{"id":503205,"date":"2026-10-21T08:54:17","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T08:54:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/503205\/"},"modified":"2026-10-21T08:54:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T08:54:17","slug":"new-berkeley-diner-debuts-at-former-rick-anns-location-a-thai-mexican-spot-comes-to-town-and-more-openings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/503205\/","title":{"rendered":"New Berkeley diner debuts at former Rick & Ann’s location, a Thai\/Mexican spot comes to town, and more openings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s note:\u00a0Nosh<\/a>\u00a0covers food and restaurant news across the East Bay, and each week we publish one article covering all the restaurant openings and one article covering closings. Have a tip for Nosh?\u00a0Submit it here<\/a>.\u00a0Subscribing to the\u00a0Nosh newsletter<\/a>\u00a0is the best way to stay up to date on all of the openings and closings, breaking news, deeper developments, and events in the East Bay food scene.<\/p>\n

BKK Mexican and Thai<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a new Mexican and Thai restaurant in Berkeley (thanks to Nosh reader Alissa for the tip). BKK Mexican and Thai seems to have opened in the former Taqueria La Familia in South Berkeley. The new restaurant held its grand opening<\/a> earlier this month. The menu showcases<\/a> an array Mexican and Thai food, including carne asada fries, crispy surf and turf tacos, Tom Kha, and pad se ew. BKK Mexican and Thai, 2971 Shattuck Ave. (at Ashby Avenue), Berkeley<\/p>\n

Chabar<\/p>\n

A new Asian comfort food restaurant opens in Oakland\u2019s Fruitvale neighborhood. The owner of Chabar told Nosh that \u201cChabar is all about delicious Asian comfort food paired with great boba.\u201d Chabar, located at the Fruitvale Public Market in the former space of Tacos El Ultimo Baile and before that, Nyum Bai, serves teriyaki rice bowls, zaap spicy rice, katsu, and crispy street snacks, as well as Thai teas and boba drinks. Chabar, 3340 E. 12th St., #11, Oakland<\/p>\n

Kat\u2019s Kitchen<\/p>\n

A long-awaited diner has soft opened in Berkeley. Kat\u2019s Kitchen announced on Instagram that it is officially open to the public now, under chef Michael Fornasero<\/a>. \u201cMichael brings an incredible culinary background from legendary spots like Foreign Cinema, A16, and The Boonville Hotel. Rooted in his lifelong passion for organic farming and the farm-to-table movement, he crafts delicious, thoughtful dishes featuring produce grown locally and even right on his own farm in Lake County,\u201d the post reads. \u00a0The new restaurant is in the former location of the popular brunch spot, Rick & Ann\u2019s Restaurant, which closed last summer<\/a>. The current hours listed on the website states open for breakfast and lunch Thursdays through Tuesdays, with a wine bar coming soon. The breakfast menu<\/a> includes toasts, waffles, bowls, Dutch baby, pancakes, and a variety of savory dishes. Kat\u2019s Kitchen<\/a>, 2922 Domingo Ave., Berkeley<\/p>\n

Lemon Crab<\/p>\n

A Cajun seafood boil spot just opened<\/a> in Richmond. Lemon Crab serves seafood boils, fried seafood baskets, as well as other dishes like crab fried rice or noodles. Lemon Crab<\/a>, 1400 Macdonald Ave. (at Marina Way), Richmond<\/p>\n

Sumo Grill <\/p>\n

A new hibachi-style Japanese restaurant has opened in Castro Valley inside the Adobe Shopping Center. Sumo Grill opened this month<\/a>, serving an array of Japanese food<\/a> but with a focus on hot grilled dishes like fried rice and noodle dishes, hibachi-grilled proteins like salmon, chicken, and beef, and hibachi vegetables. The new restaurant opened in the former location of Big Apple Bagels. The owners also have a location in Martinez that has been nominated for several \u201cbest of\u201d local awards. Sumo Grill<\/a>, 3040 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley<\/p>\n

Sweet Pour\u2019n Flow<\/p>\n

A Vietnamese coffee and food pop-up is now open inside the Aloha Bar in Oakland. Sweet Pour\u2019n Flow serves coffee and tea<\/a>, plus rice bowls, banh mi, egg rolls, and more. The pop-up soft opened last weekend. Sweet Pour\u2019n Flow<\/a>, 952 Fruitvale Ave. inside Aloha Bar, Oakland<\/p>\n

Taqueria El Chacho<\/p>\n

A new taco spot, with many outposts including at the North Berkeley BART station, recently debuted in East Oakland. Taqueria El Chacho<\/a> serves tacos, baked potatoes, tortas, and more near the border of Oakland and Alameda on High Street. Taqueria El Chacho<\/a>, 569 High St., Oakland<\/p>\n

UMe Tea<\/p>\n

A new boba shop in Alameda just soft opened last weekend<\/a>. UMe Tea is a California-based bubble tea brand, which first opened in Cupertino. The menu<\/a> includes milk teas, matchas, fruit teas, and street snacks. Other East Bay locations include San Leandro, Fremont, Livermore, Walnut Creek, and San Ramon. UMe Tea<\/a>, 1321 Park St. (at Alameda Avenue), Alameda<\/p>\n

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