East Bay Eats

the tablehopper | 12:06 pm | September 24, 2008 | Foodie 411

The downstairs café at Oliveto has been in the midst of remodeling, and new highlights include a Berkel slicer and salumi display case, an expanded menu thanks to the new ovens to bake in (think pastas and roasts), a panini grill, and a refurbished and rare Faema E61 espresso machine, one of the few still in commercial operation, a gold standard of espresso machines. The Café’s new espresso machine will become part of a new to-go window for espresso drinks and small food orders.

Chef Pierre Harriet, chef de cuisine at Oliveto Restaurant for the past seven years, has been appointed the Café’s first dedicated chef. Working with the Café’s wood-burning oven as well as the newly installed equipment, chef Harriet and Oliveto pastry chef Jenny Raven have developed a menu of “la cucina povera”—simple, savory dishes inspired by the home kitchens, cafes, bakeries, and farms of various regions in Italy. They are phasing in all the changes, and things should be close to complete by September 26th. Café hours are Tue–Fri 7am–10pm, Sat 8am–10pm, Sun 8am–9pm, and Mon 7am–9pm.

• Rockridge Market Hall, 5655 College Ave., Oakland, 510-547-5356.

Marcia Gagliardi writes a popular weekly e-column about the SF dining scene, “the tablehopper.” Subscribe for free at www.tablehopper.com and get it in your inbox every Tuesday. Got news? Email Marcia at taste@sanfrancisco.travel.