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.
Annie’s Ice Cream Gelato
Maybe the third frozen treat shop will be the charm. Annie’s, serving Italian-style gelato, has opened on University Avenue in downtown Berkeley in the same space once occupied by Milkbomb and Ici. Annie’s offers a variety of traditional flavors and toppings, including dairy-free and sugar-free options, and the menu also includes affogatos and milkshake. The Berkeley shop opening comes roughly one year after Annie’s opened up its first shop in Walnut Creek. Annie’s Ice Cream, 2079 University Ave. (at Shattuck Avenue), Berkeley
Dandelion Kaffe
For a cozy, brunch-at-home-on-a-lazy-Sunday feel, head to Dandelion Kaffe, Alameda’s newest stop for sandwiches, salads and specialty lattes. With tasteful green wood paneling and star-patterned tiles, the space feels acutely homey, and you can pair the good vibes with a spicy egg sandwich or a biscoff latte. On sunnier days, take a seat on the outdoor parklet. Dandelion Kaffe, 1629 Park St. (at Pacific Ave.), Alameda
Hopscotch/Itani Sushi
Kyle Itani, who opened Itani Sushi in the Epicurious Garden in Bekeley’s North Shattuck district in fall 2024, has moved the sushi counter to the street-facing stall and also launched his popular fried chicken concept, Hopscotch, in the food hall as of Aug. 22. Hopscotch debuted as a sit-down restaurant in Uptown Oakland in 2012 before eventually converting to catering and take-out in 2023. The new order-at-the-counter chicken spot at Epicurious Garden serves combo trays, salads and sandwiches with four styles of chicken — fried, rotisserie, tenders and saucy wings. Itani Sushi and Hopscotch are located inside Epicurious Garden, 1511 Shattuck. Ave. (at Vine Street), Berkeley
Park Station/Southie
The highly-anticipated beer garden and live music venue Park Station opened in August in Alameda’s East End. The family-friendly and dog-friendly venue offers more than two dozen taps that are dominated by a who’s who of beers from California breweries. Southie, Oakland purveyor of classic American and Mexican cuisine like grilled cheese, corn soup, tostadas and more, has also opened as the food vendor at the beer garden. Park Station, 1200 Park St. (at San Jose Avenue), Alameda
Richmond Eats
Richmond Eats has completed its evolution from food stand to brick-and-mortar restaurant, moving into the space formerly occupied by El Garage near the Richmond BART station. The Salvadoran restaurant serves a wide menu of pupusas, burritos, tortas, tacos and more. Richmond Eats, 1428 Macdonald Ave., Richmond
Sake
There’s little room to argue when $40 all-you-can-eat sushi enters the conversation. Sake, a new sushi spot in Pinole, delivers just that, offering 23 appetizers alone and a host of sushi rolls, nigiri sushi and sashimi options. You can also drop in for the $30 all-you-can-eat lunch option. Sake, 1361 Fitzgerald Dr., PinoleÂ
