Stump’s Forthright Oyster Bar opens in Campbell
Shell game: At long last, oysters. Veteran chef-restaurateur Jim Stump has finally opened his Forthright Oyster Bar and Kitchen, staking a claim for creative dining in west Campbell, far from the restaurant-rich downtown. For this venture, he teamed up with Manhattan chef Kiel Mariant (Marea, Vitae, Morimoto), who turned out to be a culinary arts grad from Wilcox High in Santa Clara angling to get back home. Together, they’re presenting not just oysters (12 varieties daily), but a full menu that showcases the type of dishes Stump became known for at his former downtown San Jose standout, A.P. Stump’s, and his current San Jose hot spot, The Table, in Willow Glen. Miss those famous Johnny cakes with butter-poached lobster? They are on both the dinner and brunch menu at Forthright, along with a classic seafood sausage, charred octopus and fresh steelhead. On the nonseafood side are pork chops with a seasonal peach relish, roasted bone marrow and orecchiette with English pea pesto and morels. Handcrafted cocktails include the Campbell Avenue (Platinum vodka, Carpano Antica Dry, lemon, honey syrup). Details: 1700 W. Campbell Ave. (near San Tomas Aquino Road). http://eatoystersatforthright. com.
Up for sale: Before there was an Uptown Oakland scene, there was Mama’s Royal Cafe. The funky former chop-suey joint (with original retro architecture and decor to match) on Broadway was, and still is, a big draw for fabulous omelets, baked goods and homey lunches. Now, our colleagues at the Montclarion report, four-decade owner George Marino would like to sell this institution to someone who’ll preserve the appeal and menu and make only a few changes. (What? Isn’t it already on the Register of Historic Places?) The asking price is $395,000. We think the vintage apron collection alone is worth that amount.
Expansions: The chef-driven cafeteria concept from SoCal, Lemonade, will make its debut in Burlingame on Wednesday, July 27. Look for seasonal salads, comfort-food mains and new trifle-style desserts at 1152 Burlingame Ave., the former La Boulange space. Coming soon: Walnut Creek. Also in the East Bay, MOD Pizza is customizing fast-bake pies for customers at a new location at Alameda’s South Shore Center.
Bonbons: We missed one key angle to the Alexander’s Steakhouse move this month to Main Street Cupertino: It comes with a free-standing Alexander’s Patisserie. The restaurant’s first decadent bakery went in on Castro Street in Mountain View in late 2014. This location will have the full selection of Belgiantrained pastry chef Dries Delanghe’s confections, including the popular macarons and bonbons, plus long hours (until 11 p.m.) for late-night desserts — and, most important, much easier parking than in Mountain View.