Berkeley
Open
AUGIE’S MONTREAL DELI Reopened Jan. 13 in the former Brennan’s space is Augie’s Montreal Deli, purveyor of poutine, “smoke meat,” Fin du Monde and all good things French-Canadian just ask the grateful Quebecois in line. Fans of the nearly three-year-old deli may not be able to gather in the new dining room to watch ice hockey just yet, but the location, already a well-loved space in the Berkeley community, is a bit more foot-traffic-friendly for takeout than the old spot on Potter Street. Curbside service for online orders is available by driving up to the Stomper statue out front and calling the restaurant. (Pro tip: Parking on Sundays under the University Avenue overpass is free.) Bienvenue, Augie’s!
Souvenir Coffee Co. will open a fourth location in Old Oakland in March. Photo: Sarah Han
Jeremy Bled, owner of Berkeley-based Souvenir Coffee, is on the brink of opening his fourth location. In March, he’ll take over the former Coloso Coffee at Swan’s Market in Old Oakland, which has been out of commission since the lockdown in March 2020. But before that, on Feb. 1, Bled will celebrate a grand opening at his third Souvenir Coffee outpost in San Francisco, which he softly launched in August.
Given this rapid expansion, especially in the midst of a pandemic, you’d think that Souvenir must be doing brisk business. But Bled said his company like most other food retailers is not doing better than before COVID-19 hit and that’s part of why he’s expanding.