Carry On Curry

Thanks to a reader, we know that Carry On Curry from the same team behind Alameda’s Shanvi Indian, has opened in Old Oakland in the now-closed Thai-Singaporean chicken shop What the Cluck. The new Indian food counter serves fast-casual appetizers and mains made with chicken, lamb, goat, pork, or vegetarian, and includes combination specials for a quick take-away lunch. It also features a small Indian grocery with imported specialty goods.  Carry On Curry, 815B Washington St. (between 8th and 9th streets), Oakland

Mr. Liu Noodle House

Now open in Oakland’s Chinatown is Mr. Liu Noodle House, with an appealing menu of handmade noodle soups, clay pot noodle dishes and dumplings. Thanks to a reader for the tip. (The restaurant space’s former tenant, Baby Cafe Hong Kong Bistro, quietly closed several weeks ago to prepare for a move to San Leandro.) Mr. Liu Noodle House, 358 11th St. (at Webster Street), Oakland

Philz Coffee Lakeshore

The long-time former Starbucks on Lakeshore, closed since spring 2023, has been revamped and reopened as Oakland’s newest Philz Coffee, and fans, friends and Reddit enthusiasts are eagerly sharing the news. Philz Coffee, 3347 Lakeshore Ave. (opposite Trestle Glen Road), Oakland

Vegan ‘N Chicken Berkeley

Last year’s closure of Indus Village Restaurant and adjacent Indus Foods market disrupted food routines for many in west Berkeley, as the Pakistani restaurant and specialty grocery were trusty San Pablo Avenue staples for 18 years. In good news, as of this week, the team behind El Sobrante’s eight-year-old Pakistani restaurant Vegan ‘N Chicken has taken over the restaurant at 1918 San Pablo Ave., serving an intriguing menu of halal chicken, lamb and beef Pakistani specialties, as well as a range of vegetarian and vegan dishes for take-out and dine-in (including at outdoor tables). Thanks to a reader for the tip. The halal grocery has also now reopened under the name Zara Super Market at 1920 San Pablo Ave., and though the relationship between the two separate businesses is still a bit unclear, they appear to operate in tandem, and both are drawing interested crowds. Vegan ‘N Chicken, 1920 San Pablo Ave., and Zara Super Market Halal Meat & Grocery, 1918 San Pablo Ave. (between Hearst and University avenues), Berkeley