07.31.07
Posted in GoodLife, Uptown, Old Oakland at 4:18 am by OaklandGoods
This weekend is prime time for boutique shoppers. Both Mignonne and Industrielle are celebrating their one year anniversaries with sale events.
On Thursday evening from 6-9, check out Mingnonne’s delightful selection of housewares and art, featuring photos by local photographer Jen Zahigian. Music and champagne are also on the menu for the party. For more details, see the picture below.
What, this beautiful picture? Yes! This is only the back of the gorgeous, collectible invitation designed by San Francisco artist Hannah Stouffer. The front I’ll save as a surprise so you have to swing by to pick one up…
And Friday, in conjunction with the Art Murmur, Industrielle celebrates one year of uptown style. With a DJ on hand and nibbles to go with the champagne, this is another retail party to plan for. Five local artists will have their works on display including boutique owner Dana Taylor, Jessica Serran, and Julia Storrs’ art furniture.
Get your shop on from 7-10 p.m. at 33 Grand Ave.
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07.27.07
Posted in OaklandGoods, GoodLife, Downtown, Old Oakland at 2:43 am by OaklandGoods
Champagne was popping and the music was thumping as Alfonso Dominguez opened FIVEten Studio last weekend. The fine furniture showroom and gallery is one of Dominguez’s dreams. The architect and entrepreneur has been building sculptural furnishings for a while, but this is the first venue he’s had where he can really display his art. He has also taken the opportunity to showcase other artists and designers in the sleek space.
Dominguez’s own work tends toward organic shapes. He designed the interior showroom (as he has done with past retail ventures) as well as some of the furniture, and you can see his aesthetic in the curved wall display and choppy floating ceiling.
On its sunny corner at Broadway and 9th, FIVEten is well-situated for the coming residential boom downtown, but anyone looking for a cool apartment showpiece would do well to stop in and check out the modern, elegant pieces on display.
fiveten studio
831 broadway
510.451.9900
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07.24.07
Posted in GoodEats, Downtown, Old Oakland at 7:18 pm by OaklandGoods
I wanted to reserve my write-up of Levende East until I had actually eaten there (makes sense, no?).
Open about six weeks, the elegant and airy space shares one of Oakland’s hottest corners with B Restaurant, Jesso’s, and the Air Lounge. It boasts a premium bar with a long group-oriented table and cushy chairs in the dining room. The music’s fun, but they turn it up around eight, so have your conversations early.
The menu of Asian/Latin American fusion cuisine is creative,though not unique, since the restaurant shares a chef with the San Francisco’s Levende in the Mission. It also has one of ubiquitous little notes at the bottom mentioning that they use local and organic goods when possible. I love that, and that it’s increasingly common.
(This is not intended as a review, but I particularly liked some of the signature dishes including the coconut miso and the little slider-like lamb burgers.)
Where Levende East really sets itself apart is in its innovative cocktails. I’m no expert, but I do like a good drink, and I particularly enjoyed the Cherry Bomb and La Fresa. They get cool factor points for infusing their own flavored vodkas, which also allows them to whip up unique drinks. If you want to whip up your own unique drink, do so on Saturdays, when a bloody Mary bar complements the weekend brunch.
levende east
827 washington at ninth
510.835.5585
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07.13.07
Posted in GoodEats, Grand Lake at 2:22 am by OaklandGoods
I can’t remember when I first noticed the little white-board sign in the window saying “Day of the Dead coffee house coming soon,” but it must have been January or February. I remember wondering whether it had been a November thing only and if I had missed it.
The answer is no, I did not miss it, and now it’s open! Smoky, the proprietor, barista, and coffee roaster will happily whip you up your caffeinated poison of choice on the coffee side of the shop. Or, order a sandwich or hot dog from the other side. Bonus: Since it’s in the Grand Lake theater building, you can take your Day of the Dead food into the movies! A hearty latte beats a giant Coke every day in my book.
In keeping with the theme, the walls have been painted with skeleton murals, little scenes depicting dead people going about their every day tasks. It’s fun. Smoky says he likes the idea that death isn’t something to fear, that we should celebrate it a bit as a part of life, which is why he and his partner settled on Day of the Dead as the theme of their shop. I’m into any celebration that involves coffee - it takes my morning cup to get feeling un-dead every day!
day of the dead coffee house
3208 grand ave.
510.325.3113
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07.06.07
Posted in OaklandGoods, The Laurel at 4:16 am by OaklandGoods
This cute, family-run boutique is next to my regular B of A, and I finally had a moment to stop in. They carry a wide variety of women’s clothing (for both the young and older), hip hats, and bath and body care items. I particularly love the jewelry. Most of the accessory-stock in the shop is made by someone in the family, from basic beaded necklaces to ornate sterling with amber. There’s also a nice rack of cards, so it’s really a one-stop gift shop.
Pop by when you’re in the Laurel. This is some of the best shopping on the MacArthur strip.
mizaan
4050 mac arthur blvd.
510. 530.8300
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07.03.07
Posted in GoodEats, The Dimond at 5:43 am by OaklandGoods
Though I am generally loathe to condemn things on this blog (I just skip what I don’t like), I am very upset that the city has decided to cancel its annual fireworks display at Jack London Square. How could they? My plans for the Fourth have been dashed. What’s more, they hid it from us long after the decision had been made.
Fortunately, Farmer Joe’s Marketplace has been seen selling watermelon for ridiculously low prices, like .09 - .15 cents a pound. Can you believe that? Cut one open and fill it with some Hangar One vodka, which is produced just outside our borders.
farmer joe’s marketplace
3426 fruitvale ave.
510.482.8899
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