Wow, sorry to hear that FLORA in Uptown Oakland is closing on November 9th (along with sister bar Fauna), after 13 years in business. Owner Thomas Schnetz cited personal reasons for closing. Flora was a trailblazer in the cocktail scene, and was always a great place to visit before a show at the Fox. Thanks for all the meals and moments at your fabulous bar. No word on chef Rebecca Boice’s plans—will let you know once I hear back. I was hoping to make it for one of her Book Club Dinners—there’s actually the last one this Thursday October 24th, highlighting Joan Didion’s Slouching Toward Bethlehem (good one!).
Fortunately, there is a taker of the gorg Art Deco restaurant: “former Flora bar manager Christ Aivaliotis, now co-owner of the tiki-inspired downtown Oakland bar the Kon-Tiki, will take over, reopening with new businesses in the space this spring.” 1900 Telegraph Ave. at 19th St., Oakland. [Via Eater.]
A reader wrote in to let me know old-timer HOWARD’S CAFE in the Inner Sunset has closed (the diner was almost 60!). My tipster said word is that it will reopen as a dumpling place. You can read more in this piece in Hoodline. 1309 9th Ave. at Irving.
Flora in Oakland. Photo via Facebook.