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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11.29.07
Posted in GoodEats, The Dimond at 1:02 pm by OaklandGoods
As I nibbled my spicy iced lemon oatmeal cookie, I debated saving this post until tomorrow, but I could not. La Farine, the venerable French bakery, has opened a new spot in the Dimond, two doors down from Peet’s.
In the former home of a Payless Shoes, the sleek bakery is churning out crusty baguettes, seasonal breads, the aforementioned cookies, and an awesome array of tarts and cakes.
It’s a big change for what is shaping up to be a gourmet block. What’s next for the neighborhood? I’m told a sushi bar is in the works and talks with the owners of Lanesplitters could bring another location of the pizza and pub joint next year.
la farine
3411 fruitvale ave
510.531.7750
www.lafarine.com
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07.03.07
Posted in GoodEats, The Dimond at 5:43 am by OaklandGoods
Though I am generally loathe to condemn things on this blog (I just skip what I don’t like), I am very upset that the city has decided to cancel its annual fireworks display at Jack London Square. How could they? My plans for the Fourth have been dashed. What’s more, they hid it from us long after the decision had been made.
Fortunately, Farmer Joe’s Marketplace has been seen selling watermelon for ridiculously low prices, like .09 - .15 cents a pound. Can you believe that? Cut one open and fill it with some Hangar One vodka, which is produced just outside our borders.
farmer joe’s marketplace
3426 fruitvale ave.
510.482.8899
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06.11.07
Posted in OaklandGoods, The Dimond at 1:02 am by OaklandGoods
On that stretch of MacArthur between the Laurel and the Dimond, Suede is a shopping destination in the midst of a quiet neighborhood. Owner Darchell Hamilton says most of her customers find her by word-of-mouth or by driving by and seeing something colorful in the window. But even without a lot of foot traffic, she’s doing well. Open for just over a year, the shop has expanded from its original location in a smaller space next door.
Suede carries hip women’s clothes. Hamilton stocks dresses, bags, locally-designed t-shirts, jewelry, and other clothing. Whether you’re looking for something stylish to mix into your work wardrobe or for something to go out in at night, you’ll find it here. Stop by and try something on.
suede
2710 macarthur blvd.
510.336.9792
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05.16.07
Posted in GoodEats, The Laurel, The Dimond at 11:39 pm by OaklandGoods
The return of the sun means the return of warm weather, and there’s no better way to beat the heat than with ice cream.
Where Mac Arthur begins curving into the Dimond, you’ll find the best combination of ice cream and ambiance in Oakland. At Loards, the candy-pink trim and rounded glass exterior speak volumes about a time when going for ice cream was an event. The classic heart-shaped chairs invite sweethearts to sip a malt with two straws.
Remember Fenton’s before the fire and remodel? That’s a little like what Loard’s feel like - a perfectly preserved piece of local history, still here for you to enjoy.
So stop in and enjoy a frozen treat, frozen in time. Here’s a list of flavors, so you can plan your sundae:
loard’s ice cream and candies
2825 mac arthur blvd.
510.482.2262
www.loards.com
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