Best of the East Bay
A tipster tells us that Oakland’s own Twenty Two Shoes is having a sample sale today. Drop by for deep discounts on locally designed, Italian made footwear.
5256 College Ave.
510.594.2201
image from twentytwoshoes.com
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.
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.
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?
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
Oh yeah, those other supermarkets you were waiting for are now open.
image from remi1000.com
trader joes
3250 lakeshore dr.
and 5727 college ave.
