The FIST OF FLOUR DOUGHJO is getting ready to open on Wednesday January 15th in Oakland. Back in October, East Bay Dish caught the news on the new spot from owner James Whitehead. This is the first brick-and-mortar location for Whitehead, a self-taught pizza fiend who built his own pizza oven and has been running a mobile pizza operation for three years. His “doughjo” in the Laurel District of Oakland will offer pizza slices in traditional cheese, mushroom, or pepperoni, and two rotating specials from their mobile menu.
During the first month, their Initial Pizza Offering (IPO) will be a limited menu—they will release the menu on social media (@fistofflour) and their website. Although we do hear the Classico, with pepperoni, mushroom, chopped garlic, house tomato sauce, mozzarella, and fresh basil, will be on the menu for sure. This is what happens when you’re the pizza man’s favorite pie. There will also be whole pies available, in large (15-inch) and extra-large (20-inch) sizes. Two seasonal salads, breadsticks, and stromboli also make an appearance; sandwiches will be added later.
It will be a walk-in and takeaway spot only; they will have counters to stand at and eat a quick slice, and plan on having some waiting benches built. There will also be a limited number of barstools at the counters. Just to be clear, there are no tables and no public restrooms. The space is softly open as of this Wednesday January 15th at 5pm, with some ongoing construction and a beer and wine license in the works. Hours are Wed-Sun 5pm-9pm. 4166 MacArthur Blvd. at Maybelle, Oakland.
Want some dessert? Oh boy, this looks amazing, even if we are a little late in mentioning it. CARAVAGGIO GELATERIA ITALIANA opened in Berkeley back in November. Chowhound reports authentic, not-too-sweet gelato made in-house, with flavors like pistachio, fig, and hazelnut. Oh, and this is cool: all their milk is treated with lactase, rendering it lactose-free. 1797 Shattuck Ave. at University, Berkeley, 510-900-2401.
According to their Facebook page, Berkeley restaurant IYASARE is going to be open for lunch starting Wednesday January 15th. The menu includes some light small plates as appetizers, in addition to some heartier choices as well. They’ll be open Wed-Mon 11:30am-2pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm. 1830 4th St. at Hearst, Berkeley, 510-845-8100.
Berkeleyside reports that San Francisco vegan restaurant SOURCE is opening a second location in Berkeley. The new location is called Source Mini and will offer a smaller version of the San Francisco menu, which will be available for takeout. They hope to open in two weeks. 1511 Shattuck Ave. at Vine, Berkeley.
The pizza classico from Fist of Flour. Photo courtesy Fist of Flour.
