Some more details have emerged about Shotaro Kamio’s upcoming restaurant in Berkeley (in the former O Chamé). As noted in the Scoop, the name will be IYASARE, Japanese for “be healed.” It’s the first clue about the direction Kamio’s cuisine will be taking. A brand-new press release explains he is going to be looking to his native Tōhoku in the northeastern Japanese countryside for inspiration, which features lighter dishes that are more focused on vegetables, grains, and seafood. Look for rustic cookery elements of fermentation (like koji and miso), sun-drying (seaweed, seafood), curing, and aging, all of which will be delivering some good umami notes.
Lunch will bring set meals, with miso soup, small salads, and daily specials including soba and onigiri (rice balls wrapped in crispy seaweed) and takeout ekiben, the bento boxes you find at train stations. Dinner will be more family style, with dishes like whole-roasted fish, nabemono, and some unique offerings like Japanese-style charcuterie made with sake, miso, and sansho pepper, and Japanese-influenced pasta dishes with toasted spicy cod roe, ikura, uni, shaved bonito, and other ingredients. There will also be items like sardines and beef tongue grilled on aburi-yaki tabletop bincho-tan (Japanese charcoal), and nigiri sushi too. A range of sakes will be available, plus artisan Japanese beer, and local beer and wine on tap. Sean Gaston Design is remodeling the space, which will feature natural materials and a modern sensibility, with 35 seats inside, 12 at the bar, and 25 outside on the heated patio. Look for an opening in mid-October. Am so looking forward to trying his food. 1830 4th St. at Hearst, Berkeley.
While playing some email and phone tag with chef-owner Todd Kniess (Bistro Liaison), Diablo Dish ended up getting the scoop on his upcoming PETIT COCHON in Berkeley. It’s going to be a fast-casual place opening next door to Bistro Liaison that should appeal to Cal students, with soups, salads, sandwiches (croque-monsieur, roast pork), and tarte flambée, plus a retail component. Look for an opening in mid-October. 1801 Shattuck Ave. at Delaware, Berkeley.
The latest issue of Nosh is chock-full of news, like the opening of HOMESPUN FARE at 5403 College Ave. in Oakland; LEMAT ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT AND CAFÉ opening soon at 3212 Adeline St. in the Lorin District; and TUPPER & REED, a new bar coming to the former Beckett’s location at 2271 Shattuck Ave. in Downtown Berkeley—Brian Sheehy and Doug Dalton of Future Bars are behind the project due to open in spring 2014.
Mark you calendar: Rockridge’s Out & About Street Fair is Sunday October 6th from 12-6pm, and Market Hall will of course be hosting a variety of activities, from the Chefs Stage to a cookbook exchange, plus all the Market Hall Merchants will be offering all kinds of food items. Oh yes, and wine too.
Chef Shotaro Kamio is ready to feed you. Photo courtesy of Sho Kamio.
