This weekend I was given a sneak peek of the soon-to-open ~JUHU BEACH CLUB~ from Preeti Mistry in Oakland. As I mentioned at the end of last year, she is opening her brick-and-mortar location in the former SR24 in Temescal. The space is really cheerful (and full of bright colors, which I love)—there is an open kitchen, with tables flanking walls covered with some groovy monkey wallpaper and Bollywood movie album covers. There’s a bike on display laden with tiffins (wait until you see the colorful tiffins she has just for the kids’ menu—you’re going to want to buy one, I know I do!). She is currently targeting Friday March 1st for the opening, starting with lunch Tue-Sat, and adding dinner hours once the beer-and-wine license kicks in.
You can look at the menu here, which includes Mistry’s trademark twist on pav bhaji (the Sloppy Lil’ P) and vada pav, both made on special pav buns by Starter Bakery. Her samosas highlight her Gujarati background—they have an incredibly thin and crispy exterior. There will also be some additional appetizers, soups, salads, and curries. She grinds all her own spice blends and makes her own pickles and chutneys. Another reason why the food tastes so good: she only uses sustainably sourced meat, poultry, seafood, and dairy, with produce that is mostly all local and organic. Also worth noting: her mango lassi is a nice departure from the too-sweet versions I always encounter—hers features a bit of salt and cumin in it. Dessert includes soft-serve ice cream with Indian-inspired toppings, like the anise and fennel candy sprinkles you always see when leaving an Indian restaurant. Can’t wait for this to open! Hours will be Tue-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm.
Diablo Dish and Berkeleyside mention the arrival of MARROW from Jon Kosorek, previously of the food truck Jon’s Street Eats. He’s opening his meat-centric restaurant in the former Looney’s BBQ near Downtown/Lake Merritt. He will reportedly be cooking with one whole animal at a time, using up all of its cuts. Marrow will focus on the lunchtime crowd (his popular Reuben is going to make an appearance) and possibly offer breakfast. Look for a springtime opening. 325 19th St. at Webster, Oakland.
Another piece of John news (although it’s John with an “h”): Diablo Dish reports chef John Ledbetter of BOCANOVA has departed to a restaurant in Newport Beach; stand by for news of his replacement.
Some new dinner service for your radar: MISS OLLIE’S announced dinner service has launched, serving Tue-Thu 5:30pm-9:30pm and Fri-Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm. Yay. 901 Washington St. at 9th St., Oakland, 510-285-6188.
Starting Wednesday February 13th, GRAND LAKE KITCHEN will also be starting dinner service. 576 Grand Ave. at El Embarcadero, Oakland, 510-922-9582.
And you can swing by ~STAG’S LUNCHETTE~ on Saturdays from 8am-3pm for some wicked brunchy items, starting this Saturday February 16th.
Some of the bright colors at Juhu Beach Club. Photo: © tablehopper.com.
