Roam Artisan Burgers is homesteading in Oakland; Big changes are happening on Park Street in Alameda; Two hot East Bay chefs will compete on Top Chef; Worth Ranch extends its happy hour; and more Dish.
Agave Uptown, Gather, Local Food Adventures Aid Fire Victims
Two restaurants and a food tour company are donating part of their proceeds to Wine Country fire victims this week: Agave Uptown in Oakland, Gather in Berkeley, and Local Food Adventures of Lafayette. These fires spread quickly through California, leaving many people without homes. Those affected by the fires are having a difficult time making ends meet currently, which is why some of these local businesses are planning on helping these victims out. Hopefully, these homeowners will have home insurance, making it easier for them to claim some financial help. If they don’t, it’s likely that they’ll be looking to get some after these fires. For those wondering why it’s essential to get insurance for your home, it might be worth reading this article here. Hopefully, more people will be able to get their homes covered following on from this horrible event. We will be helping fire victims as much as we can.
Agave Uptown will donate 10% of its proceeds through Sunday, October 22; and its sister restaurant in Healdsburg-Agave Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar-will be gathering and delivering supplies to help those in need after the fires. The tragedy hits home especially hard for executive chef/owner Octavio Diaz and his family-who live in Santa Rosa-as well as other members of the Agave family who have lost their homes.
Gather will donate 50% of all wine sales-by the glass or by the bottle-from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight (Wednesday, October 18) and next Wednesday (October 25) to the North Bay Fire Relief Fund, as well as 5% of all wine-on-tap sales through October 31.
Local Food Adventures-which runs food tours in Rockridge, the Grand Lake area of Oakland, and Lafayette-will donate 25% of all profits for tours booked and gift cards purchased through this Sunday, October 22. Note that tours don’t need to be taken by Sunday, nor gift cards used. Proceeds from purchases will go to F.I.S.H. of Santa Rosa, a local food bank located in the epicenter of this week’s wildfires.
Roam Settles on a Home in Oakland
It never seems to stop in Uptown, as Roam Artisan Burgers will join the foodie frenzy in Oakland by the end of the year.
The Telegraph Avenue location will be the fifth for the upscale burger spot, and should be open by the end of the year.
Changes Up and Down Alameda’s Park Street
Park Street-at the southern end of Alameda-doesn’t get much attention outside of the island city with its tree-lined avenues and beautiful alameda apartments, but it’s a fun place to visit, and if you haven’t dropped by in a while (or ever), there’ve been some changes.
First, the 25-year run of the Gold Coast Grill came to an end last week, depriving regulars and locals of the classic Mediterranean food they had grown so accustomed to.
But, speaking of locals, The Local just opened inside the historic Masonic Lodge building, according to Berkeleyside, and is taking over the space formerly occupied by Blue Danube. The Local primarily focuses on pour-over coffee but also serves pastries, sandwiches, and salads.
The Star on Park and its deep-dish pizza is also new to the scene, though it is a sister operation to The Star on Grand in Oakland and The Little Star in Albany, so pizza lovers may already know what to expect.
Root for an East Bay Top Chef
Two talented East Bay chefs will compete against 13 others when Bravo’s latest iteration of Top Chef hits the airwaves on December 7. Oakland’s Tanya Holland (Brown Sugar Kitchen) and Tu David Phu (formerly of Berkeley’s Gather) will attempt to last the full 14 weeks of the show-which has been on the air since 2006-to become the next Top Chef.
The winner gets $125,000, plus prestigious national recognition. You can watch the cooking and the drama soon.
Worth Ranch Makes It Easy to Be Happy
Who doesn’t love Happy Hour? (Except of course when it ends before you can take full advantage.)
Worth Ranch is here to help and is adding late Happy Hours all week long, so now it’s easier to enjoy $4 beers and $11 slider trios.
The San Ramon restaurant is hosting a 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Happy Hour Monday through Thursday and an 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Happy Hour Friday and Saturday.
So start smiling.
Dunkin’ Donuts Dips into Concord Controversy
What do miniature golf and Chocolate Kreme-filled donuts have in common? Nothing, which is why longtime miniature golf course Ghost Golf is being forced to close, according to a petition on change.org, referenced by Beyond the Creek.
But if the plans go forward, look for a new Dunkin’ Donuts outlet on Clayton Road-with a drive-through lane-in 2018.
Wente’s Winemaker’s Dinner on October 19
What better way to spend a cool fall evening than enjoying a Winemaker’s Dinner at Livermore’s Wente Vineyards?
After sharing wine and appetizers, diners will sit down to a four-course meal featuring such items as celery-root potato soup, wild mushroom Bolognese, and black pepper filet of beef-paired with estate wines, of course.
The Thursday, October 19 event starts at 6 p.m. and costs $140 ($125 for Wente members). Reservations are required.
Sunday Will Be an Agave Afternoon at Tamarindo
And, it will also be a Halloween preview on 8th Street in Oakland, as not only will Tamarindo Antojeria Mexicana highlight a mescal and tequila tasting party, but will also offer prizes for the best costume.
Naturally, there will be tacos, but don’t miss the ceviche and other small plates that Tamardino specializes in. With all the drinks, eats, and live music, it’ll be easy to get in the mood for All Hallows’ Eve.
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