There are a lot of negative things we could say about how 2022 is going, but we’ll stick to the good news: there are plenty of new openings, fun collaborations, and pop-ups if you’re looking for ways to support restaurants right now. This month’s agenda is packed with breakfast pastries, coffee-flavored beer, and lots of burritos. Go forth and enjoy—and happy new year.
LUNAR NEW YEAR BOX FROM ANNIE’S T CAKES
Annie’s T Cakes is an Oakland-based home bakery that specializes in vegan East Asian snacks like tangyuan and pineapple cakes. And for Lunar New Year, you can order a special box that includes almond cakes, mooncakes, and mooncake biscuits ($30). Pre-order online anytime between January 12th-18th. The pick-up location is at Little Giant Ice Cream in Oakland from January 27th-February 1st (shipping is also available throughout California).
PASTRY BOX FROM LE DIX-SEPT
If you or someone you know is in need of a pick-me-up, here’s one great option: a pastry box from Le Dix-Sept. The Mission pâtisserie’s January box ($55) has 10 different pastries, from passionfruit marshmallows and black sesame macarons to cardamom chocolate cookies. Order here for pick-up on January 16th.
NEW OPENING: AUTOMAT
The new year includes lots of new restaurants to check out, and Automat is a great option. The NoPa bakery opened last month with pastries, coffee, and a breakfast and lunch menu that includes things like chocolate-filled donuts and a hot chicken sandwich.
BAREBOTTLE X ANDYTOWN
Andytown and Barebottle Brewing Company recently collaborated to create a beer version of Andytown’s famous espresso cream soda, the Snowy Plover. It’s called Birds of a Feather, and you can grab a pint at their taproom in Bernal Heights or take some cans to go.
JIKASEI MENSHO
Mensho Tokyo, one of our favorite places for ramen, has opened a new spot in the Twitter building. Jikasei Mensho is counter-service and everything comes in takeout containers, so it’s a bit more casual than the original location. Plus, the new outpost focuses on miso broths, with toppings like roasted pork or A5 wagyu.
POPOCA DINNER SERIES
The Salvadoran pop-up is hosting two family-style dinners at Low Bar in Oakland on January 18th and 25th. The full menu hasn’t been released yet, so keep an eye on their Instagram for details. Tickets are $125 per person (with an optional $45 cocktail pairing by Low Bar) and can be bought here.