chef de cuisine at Coi. Look for an expanded menu of sandwiches (like lobster rolls and “Mid-Century Chicken Salad” with fried chicken skin—follow on Insta for more teases), salads, breakfast badassery, weekend brunch, beer and wine, and expanded coffee service. [Via Eater.] Open 7am-7pm. 2343 Broadway at 23rd St., Oakland, 510-594-9213.
RED BAY COFFEE has opened a café in a shipping container in Oakland’s Hive complex. [Via Berkeleyside.] 2327 Broadway at 23rd St., Oakland.
FORAGE KITCHEN is taking applications for members who will get to use their brand-new equipment for their food business, and it’s due to open in August! There will also be office space, mailboxes, and a café with a bar and outdoor seating (open to the public). 478 25th St. at Telegraph, Oakland.
A Sicilian restaurant will be opening in the former Café Gratitude in the Gourmet Ghetto: AGRODOLCE. The owners behind Elmwood’s Trattoria La Siciliana are behind the project. Opening late August or September. [Via Berkeleyside.] 1730 Shattuck Ave. at Francisco, Berkeley.
There’s a new Xi’an spot near Berkeley campus, FAMOUS BAO, serving Chinese burgers, noodles, baos, and more. [Via Chowhound.] 2431-A Durant Ave. at Telegraph, Berkeley.
The WOODS BEER CO. is opening the Woods Island Club on Treasure Island on July 9th, complete with a tasting room, barrel aging facility, and an outdoor “beer beach” with sand, palm trees, and beach chairs for enjoying the views of the bay. You’ll be able to make this a fun destination once the new bike path from Oakland to Treasure Island is ready in the fall, with a cold MateVeza IPA ready for you at the end of your ride.
A celebration of Oaxacan culture at Agave Uptown. Photo via Facebook.
