There's a new-comer in Oakland's tony Rockridge strip, and it's nothing like the old one: Saffron Kitchen Restaurant & Bar, an upscale joint serving Afghan food blended with the flavors of the Mediterranean and Silk Road. Saffron Kitchen takes the place of the Golden Squirrel pub, which sold its business this year. Golden Squirrel was a gastropub popular for its bar bites, trivia nights, stand-up comedy and NBA watching parties. "I purchased Golden Squirrel and ran it for almost two months and realized the concept was a dying breed and needed to be changed," says Akbar M. Arghandiwal, managing partner of Saffron Kitchen. "So we closed the place and worked on a complete face-lift."
The albino squirrel, lovingly referred to as “Alby,” was confirmed dead by the Alby Sightings page after it was hit by a car on Nov. 3.His death left Alby nation in mourning, as his presence brought joy to many students on campus.