Marcia Gagliardi

For a change, there’s a smell of smoke in the air that is greatly desired and appreciated, and it’s coming from the (almost/sorta/kinda) soft-opened and much-awaited location of HORN BARBECUE in West Oakland. Pitmaster Matt Horn has been slowly, steadily, thoughtfully, and steadfastly working toward this…

A tablehopper reader spotted and sent me this Craigslist ad listing the ~CALIFORNIOS~ location for sale, and my heart dropped for a moment. But after talking with chef-owner Val M. Cantu, there’s some good news behind it. The award-winning, upscale, and downright fantastic Californios has been closed since the…

Back in August, I broke the news that chef Rob Lam (Perle) of the upcoming LILY on Clement was going to be offering a to-go version of the upscale Vietnamese restaurant, which was due to open in March with owners Lily and Lucy Lieu, but then Miss Rona did a…

After launching with their weekend picnic baskets, MARLENA RESTAURANT on Precita Park in Bernal has opened for outdoor dining Thu-Sat 5pm-9pm and Sun 5pm-8pm. You can get some duck jus poured tableside, yeehaw. Check out their $49, four-course menu here, and read up past details about the project here. 300…

After solely offering takeout and delivery service during the pandemic, AL’S PLACE has reopened with table service on a new and revamped patio (takeout is on hold for now). I had a chance to check it out at a preview last week, and was so impressed with the stylish…

Okay gang, I’m really going to threaten your future ability to get into a pair of jeans any time soon with this post. (Let me welcome you to #kaftanlife.) Chef-owner Sarah Kirnon of MISS OLLIE’S in Oakland is popping up at ELDA in the Mission for the next…

Some unfortunate closures to report include the popular SOUTHERN PACIFIC BREWING, which reopened with outdoor seating for a bit, but sadly owner and SF native Chris Lawrence says it wasn’t enough to survive in this Eater piece. The nine-year-old brewery in the Mission is closed “but will continue to…

If you’ve ever managed to get a ticket to La Cocina’s storytelling event series, Voices from the Kitchen, or maybe you never got to attend because it always sold out, here’s your chance to watch on their YouTube channel on Thursday October 29th at 5:30pm. It…

Soft-opening today (Thursday October 1st) in Uptown Oakland is DAUGHTER’S DINER, a modern take on a classic diner from chef Keven Wilson (Perbacco, Volta, Picco, RN74) and his wife Justyna Wilson. They’re opening in the former Hawker Fare, and signed the lease in January—the pandemic obviously pushed…