Lots of activity in Oakland: chef Paul Canales (previously at Oliveto—for 15 years!) has decided on a spot for his next restaurant—it will be in the gorg Oakland Floral Depot building where Flora is located. Scoop mentions there will be a bar, music, art, and 80 seats. His partner in the project is Rocco Somazzi, who will be the GM. That’s about all we have for the name and concept, stand by for more in coming months. 468 19th St. at Telegraph, Oakland.
Over on Grand Avenue, Chowhound mentions MONKEY FOREST ROAD has opened across the street from Boot & Shoe, serving single-origin coffees from estates in Indonesia and elsewhere in Asia (some they import themselves) in the middle of their Southeast Asian furnishing and art store. Each cup is individually brewed, and there are also some scones and biscotti available. Open 7am-7pm. 3265 Grand Ave. at Elwood, Oakland, 510-327-2400.
I was excited to read this piece in Bay Area Bites about FUSEBOX, an upcoming “kkochi-gui pub”/izakaya from chef Sunhui Chang in West Oakland. The Korean restaurant will feature his own housemade gochuchang, pickles, different kinds of kimchee, bacon mochi, grilled skewers, and more. If you are at all into pickling, check out the article—I for one am excited. 2311 A Magnolia St. at 24th St., Oakland.
The future home of Paul Canales’ restaurant. Flickr photo from mental.masala via Grub Street.
