10.30.07
Posted in Uptown, News, Events at 3:12 pm by OaklandGoods
This is your official reminder that First Friday is upon us, so bundle up and plan to hit the Art Murmur. Industrielle’s (click for their new Web site!) opening the show Suspension of Opposites, featuring artists Robert Bilensky and Ehren Reed, Rowan Morrison has Paint By Needle, the textile stylings of Ako Castuera and gallery co-owner Narangkar Glover, and Nature’s Intentions is ongoing at Esteban Sabar.
On Saturday, make your way to the San Jose Civic Auditorium to watch as the Oakland Outlaws take on the Richmond Wrecking Belles in the final bout of the Bay Area Derby Girls’ season. Oakland has to beat undefeated Richmond to make it to the championship. Tickets are $15, but if you can find a derby girl, they can sell you advance tix for $12.
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10.29.07
Posted in OaklandGoods, Montclair at 3:48 pm by OaklandGoods
With a couple of neighboring storefronts vacant, it was sad to think that Montclair’s The Knitting Basket, home to every color yarn imaginable, would close. But over the summer the shop held a going out of business sale. Luckily, that quickly turned into an inventory reduction sale as the business was sold to people with plans to keep it running.
The new owners are carrying a busy class schedule and planning to do something the old owners did not - have Sunday hours. The new Sunday schedule begins this weekend, on Nov. 3. But of course, you don’t have to wait until then to stop in and check out the newly streamlined merchandise and uncluttered displays. Shop for supplies or finished knitted pieces including brightly colored caps and sweaters.
the knitting basket
2054 mountain blvd.
339.6295
www.theknittingbasket.com
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Posted in GoodEats, Grand Lake, Rockridge at 3:12 pm by OaklandGoods
Oh yeah, those other supermarkets you were waiting for are now open.
image from remi1000.com
trader joes
3250 lakeshore dr.
and 5727 college ave.
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10.28.07
Posted in GoodEats, Montclair at 8:50 pm by OaklandGoods
image from fromageblog.com
Posted in the window of the former tobacconist on LaSalle in Montclair, there’s a sign reading “Farmstead Cheese and Wine, coming January 2008.” The village is already served by a wine shop and an AG Ferrari, which has a pretty good supply of Italian cheeses, but a little competition should spice up the selection in town. I say bring on the chevre!
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10.23.07
Posted in GoodEats at 8:00 pm by OaklandGoods
Image from Yelp.com
Another big event I missed by going on vacation was the opening of the Whole Foods at 27th and Harrison. I haven’t been in yet, but the press release says the interior design is “innovative.” Excellent, as long as I can navigate with knowledge of other Whole Foods stores. While I was looking for a link online, I found an old press release from the groundbreaking that said they’d be open in Summer of 2006. Oops.
whole foods
230 bay place
510.834.9800
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10.22.07
Posted in OaklandGoods, GoodEats, Grand Lake at 11:19 pm by OaklandGoods
Who can resist the lure of beautifully packaged, delicious cookies? The mother and daughter team who own Lakeshore Avenue’s new Too Good Gourmet are hoping you can’t. The company, which sells to giants like Cost Plus as well as mom and pop shops around the nation, is nine years old, but this is their first retail venture.
The shop is designed as a factory outlet, with prices above wholesale, but low for retail. Some cookies cost just a buck! Many packages are available from $2.50 on up, as are hot drink mixes and teas. Gift baskets for all occasions and all budgets are also in stock.
Cookie flavors range from white chocolate macadamia and creme brulee to lemon blueberry, from chocolate-covered mocha cookies to chocolate covered graham crackers. When I stopped by, several varieties were on offer as samples, and they were definitely worth going back for.
Too Good Gourmet
3217 lakeshore blvd.
510.444.9430
www.toogoodgourmet.com
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10.18.07
Posted in GoodEats, Grand Lake, News, Old Oakland at 4:03 am by OaklandGoods
Who knew so much could happen during such a short hiatus? Here’s some of the dining news:
The Prime Spot, a steak joint, has opened in the former home of Mikado sushi on Grand Ave, and Gelato Firenze finally opened up on Lake Park next to the Grand Lake Theater. Word is that the gelato is delicious and made on site. Better than Naia? Certainly more local. Take your movie stub for a free upgrade from medium to large.
The folks at Numi opened a tea garden at 2230 Livingston (near the waterfront) and wifi’s free to loose leaf sippers. And, the folks at Luka’s are just days from opening the Franklin Square Wine Bar, with an array of French and California wines in in portions designed for tasters to sample a range of offerings. I also walked past the Trappist Cafe in Old Oakland and their window displays indicate they’ll be serving up Belgian ales in no time.
As soon as I get my vacation pictures off my camera, I’ll post some new images! For now, content yourself with this picture of delicious Numi tea:
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