Middle 8, a 70s‑themed cocktail bar on Pleasanton’s Main Street, will close after this Sunday as owner Rick Dobbs cites rising rents and dwindling foot traffic. The closure adds to a string of recent downtown losses.

Ruby Lou's, a new dining and entertainment venue, is set to open in Walnut Creek, offering a mix of arcade games, retro decor, and an eclectic menu catering to both families and adults.

San Francisco’s The French Spot has opened a Concord outpost at Oak Grove Plaza, serving signature ube croissants and morning pastries on a limited Thu–Sun schedule.

A new California law requires most store‑bought corn tortillas and masa products to be fortified with folic acid starting next week, with small bakers exempted. Officials say the aim is to reduce neural‑tube birth defects.

Q’s Halal Pizza on San Pablo Avenue mixes halal pies with biryani, kabobs and samosas; its gyro plate — lamb, basmati and two sauces — is already drawing praise.

Fremont's Jack's Brewing Company will close on New Year's Eve after more than two decades. Owners say rising costs and major repairs made the business unsustainable.

Maria “Mama Cuca” Marquez has returned to San Jose with her mesquite-charcoal Sonoran tacos, bringing the Taco Yaqui and other standouts back to the street. Expect limited runs and early sellouts.

Oakland beer bar The Good Hop will close on New Year's Eve after 11 years. Owners cited "insurmountable challenges" and scheduled farewell events this weekend and New Year's Eve.

Bombera took home the 2025 Nosh Award for best restaurant, earning praise for wood‑fired, California‑Mexican dishes and a neighborhood vibe.

Dave’s Hot Chicken opens Friday at 2714 Pinole Valley Road in Pinole, bringing tenders, sliders and a new Spicy Bites item to the Bay Area lineup. Expect the usual heat ladder and opening‑day crowds.

San Ramon's beloved Brass Door will shut its current location over the holidays after nearly 80 years when its lease could not be renewed.

Alice Waters' Bar Panisse opens Dec. 11 in Berkeley with cocktails and seasonal small plates.

Cafe Ohlone is set to open a new café on the UC Berkeley campus, enriching food and cultural appreciation with indigenous Ohlone cuisine and education initiatives.