By Dana Eastland. In September, we reported on LA MARCHA, the upcoming Spanish restaurant from Sergio Emilio Monleón and Emily Sarlatte. It’s now open and serving Spanish-inspired tapas and paella, as well as Spanish wine and sherry, Spanish-style cider, and local beer. Here is the menu, which includes a wide selection of tapas and several paellas. Hours are dinner Tue-Sun 5pm-10pm, with two happy hours, one from 4pm-6pm and another from 10pm-12am. The happy hours include complimentary tapas with drinks. 2026 San Pablo Ave. at University, Berkeley, 510- 269-7374.
There will be an evening of Beer and Soul at MISS OLLIE’S that you won’t want to miss. On Tuesday November 17th, join chef and owner Sarah Kirnon and cicerone Sayre Piotrkowski for a tasting menu of soulful food and beer pairings. Kirnon has written two menus, one inspired by Miss Ollie, her grandmother, and the other inspired by the great Edna Lewis, who was recently the subject of a wonderful article in The New York Times Magazine. Diners will get to pick which menu they want to try (obviously come in pairs and try both!) and will also sample beers selected by Piotrkowski. Check out both menus here, as well as the beer pairings.
The dinner costs $55 per person, including food, drink, and gratuity, with an early seating at 5:30pm-6pm and a late seating at 8:30pm-8:45pm. Tickets here. 901 Washington St. at 9th St., Oakland, 510-285-6188.
Oakland has a new wine shop in Jack London Square, called OAKLAND CRUSH. The new shop, from owner Erin Coburn, is now open and selling retail bottles of wine from small-production wineries, with a focus on sustainability. In addition to offering a unique selection of wines, the shop will also host community events and tastings, beginning with their Wednesday evening and Saturday afternoon tastings. Each Wednesday, they will offer themed tastings in a casual, social environment, like pinot noirs from around the world, or three different wines from a region like the Loire Valley in France. On Saturdays, the tastings will be more educational, with guest winemakers or importers on hand to talk about their wines. Any wine purchased at Oakland Crush can be opened and enjoyed at the large tables in the tasting area too. Hours are Tue-Sat 11am-8pm and Sun 11am-7pm. 420 3rd St. at Franklin, Oakland, 510-891-1024.
URBANO LATINO is now open in Oakland, serving pan-Latin-inspired dishes from chef Munther Massarweh. Menu items mini carne asada tacos and brick-pressed chicken in mole, while the beverage list includes beer, wine, sangria, and cocktails. There is also a happy hour offered Monday through Friday 4pm-6:30pm and then again after 9:30pm. There is weekend brunch with bottomless mimosas, make-your-own margaritas, and egg dishes. Take a look at all the menus here. 4307 Telegraph Ave. at 43rd St., Oakland, 510-922-1726.
The interior of La Marcha in Berkeley. Photo by Kristen Loken.
