About
Duchess is in Oakland's booming Rockridge neighborhood and will fill a gap in a market where there are few all-day dining options that are delicious as well as refined. Conner, a former assistant pastry chef at Nopa and instructor with Sprouts Cooking Club in San Francisco, partnered with Strieter, co-founder of Sonoma County's Senses Wines to conceive an "all are welcome" approach. Strieter and Conner set out to create a solely beverage-focused space but their imaginative ideas quickly paved the way to a bigger picture - a neighborhood destination redefining the notion of comfort fare. "We wanted to reconsider what a pub is and the culture that goes along with it," says Conner. "Think comfort food with people you love. Fresh, seasonal, creative and simple for sharing with your friends and family." Tripling as a caf, pub and cocktail lounge, Duchess and its brunch and dinner menus cater to a wide variety: early risers looking to start the day with coffee and a pastry; hungry locals on the hunt for an appetizing lunch; 9-5-ers aiming to relax with an after work drink and families seeking a comfortable dinner out. "We want to offer respite for the neighborhood and welcome guests with an experience and atmosphere that creates regulars," adds Strieter. "Everyone's invited, and everyone can stay."
Details
