Daytrip co-owners Stella Dennig and Finn Stern first met each other on a dance floor in downtown Oakland, and that is exactly the same kind of energy they hope to bring with their first brick-and-mortar restaurant.
Daytrip began a few years ago, starting out as “Finn + Stella Cater”. Once the Covid-19 pandemic hit though, it became necessary to pivot to a new business model. To accommodate the new changes, they transitioned their catering business into a fully to-go restaurant operation that would allow them to bring the party directly to their loyal customers. Over the next year, their fabulous pop-ups became a staple of the Oakland restaurant scene and the pair is finally ready to open their first brick-and-mortar location.
The new concept will be a natural extension of the Daytrip philosophy, which aims “to build a feast with tables full of plates to share,” as well as encouraging diners “to get their hands dirty”. Featuring menu items like garlic pork loin, peas with pickled melon, and birds-eye chili, Daytrip prioritizes bold new flavors combined with a relaxed atmosphere that evokes what Stella describes as a “soft disco” party.
Stella Dennig is a passionate pastry chef who focuses primarily on the business side of Daytrip and is eager to explore the possibilities that this new location stands to offer. Finn Stern, meanwhile, is the creative force that runs the kitchen and he is especially curious about experimenting with all kinds of different cuisines, and the new kitchen will enable Finn to bring his wildest dreams right to the table. Together, the young entrepreneurs are creating a new restaurant the likes of which Oakland has yet to see.
Stella and Finn were able to confirm that Daytrip’s new location, coming to 4316 Telegraph Ave in Temescal, will be ready to serve customers by late September. According to Stella, patrons can expect a welcoming new atmosphere that evokes the feeling of a casual dinner party, as well as a relaxed back-patio for lovers of outdoor dining.
