Local Cider Taproom Opening in Oakland

Crooked City plans town taproom

Oakland-made cider from Crooked City is already available on tap at bars in the Bay Area and at Two Mile Wines at 477 25th Street, but the cider maker will soon have a place of its own in Oakland. Crooked City, known for its dry, gluten-free, and none-too-sweet ciders in various flavor combinations like ginger and raspberry, will open a taproom at 222 Broadway in Jack London Square. Stay tuned as it materializes.

Gott’s Roadside opens in Walnut Creek next week

Next Thursday, December 7th, the budding burger chain Gott’s will open the doors to its latest location: 1275 S. Main Street in Walnut Creek. Founded in 1999 in Saint Helena, Gott’s has grown steadily to Napa, the SF Ferry Building, Palo Alto, and even the airport, making a name for itself with Niman Ranch beef burgers, ahi poke tacos, and shakes made with Three Twins ice cream.

The Sur House

Big Sur welcomes new restaurant at Ventana

As Big Sur emerges from isolation this spring and summer — it was cut off by a bridge failure and landslides — things are getting back to normal in the coastal region, and the just-renovated resort Ventana, which was closed for months, is open with an updated restaurant for the area to try. That’s called The Sur House: Peruse the dinner menu and soak in that free picture of the view from one of the dining areas.

Charlie Palmer Steak opens for breakfast, brunch, and lunch

After debuting with dinner in Napa earlier this month, the newest Charlie Palmer Steak destination (in the at Archer Hotel) is now serving daily breakfast (with items like chilaquiles verdes and beet and horseradish cured salmon) and lunch (Five Dot Ranch burgers, grilled tuna steaks, and a $35 three-course option). There’s also Sunday brunch with an option for bottomless mimosas and “doughnut wheels,” (three kinds of stacked donuts).