New Encinal Avenue Eateries



Whether you’re in the mood for yummy takeout, a hip jazz lounge or a comfy place to visit with a friend over coffee, head over to Encinal Avenue where several businesses opened this fall.
    Crosstown Café (1303 High St., 510-864-8600) opened in September at the corner of Encinal and High Street as part of the Crosstown Community Center, a community-focused nonprofit. The café is in a quaint Victorian and boasts a warm, welcoming atmosphere in addition to organic, fair trade coffee and tea and sandwiches, salads and soups. Manager Faith Rusca says the café will also feature live music acts performing a range of tunes from blues to rock ’n’ roll to hip-hop.
    The month of September also played host to the opening of Mona Personius’ neighboring business, Mona’s Table (3215 Encinal Ave., 510-814-6179). Personius plans to continue catering from the location and offer “fun, healthy food” that locals can eat in or take out. Watch for the weekly menu changes to accommodate seasonal ingredients.
    A few blocks away, near the corner of Encinal and Park Street, Barceluna re-opened in September as Barceluna at Kelly’s (1313 Park St., 510-522-7425). The new hot spot pairs Kelly’s of Alameda’s entertainment with Barceluna’s cutting-edge cuisine. The menu has intriguing little nibbles—wild mushroom empanadas, fish tacos, duck tostadas and more—to enjoy along with the jazz.
                                                                                                                                                —Laurie Zerga