With help from our network of tipsters, here's the latest culinary news from around The Town.
In this edition: a former juice spot gets schooled on tea, a café and sandwich spot moves into a shuttered bakery, a BBQ joint closes, a popular downtown eatery unexpectedly throws in the towel, and other developments.
Juice A-Go-Go/Golden Tea Shop
(901 Franklin St. Ste. 118)
We reported in June that the re-opening of Juice A Go-Go under new ownership was in the works. Now, the spot is poised to open, and Hoodline tipster Al M. reports that it's the same owner that runs Golden Tea Shop a few doors down at 901 Franklin St. Ste. 188. It looks like the name will also transfer over to the new spot as well.
In a brief interview conducted by Al, the owner said they took over the space "to offer a more authentic line of dessert[s] and beverages that others currently don’t carry yet."
He also said that with many years of experience in the tea business, "they're confident that their products will be just as good if not exceeding customer's expectations."
The menu offers drinks like juices, smoothies and bubble teas, along with Hong Kong-style light bites like crepes and egg puffs.
Bird & Buffalo
(4659 Telegraph Ave.)
Al M. also reported that a notice was posted on the door of the former Rosamunde Sausage Grill in Temescal, stating that a new business called Bird and Buffalo is currently hiring.
There's no further info posted about when the new space will debut and what to expect, though, he said.
Hawking Bird
(4901 Telegraph Ave.)
In September, we reported that a spinoff of Uptown's former Hawker Fare, called Hawking Bird, was preparing to take over the former Blackwater Station in Temescal.
Tipster extrardinaire Al spoke to a construction worker on site who said the only work remaining is to paint the exterior in a "yellow and white combo" before the new eatery is scheduled to debut on November 15th.
If the new menu is anything like that of Hawker Fare, diners can expect Lao-influenced items like Isaan BBQ chicken with a sweet chili-garlic sauce, braised pork belly, and mussels steamed in coconut milk.
The Grind on Market Street
(5755 Market St.)
The Grind on Market Street recently opened in the former Marley's Treats space and is serving a variety of sandwiches, desserts and coffee drinks.
The menu includes salami and cheese sandwiches, tuna with chipotle mayo and fresh veggies, a Cuban-style panini, s'more's cupcakes, macaroons, and more.
The café is open Monday–Friday from 8am–4pm, Saturday 9am–4pm, and closed on Sundays.
Closings
Boss Kat Kitchen
(4920 Telegraph Ave.
In June, we reported that Boss Kat Kitchen, a Texas-style BBQ joint, had softly opened at the former Mixing Bowl spot in Temescal. Now, less than four months later, the business has closed, Al told us.
"All I can see is white wallpaper covering the windows with no indication of what's coming next or who's taking over," he said. "It was like here today and gone tomorrow. Hocus Pocus and voila, it disappears."
Tower Tavern
(401 13th St.)
Lastly, Tribune Tavern—the downtown lunch and dinner spot at the base of the Tribune Tower—unexpectedly closed last week.
It's not clear why the restaurant went dark, but the East Bay Express reported that it may relate to founder Tom Henderson, who's been accused of fraud by the US Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly misusing funds raised from investors.
Have you noticed an addition (or subtraction) from Oakland's food landscape? Text a tip and a photo to 510-757-9959, and we'll look into it.
