Some recent food & drink updates in and around Emeryville since our last update in March. At least a few of the updates center around a couple of everyone’s favorites: Beer and cookies!
In addition, we’ve got some good news, and possibly bad news on a couple Emeryville favorites.

Jasmine Blossom up for sale
Many readers have reached out to us inquiring about the status of Thai-favorite Jasmine Blossom and when they might reopen. Their Yelp page has been periodically updated with new target dates giving patrons a glimmer of hope that they might return soon.
Our inquiries to proprietor Karen Tran have gone unanswered.
Unfortunately, the space is now listed on BizQuest which is an online marketplace for buying and selling businesses. This likely indicates that they may be moving on although there’s a possibility they are just just “testing the waters.”
The business is currently being listed on the site for $90,000.

Tenma Beer Project officially takes over Novel Brewing Co. Space
Tenma Beer Project in North Oakland opened their doors to the public on April 12 after a few months of renovations. They take over the space where Novel Brewing Company operated from 2016-2022.
The brewery is the passion project of co-brewers Debbie Tenma, Dana Martindale and Brennan Perry.
Tenma specializes in a variety of “West Coast” pale ales and IPA’s and, like Novel, will partner with local food pop-ups for bites. A menu of their beers can be viewed on toast.
Their taproom hours are currently Wednesday & Thursday from 3-9 p.m., Friday from 3-10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 12-8 p.m.

Butter Pecan Bakeshop to former Hollis Subway
Emeryville will soon be getting not one, but two cookie bakeries in 2023 if things pan out.
Last month, we broke the news of a Cookie Plug franchise opening near Black Diamond Cafe by Christie Park. A tipster recently spotted the windows of the former Subway on the corner of Hollis and 65th in the Glashaus condominium complex adorned with vinyl decals for a variety of delicious looking cookies. The space has been leased to Butter Pecan Bakeshop.
Butter Pecan was founded in Pinole in 2021 amid the Pandemic and is “inspired by childhood favorites and classic southern recipes.”
Browse their menu of available cookies on their website.
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Honor Renovation Stalled
Residents have expressed concern about the status of one of Emeryville’s favorite dining spots. Honor Kitchen closed at the end of 2022 for remodeling promising to reopen in Spring.
With the end of Spring upon us and no construction activity at the space, this seems unlikely. In fact, construction permits were only recently issued.
“We approved Phase II improvements on April 4th,” according to the City of Emeryville’s Planning & Building Department. “Issuance of the Phase I and Phase II permit applications is pending Health Department Approval from Alameda County.“
[update] “Construction delays were inevitable,” noted Honor Kitchen owner Greg Truppelli. “We are hoping to see tractors in the front lot in the next two weeks!”
Honor is owned by the Chalet Restaurant group who also operate SF’s Park Chalet in Golden Gate park and Oakland’s Lake Chalet along Lake Merritt.
Honor has retained Terra Nova Design & Construction for the project.

Wondrous Brings Home the Gold
E’ville’s own Wondrous Brewing was recently awarded a Gold award at the 2023 World Beer Cup held annually in Nashville, Tennessee. Wondrous’ “Janet’s Brown Ale” was recognized in the American-Style Brown Ale category.
”What an incredibly emotional win for us yesterday at the World Beer Cup in Nashville!” shared Wondrous proprietor Wynn Whisenhunt through their instagram account. “We couldn’t be happier that this beer took the Gold medal in the American Style Brown Ale category!”
The beer is a tribute to home-brewing legend Mike “Tasty” McDole who passed away in 2020 at the age of 72.
McDole was an influence to many in the home-brewing world including Whisenhunt. “I still miss this guy so much everyday and he’d be so excited to see this. This one goes to out to the whole McDole family!”
Whisenhunt expects another batch of his now famous brown ale to be available in mid-to-late June.