Oakland’s Soba Noodle Paradise Reopens With Dinner

Delicate, nutty noodles for dinner

West Oakland’s handmade soba destination Soba Ichi has been closed all month in preparation for a big change. Starting today, Soba Ichi will go from a lunch-only operation to one that serves dinner five nights a week (plus weekend lunch). It makes the restaurant much more accessible to a wider audience — especially since it was known to sell out of noodles lightning fast on weekends — with a new menu featuring more small plates and drinks. Its new hours will be Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m., Friday from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.

Legit paella to Silicon Valley

Telefèric Barcelona is expanding with its second Bay Area location, coming to Palo Alto this spring. The restaurant, which originated in Spain, has already been a hit in Walnut Creek, and it’s taking it up a notch with the Silicon Valley spot by adding a Spanish market. The market will be full of goods like Iberico ham, olive oil, cheese, and wine, so folks can whip up Spanish dishes at home after feasting on paella and tapas at the restaurant. It’ll be located in Palo Alto’s Town & Country Village and is slated for a May opening.

More Turkish fare

Speaking of expansions to Palo Alto, the Mission’s Tuba Authentic Turkish Restaurant has opened up another restaurant at 535 Bryant Street in downtown Palo Alto. Tuba takes over the former Tuts Bakery & Cafe space, which lasted about a year, and offers a similar menu to the San Francisco restaurant, with gyro wraps, kebabs, mezes, and a traditional Turkish breakfast all on offer.

A big restaurant lawsuit

Up in downtown Sacramento, hipster Mexican restaurant El Rey allegedly owes $51,443 in unpaid rent. The company that owns the restaurant’s building filed a lawsuit last week, looking to evict El Rey. The restaurant is owned by former Sacramento Kings player Kenny Thomas.

Those didn’t last long

After only a few months in business, Hawaii’s Captain Kona Cafe has closed both of its San Francisco locations. One was in North Beach, in the former Caffe Delucchi location, and the other was in West Portal, in the former Paradise Pizza and Pasta space. The restaurants served a mix of Italian and American fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Free food for federal employees

Earlier this week, Eater SF reported on how Bay Area restaurants were offering discounts and freebies to federal workers during the government shutdown. Now, we can add Half Moon Bay Brewing Company to the list: The brewery is offering $25 gift cards — which can be redeemed immediately for food and non-alcoholic beverages — to furloughed workers with appropriate ID.