After abruptly closing for a reconcepting and remodel after just a couple months of business, GRAND FARE MARKET has reopened in Oakland with a new approach. Owners Doug Washington and Freya Prowe have simplified the experience, which now has guests ordering food and paying in one location—you can have your food brought to you at a table, or have it to go. Online ordering with curbside pickup and delivery is coming soon. Seating has also been added inside (50 seats), although now is the time to enjoy the beautiful garden patio (which also has new heat lamps).
Starting at 7am (daily), you can come by for Linea coffee and housemade pastries. The full menu starts later in the day and is available until 7pm (expect later hours soon). There are sandwiches like avocado toast with sesame seeds, pomegranate syrup, and Maldon sea salt on levain; a BLT with house-cured bacon, heirloom tomatoes, arugula, and basil aioli on grilled levain; and a porchetta number with chow chow and herb jus on rustic Italian. Salads include garden lettuces with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, pickled onions, goat cheese crostini, and red wine-mustard vinaigrette; or spinach and chicken with pine nuts, currants, Point Reyes blue cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette.
Small plates like creamy cauliflower mac and cheese with buttered bread crumbs or eggplant Parmesan with basil pesto are available, plus there are larger plates like polpettone meatloaf braised in savory tomato sauce with mashed potatoes, or salmon corn cakes with herb salad and basil aioli. Expect items off the rotisserie too.
You can also shop for an array of local and organic epicurean products, including Baia pasta, cheeses and housemade charcuterie, oysters, wine, and beer. There are also gorgeous floral bouquets and more at Freya Prowe’s Brother & Sisters Flower Shop (she has been producing floral design events for 20 years). Open Mon-Sat 7am-9pm and Sun 7am-8pm. 3265 Grand Ave. at Elwood, Oakland, 510-899-9610.
Quick name change alert: THE PASTA SHOP in Oakland and Berkeley (a Bay Area institution for nearly 30 years) is changing its name to Market Hall Foods, the parent company and e-commerce site. Signs are set to go up on Tuesday. There are no other changes—it’s the same great food and owners.
Another quick programming note: Off the Grid at the Emeryville Public Market will no longer be every Saturday afternoon—it’s going to become a monthly food truck festival on third Saturdays. This Saturday August 13th is the last weekly one, and Saturday August 20th will mark the start of the new programming, with a wider variety of food trucks, curated live music performances, and community partnerships. Look for children’s activities, local performers, and more.
Charcuterie, salads, and other options are fit for rosé all day on the patio at Grand Fare Market. Photo courtesy of Grand Fare Market.
