12.29.07
Posted in Downtown, Uptown, Old Oakland, Events at 12:39 pm by OaklandGoods
*Still looking for something to do? Luka’s is having a bash (again), with hip-hop all night, a champagne toast, and a baloon drop at midnight. I went last year and had an awesome night. My advice: Make a late dinner reservation and then stick around for the festivities.
*To the south, Levende East is featuring a special NYE prix fixe menu with items including purple potato soup, wild mushroom lasagna, and coconut cream cheese flan. Stay after dinner for dancing.
*Also downtown, Maxwell’s is serving dinner until 1 a.m., and there will be dancing until 4 for real night owls. I enjoyed an event I attended here once, but I’ve heard mixed reviews from others. If you go, let me know what you think. And dress nicely - there’s a code.
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12.20.07
Posted in Uptown, Old Oakland, Events at 2:32 pm by OaklandGoods
Both Mignonne and Industrielle are having Christmas shopping events this evening from 5-9 p.m. Stop by Mignonne for 25% off (and meet local artist Lisa Ostapinski) or Industrielle for 20% throughout the store.
mignonne - 1000 jefferson st.
industrielle - 33 grand ave at broadway
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Posted in GoodEats, The Temescal at 5:03 am by OaklandGoods
Alas, there’s no photographic proof of my delicious dinner at Pizzaiolo, only my happy belly and a food-coma smile. And yes, I know the restaurant is not new, but it hasn’t been around that long, just long enough for the line to have died down enough that you can walk right in at 6:30 on a Wednesday and be seated immediately.
First, I wish their bread had been less good. I like places with slightly stale bread, because I’m not compelled to eat it. Pizzaiolo’s bread was moist and sour with a crispy crust and creamery butter. Yum.
My friend and I shared the squid, which was tender and flavorful. There are a lot of ways squid can go wrong, and all pitfalls were avoided. We followed that with a wood-fired pizza topped with black trumpet mushrooms and a side of sage-flecked butternut squash. The pizza was a little crispy for my dining companion, but I thought the thin crust was perfectly done, crisp around the edges and hearty enough to feel like a meal.
From the squash, I learned a couple of things: 1. I don’t use enough butter at Thanksgiving, and 2. I don’t use enough salt at Thanksgiving. Slather on these ingredients and the butternut sings. The sage and brown butter added enough to make half a bowl of what is basically baby food remain interesting throughout.
The one miss was the panna cotta. The panna cotta itself was sweet, but not that interesting, and it was topped with a spoonful of marmalade, which was tart and not that interesting. It was tasty, but definitely the least noteworthy part of the meal.
Overall, I loved the warm, inviting atmosphere. The bar was full of diners and everyone seemed happy. The staff was polite and attentive, and I left feeling like I would return very soon. Here’s hoping!
Oh, and I also had a yummy Scoff Law cocktail. I can’t remember the ingredients, something with rye..?
pizzaiolo
5008 telegraph
510.652.4888
www.pizzaoilooakland.com
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12.17.07
Posted in Rockridge at 9:34 pm by OaklandGoods
A few weeks ago, a stellar shop called Atomic Garden opened quietly in Rockridge, bringing hip household items, fashion, and wonderful gift items to the neighborhood. It has already become a favorite stop for shoppers in the neighborhood. The space is spare, the goodies for sale well-chosen and mostly green (recycled and redecorated restaurant servingware, for example). One of the owner’s kindergartener’s artwork adorns the walls, lending a homey, neighborhood feel.
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I love the letterpress cards, the linen napkins and trims, the screen-printed pillows. The shops most unique pieces are wearables, from recycled bowling shoes with wooden high heels to repurposed airplane-upholstery shoulder bags. Soy candles and beeswax hand soaps make great holiday presents for friends, and coasters stamped with fun messages are bring a little extra cheer to any party.
atomic garden
5453 college ave.
510.923.0504
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12.12.07
Posted in GoodLife, News at 7:23 pm by OaklandGoods
Hi everyone. Since it’s getting cold, I want to do a nice write-up of places that deliver. I could use your help - please email me your favorites and their delivery area (if you know it).
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12.11.07
Posted in OaklandGoods, Downtown, Events at 3:47 pm by OaklandGoods
Serena Bartlett, author of Oakland: The Soul of the City Next Door and publisher of GrassRoutes travel guides, is giving a talk called “Traveling by Your Values” at the main branch of the Oakland Library. Serena’s Oakland guide offers locals and visitors the opportunity to patronize green and/or locally-owned businesses. Her latest titles, on Portland, Olympia, and San Francisco, do the same.
Check out Serena’s tips, slides, and books (there will be signing!) Wednesday, 12/12, from 6-7:30 at the Main Library, 125 14th St.
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Posted in News at 11:40 am by OaklandGoods
works in progress: the cathedral, this blog…
Thanks to everyone who took my little survey. Your responses have really helped me focus my plans for future posts, and I appreciate all of your encouraging comments.
*Overwhelmingly, you want to read about dining, shopping, and upcoming events (in that order). We’ll keep the content coming!
*Just over half of you are interested in a newsletter, which I’m considering launching in ‘08. Stay on the lookout.
*You want more content! I had been posting 1-2 times a week, but some of you want OaklandGoods daily. I’ll try to get 2-3 posts up here per week for now. It’s good to know you’re hungry for more of our fine city, and I’ll do my best. You can help by tipping me to things you see.
*You want more opinions. I think that’s great. It’s true that sometimes I don’t come out and say I like something. However, if I don’t like it, I won’t put it up. This blog is designed to showcase the best of the new (or newish) shops/restaurants/happenings this city has to offer. If it’s here, I think it’s good or that you should know about it. (I did get a little bit away from this mission with the whole pet store thing…)
* You want more geographic diversity, and you’re right. I definitely showcase more stuff in areas that I pass through regularly. But you can help. Let me know if something great happens in the Fruitvale, the Laurel, or anywhere else I don’t seem to cover enough. I’ll check it out.
*You wanted a feedback link, so I added one. Please see the upper right hand corner of the blog for how to submit ideas, suggestions, and constructive criticism.
Thanks again!
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12.09.07
Posted in GoodLife, Jack London Square, Old Oakland, West Oakland at 2:38 pm by OaklandGoods
image from www.ibabuzz.com
Friday night, Old Oakland’s Trappist Cafe threw open their doors to an eager crowd of brew enthusiasts. On tap are a wide selection of Belgian ales and some local goodies including beer by Linden Street Brewing. The cafe features more than 120 bottled choices and 15 rotating taps. A complete list of current beer offerings is on the Web site at thetrappist.com.
image from the trappist.com
the trappist cafe & specialty beer bar
510.238.8900
460 8th st.
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As for the aforementioned Linden Street Brewing, they’re making a beer called Urban People’s Common Lager out of an 1890’s warehouse west of Jack London Square at 95 Linden St. Anybody tried it? (I sampled some this weekend, but I don’t like beer, so my assessment is pretty useless…)
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12.04.07
Posted in Grand Lake, Montclair, Uptown, Glenview at 5:59 pm by OaklandGoods
Ever feel the need to dress your puggle like a ninja? Now you can. Montclair’s Glamour Paws has finally opened and is now outfitting every the village’s with adorable, one-off sweaters, brightly colored bowls, posh leashes, and the aforementioned doggie martial arts gear. The store also offers custom tags and doggie beds as well as grooming services. From pet carriers to dog paintings, they stock a wide variety of goodies for the upscale animal lover.
And if your feline craves goodies like “CatPuccino,” this is the place to pick up treats. There’s a nice selection of cat toys, too.
glamour paws
2052 mountain blvd.
510.338.0144
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Over on Park Blvd, Wags and Whiskers has also opened. I think that brings the number of new pet-related businesses to… Who can even count anymore? The boutique and pet bakery Pawsture opened at 576 Grand Ave several months ago, and I just noticed Just Pet Me at 2545 Broadway, too. They offer doggie daycare and long-term boarding as well as a pet spa.
pawsture bakery & boutique
576 grand ave
510.832.1430
www.shoppawsture.com
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And now, I declare a moratorium on writing about Oakland’s pet businesses. If you launch one, don’t let me know before March.
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Posted in GoodEats, Adam's Point at 1:38 pm by OaklandGoods
In honor of their second anniversary, Coach Sushi is giving all diners 10 percent off through Friday, Dec. 7. There’s also a 10 percent off coupon you can print from their Web site. It doesn’t appear to expire, but is only valid for dinner.
coach sushi
532 grand ave
510.834.7866
www.coachsushi.com
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