Time to catch up on some East Bay news, starting with the announcement that CURRY UP NOW is expanding to Oakland with a 50-seat restaurant (plus 16 outside). The Indian street food restaurants and trucks are known for their tikka masala burrito and deconstructed samosa, but they also serve classic street food dishes like bhel puri (puffed rice, potato garbanzo mash, cucumber) and one of my favorites, pav bhaji (a Mumbai slider with a mash of cauliflower, beans, carrots, potatoes, and peas). Weekend brunch is also in the plan. They are targeting an early 2017 opening. 1745 San Pablo Ave. at 18th St., Oakland.
After running some soft opening tests (and tempting us with pictures of breakfast sandwiches and housemade pastrami), DUCHESS is now open in Rockridge. To recap my original post, it’s a café, pub, and local watering hole (with craft cocktails!) from wine pros Caroline Conner and Chris Strieter, with chef Candice Caris. Here’s the seasonal menu. Hours this week are 8am-2pm through Wed, then Tue-Thu 8am-10pm, Fri-Sat 8am-11pm, and Sun 8am-9pm. 5422 College Ave. at Manila, Oakland, 510-871-3463.
A few closures to report, including OZUMO, after being in Uptown for almost 10 years (the SF location remains open!), as well as the rebooted GRAND FARE MARKET, although Freya Prowe’s Brothers & Sisters Flower Shop will remain open Tue-Sun (via Eater). PATHOS has closed in Berkeley (Nosh reports a dispute with the landlord), and CHA-AM’s owners are retiring—it is being replaced by an Indian restaurant called Jotmahal Palace (1543 Shattuck Ave. at Cedar, Berkeley).
Winner winner chicken dinner! SHAKEWELL in Oakland is offering some new weekday deals every Tue-Thu, starting with a fried chicken dinner on Tuesday nights, served family style (choose a meal for 2-4 people for $49 or 4-6 for $98). You get buttermilk fried organic 38 North chicken, two sides, pickles, corn bread, and three different sauces. Dine before 6pm and receive complimentary churros with buttermilk syrup. Wednesday is We Drink Wine Wednesday, with no corkage and 20 percent off Shakewell’s wine list. And every Thursday from 4pm-6pm, you’ll find $1 oysters at the bar. AND every Tue-Thu, order off the bar menu and pay half price on bar bites like bacon-wrapped Medjool dates (4pm-6pm, at the bar only). 3407 Lakeshore Ave. at Mandana, Oakland, 510-251-0329.
Deconstructed samosa from Curry Up Now. Photo: © tablehopper.com.
