How Eater’s National Restaurant Critic Ate His Way Through Oakland

Bill Addison declares Oakland’s dining scene the Bay Area’s most dynamic

And with his picks for 18 restaurants that typify the Town’s grandeur, from the three-month old Cambodian restaurant Nyum Bai to the two Michelin starred Commis, who could disagree? “Oakland stands entirely on its own as a hothouse of American dining culture,” declares Addison, Eater’s roaming national critic. Read his piece here.

Memphis Minnie’s is under new ownership

After nearly two decades, Lower Haight barbecue stalwart Memphis Minnie’s has been sold to a new owner. Gail Wilson owned and ran the restaurant with her husband Bob Kantor until he died in 2013, leaving manager Tom Campbell in charge of day-to-day operations. Now Campbell has left, and Wilson has sold to a new owner, Gui Bok Lee, about whom not much is known. He reportedly plans to keep the restaurant a barbecue business.

Manresa’s new chef de cuisine

David Kinch’s three Michelin star Los Gatos dining destination Manresa has a new CDC: Nicholas Romero, previously of Chicago’s Smyth. Before that, the Louisiana born Romero was at Grace. He trained at the Art Institute of Houston, and started out at Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Houston restaurant BANK.

B. Patisserie’s odds for a James Beard award?

Next week, B. Patisserie’s Belinda Leong and Michel Suas could secure a James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker, and according to Eater’s highly official, completely non-binding, but nonetheless ringing endorsement, they totally should, you guys. Who else should win? All the other endorsements are here.

The Meatball bar rolls into Hayes Valley

A second location of The Meatball Bar, which started out in the FiDi, is now open at 602 Hayes Street at Laguna. At the quick-service format restaurant, customers select their balls (from classic Italian to to turkey, lamb, or pork) add their sauce (tomato, pineapple barbecue, and so forth), and generally choose their own meatball adventure.