Big changes are coming to a semi-cursed space in Oakland’s Uptown, near Plum Bar. East Bay Express reports that the bar formerly known as 2212 Wine Bar will be reopened as CAPTAIN & CORSET on Friday May 23rd. Paul Fitzpatrick and Sam Patel (of the Ike’s empire) are the owners, with general manager Carlos Nieto (a Bay Area event planner), director of operations Kiri Eschelle (of Levende and Levende East), and chef Sophina Uong (of Picán), who will be helping on the menu. The space is going to be redone as an intimate and comfortable 38-seater. Uong is still working on the menu, but it will be eclectic New American, with the possibility of things like lamb tacos and fried soft-shell crab. A full liquor license is in the works, but for now there will be a selection of wine and wine-based cocktails. Hours are Mon-Thu 4:30pm-11pm and Fri-Sat 4:30pm-12am, with lunch hours coming later. 2212 Broadway at W. Grand, Oakland.
Last week, we reported that Oakland’s Taco Grill moved across the street and changed its name. Now, it looks like there’s a new taker for the space near the Fruitvale BART station: Jay Porter, who until recently owned Linkery in San Diego. The new project is called THE HALF ORANGE, and will be focused on housemade sausages and burgers, with a large patio. Porter also has a project in the works called Salsipuedes, which is headed to North Oakland late this year, and is more of a full-service concept. Look for the Half Orange to open this summer, and check out some details on his blog. 3340 E. 12th St. at 33rd Ave., Oakland.
Berkeleyside Nosh reports that a new café is now open near Lake Merritt in Oakland. It’s called MODIGLIANI CAFE, after the painter, and offers sandwiches like a Cubano and a housemade meatball, along with salads and a selection of old-fashioned milk shakes. East Bay Express nabbed a picture of the menu. 3209-3210 Grand Ave. at Santa Clara, Oakland, 510-986-1599.
Those always-on-the-ball Chowhounders noticed that new Greek restaurant PATHOS in Berkeley is now open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11am-3pm. The menu includes egg dishes like the morning moussaka with kima (meat sauce), potato, and yogurt béchamel, flatbreads, and sweet and pastries. There are also some brunch-friendly cocktails, like a Greek Mary with kalamata olive and feta. 2430 Shattuck Ave. at Haste, Berkeley, 510-981-8339.
The patio at the former Taco Grill, future home of The Half Orange. Photo from Facebook.
