Occidental’s Hazel restaurant will migrate to a new location later this year, according to owners Jim and Michele Wimborough. The 1,300-square-foot restaurant they’ve leased for nearly a decade is in escrow to a new buyer who is rumored to be a chef.
Since opening in 2015, the restaurant has kept to its Cal-Italian roots with wood-fired pizzas and homey entrées like roasted chicken and braised pot roast. Michele’s pies and desserts are legendary.
The Wimboroughs are taking the news in stride, knowing the building was slated to be sold. They’re already looking for Hazel’s next location — but it’s business as usual until October. Their current lease is through December 2025.


“It’s bittersweet to think about leaving this amazing community we’ve called home for nearly 10 years, but we’re staying positive and embracing this as a new adventure,” wrote the couple on the restaurant’s Instagram.
Hazel’s historic building at 3782 Bohemian Highway is listed at $700,000 on several commercial real estate sites. Broker Jeff Sacher confirmed that the location has a potential buyer, but escrow has not closed. This is a developing story.
Hazel, 707-874-6003, restauranthazel.com
You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.