Tribune Tavern reopens in Oakland’s landmark tower

Yes, it’s officially a “stop the presses” moment.

The shuttered restaurant inside Oakland’s most famous building, the landmark Tribune Tower newspaper building, has reopened.

Chef-restaurateur Chris Pastena and wife Jana, who own Lungomare, Calavera and Chop Bar, had opened the Tribune Tavern on the ground floor of the historic newspaper building in 2013. But a thicket of legal issues involving the building’s owner led to the restaurant’s closing in early 2017.

Still, they couldn’t let go of that historic spot.

“We have always had an intense love in our hearts and minds for the Tribune Tavern,” he wrote earlier this year on his Facebook page. “As two people who came up through the ranks of the restaurant industry, we had a vision of creating good jobs for Oaklanders. For my wife that meant giving back to a community that gave her family so much and for me that meant dedicating my life to being a part of the Oakland community.”

With the support of the building’s new owners, Harvest Partners, the Pastenas have refreshed the decor — they had already undertaken a full restoration of the 1923 building — and set a new culinary vision for the restaurant.

The new executive chef is Dario Pantoja (Calavera, A16, Wayfare Tavern). Gerardo Acevedo (Smith & Wollensky, Bacar, Bocanova) is the general manager.

Pantoja’s inaugural menu is a seasonal New American one featuring house-made pasta, salads, fresh fish, a raw bar and charcuterie. On the first-course menu, look for a vegan Apple Soup with fennel, Monterey Bay Calamari, Roasted Bone Marrow and Fried Green Tomatoes. Mains include Green Garlic Gnocchi, King Salmon, Da Burger and a Broiled Pork Chop.

On the libations side, there are craft cocktails, local brews and California wines.

The Tribune tavern has relaunched for dinner nightly, starting at 5 p.m. Lunch will be added in the coming weeks. Between the main dining room, the bar, lounge, patio and private dining room, there is seating for 150 diners.