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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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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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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11.28.07
Posted in Piedmont Ave., News at 12:19 pm by OaklandGoods
There’s a reason to celebrate Thursday evenings! Philippa Roberts of the eponymous home, gift, and jewelry shop, is holding special events every Thursday night in December. Wine, cheese, and holiday treats will be on offer to shoppers from 4-7 p.m. Roberts’ jewelry will also be on sale throughout the month at a discount of 15%.
philippa roberts
4176 piedmont ave
510.655.0656
images from www.PhilippaRoberts.com
On a different note, the Oakland Merchants Leadership Forum kicks off their Shopping Local for the Holidays campaign tonight, but when I went to the Shop Oakland Web site, the server was down! Try them later for details? The new “Passport” coupon book will be unveiled along with the latest Shop Local shopping bags for city merchants.
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11.14.07
Posted in Piedmont Ave., Events at 8:33 pm by OaklandGoods
You know what they say in journalism - two of anything makes a trend. Thus, I announce the Piedmont Avenue Needlecraft Trend! Well, maybe that’s a bit overstated, but two new crafty shops have opened within a block of each other.
Five weeks ago, Lan Nguyen launched Piedmont Fabric, aiming to fill the void left by the closure of Poppy earlier this year. They’re still stocking up and classes won’t start until December, but the shop provides an array of sewing materials that would make any quilter proud. There’s a great selection of vintage buttons and trendy prints, as well as more specialized goods like embroidered ultrasuede and beaded lace. Most of the staff comes from Poppy, too, so expect expert service and advice.
Piedmont Fabric’s grand opening celebration is this Saturday, so it’s a perfect time to stop by.
piedmont fabric
3858 piedmont ave
510.655.1213
www.piedmontfabric.com
Then three weeks age, Brente Petersen opened Piedmont Yarn & Apparel. The store carries a wide array of knitting supplies and accessories with a focus on organic and locally made yarns. Bamboo, silk, and organic cotton materials are available, as are yarns made by do-good companies including Mango Moon and locally spun fiber from Napa’s Goat Hill Farm (don’t they make yogurt, too?).
For those planning to be regulars, the free Fiber Artisans Club gets you the e-mail newsletter, discounts on come classes, and access to the knitting needle library.
piedmont yarn & apparel
3966 piedmont ave. ste. 1
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08.07.07
Posted in GoodLife, Piedmont Ave. at 4:30 am by OaklandGoods
Lireille, a new Piedmont Avenue boutique, is a treasure chest of gorgeous jewelry. Many of the designers they carry are international transplants to the Bay Area, including jewelers from Germany, Israel, and Malaysia. My favorites are a series of sea-inspired pieces by German artist Ina, a Santa Cruz resident. The store also serves as the home base for owners/designers/cute married couple Yan Liu and Steve Robinson.
Along with contemporary jewelry at a variety of price points, Liu and Robinson are part of the First Friday art walk and exhibit a new artist monthly. Currently featured is Mexican artist Dionisio Ceballos. Their light, airy gallery space is perfect for showcasing paintings and wearables. And the collection changes all the time. Liu is constantly looking for jewelry artists whose designs would fit well in the showroom. That makes this a wonderful - if dangerous for the pocketbook - stop on the Avenue for jewelry lovers.
lireille
3980 piedmont ave.
510.547.3455
hours: 10-7 daily
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06.12.07
Posted in OaklandGoods, Piedmont Ave. at 5:33 am by OaklandGoods
Here’s news you can use to get news you can use: There’s a brand new newsstand just off Piedmont Ave, and the owners are eager to supply you with reading material. From international newspapers to small press books and supermarket tabloids, Issues has something for every reader.
And there’s something for listeners, too. Collectible records and CD’s are also in stock.
Give them a few weeks to get fully stocked with all the local ‘zines and culinary mags (an owner favorite). Until then, swing by and pick up a copy of your favorite rag. You need something to read at Peet’s or Gaylord’s, right?
issues
20 glen ave.
510.652.5700
www.issuesshop.com
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05.09.07
Posted in OaklandGoods, Piedmont Ave. at 4:56 am by OaklandGoods
It’s like American Apparel for your baby, but cuter. Mariposa Baby’s adorable designs each come in a variety of colors with sweet, simple detailing that includes contrasting stiches and patterned ribbon. Made mostly in Oakland (okay, some assembly takes place in SF), each item comes wrapped in a lovely butterfly-stamped box for easy gifting or gorgeous storage.
Owner, designer, and Oaklander Elizabeth Falkner intended each item to be classic and durable enough for hand-me-downs. She says her best selling item is the aquamarine On The Spot sleepsack. Check out the full array of pj’s, cuddle blankets and more at www.mariposababy.com.
These sweet gifts are also available at:
babyalula, 3929 Piedmont Ave
Siobhan van Winkel, 6371 Telegraph Ave
Enrez! Open House, 1645 Telegraph Ave
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03.07.07
Posted in GoodLife, Piedmont Ave. at 5:12 am by OaklandGoods
Make My Day, Piedmont Ave’s best-smelling home decor shop, is celebrating its first anniversary! Celebrate by stocking up on soy-based candles, artisanal teas, designer note cards, and plush pillows. Vietnamese lamps and Japanese tea sets are sure to lend an international feeling to any room. Check out the house and garden books at the front for ideas, and then pick the pieces that’ll perk up your home. Go ahead - make your day.
make my day
3850 piedmont ave.
510.601.0608
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