07.15.08
Posted in OaklandGoods, GoodLife, Grand Lake, The Temescal, Downtown, News, Old Oakland, Events at 9:47 pm by OaklandGoods
Dear friends,
Has it really been two weeks since I last posted..? Ah, well. It’s symptomatic of my hectic life. I’ve got a new job with a crazy commute, which leaves me a lot less time for exploring the newest, best bits of Oakland.
To that end, are there any fellow bloggers out there who would like to contribute to OaklandGoods on a semi-regular basis? I’d love to have a collaborator and to make this a site that’s consistently being updated. If you’re interested, please email me at jessica@oaklandgoods.com with a link to your blog or writing.
For example, I’ve been meaning to write about the Thursday Night Live concerts from the awesome Oakland Events, Marc 49 wine bar, and the current Bastille Day sale that’s on at Mignonne.
The new Marc 49 Wine Bar in Temescal
I also got an appeal for letters of support for Neldam’s. The owner’s taking them to a meeting with the mayor. If you love coconut cake, speak up!
Finally, I just bought a gorgeous shirt from Oaklandish. The signature tree image is great, but there are some really great designs available right now, so check out what’s for sale at their online store (free shipping!) or at the Grand Lake Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.
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06.25.08
Posted in GoodEats, GoodLife, The Temescal, Downtown, News, Old Oakland, Events at 10:46 am by OaklandGoods
Good news: Some Oakland businesses are thriving: I popped into now-veteran Tamarindo the other evening for drinks with a friend and ended up weaving through waiting people to stumble out full of poblano chiles and handmade corn tortillas. The new Mixing Bowl, which took the place of the Temescal Cafe, seems to be going gangbusters, too.
Bad News: DeLauer’s is closing. After a hundred and one years, the 24-hour newsstand at Broadway and 13th will close its doors because of flagging business. This comes immediately on the heels of the Cody’s closure yesterday in Berkeley, which just makes me sad. Anyone have news of the current status of Neldams?
Party News: In comparison to the city’s venerable businesses, Mignonne is a relative newbie. It’s celebrating its second birthday Thursday from 5-9 p.m. with a d.j., a raffle, and a huge sale. 1000 Jefferson St. BART: 12th St Oakland.
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06.20.08
Posted in GoodEats, GoodLife, The Temescal, Downtown, Jack London Square at 3:52 pm by OaklandGoods
No, it’s not ice cream. It’s not even gelato. Scream is the East Bay’s latest frozen delight - and it’s sorbet. Before I go into the delicious, bursting-with-fruit flavors, I need to acknowledge that Scream isn’t technically made in Oakland. However, it’s made on Oakland’s edge, and it’s carried at our farmers markets. On a hot day like today, that’s good enough for me! In fact, Scream’s sorbet makers Nate and Ari buy their fruit and other ingredients at local farmers markets, then process it into the yummy sorbets they bring back to the markets to sell. It’s full circle.
Last weekend I had the good fortune to sample, um, all of Scream’s weekly flavors (they have six each time). I was bowled over by how real they tasted. There’s some indication in the deep colors of the sorbet, but you really have to try it to understand just how much taste can be packed into each tiny spoonful. My favorite was the cherry lime, which was pleasantly tart. I also enjoyed the novelty of the carrot-ginger flavor, which is made without water, so it’s very dense.
Vegans and the lactose averse will love the nut-based flavors, which are rich and fulfilling. In fact, most of the flavors are vegan. Beth, part of the Scream crew, told me that there will be more nut flavors as summer ebbs. For now, grab some strawberry-rhubarb and eat it before it melts!
Find Scream this at Friday’s Old Oakland farmers market or Sunday’s Jack London or Temescal farmers markets.
photos snagged with Beth’s permission from Scream’s flickr stream
http://www.screamsorbet.com
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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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05.13.08
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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02.20.08
Posted in GoodEats, GoodLife, Uptown at 7:55 pm by OaklandGoods
I know Flora has been open for several months now, but I wanted to wait until I had eaten there before writing it up.
The restaurant is breathtaking. I wasn’t expecting it to be quite so lovely or sophisticated inside, and I remember thinking that the existence of such a pretty place is definitely a good sign for the neighborhood.
The drink list is creative. A few of the bar’s signature concoctions have flowers floating in them and the selection of liquors is extensive. I had a Cajun cocktail which, with it’s combination of whiskey and absinthe, had me relaxed in a few mere sips. It was so good that I had one on my second visit, too.
The food was also very good, although my visits produced different results. The first time I dined, I ordered the vegetable pot pie, which was flaky and savory - fantastic feel-good food. My friend had the fish and chips, which was gorgeous! When I returned two weeks later, I ordered the fish and chips which, while very tasty, wasn’t plated as nicely and wasn’t as warm when it arrived at the table. My dinner companion for that meal ordered the burger and seemed pretty pleased.
For dessert, I tried the winter squash bread pudding, which was delightful. It was all I could do not to lick the caramel sauce off the plate. Also, my sweet tooth required that I try the homemade marshmallow (which comes on the hot chocolate) and it was heaven. If you can talk them into giving you one, do it.
Overall, my food was great, but it did seem a little more haphazard the second time around. Service was attentive throughout, and the coat check is a nice touch. I highly recommend Flora - it’s some of the best of what Oakland has to offer.
flora
1900 telegraph ave
510.286.0100
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02.14.08
Posted in GoodLife, Events at 7:50 pm by OaklandGoods
OaklandGoods hasn’t forgotten you. She moved and can’t find her camera!
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First things first: Everyone’s beloved Tina Tamale is having a birthday party at Air Lounge to raise funds for the Old Oakland Neighbors group. Tickets are required ($20) and include tastings from local restaurants, great music, a green goodie bag, and a great time. Check out Tina’s Tamale Girl Web site for more info.
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If you’re feeling a little scraggly, Old Oakland’s Nailphoria Day Spa is offering several great discounted treatments. I’m intrigued by the massage and chair massage services, but they also offer skincare for men and women (facials, waxing, manicures, all that good stuff).
This month enjoy $5 discounts on hour-long massages and spa manicures, $-off their signature pomegranate-citrus mani and pedi, and complementary eyebrow shaping with a 45-minute or longer facial.
Appointments are encouraged.
nailphoria day spa
1212 broadway, ste. 910
510.893.2181
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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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