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Back to Belgian beers
Mikkeller Oakland, the tasting room and bottle shop focused on the famous Danish brewery, is no more. The Rockridge bar opened in 2016, taking over the former Trappist Provisions space — a smaller offshoot of popular Oakland beer bar The Trappist. But the ownership remained the same and still does today. Now, Mikkeller Oakland is transforming back into Trappist Provisions. That means a broader selection of Belgian and Belgian-style beers will replace the narrow focus on Mikkeller, but the sleek, minimalist aesthetic isn’t likely to change much. For Mikkeller mania, you can still visit Mikkeller Bar in San Francisco.
Verjus all day
Verjus, the new European-style wine bar from the Quince team, has extended its offerings. The Financial district restaurant, bar, and retail shop is now now serving food and wine for lunch and staying open through the evenings. Stop by during its new hours: Tuesday through Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to midnight. (The kitchen closes nightly at 10 p.m.)
A few more chances to get your pasta fix
Oakland Roman restaurant Contrasto is on its way out. The space, located just north of Lake Merritt, has been sold and the pasta hub will need to pack up soon, although the official closing date hasn’t been announced yet. The restaurant first opened in 2017 as owner Alessandro Campitelli’s more casual follow-up to SF’s now-closed Chiaroscuro.
Rising rents are shutting down restaurants all over the Bay Area
Over in Concord, longstanding Thai restaurant Bangkok Kitchen is closing today after 25 years in business. The owner told KTVU that he can no longer afford the rent, which is set to more than double from $5,200 to $11,000 per month.
Oakland’s Marica is back to its old tricks
After shutting down last summer for a remodel and rebrand, Rockridge seafood staple Marica reemerged as pie-focused Pizza Marica in November. But loyal customers weren’t so keen on the change and requested Marica’s old dishes so often that the owners have started serving its original menu again.
