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.

Mercatino by Pizzeria da Laura

Dowtown Berekeley pizza joint Pizzeria Da Laura, a multiple World Pizza Championship winner that was also recently named one of the 50 best pizzerias in the U.S., has opened an Italian market in a space neighboring the restaurant. Mercatino offers wine, pantry goods, a range of house-made items including fresh pasta, dressing and sauces, and a pizza counter. Mercatino by Pizzeria da Laura, 2049 Shattuck Ave. (at Addison Street), Berkeley

Middle East Cafe

The owners of Middle East Market are expanding into the adjacent space recently vacated by El Patio, with plans to softly open Middle East Cafe for this coming weekend. The new restaurant will serve a menu of Persian cuisine, including many dishes already sold out of the market, in addition to offering a full bar. Look for more details on Middle East Cafe from Nosh in the coming weeks as it prepares for an official grand opening. Middle East Cafe, 2056 San Pablo Ave. (at University Avenue), Berkeley

As Nosh editor, Tovin Lapan oversees food coverage across Oaklandside, Berkeleyside and Richmondside. His journalism career started in Guadalajara, Mexico as a reporter for an English-language weekly newspaper. Previously, he served as the multimedia food reporter for the San Diego Union-Tribune, and covered a variety of beats including immigration and agriculture at the Las Vegas Sun and Santa Cruz Sentinel. His work has also appeared in Fortune, The Guardian, U.S. News & World Report, San Francisco Chronicle, and Lucky Peach among other publications. Tovin likes chocolate and seafood, but not together.

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