According to a pre-opening event invite I received, BERLYN’S GOURMET EATERY will be opening on April 23rd in Oakland from owner Larry McClendon and chef Dontaye Ball (Good Foods Catering). Their goal is to “bring healthy, nutritious, fast food to Oakland … [with] this upscale delicatessen specializing in a combination of hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and soups. Plus specific recipes focusing on the Bay Area soul food cuisine.” Looks like The Feast headed over for the friends and family dinner, check out a slideshow of the vittles here. 132 International Blvd. at 1st Ave., Oakland, 510-798-7900.
Local food blogs were all popping with the news that XOLO, the new Oakland taqueria from Dona Savitsky and Thomas Schnetz (Doña Tomás, Flora) is now open, just across from the Fox Theater. Grub Street already checked it out, mentioning the Vampiro taco (al pastor, salsa ranchera, red onions, serrano chiles, and cilantro on a fried-cheese tortilla) and bacon-wrapped Danger Dogs with the works, plus birria on the weekends. There are also some burritos, averaging $8.75, ay, dios mío. Opening hours are Mon-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-12am. (Hmmm, and am wondering what the status is on the bar they were supposedly opening next door…) 1916 Telegraph Ave. at 19th St., 510-986-0151.
Another piece of Oakland news that got a lot of pickup: the retro KWIK WAY DRIVE-IN in Oakland has returned, Scoop reports. On the menu: usual suspects like burgers, fries, and milkshakes, plus a few pizzas, fried chicken, salads, and other sandwiches. 500 Lake Park Ave. at Rand, Oakland, 510-832-1300.
The friends and family meal at Berlyn’s; photo by The Feast/Tamara Palmer.
