News
Restaurateur Faz Poursohi to Open New Restaurant in 1111 Broadway
Offering Mediterranean fare, Faz Oakland to open to public in November
July 18, 2011 -- OAKLAND, CA – Get ready to experience fresh Mediterranean cuisine with a twist! As Oakland City Center continues to upgrade its style and strives to create a dynamic center of gravity for downtown Oakland. Faz Oakland is coming to 1111 Broadway. Known for its fresh, flavorful menu, exotic ambiance, and outstanding service, Faz has been a favorite Bay Area destination for over twenty years. “Faz restaurants are first class dining. OCC is all about best-in-class amenities, and we are proud to introduce Faz as a dining destination in Oakland City Center,” said Ming Lee, Asset Manager, CBRE Investors.
Under the direction of Head Chef Saeid Mosaddad, Faz Oakland will feature the successful Persian tastes of the other Faz locations. Menu highlights include a unique kabob selection of fresh meats and vegetables, handmade-to-order pastas, and an extensive assortment of traditional and not-so-traditional Mediterranean appetizers, salads and stews. “I have a long and happy history with Chef Saeid,” said Faz creator, Faz Poursohi. “He has golden fingers when it comes to Persian food!”
Since 1984, Faz Poursohi has delighted Bay Area residents with his unique twist on Mediterranean cuisine. With restaurants, cafes and bistros throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area, this new project marks his first venture into Oakland. “I was interested in coming to Oakland City Center because it will be a truly first class location with a great vibe and outstanding architecture,” said Poursohi. “I look forward to building a relationship with local Oakland farmers and participating in local farmers markets, too.”
Equally stunning are the architectural plans for Faz Oakland. Dressed in vibrant Mediterranean colors, the restaurant will feature an exhibition bar and kitchen (with custom-built rotisserie centerpiece), a Mediterranean street food outdoor eating concept overlooking the zen garden and eclectic live music performances. “The concept is modern eastern Mediterranean,” said designer Mark Stevens, of San Francisco firm Architecture & Light. “It marries time-honored design sensibilities of the region with casual, contemporary, urban aesthetics.”
Faz Oakland plans to offer an online portal for local office workers who want to submit their order and pick it up at the restaurant. Faz is also eager to develop a robust catering business at the many special event venues in Oakland and is considering offering cooking classes and other team-building opportunities. “Our catering business suits all needs – from the most elegant, sit down affair to block parties with a street food vibe,” explained Poursohi.
Faz will be open for lunch and dinner, with an assortment of cocktail and appetizer specials every happy hour, Monday through Friday. The restaurant takes the place of the former Verbena restaurant, which closed earlier this year.
Located at 1111 Broadway, Faz anticipates a Grand Opening on 11/11/11.
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