In this edition: Lake Merritt is getting an Italian-American restaurant, Fruitvale has a tamale spot on the way, and West Oakland is finally getting its long-promised full-service grocery store.
Openings
Lake Merritt
Mama (388 Grand Ave.)
Hoodline tipster Pawel D. alerted us that a new eatery is coming to the former home of Roman restaurant Contrasto. To be called Mama, it's owned by Stevie Stacionis and Josiah Baldivino, who also run neighboring wine shop Bay Grape.
Open for dinner seven days a week, Mama is intended to feel "like your Italian grandmother’s house," Stacionis told Eater SF, serving a simple $29 three-course prix-fixe menu of classic Italian-American fare. It's named for her own Italian grandmother, Maria, who was known as "Mama" to her family.
The prix-fixe menu will be simple: a soup or salad, followed by a choice of two pastas — meat sugo, or a vegetarian option. To finish, customers can choose between gelato and biscotti or a seasonal dessert. And of course, there will be plenty of wine to choose from.
Mama is set to arrive sometime this summer. We'll keep you updated on the opening.
Fruitvale
La Guerrera's Kitchen (954 Fruitvale Ave.)
La Guerrera's Kitchen, headed by the mother-daughter duo of Ofelia Barajas and Reyna Maldonado, is now operating a permanent takeout window at Fruitvale bar Aloha Club, the Chronicle reports.
The Maldonados, who hail from Mexico's Guerrero region, got their start selling tamales on the streets of San Francisco before joining up with Mission-based food incubator La Cocina. After serving food at catering events and pop-ups, they've chosen the Aloha Club as their first brick-and-mortar location.
In addition to tamales (including vegan tamales), diners can expect to see pozole, birria, barbacoa and build-your-own ceviche on the menu.
West Oakland
Community Foods Market (3105 San Pablo Ave.)
After nearly seven years of anticipation, West Oakland's first full-service grocery store is expected to open on Wednesday, the East Bay Express reports.
Community Foods Market is aiming to target shoppers at every budget level, offering both higher-priced local and organic products and value-priced private-label brands. A "Wall of Value" will feature discounted bulk items, sold warehouse-style on pallets. The market will also accept CalFresh payments (commonly known as food stamps) in the coming weeks.
The grocery will target time-strapped customers with a "recipe of the day," complete with a station offering all the needed ingredients for quick pickup. An in-house cafe, Front Porch Cafe, will offer coffee, smoothies and to-go options, and host live music, art exhibitions, movie screenings, and poetry readings.
Unable to draw traditional investment, owner Brahm Ahmadi funded the market by selling $2 million in shares to community members. He plans to give back by hosting educational events about food and wellness for community members, some of which will be part of the store's June 1 grand opening party.
Thanks to tipster Pawel D.! If you've seen something new (or something newly closed) in the neighborhood, text your tips and photos to (415) 200-3233, or email [email protected]. If we use your info in a story, we'll give you credit.
