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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04.25.08
Posted in GoodEats, Downtown, Uptown at 1:58 am by OaklandGoods
According to Living in the O, greenie gallery and espresso bar Awaken Cafe has finally opened its doors, on 14th between Franklin and Broadway.
Also, Ozumo has signs up in the Broadway Grand that say “coming soon,” (which I take to mean sometime in 2008)!
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04.09.08
Posted in Uptown, News at 5:39 pm by OaklandGoods
I wanted to get a shot of the sidewalk all torn up, but by the time I brought my camera, they’d destroyed the hideous old crumbling concrete tables in Franklin Square and poured the new floor. If the drawing is any indication, outdoor seating at the wine bar will be gorgeous. I’m not sure whether this is a private project or a city project, but either way, it’s a vast improvement already.
Also new at that corner, Franklin Square Wine bar has launched a series of local winemaker dinners. Details are available at www.fswinebar.com.
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Across Broadway, there’s still no indication of when Ozumo might open in the Broadway Grand. Anyone know anything? I can’t wait for Oakland’s izakaya.
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When I went looking for the site of the fabled Mua Lounge from the owner of Soizic, all I found were papered windows. Well, and a bike shop. Bay Area Bikes apparently moved to their current locale just under a year ago, but they’re still building up a customer base. Drop in and read some cycling mags or update your gear. I particularly appreciate their choice to locate smack in the middle of auto row. Actually, they’re in a perfect location to fulfill my fantasy of an Oakland pedicab service…
Bay Area Bikes
2424 webster st.
510.763.2453
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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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12.29.07
Posted in Downtown, Uptown, Old Oakland, Events at 12:39 pm by OaklandGoods
*Still looking for something to do? Luka’s is having a bash (again), with hip-hop all night, a champagne toast, and a baloon drop at midnight. I went last year and had an awesome night. My advice: Make a late dinner reservation and then stick around for the festivities.
*To the south, Levende East is featuring a special NYE prix fixe menu with items including purple potato soup, wild mushroom lasagna, and coconut cream cheese flan. Stay after dinner for dancing.
*Also downtown, Maxwell’s is serving dinner until 1 a.m., and there will be dancing until 4 for real night owls. I enjoyed an event I attended here once, but I’ve heard mixed reviews from others. If you go, let me know what you think. And dress nicely - there’s a code.
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12.20.07
Posted in Uptown, Old Oakland, Events at 2:32 pm by OaklandGoods
Both Mignonne and Industrielle are having Christmas shopping events this evening from 5-9 p.m. Stop by Mignonne for 25% off (and meet local artist Lisa Ostapinski) or Industrielle for 20% throughout the store.
mignonne - 1000 jefferson st.
industrielle - 33 grand ave at broadway
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12.04.07
Posted in Grand Lake, Montclair, Uptown, Glenview at 5:59 pm by OaklandGoods
Ever feel the need to dress your puggle like a ninja? Now you can. Montclair’s Glamour Paws has finally opened and is now outfitting every the village’s with adorable, one-off sweaters, brightly colored bowls, posh leashes, and the aforementioned doggie martial arts gear. The store also offers custom tags and doggie beds as well as grooming services. From pet carriers to dog paintings, they stock a wide variety of goodies for the upscale animal lover.
And if your feline craves goodies like “CatPuccino,” this is the place to pick up treats. There’s a nice selection of cat toys, too.
glamour paws
2052 mountain blvd.
510.338.0144
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Over on Park Blvd, Wags and Whiskers has also opened. I think that brings the number of new pet-related businesses to… Who can even count anymore? The boutique and pet bakery Pawsture opened at 576 Grand Ave several months ago, and I just noticed Just Pet Me at 2545 Broadway, too. They offer doggie daycare and long-term boarding as well as a pet spa.
pawsture bakery & boutique
576 grand ave
510.832.1430
www.shoppawsture.com
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And now, I declare a moratorium on writing about Oakland’s pet businesses. If you launch one, don’t let me know before March.
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11.07.07
Posted in GoodEats, Uptown at 4:56 pm by OaklandGoods
Go ahead and plan yourself an evening of wine tasting - the Franklin Square Wine Bar, from the owners of neighboring eatery Luka’s, is open. No word on whether they too will have Monday night specials. My word is that the little grilled artichoke and gruyere panini is delish.
franklin square wine bar
2212 broadway
510.251.0100
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10.30.07
Posted in Uptown, News, Events at 3:12 pm by OaklandGoods
This is your official reminder that First Friday is upon us, so bundle up and plan to hit the Art Murmur. Industrielle’s (click for their new Web site!) opening the show Suspension of Opposites, featuring artists Robert Bilensky and Ehren Reed, Rowan Morrison has Paint By Needle, the textile stylings of Ako Castuera and gallery co-owner Narangkar Glover, and Nature’s Intentions is ongoing at Esteban Sabar.
On Saturday, make your way to the San Jose Civic Auditorium to watch as the Oakland Outlaws take on the Richmond Wrecking Belles in the final bout of the Bay Area Derby Girls’ season. Oakland has to beat undefeated Richmond to make it to the championship. Tickets are $15, but if you can find a derby girl, they can sell you advance tix for $12.
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