friday five

five area stories of note:

still hungry after yesterday? tonight and tomorrow night, standard fare hosts a post-thanksgiving dinner bistro. (menu is here.)

updated top brunch spots in the east bay, according to eater. (eater sf)

tejal rao thinks oakland's popoca is fire. (new york times)

intriguing new bakery mey, from the owner of bench, now open in berkeley's former crixa cakes space. (east bay express)

jungdon katsu has softly opened on hollis street in emeryville. (the group lost their original danville space to a fire.) (instagram/e'ville eye)

bonus: according to this scoop, el cerrito's still-standing romano's macaroni grill might be one of only nine left in the country, as, for better or worse, the chain quietly closes up shop. (pennlive/pa media group)

november 28, 2025 (shop and celebrate small and local)