Glenview Taqueria
Congratulations to the Glenview Taqueria team for their restaurant’s grand opening earlier this month on Park Boulevard. Diners are praising the warm, no-frills appeal of the space and curated menu of fresh, savory meat, fish and veggie tacos, and larger burritos and bowls. Glenview Taqueria, 4207 Park Blvd. (between Hampel Street and Wellington Street), Oakland
Smitty’s Lounge
Long-loved and long-lived dive bar Smitty’s on Grand Avenue is back in action for what is believed to be its 100th anniversary, thanks to new owners JJ Jenkins and Shari Murphy (Merchant’s Saloon, Baggy’s By The Lake). The dive’s soft reopening over the past few weeks reveals a subtly refreshed interior and new signage, with the spirit of Smitty’s intact — though as one Reddit post sums up, “I think they’re trying to turn over a new leaf. That’s all I can say.” Jenkins told the SF Chronicle back when the sale was announced in 2023, “There’s definitely a motivation to preserve some of the history of Oakland. It’s a neat slice of, I don’t want to say the darker side of Oakland, but the more fun side.” (And yes, the pool table and pinball machine are both still there.) The bar had been closed up tight since 2020’s first lockdown. The grand opening is scheduled for March 30. Smitty’s Lounge, 3339 Grand Ave. (near Elwood Avenue), Oakland
Tanzie’s Cafe
“Come try our house-made Chiang Mai-style sausage and Thai beignets!” invites the opening signage on the door of new northern Thai brunch spot Tanzie’s Cafe. Also on the menu are warm and cool salads, soft scrambled “lava eggs,” grilled and marinated Thai-style meats, and bowls filled with fresh fruit, yogurt, chia and other nourishing fare. The sweet, welcoming Thai spot next door to the former Homemade Cafe took over from short-lived Nana Thai Bistro, which quietly closed a few months ago. Tanzie’s Cafe, 1453 Dwight Way (between Sacramento and Edwards streets), Berkeley
Tsuruya Ramen
The former Cousins Asian near downtown Berkeley is now Japanese eatery Tsuruya. Wearing T-shirts printed with “Extreme Ramen Only”, the staff serves a menu of customizable ramen with various proteins, fixings and spice levels, as well as specialty drinks (hot matcha) and desserts (roasted tea panna cotta), available most nights until 10 p.m. The ramen shop also includes a small, appealing, enclosed patio. Tsuruya, 1926 Shattuck Ave. (between Berkeley Way and Hearst Avenue), Berkeley
