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.
Anahuac
A new Mexican restaurant comes to Solano Avenue. Anahuac held its grand opening Jan. 31 with a menu of plentiful dishes including fajitas, enchiladas, a large seafood selection, and drinks. It is located in the former Fonda location. Anahuac, 1501 Solano Ave., Albany
Eight Grams Matcha
A new matcha cafe opened its doors in Berkeley, founded by a Cal alum. A former RareTea boba shop, the cafe, currently in its soft opening, offers a matcha latte topped with honeycomb, and a banana matcha sweetened with banana milk. A few tea-infused puddings are also on the menu. Eight Grams Matcha, 2440 Bancroft Way Ste. 101 Berkeley
Go Bánh Mi
A new Vietnamese sandwich shop opened Feb. 1 in Emeryville. Local publication The E’Ville Eye reports that it’s a ghost kitchen operating out of Lanesplitter Pizza on San Pablo Avenue. All sandwiches are between $8.95-$9.95 with go-tos like grilled chicken and some harder-to-find sandwiches like grilled shrimp and grilled beef wrapped in betel nut leaves. Go Bánh Mi, 3645 San Pablo Ave., Emeryville
Lulu’s Little Kitchen
Lulu on Solano Avenue in Albany temporarily closed Jan. 31 to adjust its business model and menu. The restaurant previously focused on Palestinian-inspired California brunch and dinner services. Now, renamed Lulu’s Little Kitchen, a soft reopening is tentatively planned for Feb. 14 with “[a] fresh menu, a new format, and all the heart of Lulu you know and love.” The revamp includes a new counter-service model. Lulu’s Little Kitchen, 1106 Solano Ave., Albany
The Pizza Boyz
Located inside the former Fists of Flour in the Laurel district, The Pizza Boyz opened Feb. 1 and includes combinations like tikka masala and an “Afghan pizza” made with halal beef, chicken, and vegetables. The Pizza Boyz, 4166 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland.
Saints Smokehouse
Helmed by Chopped winner Rashad Armstead, Saints Smokehouse is scheduled to open Feb. 7 (a day before Super Bowl Sunday) with a menu of smoked barbequed meats and sides in downtown Oakland. Chopped judge Alex Guarnaschelli called a crab dish Armstead made on the show “brilliant” and another judge, Geoffrey Zakarian, said the sauce was one of the best things he’s ever tasted. Plates are between $18-$20, which includes either smoked half chicken, brisket, or pork ribs–plus one side. Saints Smokehouse, 218 13th St., Oakland.
Tease Southern Kitchen
A southern food business opens inside the Emeryville Public Market. With dishes like lobster mac n’ cheese, garlic noodles, and shrimp po’boys, Tease will surely please a palate hankering for southern comfort food. Tease started in Antioch and had a brief stint in Oakland. Located in the former Minnie Bell’s. Tease Southern Kitchen, 5959 Shellmound St., Unit 15, Emeryville.
