From classic, crave-worthy French food to a new Uptown beer garden, this week’s spate of East Bay restaurant openings is causing our must-eat list to grow by the minute.
First up is Michel Bistro, a new concept from the team behind much-loved Amelie Wine Bar in San Francisco. Helmed by Germain Michel and Jean-Michel Fabregon, the Provencal-style brasserie is serving up California-tinged classics like bison tartare, Napa “Farmers Chicken,” and escargots. There is an ample selection of French wines to accompany your meal, bien sur. The Grand-Lake Bistro is currently open for dinner and weekend brunch, with lunch service to follow.
Photo: Darrin Sander
Cross the Mediterranean by way of Temescal at Doukkala, a California-Moroccan concept housed in the former Tanjia space. Chef Eric Lanvert is creating sophisticated, flavor-filled takes on Moroccan cuisine, including a Maple Leaf Duck Tagine and a Northern California Quail Pastilla. And, for a little geography lesson with your couscous, owner Jamal Zahid named the restaurant for the Doukkala-Abda region of Morocco, which is known for it’s rich agriculture and coastal fishing villages.
The Oakland beer garden boom continues with the opening of Lost & Found, a welcome addition to the thriving Uptown neighborhood from Christi Vaughn and Tim Martinez. This newest project from the husband and wife team behind the Layover Bar & Art Lounge, Lost & Found is an indoor and outdoor beer garden featuring global street snacks and “working class favorites” from chef Dennis Yadroff (of Sweet Woodruff and Haven). The outdoor garden space goes beyond picnic benches and pints, too — Vaughn helped start an inmate gardening program at San Quentin, and is employing some of her graduates to help tend to the patio’s ample plant life.
Walnut Creek has a new destination for South American delights, courtesy of the newly opened Sabores del Sur. The restaurant is La Cocina alum Guisell Osorio’s first brick-and-mortar space; the Chilean native will be selling her delicious empanadas, alfajores, and sandwiches. Sabores del Sur will also be the bakery base for her farmers market and catering projects.
Follow Lauren @laurensloss.
