Dean Biersch, co-founder of the popular microbrewery Gordon Biersch, has his eyes set on Sonoma County, where he hopes to open a new tavern named Hopmonk later this year showcasing an international collection of independently produced craft beers, complemented by straightforward but locally sourced bar food (burgers, salads, sandwiches).
Dona Savitsky and Thomas Schnetz, the duo behind the East Bay’s popular Tacubaya, are set to open their third venue, Flora, later this year in the up-and-coming Uptown area of downtown Oakland, recently designated as an entertainment zone. Located across the street from the historic Fox Theater at the corner of Telegraph and 19th streets in a jazzy blue-tiled Art Deco building, it will offer Californian comfort food and retro cocktails – a departure from their signature Mexican cocina.