The Skinny On Lungomare: Cinque Terre To OAK

Following yesterday's news that Lungomare will be replacing Miss Pearl's in Jack London Square, chef-partner Chris Pastena calls in to share many more details on the forthcoming restaurant. As suspected, the kitchen will serve Italian fare: a "nice blend of Tuscan and Ligurian styles," similar to what's served in the five villages of the Cinque Terre on the Northwestern coast of Italy. Pastena says he chose this region because the climate is similar to that of Oakland. He'll do his best to source most things locally, save for cheeses, bottarga and other specialty Italian imports you can't find here.

Pastena and partners Tom Henderson and Temoor Noor are working with Jim Maxwell on a facelift of the 200-seat space. The sizable outdoor seating area will spring back into action with a bougainvillea-wrapped trellis, lemon trees, rosemary bushes, teak chairs and recycled paper stone table tops. The entryway may get a brand new water feature with a wood backdrop, and the bar is getting a new limestone finish. Pastena adds, "We want to create an old dock feel."

Also on tap: "amazing cocktails" combining European classics with "local tricks," an all Italian grape wine list, and an adjacent cafe with a separate entrance for coffee and pastries in the morning. The team is still finalizing its chef and general manager. Stilll, Lungomare has a firmly set opening day of February 7.

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