Editor’s note: Nosh covers food and restaurant news across the East Bay, and each week we publish one article covering all the restaurant openings and one article covering closings. The openings and closings for each month are then compiled into a round-up. Have a tip for Nosh? Submit it here.
Alameda restaurant openings
Chiang Mai Thai Noodle
08.13.24: Alameda’s newest Thai eatery is getting enthusiastic reviews for its pan-fried noodles, salads, rice plates and soups. The restaurant’s sleek Park Street interior inside the former Lao Station space (next to Scolari’s) features simple, handsome furnishings, fixtures and greenery. Chiang Mai Thai Noodle, 1305 Park St. (near Encinal Avenue), Alameda
Moxie Steakhouse
08.13.24: Park Street in Alameda is the site of a long-awaited new steakhouse, led by the former Little House Cafe executive chef Donna Meadows and team, reanimating the former Angela’s Kitchen. Even Alameda residents who have faithfully watched developments over the past two years may have missed last week’s quiet-ish launch, but the newly Art Deco-styled steak restaurant and bar has made a smart, welcome impression so far. Check out the menu of steakhouse classics (local beef and New Zealand wagyu, but also fish, chicken, lamb and vegetarian options) with elevated, seasonal sides with international inflections. Meadows has a background that includes both French technique and pastry cheffing, so we’re willing to bet the desserts are also worth a try. Moxie Steakhouse, 1640 Park St. (near Pacific Avenue), Alameda
Berkeley restaurant openings
Anja’s
08.27.24: Anja’s, the new restaurant on University Avenue from Anja Voth, opened Aug. 27. Voth and her husband Kai Flache ran Gaumenkitzel until it closed in March, and have now taken over the former Garden Variety space. The kitchen has been updated to accommodate Voth’s German-style cooking and baking for breakfast and lunch — expect lighter fare than Gaumenkitzel, and more of a to-go feel — with a handful of interior seats and plenty more in the lovely Berkeley Public Rose Garden in back. Nosh contributor Alix Wall had the first look. Anja’s, 1966 University Ave. (between Milvia Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Way), Berkeley
Cholita Linda Berkeley
08.13.24: Monday, Aug. 12, marked the opening day for festive, fast-casual Latin American eatery Cholita Linda’s newest location in downtown Berkeley. The minichain is known for its popular fish tacos (among many other toppings and styles), Latin-style grilled sandwiches, punchy salads and larger plates of fried fish, chicken or stewed beef and peppers. The new branch is the group’s fifth, including a recent opening in Walnut Creek. Cholita Linda, 2000 Kala Bagai Way (at University Avenue), Berkeley
Eggy’s Juicery
08.06.24: Berkeley brunch favorite Eggy’s, located inside the Epicurious Garden, has launched a separate, standalone panini and juice counter at the former iScream kiosk. Eggy’s Juicery vends fresh-pressed juices, hot panini (including a chicken chipotle and vegetarian caprese), a small take-away kid’s menu for garden snacking, and, coming soon, acai bowls with fresh fruit. Eggy’s Juicery, inside the Epicurious Garden, 1511 Shattuck Ave. (at Vine Street), Berkeley
Heads and Tails Barbecue (Indoor Dining)
08.06.24: Heads and Tails Barbecue, softly opened back in June for take-out only in the former Gaumenkitzel space, has now fully opened for indoor dining and imbibing. So far, Berkeley has enthusiastic things to say about the brisket, ribs and fried chicken sandwich (and housemade pickles), as well as the service, sides and drinks. Heads and Tails Barbecue, 2121 San Pablo Ave. (at Cowper Street), Berkeley
Jot Mahal Indian Cuisine
09.04.24: From the family behind North Shattuck’s eight-year-old Jot Mahal Palace of Indian Cuisine comes newcomer Jot Mahal Indian, now open in the former Flavors of India space at College and Alcatraz avenues. Expect similar cooking to the north Berkeley Jot Mahal, including Indian buffet dining, a generous menu of vegetarian fare, and popular meat options such as chicken tikka masala. Jot Mahal Indian Cuisine, 3211 College Ave. (at Alcatraz Avenue), Berkeley
Missouri Lounge (Reopened)
08.27.24: The update on Instagram was subtle but sincere: “Soft opening,” it read. “Thursday, August 29th. 5pm. DJs and hot dogs.” After four long years and five long months, Berkeley’s 1950s-era, come-as-you-are dive bar the Missouri Lounge is back this week. Nosh has the scoop on the renovations, improvements and reasons for the lengthy wait for reopening. Missouri Lounge, 2600 San Pablo Ave. (at Parker Street), Berkeley
Peace Natural Vegan Food
08.21.24: Saturday, Aug. 17, marked the grand opening for newcomer Peace Natural Vegan Food inside the small, sweet dining room formerly occupied by Nomad on Solano Avenue. The restaurant serves organic, healthful, vegan cuisine and beverages (kombucha, tea, wine and beer) for lunch and dinner (check hours) with components such as mung-bean soup, long-grain brown rice, cooked greens and vegetables, and bean cake served with vegan sauces. The restaurant also serves lighter, snackier fare, including momos and salads, and an appealing menu of vegan desserts. Peace Natural Vegan Food, 1593 Solano Ave. (near Tacoma Avenue), Berkeley
Thayir Sadam
08.06.24: Named for the comforting, South Indian yogurt-rice dish, Berkeley Southside neighborhood newcomer Thayir Sadam soft opened in early August. The menu features sweet, savory, seasonal and totally customizable bowls of the rice dish (also on the menu: steel-cut oats), met with many intriguing toppings and complemented with South Indian drinks such as milky-sweet filter coffee, chai or spiced-buttermilk sambharam. Thayir Sadam, 2379 Telegraph Ave. (between Durant Avenue and Channing Way), Berkeley
TKK Fried Chicken
08.21.24: TKK, a fried chicken franchise “since 1974,” according to signage, first founded in Taiwan, has landed on Telegraph Avenue in time for the UC Berkeley students’ return. Expect fried chicken tenders, wings, spicy sandwiches, sides of biscuits and crinkle-cut fries, and other fast-casual, Asian-inflected, chicken-focused fare, served with Kung Fu brand tea drinks. Coming soon: Fried bread pudding for dessert. TKK Fried Chicken, 2431 Telegraph Ave. (between Haste Street and Channing Way), Berkeley
Danville restaurant opening
Crush’d Wine Bar & Kitchen
08.21.24: Danville’s newest wine bar and small plates restaurant features a sleek, comfortable vibe and wine-friendly nibbles such as charcuterie and cheese boards, tinned fish and caviar. The bar also has a bit of a unique pull in its long list of curated wines on tap in addition to original craft cocktails; check out the spot’s various menus here. Crush’d Wine Bar & Kitchen, 312 Railroad Ave., Suite B (at Church Street), Danville
Emeryville restaurant openings
Chipotle Emeryville
09.04.24: Emeryville welcomed its first Chipotle last week in the former Jamba space at the Powell Street Plaza shopping center. According to The E’ville Eye, the doors to the Mexican franchise location opened on August 29. Chipotle, 5761 Christie Ave. (at the Powell Street Plaza), Emeryville
Honor Kitchen & Cocktails (Reopened)
08.21.24: Honor Kitchen & Cocktails, anchoring one of Emeryville’s main crossroads, has at last reopened after a lengthy dormancy, and by all accounts the updates have been worth the wait. The former site of a basic yet very popular tented outdoor parking lot space during the pandemic is now a luxe, spacious, airy, indoor-outdoor “atrium” with roll-down walls, roughly tripling the size of Honor’s original dining area. The remodel conveys the same roominess, coziness and style of the many nearby lofts and live-work spaces, and vintage-style furnishings and indoor and outdoor murals from Joey Rose color the space. Outside, several fire pits add to the atmosphere. Here is a peek at the menu, which includes pizzas, seafood and vegetarian plates, as well as Honor’s notable fried chicken and meatier fare. And yes, the famous Honor Bucket of bottles remains. Honor Kitchen & Cocktails, 1411 Powell St. (at Hollis), Emeryville
Jars Sweets & Things by Fabio Viviani
08.27.24: According to The E’ville Eye, national chain Jars opened its Bay Street doors on August 30. On offer are stacked parfaits of cakes, custards, creams, puddings, soft-serve ice cream and other delectables, served in jars (hence the name). The concept is from Italian-born chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and Top Chef contestant Fabio Viviani. Jars Sweets & Things by Fabio Viviani, 5649 Bay Street (between Ohlone Way and Brunswig Lane), Emeryville
Oakland restaurant openings
Maria’s Mexican Kitchen
08.21.24: Maria’s Mexican has opened its first brick-and-mortar eatery, Maria’s Mexican Kitchen, in the Allendale neighborhood, steps away from the regular location of the Maria’s Mexican Food truck near Central Gas. The new taqueria inside the former China Pack spot serves a menu of intriguing specialties, including pupusas, birria pizza, menudo and barbecued ribs. Maria’s Mexican Kitchen, 3118 35th Ave. (near Mangels Avenue), Oakland
Oori Triangles Piedmont
08.13.24: Nosh recently learned that a wee, new location for Oori Triangles has opened on Piedmont Avenue, serving its menu of fast-casual, stuffed, Japanese-style rice triangles, chicken teriyaki plates and other hearty snacks. It joins locations in Albany, downtown Berkeley and on College Avenue in Oakland. Oori Triangles, 4066 Piedmont Ave. (between 41st and Glen Avenue), Oakland
Rose Garden Uptown
08.06.24: While Berkeley waits for upcoming restaurant Lao Garden to open on San Pablo Avenue (soon), the team’s sister location for Lao and Thai specialties Rose Garden Uptown has stepped into the spotlight. The cozy Oakland dining room in the former Belly celebrated its grand opening on Aug. 5. Rose Garden Uptown, 1901 San Pablo Ave. (at 19th Street), Oakland
Sham Falafel & Shawarma
09.04.24: Named for the eastern Mediterranean region comprising Syria and surrounding countries, fast-casual restaurant Sham features a menu of spit-roasted shawarma, falafel, salads, wraps, dips and appetizers, as well as some very appealing looking Syrian pastries and desserts. Catering is also a specialty here. Sham Falafel & Shawarma, 377 19th St. (between Webster and Franklin streets), Oakland
Pinole restaurant opening
Pinole Pizza House
08.21.24: Brothers Jay and Zach Qassas, the team behind San Pablo Avenue’s Richmond Pizza House, have expanded their business north to the Del Monte Shopping Center in Pinole. Still in soft opening mode, Pinole Pizza House features a menu of pizza, calzones, Mediterranean wraps and salads similar to the brothers’ Richmond location. The Richmond Standard was the first to report on the opening. Pinole Pizza House at the Del Monte Shopping Center, 620 San Pablo Ave., Suite A (at Del Monte Drive), Pinole
Richmond restaurant openings
La Guerita
08.06.24: The Hilltop neighborhood has a new fast, affordable, family-owned taqueria in La Guerita, located near the Hilltop Food Mart and gas station, across from Rolling Hills Cemetery. La Guerita, 4261 Hilltop Dr. (near Park Central Street), Richmond
Tacos El Rulas
08.06.24: One of Richmond’s popular food trucks (known for massive portions, including a $20 burrito the length of an adult’s arm) has opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant, and the bar and cavernous restaurant space with counter service is drawing energetic crowds for its loaded papa loca, tacos, burritos, steak fries, streetwise murals, and strong drink flights. Tacos El Rulas, 232 23rd St. (between Macdonald and Bissell avenues), Richmond
Walnut Creek restaurant openings
Chateau By Honey + Brie
08.27.24: Walnut Creek has a new upscale cocktail lounge and restaurant with a focus on Parisian-inspired sipping and dining, from the team behind charcuterie catering company Honey + Brie. The menu focuses on elevated nibbles to pair with cocktails, Champagne and wine, such as caviar, oysters and crudos, charcuterie and cheeses, and composed, Euro-inspired small plates. Chateau by Honey + Brie, 1376 Main St., Walnut Creek
La Ezkina
08.06.24: Walnut Grill’s newest Mexican grill and cantina is open daily for upscale lunch and dinner plates, including grilled ribeye with chimichurri butter, mole, and “arroz a la ezkina” with shrimp, mussels, clams and white wine. La Ezkina, 2065 N Broadway, #100, Walnut Creek
