Back in June, I mentioned owners Silvia McCollow (who is also the chef) and husband Cory McCollow and were opening NIDO, a brick-and-mortar Mexican spot based on their Nido meal delivery service, in Jack London Square. Good news, it’s open! The tacos sound so good, ditto the cemita; check out the lunch menu here. There is also a window where you can pick up some very special artisan pies (like Okinawan sweet potato, or chocolate cream and pretzel) from Jaynelle St. Jean of the acclaimed PIETISSERIE. Nido: Tue-Fri 11am-3pm, Sat-Sun 9am-2pm. Dinner service starts tonight: happy hour menu from 3pm-5pm and dinner from 5pm-10pm. 444 Oak St., Jack London, Oakland, 510-444-NIDO.
There’s a new executive chef at Daniel Patterson’s ~PLUM~ (and Plum Bar), according to the Inside Scoop: Manfred “Manny” Wrembel, who is coming over from Incanto where he was chef de cuisine. The menu will be changing from small plates to more of a traditional format, with appetizers, entrées, and desserts. New dishes include trout with sunchokes, kumquat, and sorrel; chicken with beet, dill, smoked lentils, and horseradish; and squash ravioli with Brussels sprouts and chestnut. A couple of other tweaks: the restaurant will now open half an hour earlier at 5pm for guests looking to enjoy the weekday happy hour; and Plum Bar will begin offering lunch service on December 1st.
East Bay residents: have you had a chance to read about all the winners in Diablo magazine’s 2012 Food Awards?
Berkeleyside mentions Elmwood’s HOLY LAND RESTAURANT closed after 15 years in business; the original restaurant in Oakland (at 677 Rand Ave.) remains open. Taking its place is PADI RESTAURANT, an Indonesian restaurant. Open daily 11am-10pm. 2965 College Ave. at Ashby, Berkeley, 510-841-1608.
San Francisco’s Stuart Bai, the owner of Sally’s in Potrero who was also affiliated with Liberty Café in Bernal for a spell, seems to be involved with the former WATER LOUNGE & RAW BAR in Rockridge (according to ABC permit activity). Diablo Dish mentions it’s a French bistro concept that should be opening in the new year after a significant renovation. 5634 College Ave. at Keith, Oakland.
A tablehopper reader let me know the former Las Palmas taqueria was gutted and it looked like something new was going on; Diablo Dish has the reveal: it’s going to be a pizzeria, JULE’S THIN CRUST, “a great little pizzeria with a focus on seasonal ingredients and gluten-free crust options.” 5804 College Ave. at Oak Grove, Oakland.
Lastly, starting this Friday November 2nd, there will be a new late-night pop-up at HOPSCOTCH called Yonsei Ramen Shop. Swing by every Friday night from 11pm-2am, for either a meat or vegetarian ramen dish by Hopscotch chef Kyle Itani for $9. Bonuses: the full bar, and takeout is available. (Should be handy after Art Murmur on first Fridays.) 1915 San Pablo Ave. at 19th St., Oakland, 510-788-6217.
Tacos and beer from Nido. Photo from Facebook.
