This is such a bummer: after a successful crowdfunding campaign, MAKER’S COMMON is closing on Sunday March 4th. Owners Sarah Dvorak, Oliver Dameron, and Eric Miller opened this expanded offshoot of their SF cheese shop, Mission Cheese, just seven months ago, but after numerous tweaks and adjustments and a lot of hard work, they have decided to close. Read this piece in Nosh for more (the comments certainly have a bunch of thoughts on the reasons as well). 1954 University Ave. at Milvia, Berkeley.
Another example of how hard it is to make it out there: LES ARCEAUX in Berkeley has also closed (after five months), although it’s not a total bust. Owners Alana O’Neal and Mikha Diaz are going to reformulate and reopen with a new concept, Idyllwhile. Nosh learned they are going to end morning service and focus on craft cocktails and small bites (like their original location in SF, Two Sisters), and the wine list will be more approachable. There also won’t be any table service—guests will order at the bar. Look for a reopening on Tuesday March 6th. Hours will be Tue-Sun 3pm-11pm, with happy hour 3pm-6pm (featuring $7 house wines, $4 draft beers, and a $5 weekly rotating cocktail). Here’s hoping the changes work—come by and support the ladies, y’all. 1849 Shattuck Ave. at Hearst.
One of the better bagels in the Bay Area, AUTHENTIC BAGEL COMPANY, may potentially close permanently (they are currently on hiatus). East Bay Express reports owner Jason Scott is just overwhelmed with running the entire business himself and is trying to find some investment and make some changes. Here’s hoping he figures things out and gets some help, because that would be a shame to lose ABC! 463 2nd St. at Broadway, Oakland.
You ready for some good news? Yeah, me too. After thoroughly enjoying a recent bowl of MARUFUKU RAMEN’s Hakata-style ramen in Japantown, I was followed on Instagram by their new Oakland account and was like, huh, what’s up guys! It took awhile for them to reply, but they are opening tomorrow (February 28th) at 4828 Telegraph Ave. (at 48th St.). Enjoy their tonkotsu and the chicken paitan! Hours are Wed-Fri 5:30pm-9:30pm, Sat 5pm-9:30pm, and Sun 5pm-9pm.
Also incredibly awesome: Daniel Patterson’s Alta Group has announced who is moving into the former Haven at Jack London Square, and it’s going to be Reem Assil of Reem’s California, a La Cocina grad (and recent James Beard Award semifinalist!), who is partnering with the group to open this fuller-scale restaurant. It’s going to be called DYAFA, which means hospitality in Arabic, and it will be an homage to how she grew up eating in her Palestinian-Syrian home. The shareable menu will include snacks and small plates such as mezze with her freshly baked bread from the hearth, along with larger presentations of braised meats, local seafood, and grains. Alta Group beverage director Aaron Paul will oversee the cocktails, wine, and beer. Look for an April opening, I’ll keep you posted. 44 Webster St. at Water, Oakland.
More lady power: Brandi and Janice Dulce of the FOB Kitchen pop-up in SF—known for their modern spin on Filipino dishes—will be taking over the former Juhu Beach Club space in Temescal. Eater mentions they plan to open in late spring—they’ll launch a cocktail menu, and brunch, dinner, and late-night dining. Former owners and couple Preeti Mistry and Ann Nadeau are thrilled with transferring the business to fellow queer females and people of color. 5179 Telegraph Ave. at 51st Ave., Oakland.
There’s an important fundraiser coming up on Friday March 9th: Stand with Refugees: A Benefit for 1951 Coffee Company. 1951 COFFEE COMPANY is known for their barista training program for refugees from a variety of nations, including Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burma, Eritrea, Iran, Syria, and Uganda. Since opening one year ago (January 2017), they have trained more than 100 graduates, who have gone on to work for companies such as Blue Bottle, Starbucks, Dropbox, Mazarine, and 1951 Coffee’s café in Berkeley.
At the benefit, guests will welcome newly arrived refugees to the community with a night of food and drinks from Fieldwork Brewing and Russian River Valley vintners, food from Old Damascus Fare—a catering company founded by a Syrian refugee family—and a dessert bar by Third Culture and Firebrand Bakery. Tickets, ranging in price from $50-$100, are available here. 6:30pm. David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley.
A look inside Maker’s Common. Photo: Molly DeCoudreaux.
