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. Have a tip for Nosh? Submit it here.
Bigotes Pizza
Central Berkeley recently welcomed Bigotes Pizza to the neighborhood, a casual pizzeria that serves whole pies and slices as well as wings and a variety of salads. You’ll find classic cheese and pepperoni pizzas on offer, as well as more creative pies like the Bigotes Special (red sauce, cheese, al pastor, pineapple, cilantro and red onions). You can also build your own pizza if you feel like getting creative yourself. Bigotes Pizza, 1706 University Ave., Berkeley
Khatan Sushi
Khatan Sushi is now open in Downtown Oakland’s former Elephant Sushi space. Alongside sushi rolls and nigiri, Khatan offers Donburi dishes like salmon and chicken teriyaki, plus Mongolian buuz (steamed meat dumplings) and desserts. Khatan Sushi, 352 14th St., Oakland
Nua Thai Kitchen
Earlier this year, Nosh reported that Pla Daek, a northeastern Thai restaurant on Piedmont Avenue, had announced a “temporary” closure for renovations, but signs of a comeback were sparse. Now, it appears that Pla Daek is gone for good, and newcomer Nua Thai Kitchen has taken its place. The restaurant, offering authentic Thai dishes such as khao soi (curry noodle soup), sakoo (pork-stuffed tapioca), Thai sausages and pad see ew noodles, celebrated its soft opening last week. Nua Thai Kitchen, 4133 Piedmont Ave., Oakland
Sun Moon Studio
Sun Moon Studio, a tiny, farmer- and producer-driven fine dining destination in West Oakland, has managed to evade the spotlight or even a whisper from the press since its opening this summer — until now. The SF Chronicle’s Elena Kadvany brought Sun Moon Studio into the light on Monday, and it’s easy to see why this unassuming establishment flew under the radar for so long: with no sign outside and only four tables to speak of upon opening, the restaurant has so far relied on word of mouth to get patrons in the door. The $150 tasting menu includes seasonally-inspired dishes, such as a tomato tart featuring a Shaoxing wine-oyster sauce reduction, alongside more permanent residents, like the savory egg custard tart topped with salmon roe. Reservations are required and can only be made by sending an email to chef/owner duo Sarah Cooper and Alan Hsu, both of whom have Michelin-starred restaurants on their résumés (Per Se in New York City and San Francisco’s Benu, respectively). The couple was also instrumental in opening Oakland’s farm-to-table restaurant Pomet. Sun Moon Studio, 1940 Union St., Suite 21, Oakland
