01.30.08
Posted in OaklandGoods, GoodLife, Grand Lake at 5:12 pm by OaklandGoods
In his colorful Grand Avenue shop, Jerry Kuroda has worked for nine years to offer designer window dressings, duvets, shams, and other soft home furnishings. “That pillow place,” as I’ve always called it, is called Queen and the goods are fit for royals.
Choosing from materials including $200 a yard silks and skins, Kuroda custom-makes pillows for every bed and every occasion. He also puts messages and cute phrases on pillows - everything from “Le Petit Prince” to “Life is too short to drink cheap wine.” There’s also the signature pillow adorned with the shop’s crown logo for kings and queens.
For both custom gifts and custom home accessories, Queen offers an array of fun designs and custom colors and fabrics to select from.
queen
3338 grand ave.
510.208.3000
tues - sat
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01.28.08
Posted in OaklandGoods, Old Oakland, Events at 4:29 am by OaklandGoods
Friday, Feb. 1, Drift Denim hosts a trunk show featuring seven local Bay Area designers including Oaklandish and Molly McGrath. Designer Jessica Geesey will be showing her line that’s exclusively at Drift, and DJ Ed Harris will be in the house spinning for shoppers.
drift denim trunk show
feb. 1, 2008, 5-9 p.m.
815 washington st.
510.444.8815
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01.27.08
Posted in DoGooder, Events at 8:41 pm by OaklandGoods
Monday morning at 10 a.m., on the steps of City Hall, councilwomen Nancy Nadel and Jean Quan will hold a press conference in support of Oakland’s anti-plastic bag ordinance. The law is designed to conserve resources and protect wildlife. Show up and get a free Oakland canvas bag for shopping (see below, right). In the event of rain, the conference will be held in hearing room 1 on the first floor of City Hall.
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01.23.08
Posted in The Temescal, OaklandArts at 6:49 pm by OaklandGoods
It’s a sign. It means you’ve reached the Rowan Morrison Gallery and artist’s bookstore. Owners and Oakland artists Pete and Narangkar Glover feature six shows a year. They also sell a variety of cool imported books, sketch books, ‘zines, illustrated items, and other art-related reading material both in the gallery and online. Their awesome blog chronicles cool art book finds.
The current show features artist Misty Avila Ovalles, and the next show goes up February 6. This month’s First Friday will feature a closing reception for Ovalles.
rowan morrison
330 40th st.
510.384.5344
www.rowanmorrison.com
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01.18.08
Posted in Downtown, Events at 9:33 am by OaklandGoods
Regardless of whether you’re on the Clinton or Obama side of the world’s most ridiculous political debate, everyone can behind the fact that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a remarkable man. As part of the 5th annual Oakland Celebrates the Dream, help celebrate his life and legacy Monday at the “Speeches of a Dream,” A Tribute To Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. event at the Malonga Casquelouurd Center for the Arts. Presented by the Office of Parks and Recreation, the free show includes a spoken word event and the play The Meeting, depicting a fictional meeting between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King.
january 21
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
malonga casquelourd center for the arts
1428 alice street
510.238.7217
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01.15.08
Posted in DoGooder, OaklandGoods, The Temescal, OaklandArts at 2:09 pm by OaklandGoods
When I lived in Berkeley, I used to ride my bike to the East Bay Center for Creative Reuse almost weekly, so it’s a little embarassing that I’m just getting around to posting about it now. The depot relocated last May to the Temescal, occupying a corner right near the Lanesplitter. It took a while for them to get their signage up, but it’s now very findable.
A heaven for teachers, artists, crafty folks, and anyone who enjoys sorting through cast-off stuff for gems, the depot has bins full of art supplies, furnishings, jewelry, and loads of old junk from the U.C. I was intrigued by the boxes of magazine microfilm from the university library (see above) and by a bin of hockey pucks (see below). What will you find?
In addition to shopping, you can donate your stuff (in good condition) for a tax deduction. It’s best to call ahead to get your donation pre-approved. For hours and the list of acceptable items, check the Web site. And since the depot is a non-profit, you can also donate your time.
*
east bay depot for creative reuse
4695 telegraph ave
510.547.6470
www.east-bay-depot.org
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01.13.08
Posted in GoodEats at 6:01 am by OaklandGoods
A new blog lists menus for Oakland eateries that offer take out. Rock on 510 Menus!
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01.08.08
Posted in GoodEats, GoodLife, Piedmont Ave., Downtown, The Dimond, Rockridge at 11:13 am by OaklandGoods
In honor of this rainy day, I finally bring you my suggestions for restaurants that deliver! Readers wrote in to share their favorites, and I’ll share mine. Oakland’s no New York in terms of what you can get at your door, but there are some downright tasty options.
1. Zza’s - You know this, right? Zza’s has the tastiest, and possibly the only, seasonal Italian cuisine available for delivery. They also do take-out, but if they’ll bring you that order of butternut squash ravioli with sage while it’s piping hot, why not? 510.839.9124
2. Raj Cuisine of India - I’ve never eaten here, but a friend swears it’s cheap and tasty. I couldn’t find a menu online, so you’ll have to grab one off the door next time you swing down Piedmont Ave. 510.653.3301
3. Pizza Rustica - For my money, Rustica has some of the best pizza delivered in Oakland, and I’ve tried the lot. Their menu of gourmet toppings is extensive, and if you have non-pizza eaters, thier salads and rotisserie chicken make great meals too. Try a side of the corn salad sometime. 510.654.1601 (College Ave), 510.339.7878 (Montclair)
4. Khana Peena - The delivery service here is disorganized (they once told me they’d deliver to my house, then called back to say they would not), but the food is great. If you’re willing to deal with the uncertainty, go with items from the tandoor - they’re the specialty. Also, they have daily specials, so ask what’s available off the menu. 510.658.2300
5. Yang Chow Restaurant - Nobody sent in any Chinese suggestions, so I’m going with my standby, no matter the verdict on Yelp. The mixed veggie dish usually has some nice asparagus and giant chunks of tofu, both of which make me happy. 510.444.1771
6. Cybelle’s - Want to feel like you’re 20 again? Order the chewy-crust pizza from Cybelles, make sure to use that coupon they shoved under your door, and forego the salad. Awesome. By the way, didn’t they used to have a garlic bread on the menu? Where’s that go? 510.339.9408 (Montclair), 510.482.1716 (Dimond), 510.654.5545 (Piedmont Ave)
Other suggestions:
* Sabina Indian, 510.268.0170. Our reader says the delivery is hit and miss, but the food’s good when they’ll bring it.
*Miss Saigon Vietnamese, 510.835.3474. They seem to deliver when the spirit moves them. Maybe you’ll get lucky. If you do, order the fresh shrimp rolls.
Also, anyone know of a Thai place that delivers?
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01.06.08
Posted in GoodEats, Grand Lake at 4:50 pm by OaklandGoods
Clearly I’m no nightlife photographer!
In the former home of a Fast Frame on Lakeshore, the owners of Vine Wine Bar have performed a miraculous transformation, building a posh space with high ceilings, comfy banquettes, and exposed brick where once there was, well, a Fast Frame.
Opened about a week, they’re not quite up to speed yet, but there’s a lot of potential here. In the lovely room, knowledgeable servers help patrons get up to speed on the wine list and the Enomatic, the wine tasting machine. It’s the silver thing in the picture above, and it’s pretty cool. You buy a $20 card, and then choose a wine from the machine for a taste-sized pour. The cost of that taste is deducted from your card, you sip, and repeat the process all over again. Both reds and whites are available to taste, or you can order a glass from the wine list. The server said the machine allows Vine to open bottles of wine that wouldn’t usually be offered by the glass. Some of the offerings include Oakland’s JC Cellars’ Cuvee Syrah and a Napa Plumpjack Merlot.
I was a bit disappointed to find there were no reds by the glass on offer - just the ones in the machine. I tried to order the sangria, but it wasn’t ready. Still, I had a nice glass of Bonny Doon Albarino and enjoyed the atmosphere. Next time I hope to delve into the tasting machine or try some of the wine cocktails. The Pimosa is a combination of sparkling wine and pear cider and the Vinomohito mixes lime with mint and chablis.
The food offerings were uninspiring - the least expensive thing on the menu is a veggie plate at $10. However, the server said they’re still working on the tapas, so next time I’m hoping to find something a little more interesting that’s within my wine snack budget. I did see one of the $12 cheese plates come out from behind the wine bar, and it was beautiful, piled high with cheeses and bread. Also on the menu is charcuterie and beef carpaccio. Sushi is forthcoming.
In addition to reds, whites, a rose, and sparking offerings, Vine has sakes and dessert wines. It’s a lovely place to sit and chat with a friend, and as I conversed with a pal last week, many people from the neighborhood wandered in to check the place out. Once the food kinks are worked out, this should be a place to enjoy for years to come.
Vine Wine Bar
3343 lakeshore ave.
510.444.8463
www.vinewinebar.net
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01.01.08
Posted in Old Oakland, Events at 4:02 pm by OaklandGoods
Remember college parties? The Trappist might have a bit of that vibe at their Kill The Keg event January 2. Pints of Triple Rock Bug Juice are $2, I assume until the keg is gone…
the trappist
460 8th st.
image stolen from www.thetrappist.com
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