Trinidadian food cart returns to Berkeley, plans West Oakland restaurant

Daniel’s Caribbean Kitchen has returned to Berkeley with its food cart after a two-year hiatus, Berkeleyside reports, and it’s gearing up to open a permanent location at 2608 Market Street in West Oakland. The father-daughter business known for dalpuri roti and chicken pelau can be found at the Saturday Berkeley farmers market and the Ashby Flea on Saturday and Sundays. The business, launched in the ’80s, also launched a Kiva Campaign for a crowd-sourced loan.

Fire breaks out at high-end Lafayette restaurant

Popular Lafayette Italian restaurant Postino was damaged by a fire Tuesday night. The blaze began in the kitchen according to the Contra Costa Fire department. The restaurant was evacuated with no injuries. It’s unclear the extent of smoke and water damage, and when the restaurant will reopen.

Con Fire, assisted by Moraga-Orinda Fire, continues on scene of working kitchen fire in Lafayette where pockets of fire are active in attic. Proceeding with caution to preserve historic structure. Restaurant evacuated, no injuries. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/H9NPq5aO32 — Con Fire PIO (@ContraCostaFire) April 17, 2019

Ballast Point withdraws plans for SF brewery outpost

Huge San Diego brewery Ballast Point, owned by even huger beverage corp Constellation Brands, is abandoning its plans for 705 16th Street in Mission Bay. The idea for a brewery near the coming Chase Center was originally floated last August, and was met with concern by local breweries like Seven Stills, who are already building out their own Mission Bay area brewery and distillery. But Ballast Point appears on the retreat generally, with a dip in sales and brewpub closures in Temecula and San Diego.

Car smashes through tables outside Napa restaurant

A car careened through tables on a dining patio in Napa’s Bel Aire Plaza earlier this week, nearly — but not quite — striking a family outside the business Villa Corona. Napa’s Police Department posted a security camera video of the incident to their Facebook page, and it shows a woman and her two small children leaving the restaurant and narrowly avoiding the car. The driver, a 60-year-old woman, and one child was taken to the hospital. The owner of the restaurant was able to clean up the damage and reopen for business in short order.

Former employee seeks class action complaint against Berkeley Bowl

A former employee at beloved grocery Berkeley Bowl is seeking a class action lawsuit regarding alleged failure to pay overtime to employees, Berkeley’s Daily Cal reports. The first hearing in the suit will be held in May, and neither the plaintiff nor the defendant has commented to the press.