credit Phil Mansfield

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Abstract Table in Oakland debuts Atolls, its third dining series, March 8

For Immediate Release

ABSTRACT TABLE ESCAPES WINTER AND HEADS TO THE TROPICS WITH ITS THIRD DINING SERIES, ATOLLS, DEBUTING FRIDAY, MARCH 8

Chefs Andrew Greene and Duncan Kwitkor create their most complex menu yet inspired
by the many colors, shapes and forms of atolls

Oakland, Calif. – March 4, 2019 – Abstract Table a fine dining experience without boundaries or pretension that opened in October of 2018, will unveil its newest dining exhibition, Atolls, on Friday, March 8, at The Gastropig in Uptown Oakland. With the debut of Atolls, conceptual-artists-turned-chefs Andrew Greene and Duncan Kwitkor will take diners on a culinary journey through the many different aspects of what an atoll can be – from a bountiful coral reef, to a series of islets, to a ring-shaped island. Atolls is Greene and Kwitkor’s third exhibition, following Blizzards, which ended on March 2, and their inaugural series, Fine Dining on Paper, which debuted in October 2018.

The Atolls menu was inspired by Greene and Kwitkor’s obsession with island life and highlights things that live in and around these island-like environments – from starfruits, jackfruit, wild boar, goat and octopus. Evoking bright, bold and beautiful colors, each course will represent one of the many aspects of an atoll and will be plated in a way that gives the diner an aerial perspective of the represented atoll. Menu highlights include Oyster, scallop, squid, leek, citrusstarfruit; Shrimp and scallop dumpling, seaweed caviar, avocado powder, dashi; Wild boar belly, mango nectar poached carrot, Jackfruit kimchi, plantain purée; and Hawaiian cinnamon buckwheat cake, white chocolate-lime mousse, finger lime, chili sesame sand.

Unique tile pieces and stones have been hand-selected by Greene and Kwitkor specifically for each course. Custom woodblocks made by Mendocino-based carpenter Nikolai Sprinkling will be used to present the Oyster, scallop, squid ceviche in which a Gulf oyster serves as the vessel for the course set upon a bed of black, pebbled lava stone. A refashioned interior will include a soothing projection of calming waters on the restaurant walls while seascape sounds play in the background, creating a soothing, dining ambiance. Table décor will be reminiscent of island life and artwork commissioned from San Francisco abstract artist Peter Warren will be displayed throughout the space.

The beverage program that will accompany the Atolls menu will include a selection of rare Corsican wines as well as other offerings including sake from Oakland’s Den Sake Brewery and a curated wine list.

Both avid ocean lovers since childhood, Greene and Kwitkor are huge supporters and advocates for sustaining our ocean and coastal communities. To show their dedication to saving this precious environment, Greene and Kwitkor have created an additional course, Braised beef cheek, negi rice, tempura squash blossom, nori cream, which can be purchased for $20. Twenty percent of this course will be donated to the Surfrider Foundation, an organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches.

“Everything we do – from menu creation, to food, to presentation – is done with intent and precision. Our goal with Abstract Table is to give our guests a unique and different dining experience every time they visit. An experience that inspires thought and dialogue as to why we created a specific dish, plated it a certain way, or even spark conversation about the menu’s theme, in this case atolls,” said Greene. “Each series we create offers diners an immersive experience, one that has been filtered and molded through our perspective as artists.”

Abstract Table at The Gastropig is located at 2123 Franklin Street in Oakland. Reservations are posted one month in advance on Resy.com, with seating times offered at 6 and 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. A five-course meal is priced at $50 per person; a seven-course meal is $70 per person (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity). For additional information, please visit www.abstracttable.com or join the social community at @abstracttable on Instagram and Facebook.

About Abstract Table
Founded by chefs Andrew Greene and Duncan Kwitkor, Abstract Table at The Gastropig in Uptown Oakland is a permanent dinner series that offers conscious fine dining without boundaries or pretention. Abstract Table encompasses Greene and Kwitkor’s philosophy of stepping outside of fine dining norms. This sumptuous yet affordable multi-course tasting menu is served in a simple, laid-back setting and features inventive, playful, colorful fare with an emphasis on fresh fish.

About The Gastropig
Founded in 2017 by Oakland entrepreneur Loren Goodwin, The Gastropig is a breakfast sandwich and brunch spot in the heart of Uptown Oakland. The popular restaurant offers an array of delicious breakfast sandwiches served all day, with additional hot lunchtime options. The Gastropig’s signature sandwich is the Baconslut, an applewood smoked bacon sandwich with an over easy egg, cheddar cheese, and Aleppo chili aioli served on a brioche roll. The restaurant is open seven days a week and is home to the twice-weekly permanent dinner series Abstract Table.

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Photo captions and credits:

Photo 1: Shrimp and scallop dumpling, seaweed caviar, avocado powder, dashi (credit Dana Plucinski)
Photo 2: Oyster, scallop, squid, leek, citrus, starfruit (credit Dana Plucinski)
Photo 3: Hawaiian cinnamon buckwheat cake, white chocolate-lime mousse, finger lime, chili sesame sand (credit Dana Plucinski)
Photo 4: Abstract Table chefs Duncan Kwitkor and Andrew Greene (credit Jason Hendardy)