MAY 2 026
BLUEPRINT
EAST B AY
A C U R I O U S N E W S L ET T E R
Hot Spots PRETTY THINGS - ALBANY Solano Ave welcomes another watering hole. Pretty Things recently opened in the former space of Flora & Ferment (cider bar & bottle shop). Pretty Things features 21 taps of local craft beer along with to-go options as well. No food yet but folks can bring outside food to enjoy. 1122 Solano Ave, Albany Open FriSun (hours vary).
BUTTER BURGER - RICHMOND
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Butter Burger has of cially become the permanent food partner at Armistice Brewing Company in Marina Bay. Folks have ocked to their Napa location since ’24 for their amazing smash burgers from French Laundry alum, Christopher Ruiz. For anyone looking for an easy spring weekend stop, it’s another reminder that this highly underrated waterfront pocket of the East Bay keeps getting better. Outside of Armistice Brewing 845 Marina Bay Pkwy, Richmond.
A BIG SHIFT FOR BUYERS For the past few years, if you asked most buyers where they wanted to live in the Inner East Bay, the answer was pretty consistent: closer to the ats. Walkability, proximity to co ee shops and restaurants, and an overall ease of daily life became the priority. This was especially the case coming out of the pandemic. The hills, whether in El Cerrito, Berkeley, or Oakland, took a bit of a back seat. It wasn’t just about location either. There were other factors at play too. Fire risk and the challenge of obtaining homeowner’s insurance became a real concern for many buyers. For a while, that alone was enough to keep a large portion of the market from seriously considering homes in the hills. Even as recently as January ’25 after seeing horri c images of the LA res, many buyers gave great pause when it came to homes in the hills. Because of that, competition softened a bit. And for those who were willing to navigate the tradeo s such as insurance, access, and geography, the hills quietly became one of the more compelling opportunities in the highly competitive Inner East Bay market. It was something we found ourselves pointing out often when connecting with folks looking for an opportunity into the market. That window appears to be closing. It might even be safe to say it’s closed. Over the past year, we’ve started to feel a noticeable shift, both in the data and on the ground. Buyers certainly aren’t abandoning the ats, but they are expanding their search. The hills are very much back in the conversation and in a meaningful way.
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It’s been 4 years since the highly publicized closing of César, Berkeley’s beloved tapas bar. After several close calls on reopening, one on Solano Ave, it appears as though César GM Cameron McVeigh has decided on the former Three One Four location in Westbrae. While the name will change to Meson, a lot of the menu is said to be built upon Cesar classics. Of course it will continue with its robust cocktail program, too. No opening date has been announced but is likely to happen in the second half of 2026. Stay tuned . . .
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COMING SOON: THE RETURN OF CÉSAR (KIND OF).