UPDATE: As many of you smart cookies have surmised by now… April Fools! Though it now breaks my heart to let down so many sweet supporters, no, I’m not opening up shop in the east bay. Honestly, I’m floored by the wild success of this mild prank. Does it say more about the need for new vegan eateries at large, or the desire to get my recipes without heading into home kitchens? Either way, I’m humbled, touched, and inspired by the overwhelmingly enthusiastic response. Maybe one day, BitterSweet Cafe can become a reality… Just not anytime in the foreseeable future!
Crazy is as crazy does. No one has ever accused me of being sane, rational, or anything near “normal,” however you might qualify such an inscrutable term, and that’s not about to change anytime soon. Quite the contrary, I’m preparing to taking a plunge that could drive even the most measured people into the depths of madness.
After years of staunchly denying any interest in jumping into the cut-throat restaurant industry, despite my dabbling behind the scenes all the while, there was always a kernel of hope buried within. Disregarding my complete lack of business acumen, and the stone cold sober knowledge that the odds for success would always be stacked against me, still that dream persisted.
Over a decade in the making, from the time that BitterSweet Blog started to establish itself as a legitimate online resource, BitterSweet Cafe is about to become a reality. Offering all of my favorite recipes previous only available to cooks and bakers motivated enough to start from scratch, this brick-and-mortar outpost is really just the next evolution in my drive to share some sweetness in a somewhat bitter world.
100% plant-based pastries, including flaky croissants and tender yeasted doughnuts, chewy cookies, layer cakes lavished with aquafaba buttercream frosting, and buttery scones will be just the beginning. Savory options will join the ranks after soft opening, along with brunch offerings and daily specials. Coffee and tea will come with either homemade macadamia or oat creamer, and bubbly sodas made from real fruit syrups will soon be standing by to quench your thirst.
This is all just the beginning. Coming at you late spring/early summer, Oakland is about to get a lot more BitterSweet.
Congratulations and best wishes, Hannah!
Congrats! That’s amazing! This makes me even more bummed that I don’t live in Oakland anymore, but hopefully I can stop in next time I visit the area! I hope it is a rousing success!
Wow, congrats! I can’t wait to make a trip there!
Haha, great prank!
Next time I’m in the Bay, it will be my first stop! Congratulations!
I am so excited for you! Congratulations, Hannah, and best wishes with this new venture!
Congratulations! I am so excited for you! I will live my little pipe dream vicariously through you. :)
Mazel tov, Hannah! I couldn’t be happier for you, and wish you well in your new (ad)venture. My only regret is that you’re on the other side of the country! Best of everything to you.
NO WAY!! This is such amazing news! Congratulations! I can’t wait to watch this journey, and I’m so out-of-my-mind excited for you! I will be there, from CT, as soon as it opens!
Congratulations and best wishes.
That is INCREDIBLE! Best of luck to you!
I am so VERY happy for you. I wish you great joy and success in this wonderful endeavor. Congratulations and I wish I lives closer. :) Chicago is just too far from Oakland to drop in everyday. LOL
Wow! This is awesome! Hearty congratulations to you.
Do many people get *accused* of being sane, rational, or normal? I suppose I would take it as an insult if someone did call me normal. Anyway, congratulations and best of luck! Plant-based food is winning!
Hooray! We are so excited for you! Looks like the family is going on a road trip to Oakland this summer!!
Wow! Congratulations!! This is so awesome. I wish I lived closer to check it out. :)
Ha ha ha :) As soon as I posted this comment I realized what day it was! It still would be cool if you had your own restaurant! :)
Aw, I’m so touched, by your enthusiasm. I’m sorry to disappoint. If I ever do open up a cafe, I’ll make sure you know! <3
What a wow! So happy for you — and for Oakland.
This is SO exciting!!! Congrats!
POKE, POKE!! WAKE UP, HANNAH, YOU’RE DREAMING AGAIN!!!
This is such exciting news. I’m happy for you that your longtime dream will be coming true.
Mazel Tov! I can’t wait to come by later this year. My sister is plant based but also sensitive to gluten. Will you have gluten free options? She lives in Oakland so it will be even easier for her to stop by with her veg husband. I’m in Marin so it will be a bit more of a trek but I know it will be worth it!
I found your blog years ago not for the food but for your amigurumi. I’m a meat and potatoes kind of girl who’s allergic to nuts and doesn’t like vegetables. Even so, I’ve enjoyed watching you grow over the years. Congratulations on your new endeavor. My gut says you’ll do just fine.
Oh, Hannah, I’m so excited for you!! Since we’re moving to Arizona next year, we’ll be closer to California, so I may be out to try your restaurant. Excited!!
janet
Lol. I made a Pinterest board.
Ahh my goodness, you are truly the sweetest! I’m genuinely floored, and so touched, by your enthusiasm. I’m sorry to disappoint. If I ever do open up a cafe, I’ll make sure you’re the first to know! <3