Staffers Ashley (left) and Ella at the new Cupcakin’ Bake Shop location in the former Virginia Bakery space in North Berkeley show off the wares. Photo: Joanna Della Penna
When Nosh posted its list of February openings and closings this time last year, there was very little hint as to the looming pandemic lockdown and ongoing months of crisis soon to come. Looking back now, it is remarkable to note that despite the year’s unparalleled challenges, only three of the 18 East Bay food and drink businesses that opened last February have since closed.
Hard-won resilience stories from that February 2020 list include the resurrected Persian restaurant Alborz in downtown Berkeley; U :Dessert Story, still treating folks on Shattuck Avenue; Oakland’s Shawarmaji, that has since morphed from a pop-up to a popular brick-and-mortar; Nibs, a former El Cerrito favorite now slinging pancakes and burgers in West Oakland; and Arizmendi Emeryville, that overcame more than a year of repairs after
Photograph courtesy of Sushi Roku
Note: We’ll continue to update this list as more restaurants share Valentine’s day offerings. Last updated Feb. 3.
Sushi Roku in Newport Beach
What: The Lovers Box comes with two bento boxes (upgrade for specialty sushi), a bottled 16-ounce cocktail, and a choco bomb. Add discounted bottles of wine or sake (50 percent off).
The Details: $85 (serves two), Order at bbot.menu/srnbpickup/
Adya in Anaheim and Irvine
What: The meal includes: citrus salad with mint and fennel, naan, grilled asparagus, saffron pulao, a packet of house-ground chai masala, your choice between grilled lobster tail with garlic chili butter or stuffed squash with truffled farro, greens, and nuts, and a chocolate tart for dessert.
Photograph courtesy of Blinking Owl
From Blinking Owl’s holiday pop-up market to El Mercado Modern Cuisine’s new family-style takeout portions, here is our weekly guide to the latest in O.C.’s dining scene.
Blinking Owl Distillery
Santa Ana
At the distillery’s “Holiday To Go-Go” pop-up market, shop from local artisans including Dough & Arrow, 61 Hundred Bread, Small Batch Doughnuts, Uprising OC, and Tan’s Dumplings. You can also pick up Blinking Owl’s to-go cocktails, holiday gift packs, and hand sanitizer. blinkingowldistillery.com/
El Mercado Modern Cuisine
Santa Ana
You can now order family-style portions of the restaurant’s signature entrees including the chicken enchiladas, tacos ahogados, and carnitas to-go. You can even try the udon noodle soup with masa dumplings featured in our December issue. clover.com/online-ordering/el-mercado-modern-cuisine-santa-ana