Oakland Eats: Tribune Tavern returns, Jack London Square gets a cupcake bakery, more

Oakland Eats: Tribune Tavern returns, Jack London Square gets a cupcake bakery, morePhoto: Courtesy of Tribune Tavern
Teresa Hammerl
Published on September 13, 2019

Here's all the latest in Oakland food news. In this edition: Tribune Tavern gets a second chance, a pizzeria bids farewell to downtown and giant cupcakes are now being served in Jack London Square.

Opening

Downtown

Tribune Tavern (401 13th St.)

PHOTO: ALBERTINO M./HOODLINE TIPLINE

Hoodline's veteran tipster Al M. alerted us that Tribune Tavern reopened its doors earlier this week, on September 10.

According to an Instagram post, "[the] doors are open, kitchen is firing, bar is bustling, and our books are open for reservations."

The restaurant in the base of the Tribune Tower shuttered in October 2017, likely due to a massive fraud case involving the tower's then-owner, Tom Henderson. But restaurateur Chris Pastena (Chop Bar) got a second chance at the property, as the tower's new owners, Harvest Partners, invited him back. 

Dario Pantoja (Calavera, A16, Wayfare Tavern) will helm the kitchen as executive chef, while Gerardo Acevedo (Smith & Wollensky, Bacar, Bocanova) is the restaurant's general manager. 

With seating for 150, Tribune Tavern will once again offer a New American menu of salads, housemade pastas, burgers, steaks, chops and fresh fish. The bar will serve local craft beer and eight wines on tap, alongside classic cocktails.

Closing

Downtown

Cybelle's Pizza (1422 Broadway)

PHOTO: ALBERTINO M./HOODLINE TIPLINE

Local chain Cybelle's Pizza has closed its downtown location, merging operations with its Fruitvale location.

But delivery customers won't see many changes. According to a notice posted in the window, the pizzeria's phone number and online ordering services will remain the same. 

Update

Jack London Square

James and the Giant Cupcake (463 2nd St.) 

Photo: Albertino M./Hoodline Tipline

The Jack London Square location of James and the Giant Cupcake is finally open for business.

"We did it, y’all! Opening day at Jack London was a success," the shop's owners wrote on Instagram.

Housed in the former Authentic Bagel space, the new cupcakery joins the bakery's other two locations, in Downtown and North Oakland.

Expect the full selection of signature flavors, including sea salt caramel, red velvet and chocolate cheesecake cupcakes, available in both regular and mini sizes.


Thanks to our veteran tipster Al M.! Have you noticed a new addition to (or subtraction from) Oakland's food landscape? Text a tip and a horizontal photo to 510-757-9959, and we'll look into it.