There have been a bunch of happenings in the East Bay, and I want to give you a quick round-up of updates. Apologies for not personally following up with these owners for deeper stories here—I didn’t have cell service in the mountains this past week (it was great!) and I didn’t have time to call for more details before my deadline. Too much catch-up going on here. One story I am definitely going to have details on in the next tablehopper is about the opening of HORN BARBECUE in Oakland at the end of this month, stand by. I’ve been avidly tracking Matt Horn’s updates on Instagram—his brisket and ribs were some of the most magical things I ate last year. Here’s an update from Eater in the meantime.
I’m happy to see bartender extraordinaire Simone Mims is the beverage manager at the newly open PORT KITCHENS MARKETPLACE in Jack London Square in Oakland—it was originally going to be an event space, and now it’s a marketplace, serving cocktails, coffee service featuring 3-19 Roasters, fried chicken sandwiches and more from Fowl + Fare, and plenty of ingredients to stock your fridge, pantry, and bar. Look for other micro-businesses to join the co-working kitchen lineup, like Poppy Bagels (follow @portkitchensmarketplace for updates as they grow). Order for takeout or pull up a chair at their outdoor tables. Open Tue-Sun 10am-6pm. 101 Broadway at Embarcadero, Oakland.
Just in case you’ve been missing my updates on Instagram, the S+M Vegan crew have soft-opened their new brick-and-mortar location, LION DANCE CAFE. You can preorder from their menu on Wed at noon (yes, their crazy-popular shaobing sandwich is on the menu, snag it!), and pick up your order on Friday and Saturday evenings (5pm-9pm). They’re keeping things limited as they get their sea legs, look for expanded hours and more soon. 380 17th St. at Franklin, Oakland.
I loved reading about this new Trinidadian restaurant in Oakland, COCOBREEZE from chef Annabelle Goodridge. Eater reports you’ll find “a whole lineup of traditional dishes from its owner’s native Trinidad and Tobago: the savory split-pea fritters known as pholourie; chicken or goat served over pelau, the classic Trinidadian rice dish; and yes, roti with a choice of several different fillings.” She also makes a variety of drinks and baked goods, be sure to read all about the things. Open for outdoor dining and takeout Wed, Fri-Sat 11am-8pm. 2370 High Street at Lyon, Oakland.
Melissa Axelrod and William Johnson have reopened MOCKINGBIRD, with “To the Nest by Mockingbird,” a collection of take-home-and-heat offerings, and cocktails, too; check out the menu here. (Inside tip: chef Rebecca Boice, previously at Zuni and Flora, has been working with them part-time, alongside sous chef Oscar Suarez!) Available for pickup Thu-Sat 4pm-8pm and Sun 2pm-6pm. 416 13th St. at Franklin, Oakland.
Chef-owner Nelson German’s gorgeous SOBRE MESA COCKTAIL LOUNGE—which opened just before the pandemic hit and then sadly had to close a week and a half later—is reopening tomorrow, Wednesday September 16th for takeout and delivery! You’ll find breakfast items and pastries and coffee, plus specialty cocktails in 8 oz. bottles, and three kinds of wings. Open Wed-Thu 8:30am-1:30pm and 5pm-10pm; Fri 8:30am-1:30pm and 5pm-11pm; Sat 10am-3pm and 5pm-11pm; Sun 10am-3pm and 5pm-10pm. 1618 Franklin St. at 17th St., Oakland.
I was happy to read in Nosh about the comeback of Marco Senghor and Bissab Baobab in Oakland, now BISSAP BAOBAB OAKLAND COLLECTIVE KITCHEN, with a new collective model of female-owned businesses joining him (including Kasa Indian Eatery, Mama Juju Tea, and Marina’s Sweet Catering). 381 15th St. at Franklin, Oakland.
Iso Rabins and Matt Johansen of FORAGE KITCHEN have partnered with Fabricius (Fabi) Wiest and Matt Johansen (Suppenküche, Hayes Valley Biergarten) to open a German biergarten, Hofkuche, which means “outdoor kitchen.” Expect boots of beer, sausage platters, potato salad, wienerschnitzel, weekly live music, and family-friendly, outdoor, socially distanced seating. Opening Saturday September 19th. Hours: Wed-Fri 12pm-7:30pm, Sat-Sun 2pm-8pm. (In case you’re looking for the former Shawarmaji pop-up, he’s trying to open a brick-and-mortar location in October, check out his Kickstarter here.) 478 25th St. at Telegraph, Oakland.
Due to open next week in Alameda is THE PREACHER’S DAUGHTER WINE BAR & BISTRO, with chef Casey Rebecca Nunes (formerly Media Noche, now at Smitten) helping out on the menu! Look for some killer sandwiches to go with Old World wines, craft beers, and craft-roasted coffee, too. Follow @thepreachersdaughterwinebistro for updates on the opening. There’s a parklet outside where you’ll be able to linger. 1629 Park St. at Oak, Alameda.
For more East Bay updates, don’t miss these posts from Nosh.
The Cassata from Simone Mims at Port Kitchens Marketplace (for Negroni Week!). Read more in her Instagram post at @simonemims.
