According to Eater’s Dianne de Guzman, fans can expect a similar wine list and modern vibe to Snail Bar, but each location tells its own story. Wilson building’s angular corner spot (formerly Downtown Wine Merchants) and sparkled up by a disco ball. Located in downtown Oakland, Slug is snug in the Lionel J. SLUG Look to Eater SF’s opening report for a detailed summary of Slug, sister wine bar to chef Andres Giraldo Flores’s Temescal hit Snail Bar. Oakland ice cream maker spins nostalgic Mexican flavors into delicious dessert Palms Mediterranean, 10 Hegenberger Rd., Oakland Despite an erratic-looking menu that also includes nachos and Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, reports for the actual fresh Mediterranean food are encouraging. PALMS MEDITERRANEAN The former Lazeeza Pakistani restaurant, tucked in the old-school EconoLodge complex near Oakland International Airport, is now Palms Mediterranean.

(between Telegraph Avenue and Broadway), Oakland Holder’s House at Forage Kitchen, 478 25th St. Check Instagram for weekly schedules and streamlined, rotating menus, including many of their familiar favorites - jerk chicken, saltfish and ackee, oxtails, succotash, chicken and waffles, goat curry, black-eyed peas and salads. When Kirnon’s long-loved sit-down restaurant Miss Ollie’s shuttered earlier this year, Kirnon mentioned a future fresh start with a focus on counter service and carryout, and they have done just that. HOLDER’S HOUSE Thanks first to the Tablehopper and then Nosh contributor Brock Keeling for sharing details on the opening of Sarah Kirnon’s new venture Holder’s House, now in operation inside Oakland’s Forage Kitchen. (between Hearst Avenue and Berkeley Way), Berkeley Oakland The skillet-fried chicken at Holder’s House.

KŌL JUICE BAR Located inside Cousins Asian Street Food (and co-owned by Cousins chef-owner Kimberly Gamble), this new juice bar offers cold-pressed juices that are naturally sweet, as well as smoothies and house-made crystal boba made with collagen and agar agar. (between Vine and Cedar streets), Berkeley Darband inside the Epicurious Garden, 1511 Shattuck Ave. The kiosk features koobideh, kabobs, bolani, grilled fish dishes, stewed meat and vegetable dishes, herb-infused yogurt dips and a range of savory, sweet and spicy Persian and Middle Eastern specialties, all for carry-out only. (at Ashby Avenue), BerkeleyĭARBAND Replacing Flavia inside the Epicurious Garden food court is Mediterranean newcomer Darband. counter franchises seem specific to California, and the new Berkeley location is their fourth. The original Aliberto’s chain has locations across Arizona and up into Washington State Aliberto’s Jr. Expect San Diego touches - paper-wrapped burritos made with grilled tortillas rolled tacos wet burritos carne asada fries. Mexican franchise, featuring burritos, tacos, enchiladas and other speedy, student-friendly Mexican fare. MEXICAN FOOD The gas-station-adjacent space at Ashby and Telegraph, briefly an ill-fated A&W, is now a branch of the Aliberto’s Jr. Summer’s been a blast so far, but let’s all maybe chill (and cook with a little less gas) in August.Īs always, please send food and drink opening tips to Berkeley Fans of Aliberto’s Jr.’s SoCal stylings know their Mexican and fry combos well. ( Dab nation?) Take it easy out there, folks. According to authorities, this type of risky recreation is a growing problem, and gives new meaning to the term Berkeley Boom. In Nosh’s mostly quiet neighborhood, one scary kaboom turned out to be a blown-out car with a person inside - who escaped the flames, thank goodness. And though this metaphor might literally explode, let’s not forget the hot sparks of contention around the shuttering of Berkeley’s long-loved Cesar, forced to go out with a bang in July after 24 years. Meanwhile, piles of colorful produce hit markets and plates (the stone fruit this year…), and a surprising number of new food businesses popped onto the scene. It was a month of fireworks - from the usual eye-popping East Bay pyrotechnics on and around the Fourth, to many, many local rapid tests flaring “positive purple” thanks to the latest COVID variant BA.5.

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