05.23.08
Posted in GoodLife, Piedmont Ave., Jack London Square, Rockridge, East Oakland at 7:07 pm by OaklandGoods
image from Science of Drink
OaklandGoods will be taking a week off to sip mai tais on the beach. You can also get a good islandy feeling by heading to the following places:
*Jamaica - Tropix restaurant has Red Stripe, fried plantains with black bean dip, and the best cornbread in town. (Also, it is not a juice bar. I lived near it for about a year before I realized they serve food.) The back patio, covered in greenery, is one of my favorites on a hot night. 3814 Piedmont Ave. 510.653.2444.
*Thailand - Old Weang Ping Village is a hidden haven. Just east of Mills College, they’re only open for dinner, sometimes sporadically. The food is good - order the sticky rice - but it’s the atmosphere you’re after: a unique combination of lush and funky. If you’re not nearby, it’s worth calling in advance to make sure they’re open. 6217 MacArthur Blvd. 510.430.8771.
*Generic Islandy Atmosphere - The Kona Club, or as I like to call it, The King’s Kona, serves up big fruity drinks in bowls. And who can resist a full menu of tiki drinks? The real reason to come, though, is to see what’s under the hula skirt of the lifesize, hip swiveling doll. 4401 Piedmont Ave. 510.654.7100. For an alternate good Tiki time, try the Conga Lounge, which is supposed to be great, but I’m embarassed to say I’ve never been there.
*The Water - Pop down to Jack London Square and get your butt on a boat. The East Bay Ferry goes to Angel Island, San Francisco, and even to At&T Park on game nights. It’s fun and the fresh air on your face feels great.
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Posted in GoodLife, Neighborhood at 12:25 am by OaklandGoods
A neighborhood forum alerted me to the supercool online Oakland Collection at the Oakland Museum of California’s Web site. Check out the Neighborhood Map feature to find resources and images related to where you live. I love the vintage snapshots and the city planning maps.
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05.21.08
Posted in GoodEats, GoodLife, Grand Lake, News at 4:20 pm by OaklandGoods
You know I like to dine at new venues before writing them up extensively, so I’ll keep it short: The long-awaited Camino is open. I hear it’s wood-fired heaven.
3917 grand ave
510.547.5035
www.caminorestaurant.com
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05.16.08
Posted in Grand Lake, Downtown, Uptown, News, Old Oakland, Events, Rockridge, Gold Coast, Northgate at 10:06 am by OaklandGoods
According to SF Gate, free Spare the Air days will be few and far between this summer. But June 19 is set for free transit, heat warnings or not.
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Yesterday was Bike to Work Day, but the WOBO party is tonight at Mama Buzz, 2318 Telegraph Ave.
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Imbibe with the elite - The Trappist is hosting a private beer tasting Saturday afternoon. Call 510.238.8900 for reservations.
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Saturday is also the first annual Taste of Rockridge event, from noon-8 p.m. Hit it up for free food and great sales.
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In honor of something called Safe Boating Week, The Lake Merritt Boating Center is giving away rentals and the chance to win free classes on Saturday from 11-5 at 658 Bellevue Ave. Should be a perfect day to be on the water.
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There’s a winemaker’s dinner at Franklin Square, 2212 Broadway, on Sunday featuring Southern cuisine paired with Periscope Cellars wines. Winemaker Brenden Eliason will be on hand to talk about making wine in an old submarine factory (and other things). Call 510.251.0100 for reservations.
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05.13.08
Posted in GoodEats, GoodLife, Uptown at 6:21 pm by OaklandGoods
Yes, I know I’m talking about this incessantly. It’s just so pretty!
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05.11.08
Posted in GoodEats, Piedmont Ave. at 10:51 pm by OaklandGoods
Apparently, it takes two to pay rent at Tango Gelato’s Piedmont Ave. location. Rockridge’s LuLu Rae Confections has moved in with the purveyor of icy treats, bringing their special sweets. Locally produced goodies include XOX truffles. Get your sugar fixes all under one roof at 4184 Piedmont Ave.
www.lulurae.com
www.tangogelato.com
image from lulurae.com
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05.08.08
Posted in DoGooder, OaklandGoods at 11:00 pm by OaklandGoods
While reading about the Oakland Indie Award nominees, I came across local artist Jenny Hurth, who makes gorgeous bags out of repurposed vinyl billboard and display materials. This isn’t innovative - lots of young designers are salvaging the colorful material - but Hurth’s bags are some of the classiest you’ll find. She also makes notebooks, portfolios, and (and this one is innovative for sure) door curtains. Check them out at http://www.jennyhurth.com/home-new.html.
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05.06.08
Posted in News at 5:58 pm by OaklandGoods
Details from the Chron about the lovely Franklin Square re-do. It was a joint effort between the owners and the city. As soon as they get those umbrellas back up, you’ll get your photo.
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