Quirky Belgian Eatery Frjtz Reopens After Move, Adds Fried Chicken To Its Waffles

Frjtz completes move around the corner

Starting Friday, March 16, the eclectic decor and namesake fries of Belgian cafe Frjtz can be found at a new location: 3412 17th Street. The space, formerly Bayou, is a bit smaller but boasts a larger kitchen, which owner Santiago Rodriguez will use to add fried chicken to the Belgian waffles he’s been making for years. The old Frjtz space, at 590 Valencia, will become a counter-service Portuguese chicken restaurant, called Piri Pica, sometime in late spring.

Japanese ramen royalty visits Oakland’s Ramen Shop

A ramen master who has been crowned Japan’s Ramen King, Osamu Tomita (of Chuka Soba Tomita in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture) will collaborate with Rockridge’s Ramen Shop on two meals this month. Tomita is featured in the new film Ramen Heads, which starts screening in the Bay Area next week, and he’s been brought here by ANA (All Nippon Airways) Air Restaurant Project, which promotes Japanese chefs in the US, presumably to boost tourism and air travel. Tomita’s first lunch at Ramen Shop is on Friday, March 23, and a second is on Saturday, March 24.

This cold brew infused wine from Modesto will make you spit out your coffee

A new red wine called Apothic Brew made in Modesto has been infused with cold brew and at least one Cosmopolitan writer was not disgusted by it. “Oh my God, the stuff is good,” she wrote. “Ideal pairing with this? I’m no wine expert, but I’d say this would go well with a pint of edible cookie dough and your favorite Netflix binge.”

Commonwealth adds extended tasting menu

Chef Jason Fox of Commonwealth has formalized a fixed addendum to his popular $85, 7 course tasting menu — he’s already offered these added dishes upon request. He’ll now serve 12 courses for $125 plus some snacks and dessert bites. A $70 beverage pairing is also available. Expect the menu to change frequently; a sample is below.