As previously mentioned on tablehopper, HOMESTEAD was going to be opening soon in Oakland, and the time is now: the restaurant is scheduled to open for dinner this Thursday August 1st. UPDATE: They moved the opening to August 7th. You can read the original details here, and the menu is now live. You can check out a nice slide show on Eater as well—it’s a good-looking spot (it’s in a Julia Morgan-designed building, hello). Dinner will be served Tue-Sat 5pm-10pm. 4029 Piedmont Ave. at 40th St., Oakland, 510-420-6962.
A few weeks ago we reported on the unfortunate closure of Oakland’s RICO’S DINER, but What the Fork got wind of some good news: the joint is going to be reopening as RICO’S HI LIFE. Pizza, gourmet sandwiches, and wine and beer are on the menu from Claudia Cabrera (Pi Bar), and get this: the plan is to be open late, serving until 2am Thu-Sat, with slices until 2:30am through a takeout window (until they’re gone). The same diner look remains, with a few pinball machines added. The opening is this Friday August 2nd. 400 15th St. at Franklin.
Alameda is going to get a new Italian restaurant: TRABOCCO, from Giuseppe Naccarelli and his wife Christine. Naccarelli, a chef with Il Fornaio, will take over the 4,700-square-foot space in the plaza of the South Shore Center this fall. The plan is to serve housemade pasta and bread, pizzas from a wood-burning oven, and roasted meats and fish. Naccarelli hails from the Abruzzo region of Italy, and looks forward to combining his culinary heritage with the ingredients available in California. The name, which refers to a special fishing pier unique to the Adriatic coastline of Abruzzo, is also a reflection of Naccarelli’s heritage.
The restaurant, designed by Lev Weisbach, will be quite big, with room for 90 in the main dining room, 30 at the bar, and a private room for 16. There will also be a large heated patio that will seat 56. A tower area will get to ceiling heights of 35 feet, with a skylight and large exhibition kitchen. The restaurant will be open daily for lunch and dinner, plus brunch on weekends. There will also be a special happy hour menu with smaller bites and snacks for sharing. South Shore Center at Shoreline Dr., Alameda.
Homestead’s Liz and Fred Sassen, ready to host you (sans tips, thank you). Photo via Facebook.
