The rustic Italian restaurant A16, whose San Francisco flagship holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand award, has expanded to the Oakland airport.
The newest A16 is located in Terminal 1 of the recently renamed San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport. It marks the latest expansion for the restaurant’s small empire, which has branches in San Francisco’s Ferry Building, Oakland’s Rockridge district and — who knew? — Tokyo and Yokohama.
Many people refer to A16 as “A16 Pizza” (as its website is named), because that’s what it specializes in: Neapolitan-style pies charred from the wood-burning oven and slathered in San Marzano tomato sauce and creamy burrata. It also has an extensive wine list and nonpizza options, as the Michelin Guide notes: “The menu’s pies, pastas and antipasti change with the season, though the delicious maccaronara with ragu napoletana is a staple.”
The airport A16 is a quick-service operation with pizza, paninis, salads and egg breakfast sandwiches. Its cafe has espresso drinks and pours Equator Coffee, and there’s also wine and draft beer. The restaurant is operated by the airport’s concessionaire, High Flying Foods.
The 12-inch pizzas available at the new A16, according to a photo the Port of Oakland posted on Flickr, include a classic Margherita, a Funghi with roasted mushrooms and garlic, a Pepperoni with Grana Padano, a Vesuvio with spicy soppressata and a Tomato Crudo with roasted cherry tomatoes and fior di latte mozzarella ($22-$24). The breakfast sandwiches are on focaccia and include one with eggs, Italian smoked ham and provolone and another with roasted mushrooms, eggs and arugula ($15.40). The wines are from California and include pinot grigio and rosé ($17-$18), and the draft beers right now come from Temescal Brewing and Russian River Brewing ($15-$16.50).
The Oakland airport has been expanding its restaurant offerings lately. Other recent arrivals include Cancún Sabor Mexicano from Berkeley, Southie from Oakland and the OAK Clubhouse sports bar.
Details: Open from 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Terminal 1 of the San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, next to Gate 8A and the Escape Lounge; a16pizza.com.
