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.
El Huarique de Juancito
Emeryville may have lost Peruvian joint Las Brasas over the summer, but it wasn’t long before the void was filled by a new Peruvian restaurant, El Huarique De Juancito, now open in Las Brasas’ old spot on San Pablo Ave. The menu features a diverse mix of Peruvian specialties, from breakfast favorites like tamales and pan con chicharrón to dinner items including pollo a la brasa and lomo saltado. Peruvian seafood hits like leche de tigre and ceviches are also on offer. El Huarique de Juancito, 4336 San Pablo Ave. (at 45th St.), Emeryville
Sakana and Yasai
Sakana and Yasai has opened in what was formerly Sugata, a family-owned Japanese spot that had been in Albany for nearly 45 years. This is the second Sakana restaurant (the original location is in Kensington). Sushi, sashimi and nigiri all make menu appearances alongside several vegetarian options, but what sets Sakana apart is the use of purple rice (a fiber-rich blend of black and white rice) instead of standard sushi rice in every dish. Sakana and Yasai, 1105 Solano Ave. (at San Pablo Ave.), Albany
Yard Milkshake Bar
The Yard Milkshake Bar, known for over-the-top ice cream treats with a variety of toppings and a social-media friendly appearance, first opened in Alabama in 2017. After a 2019 appearance on “Shark Tank” and a deal with Mark Cuban, the dessert shop expanded and the California franchise location has now arrived in Berkeley. The grand opening is Sept. 5, and there is a whole weekend of specials and celebrations planned, including free edible cookie dough scoops all weekend. The festivities also include a buil-your-own shake contest, in which the winner will have their creation featured on the shop’s secret menu. The Berkeley menu will include specials geared toward Bay Area tastes, including a “Sassy Lassi,” a twist on a mango lassi, and vegan and dairy-free options. Yard Milkshake Bar, 2433 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley
