(view on the map)

It's only appropriate to give this award to Bay Wolf in its thirtieth anniversary year. Turning thirty for a restaurant is like turning 210 for a border collie. In 1976, Michael Wild, Larry Goldman, and two other partners (since departed) started serving dinners in an old Victorian on Piedmont, and within a few years settled into a style heavily influenced by southern French and northern Italian cuisines. Almost ten thousand dinners later, they're doing the same food just as solidly as they always have, and their style has become the entire Bay Area's. You can still go to Bay Wolf and get dishes like duck with green garlic flan or fennel-crusted pork roast, and it still tastes as fresh, smart, and savory as when you first tried it. You'll still walk out feeling the connection between the food you tasted and the farmer who grew it. And you'll still have eaten more than you think you should have -- but just as much as your meal deserved

(view on the map)

Out of the hundreds of new places that open here every year, there's always a crop of five or six that stand out. This year, the East Bay was lucky to welcome places like Pizzaiolo, Caribbean Cove, and Pappo, as well as the Temescal Lanesplitter Pizza, where more than a few Express writers get sloshed. But to our minds, some of the region's most exciting food comes from Anthony Paone's kitchen at Sea Salt. It's a bit of a miracle, too. Not only did Paone design a sophisticated small-plates, sustainable-seafood menu in six weeks -- the entire restaurant was started on a whim of owner Haig Krikorian's -- but at the time the chef was already working on opening T-Rex, the Lalime-Krikorians' high-tech BBQ joint. Casually beautiful, Sea Salt is the kind of place where you want to linger. Dishes like Manila clams steamed with cilantro, jalapeño, and cardamom and seared steelhead accompanied by pea greens, horseradish creme, and steelhead roe capture the imagination -- and the kitchen pulls them off. We won't begin to declaim the majesty of the lobster roll, mostly lobster, butter, and bread. Damn.

(view on the map)

Everyone knows the East Bay is the birthplace of the tiki bar (more or less), so it takes a pretty exceptional watering hole to capture the elusive blend of island kitsch, pure spectacle, gaudy cocktails, and festive mood that signals a typhoon of tropical excess in these parts. The new Forbidden Island on a quiet stretch of Lincoln Avenue in Alameda has all those ingredients and more -– a nautical wood interior garnished with a Leeteg-facsimile painting, a jukebox crammed with vintage Martin Denny and Frankie Laine tunes, a topical lanai for outdoor guzzling, and a back bar left over from 1962, when the place was known as Lincoln's Address. But the true test of a tiki bar is in its cocktails, something manager and master mixologist Martin Cate (who previously tended bar at Trader Vic’s in SF) and affable owner Michael Thanos (he also operates the Conga Lounge in Rockridge) obviously take seriously. Ideal picks from the long drink list include the Royal Hawaiian (a gin and pineapple juice concoction for those who don’t like sweet drinks, $6), the jumbo-rummy Sidewinder’s Fang ($8), and the dependable Navy Grog ($10).

(view on the map)

Christopher Lee's love for northern Italian cuisine approaches reverence. As you'd expect of someone who cooked at Chez Panisse for sixteen years, Lee is obsessed with purity -- not in the sense of authenticity but of approach, Californian ingredients treated with grace and subtle magic. His menus read like poems, spare and evocative. "Fritto Misto: razor clams, cardoons, lemons, and rock cod" gives no sense of the ephemerality of the batter they're coated in. "Tagliatelle with white shrimp, spring onions, and pepperoncino" only hints at the wheaty bite of the pasta, the electric play between the shellfish and the peppers. This is the place to take your in-laws from Riverside when they "just want Italian" and you just can't stomach the thought of spaghetti with meatballs.

(view on the map)

How do you solve a problem like Maria LoCoco? She of the bright eyes and ruby-red lips. Julie Andrews had nuthin' on this Maria, owner, head chef, and best server ever to grace a family restaurant. For 24 years, Maria has been doing the pasta-pizza-payroll routine up to sixty hours a week at the restaurant her dad started. But she never wilts or snaps or even growls at cranky customers, even those in dire need of a quick calamari fix. One reason, she says, is that she has been dancing in perfect harmony with Joseph Cooper, that elegant salt-and-pepper-haired man with the silver jewelry, black turtleneck ... and those jeans ... fuggedaboutit. Four nights a week the pair overlaps, tap-dancing their way between cramped tables with the red-checked cloths and the endless parade of takeout orders. Joseph is a concert pianist on the side, which explains why he and Maria consider every night a performance where their moves are flawless and the paying customer happy. Maria says she is so busy "watching the restaurant with the volume off," a reference to her level of concentration, that she can't screw up. Nor does she. They can stand on top of our spaghetti anytime.

(view on the map)

The question here is not "Will I find anything on the menu I want?" but "How can I fit everything I'm about to order onto my table?" Yeah, Va de Vi's plates are small, but if you have as little restraint as we do, you're going to be seeing a lot of them. We suggest setting your priorities: First, there's the Alaskan halibut with romesco sauce and Umbrian lentils. And, of course, the ribeye with gorgonzola and saba vinegar. And the chicken-green papaya salad, the prawn puttanesca pasta, the artichoke-ricotta ravioli, the asparagus with blood orange oil, the Singaporean-style pork belly, the crab cakes ... you can see how difficult this gets. The only way to keep all those plates from overwhelming you is to keep clearing them off, which probably won't be a problem. Chef Kelly Degala's world-ranging tastes make for gutsy yet genteel food, and Brendan Eliason's crazy-ass wine list will have you ordering at least a couple of flights to boot.

(view on the map)

It must be written somewhere in the city plan: Every neighborhood needs one sushi joint, one Thai spot, and one Italian restaurant. There are a whole lot of neighborhood Italian restaurants around the East Bay, many turning out lackluster chicken Marsala and gummy linguine. But Moraga -- lucky Moraga! -- gets Ristorante Amoroma, a neighborhood destination. Owner Michele Lavecchia grew up in a restaurant family in Rome, and his cooks put out lusty Roman fare that will put the spark back in your love affair with Italian cuisine. Clichés such as the spaghetti a la carbonara come alive when you try the original version. Less familiar dishes, such as the carciofoli der ghetto (Jewish-style fried artichokes) and li suppri'ar telefono (fried rice dumplings filled with mozzarella, which stretches into "telephone lines" when you pull them apart), bear discovering. Thankfully, the service and the room, buttery-hued and intimate, preserve the neighborhood feel.

(view on the map)

The best wine list isn't necessarily the biggest but rather one that embodies creativity, consideration, and a hint of obsessive love. Pizzaiolo has been racking up the accolades for its menu of soulful antipasti, pizzas, and substantial entrées, but its page-long wine list contains just as many winners. In contrast to chef Charlie Hallowell's focus on local ingredients, manager Omar White showcases wines from Europe, primarily Italy -- unfamiliar varietals such as Arneis and Schioppettino, lesser-traveled areas of the Rhone, Austria, and Campania -- with Dry Creek zinfandels and Premier Cru Burgundies for folks less fond of the obscure. Bottles range from $26 to $70, which is on par with the restaurant's food pricing. One wine-shop pro we spoke with praised Pizzaiolo's focus on Piedmontese wines to complement the food. And this writer can clearly remember the Falanghinas and Neros d'Avola ordered to accompany our pizzas, a remarkable fact given his, uh, Catholic drinking habits. And if there were some way to circumvent the lines at the bar, we'd drink a lot more -- hint, hint.

(view on the map)

Saigon Seafood Harbor Restaurant
DETAILS
Saigon Seafood Harbor
3150 Pierce St.
Everybody knows seafood comes in two varieties -- expensive, fresh, and tasty, or cheap, frozen, and insipid -- right? Whatever, gwailo. At this packed, loud, Hong Kong Chinese joint filled with large families and decorated with wall paintings of immense fish, you can go for broke on $40-per-pound rock cod from the live tanks, or drop just a couple of bucks on some seafood porridge. If you're dining with a group and you'd like to trundle out with full bellies but also full bank accounts, try a little informed moderation -- share a superfresh seafood dish, like the excellent salt-and-pepper whole Dungeness crab, and supplement it with less-pricey dishes, seafood or otherwise. There are fish throats, live frogs, and goose intestines for the adventurous, and won ton soup, Peking spareribs, and chow fun for the meek -- many wonderful choices at $5 to $50 per person.

(view on the map)

Korean restaurants aren't usually known for their decor. Typical wall coverings include the nymphet in the Hite beer ad, color photos of what you're eating, and maybe a painting of a Korean landscape -- sometimes all in the same restaurant. Sahn Maru has some of those elements, but to really stand out from the pack -- and its fresh, home-style food succeeds tenfold -- the mom-and-pop (well, maybe just pop) owner has added some "adult" accents as well. Take a moment to lift your head out of a bowl of bubbling, spicy kimchi jigae (pickled cabbage stew) or the colorful blend of vegetables of dol sot bi bim bap, and you'll see three small ceramic rear ends staring longingly at you. Need to use the restroom? Try not to fondle the voluptuous naked female statue in the process. Sahn Maru's delectable menu and friendly waitstaff are reason enough to come here, but if you need some extra coaxing, sex always sells.

(view on the map)

Leave it to Americans to corrupt something like sushi. What was once considered fast food in Japan -- hand-formed rice with raw fish -- now resembles American fast food: deep-fried, stuffed with avocado, and dunked in a special gravy. Many times there isn't even any fish in it. Perhaps that's why sashimi seems so evil, so morally reprehensible to those who prefer their land-dwelling meat flame-broiled and smothered in sauce. The Samurai Sushi Boat on Grand Avenue not only accepts this sinful treat, but fully embraces it. Of the three plate options, the Combination Sashimi gives you the most bang for your buck. Try eighteen pieces of six kinds of fish for $17.95. The multicolored palette of pink, cream, and white offers some of the freshest fish we've tasted this side of the bay. The salmon -- by far the best textured and easiest to swallow -- melts in your mouth, and complements the subtlety of red snapper and the meaty maguro tuna. And because K-pop pumps in the background and flat-screened monitors flash the latest ESPN highlights, repenting is not required.

(view on the map)

Kirala is always packed -- and for good reason. Tautly wrapped rice rolls, superb sashimi, and unforgettable robata-grilled treats, all served up by a briskly efficient staff, will bring out the ravenous gourmand within. In the back you'll find a full bar offering more than a dozen different sakes; up front and to the right, a sushi bar wrapped around the grills, and in the middle, a dozen-plus dinner tables. But don't dawdle on your way to the restaurant -- it doesn't take reservations. To snag a seat, you must get in line a half hour before Kirala opens -- even on freezing, teeth-chattering winter nights. But the wait's worth it, especially the grilled seafood, meat, and veggies. Best picks include the baby lobster tail ($8.75), scallops ($5.75), and yes, corn on the cob ($2.50). For the adventuresome, Kirala also serves up a challenging selection of nigiri, from aji (Spanish mackerel) to octopus to uni (sea urchin with quail eggs).

Hours

Lunch
Tuesday - Friday
11:30am to 1:45pm

Dinner
Monday - Saturday
5:30pm - 9:30pm
Sunday
5pm - 9pm

(view on the map)

A Cote located in the popular Rockridge district
features extraordinary small plate French cuisine.
A lively yet relaxed atmosphere, beautiful lighting
and decor creates a cozy setting for all occasions.
An extensive wine list, full bar and excellent service.

Hours
Sunday Brunch
10am - 2pm

Lunch
Thursday - Saturday

Dinner
Tuesday - Saturday

(view on the map)

About Chez Panisse

Chez Panisse opened its doors in 1971, started by Alice Waters and an assortment of idealistic friends. A neighborhood bistro named after a character in Marcel Pagnol's 1930's trilogy of movies (‘Marius,’ ‘Fanny,’ and ‘Cesar’), the Restaurant and Café are a homage to the sentiment, comedy and informality of these classic films.

From the beginning, Alice and her partners tried to do things the way they would like them done at a dinner party at home. The restaurant, located downstairs, is open for dinner Monday through Saturday, by reservation only. The dinner, served in two seatings from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., has always consisted of only one fixed-price menu, of three to four courses. The menu changes every night, designed to be appropriate to the season and composed to show off the finest ingredients obtainable including meat, fish, and poultry.

Prices for the Restaurant are $50 Mondays, $65 Tuesdays through Thursdays and $85 Fridays and Saturdays, not including beverage, a 17% service charge and 8.75% tax. Monday night menus are generally simpler and more rustic or regional than what the restaurant serves on other evenings. Friday and Saturday night menus are somewhat more elaborate.

The Café at Chez Panisse, located upstairs, opened in 1980 to offer an alternative to the set menu served in the Restaurant downstairs. The Café offers a moderately priced à la carte menu for both lunch and dinner. The Café hours are Monday through Thursday 11:30am to 3pm and 5pm to 10:30pm, and Friday and Saturday 11:30am to 3:30pm and 5pm to 11:30pm. It has an open kitchen along one side of the room with a charcoal grill and a wood burning oven. The style of the menu is inspired by the market; consequently, the menus change every day. Reservations are recommended.

Alice and Chez Panisse have become convinced that the best-tasting food is organically grown and harvested in ways that are ecologically sound, by people who are taking care of the land for future generations. The quest for such ingredients has largely determined the restaurant's cuisine. Chez Panisse has tried for years to make diners here partake of the immediacy and excitement of vegetables just out of the garden, fruit right off the branch, and fish straight out of the sea. In doing so, Chez Panisse has stitched together a patchwork of over sixty nearby suppliers, whose concerns, like the restaurant's, are environmental harmony and optimal flavor.

(view on the map)

Top 100 Restaurants
San Francisco Chronicle - February 2002

"Anyone who loves Japanese food will warm
to David Vardy's menu at O Chame in Berkeley.
His combinations are fusion, but with a gentle California twist."
Michael Bauer - Chronicle Food Critic

(view on the map)

Vietnamese restaurants located
in downtown Oakland, offering quality food and service under the same ownership as Pho 84.

(view on the map)

Dining in Ethiopia is characterized by sharing food from a common plate, signifying the bonds of loyalty, family and friendship. The traditional Ethiopian meal is served on a tray lined with injera, with the selection of foods decoratively arranged around the center dish. To eat, your tear off pieces of injera and use it to scoop up the food.

Injera, the sourdough pancake-like bread of Ethiopian, is made from a fermented sourdough teff batter.
In this way, it has a slightly tangy flavor and a wonderful light and airy texture. Teff, a tiny round grain closely resembling millet, is the most
common cereal crop used
to make injera.

Ethiopian dishes are prepared with
a distinctive variety of unique spices, which lend an unforgettably striking dimension to its exotic cookery. To help you make the best choice for this truly one-of-a-kind dining experience, read the menu page for some helpful descriptions.

(view on the map)

"The most sophisticated neighboorhood bistro in the East Bay."
East Bay Express

Elegance, carefully selected fresh food, fantastic cooking,
friendly service with integrity and an extensive fine wine
selection will mesmerize all your senses.

(view on the map)

"Fine dining with a warm atmosphere and friendly service."

Hunan's Restaurant, The East bay Finest, offers an authentic Mandarin & Szechwan
Cuisine, including a full selection of Seafood and Vegetarian Dishes.

(view on the map)

Only the freshest seasonal products are used
to create the Mediterranean cuisine
served form our exhibition kitchen or woodfired
rotisserie and pizza oven.
Our in-house bakery provides Jack’s Bistro
with only freshly baked breads.

Enjoy a romantic evening with live piano music
while sipping a cocktail and watching the boats sail along the bay.

(view on the map)

"Voted Best Steak in the East Bay"
by the Oakland Tribune Readers Poll.


Magic on the water. In addition to being
voted the Best Steakhouse in the East Bay,
our plentiful amount of always fresh seafood
is equally unbeatable. A return to tradition
with an eye to the future.

(view on the map)

Our desire is to intoduce our guests to the classic seafood
cuisine of Northern Peru. We use only the freshest seafood,
organic produce, and spices imported from Peru.

(view on the map)

Legendary Palace is a historical landmark built in 1917.
It took 3 years to remodel and three top Hong Kong chefs to bring you
the best Chinese cuisine in the Bay Area.
We also feature dishes that blend fusions from superior French, Japanese
and American cuisine with our "Legendary Chinese" cuisine.

(view on the map)

USA Today's
"10 GREAT PLACES FOR A JAZZ NIGHT OUT!"
Best Club - 2000, 2001
Chronicle Reader's Poll
Best Club - 1995 - 2001
East Bay Express Reader's Poll

(view on the map)

Located in the heart of beautiful "Old Oakland".
TWIST Restaurant & Bar offers exquisit dining
with sophisticated Mediterranean flavors and a modern twist in a relaxed friendly atmosphere.

(view on the map)

Tsing Tao is a great restaurant for groups or families.
Fresh Seafood can be picked right on the premise. Poultry, pork, lamb,
beef and sizzling platters, Tsing Tao has something for any taste. The service and the atmoshphere at Tsing Tao will make you keep coming back.

Ask about the chef's specials of the day!
Dim Sum available for breakfast & lunch.

(view on the map)

"Funky Spettro offers
Spirited Food"
by Laura Hamburg Chronicle Staff Writer

(view on the map)

"Northern California Best Places."
1993–1996,1995 & 1996,
1998 & 1999
"Best Place in California"
1993-1994 Laura Hqqar/Stephanie Irving
"Best Indian Restaurant."
1989, 1991 Express Readers Poll

(view on the map)

(view on the map)

If you’re looking for a warm and friendly place to enjoy
great beer and fine food, visit Pacific Coast in Downtown Oakland.
We feature 24 draft beers, including 8 of our own national award winning ales. Enjoy satellite sports or relax outdoors in our heated
beer garden savoring a brew from the best selection of draft beer
in the Bay Area.

(view on the map)

"Classic Italian Sensibilities: America's 10 Best Italian Restaurants."
Wine Spectator by Harvey Steinman, March 1997

"California's best - Chef Paul Bertolli's fanaticism for Italian food
earns him the James Beard award."
Oakland Tribune by Joan Zoloth, June 1999

"If Paul Bertolli's cooking at Chez Panisse was four-star (which it was),
then what he's doing now at Oliveto is in the galaxies...Not only is he
producing the best Italian food in the Bay Area; I'd put his cooking up
against that of anyone in the United States, or Italy for that matter."
Michael Bauer

(view on the map)

dishes up an American cuisine. Expect the average entrée to cost $8 to $12.

(view on the map)

NO ANIMAL PRODUCT - NO EGG - NO MSG - LOW FAT - VEGAN
For better health we use sea salt, natural ingredients, home-made sauces
and low oil in our cooking and food preparation.

(view on the map)

http://www.blakesontelegraph.com/

Blakes on Telegraph is more than a restaurant, bar and nightclub - it is an East Bay entertainment mecca. The club was initially called Larry Blake's and was founded in 1940 by Larry Blake himself, who manned the helm for the better part of three decades. Having earned a reputation for providing good food in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere, Larry sold the business to a group of employees who envisioned expanding the occasional music venue into a full-fledged nightclub.

Blakes initially booked talented local jazz acts such as Ed Kelly, Pete and Sheila Escovedo and Kitty Margolis alongside national acts like the great Cal Tjader, Mose Allison, and Joaquin Lievano. Eventually blues was incorporated into the mix, and within a short period of time, Blakes became the premiere blues club in the entire Bay Area.

The list of blues luminaries who have enjoyed a run at Blakes includes some of the most talented artists in blues history: John Lee Hooker, Etta James, Lowell Fulson, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Otis Rush, Johnny Heartsman, Brownie McGee, Irma Thomas, and Johnny Adams. We've seen some impressive shoes walk through these doors.

World-famous blues guitarist Robert Cray, immediately recognized by then booking agent Tim Kaihatsu as a tremendous talent, was fostered throughout the years by Blakes. When the great Charles Brown decided to step back into the music world, his first comeback performance was at Blakes. Charlie Musselwhite, Lady Bianca, Tracy Nelson, Joe Louis Walker, Roy Rogers, Buckwheat Zydeco, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Norton Buffalo, Rory Block, John Hammond, Boz Skaggs, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Amos Garrett, Maria Muldaur, Roomful of Blues, Elvin Bishop, and Greg Allman have all graced our stage and entertained our customers. For nearly four decades, Blakes was THE blues hotspot in the East Bay.

In 1993, Blakes recognized the need to become more contemporary. They gave the club a facelift, officially changed the name to "Blakes on Telegraph," and started booking modern rock, punk, ska, jazz, funk and hip-hop. Since that time, Blakes has had the good fortune to discover Cake, Third Eye Blind, Box Set, Train and Stroke 9 before much of the rest of the world.

(view on the map)

"Enjoy your favorite, Traditional,
Seafood, and Vegetarian Mexican Dishes
in an atmosphere that will make
you feel like you're on vacation
in Mexico

(view on the map)

Ethiopia Restaurant's healty and tasty
Vegetarian Lunch Buffet (M-Fr) has a wide variety of authentic Ethiopian dishes, which are prepared with the finest imported spices.
For those who enjoy beef, lamb or poultry
try some of our delicious menu items.

(view on the map)

Pizzas, Salads, Monster Subs
every day of the week
from 11:30am - midnight.

(view on the map)

"Voted Top 100 Bay Area Restaurant."
San Francisco Chronicle 2003

Dinner, Cocktails & Full Bar
Come and enjoy superb Latin American cuisine
prepared by Chef David Rosales in a stylish and relaxed atmosphere.
Stay and mingle in an upbeat and friendly bar scene with
downstairs seating and a mezzanine that overlooks the action below.

(view on the map)

Khana Peena is an exciting place featuring reasonably priced Northern Indian Cuisine. The decor is a mix of American brassiere,French bistro, and Indian curry house.
Across from the open kitchen in the back
are cozy, curtained rooms.

You can choose to dine at one of the formal, linen-topped
tables near the entrance. They can keep an eye on the
open kitchen, shiny and percolating with activity, from
a perch at the curvy cooper bar.

(view on the map)

Berkeley Pizza Joint

We offer Dine-in, Takeout and Delivery. Orders can be placed online for Takeout & Delivery.

We deliver to Berkeley and Kensington for minimum orders of $20.00. Additional charges may apply if outside of delivery area.

(view on the map)

"Authentic Provencal
Southern France Cooking."

Best Patio Dining. Best Breakfast
East Bay Express 2001

(view on the map)

We've been to this restaurant a few times now, and everything we've gotten has been great! Very flavorful dishes, moreso than many of the Indain restaurants in the area. The service is usually pretty attentive, and food comes out quickly(allow more time for Tandoori dishes, of course). Today, we had a full dinner for 2 (1 veg entree, 1 Lamb Curry, rice & Garlic Naan) for about $23, counting tax and a generous tip! They also have free tea, which was a tasty Nepalese red tea today.

(view on the map)

Now 11 years open, and situated across from Don’s Tires and Reliance Antiques. This summer it’s due for a touch up. Chef Moises with his brother and sons cook up their secret comfort food—that pesto and chipotle sour cream with your eggs in the morning! Ken or Israel at night offer great specials not available during the day. Rebecca’s pastries and chocolate cake tempt you in. The colors of Jimmy Beans are pancake and coffee brown, warm and comfortable.

(view on the map)

The Difficulties: It’s so big that it’s difficult to control everything. I can hold all the other four restaurants in my grasp. Handling T-Rex is like holding sand in my palm: it slips away as hard as I try to keep it. We had an uncertain start in November with the smokers installed incorrectly, but in the last three months we’ve finally mastered most of our technical problems. Some dining tables were too small, the bar video and audio needed work, we stopped with the late late night—that belongs to Fonda. My daughter still complains, “Why isn’t there a TV in the ladies’ room if there’s one in the men’s?” “Ask your father…”
The Delights: The space is so beautiful thanks to Kava (architect) and Kathy (interior designer). I can sneak in in the early hours of the day and just sit upstairs to take in the smells, the light and the airiness of the space. We started a fine weekend brunch and even encourage dog owners to sit on the downstairs terrace—tied up of course (just the dog). My favorite dish is the brisket, the “Flintstone-sized” beef short ribs and the cauliflower side dish…and of course the weekend beignets. One of my favorite smells is of smoked BBQ! The beef jerky and corn bread are yummy. Chefs Anthony, Miles and crew never stop to breathe. To me, T-Rex is the color of rust-red earth, bones, yellow bamboo, smoke and baked beans.

(view on the map)

"I happen to love this place, despite the prices being a little bit high. The wraps are excellent, the curry is flavorful and I admit to having regular cravings for their chicken tikka masala. The regular naan is quite good, but I wouldn't recommend the wheat naan, as it's a little on the dry and chewy side. The service is good: quick and courteous, but ultimately, I think it's the atmosphere that makes this place. It's clean, comfortable and has a surprising amount of character for a mini-chain. From the giant portraits on the walls to the cushy booths along one side, it's a pleasant place to sit, eat and chat."

(view on the map)

"Tasty vegetarian Indian food in a spare but clean setting. Inexpensive and pretty fast too."

(view on the map)

"The Paramount is a beautiful art deco building in downtown Oakland with a great location that is close to BART and other prime Oakland night spots like Cafe Van Kleefs and Luka's. They book a solid list of great artists like Wilco, Elvis Costello, David Gray, Sigur Ros ,etc. It's just a little too big for me to consider it one of my favorite venues. However, if one of your favorite artists is playing there, you owe it to yourself to experience the Paramount and his/her music in such a lovely place."

(view on the map)

"Cafe Van Kleef could very well be my new favorite downtown Oakland bar. How many other places in Oakland do you know that make their Greyhounds with freshly-squeezed grapefruit? Yeah, I didn't think so. In addition to the greyhounds, which are as good as they sound, the Van Kleef is filled with treasures - knick-knacks, booty, a lifetime of ephemera, even.

I've heard they have live jazz, that you can even write on the bar (post-cleaning), and that the owner developed a DSS (Drink Serving System). The tidbits never stop.

So, if you're in the Oakland area and hankering for a drink, step back to the past, or mellow time, try the Van Kleef."

(view on the map)

"Hello, two for one Wednesdays...that's $2.50 a person...which also means that regular admission is $5. Yup. But arrive early to secure tickets and good seating or you might be told to get lost.

And as if cheap admission isn't enough to make you happy at the Parkway, your movie viewing experience can include beer, wine, pizza, other culinary delights, comfy sofas and a down home vibe.

Movie selections are a mix of current and almost current popular films, cult classics (Rock Horror weekly on Saturdays at midnight), old school hits, film festivals and special events.

(view on the map)

"Built in 1926, the Grand Lake was one of three movie palaces, along with the Fox and the Paramount, that locals visited to escape their woes during the Depression. In addition to films, the theater also featured live concerts. It's similar in design and feel to the Castro, although it's a lot more glitzy, better maintained, and runs first-run films rather than Bette Davis classics on its multiple screens. You can still experience the old-time grandeur at the weekly Wurlitzer mini-concert in the main auditorium, every Friday and Saturday night, when it rises up out of the floor, along with the organist, who plays a short set of show tunes before the movie begins. The theater is well-known for the progressive political messages that appear on its marquee. Four hours of free parking are available at a nearby lot."

(view on the map)

from a yelp.com review... Lake Merritt is known as the jewel of Oakland,and that name is very fitting. The lake is a wonderful place to walk, jog, take the kids (whether it be to the playgrounds or to Children's Fairyland), or just enjoy the beauty of Oakland (if you chuckled or scoffed at that last one, that just means that you haven't been to Oakland, or at least you haven't gotten off of BART or the freeway when you passed through). I can't think of another city that has a lake such as this right next to downtown. And of course it is surrounded on three sides by residential neighborhoods for which it provides a welcome green oasis of recreation and relaxation. While I'm giving it 5-stars, that doesn't mean that there isn't room for improvement. The lake and the park are looking a little run down because it's so popular, however the citizenry of Oakland recently passed a multi-million dollar bond ($30 mil if my memory serves me correct) that will be used to improve the conditions around the lake as well as throughout the city in the form of much needed new and rehabilitated parks.

(view on the map)

a funny review from laura b. on yelp.com

"delicious vegan mecca from planet delicious delicious. mainly vietnamese menu (with some other asian influences) and everything is good but in particular try the carmelized chicken, house rice clay pot and veggie fu young. this place is run by the followers of supreme master ching hai who is against sex, alcohol (so no alcohol served here, sucks) and eating of meat (yay!). supreme master ching hai also designs clothing and is an award winning (although the names of the awards are never mentioned. i know, shocker!) composer, lyricist and painter! i think she can also fly. who gives a shit, this food is amazing, not too expensive and you can head on over to radio bar afterwards to get a drink, you fucking alcoholic!!!!"

(view on the map)

Cheese, Wine, Sandwiches, Soup, Chocolate, Olives.. more olives, soap, etc... This is a place to go for those of you who never been to Italy or reminisce the last time you've been there. Smell the aroma of spices near the racks. The sweet scent of cured meat. Mouthwatering chocolates. With a large selections of meat, it has a variety of sandwiches available to satisfy a finicky pallet. Friendly staff and they remember you after your 2nd/3rd visit.

(view on the map)

"Established in 1890, the Garden's thirty-four acres contain 13,000 species of plants, including a large number of rare and endangered species, organized according to regions of the world. There's a great collection of native Californian plants, a conservatory for tropical plants, and a Chinese medicinal herb garden. Bring a picnic basket and a good book and commune with nature on a sunny afternoon. Open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm; closed the first Tuesday of the month. One-hour docent tours are offered on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 1:30pm. Adult admission is $5.00, $3.00 for seniors 65+, $1.00 for ages 3 - 18.

(view on the map)

from Tony U. on yelp.com:

The best deli in the East Bay. I have not been to a better one in San Francisco either.

The only problem is that the whole world seems to realize that this is the best deli in the Bay Area. If you get there between 11:30AM and 1:30PM, you will have to "take a number" and despite having 6 sandwich makers, you can wait for as long as 15-20 minutes before you are served.

Still, it is worth the wait. They have various sandwiches from Soprasatta to Copa, etc. If you ask for everything, they add some balsamic vinegar to it. Yummy!

(view on the map)

Luka's Taproom & Lounge is much more than a restaurant. Luka's Lounge features nightly DJ's and dancing. East Bay Express says, "... the musical crown jewel appears to be Luka's Taproom and Lounge,....Its amenities include an elevated DJ booth, a dancefloor, and a pool room, which hints at its potential to be the new hip joint." The lounge and hallway walls always display the artwork of local artists. And finally, there are some nights that you should know about.

(view on the map)

After years of selling fantastic cheeses and making great bread in the Cheeseboard Cheese Shop, someone decided to put the two together and the Cheeseboard Pizza co-op was formed. Is is a true co-op, worker owned and operated.

Like the world famous Chez Panisse across the street, diners here are told what their lunch or dinner will be - you don't get to choose your toppings because Cheeseboard only makes one kind of pizza a day (always vegetarian).


The one pizza a day thing is convenient in that you don't have to wait for them to bake your pizza. When you get to the front of the line just tell them how much you want and you get the next slice(s) ready. This makes the long line move pretty quickly.


This is not a typical tomato sauce pizza. It is a thin crust, coated with a little olive oil and topped with cheese and veggies. There are usually more than two kinds of cheese on the pizza and mozzarella isnt' necessary the primary cheese.


Even if one of the ingredients sounds wierd to you or is something you don't normally like, you should give it a try. These guys know what they are doing! I have seen many people start out sceptical of certain ingredients ("Lemon zest on a pizza?" or "I don't really like mushrooms on my pizza".) and end up loving that day's pizza.


Cheeseboard recently introduced a emailing list that sends out the menu for the week. Now you can know in advance what pizzas will be made each day. (As far as I know, right now the only way to get on the list is to sign up at the pizzeria.)"

(view on the map)

from yelp.com

"My other after-work stop. There are two locations: one on College in Elmwood and another (Kosher) one on Grand in the Grand Lake District of Oakland. Try the beef shishlik or falafel pitas. They're big enough for dinner. I always order hummus and pitas to drown them in, as well as tabbouleh. The spicy sauce that comes with them has an amazing kick. Also, melawach bread is delicious to share as an appetizer with the tomato-based dipping sauce that comes with it. yummy."

(view on the map)

from lisa g on yelp.com

"This little shop in Rockridge opened in January 2005 and now I am pretty much addicted to it.

They have all sorts of bars - Scharffen Berger, Michel Cluizel, Amedei, Valrhona, Bonnat, E Guittard, Callebaut and several brands I have never even heard of before. Everyday they is a new "bar of the day" and they give out samples of that bar.

Also, they have a wonderful selection of truffles and individual chocolates from several different chocolatiers - not nut clusters, caramels and other standards, really creative pieces. My favorite is the little hearts shaped truffles that have a lime and mint flavor to the filling. The honey lavender truffles are also fantastic. I don't even know how to describe the peanut praline filled butterflies.

They have 5 different kinds of hot cocoa including one with a peppery flavor, heavenly chocolate croissants and other lovely baked goods.

Plus, there is a special feel this place. You can just tell if was a labor of love for the owner and it will quickly earn a place in your heart that could not be won by delicious chocolate alone."

(view on the map)

"The Kaiser Rooftop Garden is simply beautiful. It's an amazing oasis above the hustle and bustle of the streets below. Sitting, reading, eating, napping, or walking through here you would never know that you are in fact on top of a multi-story parking garage. One of my favorite views from here is looking across the garden at the Ordway Building located across the street. It just seems to pop up out of the plants and trees like it was some sort of a giant aluminum and glass mushroom.

If you're having difficulty finding the garden, the three easiest ways to get there are by going up the escalators in the main lobby of the Kaiser Center building and then taking the garage elevator to the roof; entering the semi-abandoned mall behind the Long's Drugs and taking the escalator or elevator up to the top floor (follow the signs to the Central Park Restaurant); or taking the elevator up to the 2nd floor in the Ordway Building and walking across the skybridge that crosses 21st Street.

If you live or work in downtown Oakland, you MUST visit this place."

(view on the map)

From Gil S. on yelp.com


Oaktown airport has it all for the small GA experience: convenience, ease, friendliness, access, the simplicity of it all. Jet Blue and Southwest, two favorites, keep a big presence there. I almost give it five stars just for that. Those two airlines are so friendly and low key and professional but I give credit to the airline more than the airport.

Lately I've gone back to the big leagues, back to SFO. A few things steer me from Oakland. Security can be long long and slow. They tell you sometimes you should go over to the ghost terminal with all the unpopular airlines like USAir and United and shorter lines, but that's a lot of walking. For some reason the courtesy busses can only drop off and pick up two islands away, down a ramp, in between the two terminals. What's with that? Food and bar selection sucks, even by airport standards. They let Ruth's Chris hang an explicit, almost pornographic, banner of a fat juciy steak right in front of Round Table Pizza. Of course, the closest Ruth's Chris is Civic Center San Francisco. That's just cruel.

I can't say I like the architecture. Airports, like banks and churches, are monuments to public life. OAK is rather desultory and shabby, funky in a sort of charming way, a little like the town.

Navigation is relatively easy but I always end up leaving in the wrong direction. Off-airport private parking is plentiful and cheap -- go quickpark!

More than a monument, an airport is where you pass the milestones of life, love, loss, breakups, reunions, new beginnings, new businesses. For that alone, they should seriously expand the chapels and have a meditation / chill zone / nightclub in each terminal. Last night I had the pleasure of throwing up in the first class bathroom three times on my way back from Vegas, a personal best. Wondered if they could hear me in the cockpit. Probably. Also the fortune of a good friend driving me home across the bay bridge at 2AM, sleeping comfortable and content despite my virus in the back seat amidst the luggage. Nothing gets better than that."

(view on the map)

"Fantastic take-out food from Gregoire and his partner Sebastian!

This little kitchen in North Berkeley prepares exceptionally executed meals and then packs them up all neat and cozy in their hexagonal cardboard boxes for you to take home (there are a couple of picnic tables out front if you just can't wait).

Both chefs are very talented and also fun and friendly. They use top quality ingredients and put their hearts into what they cook. The menu changes monthly (except that they make potato puffs every month)

Ummmm... potato puffs. Why choose between mashed potatos and pomme frites when you can have both? The dipping sauce for the puffs changes daily but they often repeat.

They always have at least one vegetarian entree.

(view on the map)

"Why is Dopo so good?

Passion.

Jon, who is the chef/owner is so very passionate about the food he cooks. They keep things simple and coax the best out of every ingredient they use. They have been wise enough to keep it simple so that they can go to the market, see what's great and put it on the menu that night. Dopo reminds me of the upstairs at Chez Panisse without the deification. . .there are no altars at Dopo, but there should be 'cause I'd be kneeling there daily if I could afford it. They are making some really remarkable salumi/charcuterie these days. If you see Ciccioli on the salumi menu get it. It is one of the best things I have eaten. It's a pork based terrine of sorts that has similarities to rillettes but instead of the meat being shredded it is in tender, sublime chunks. Amazing.

I am not so fond of pine nuts. I can take or leave tuna. But somehow they managed to put tuna, pine nuts, mint and tomato together with some of their house-made spaghetti to make a dish I almost wanted to marry! It was unreal how good this was. We also had a pizza with the house-made Genoa salami and it was delicious. We were washing it down with an '01 Cabernet Riserva that was unreal - so delicious!

They make excellent espresso drinks. Kayta, who is Jon's girlfriend, runs the front of the house but she also oversees the pastry there. She loves pastry and it shows. The desserts are simple - you're not going to get some architectural behemoth of sweet stuff on a plate festooned with sugar work - there are no visual "showstoppers" here only really good, honest dessert - a perfect ending to a great meal.

(view on the map)

"Acme was founded by a former Chez Panisse bread baker, and hence by lineage, is a Berkeley and Bay Area culinary champion. They don't, however, just rest on their laurels; every day, they simply crank out some of the tastiest, most well-crafted bread in the Bay Area. There are a few excellent bakeries here, but Acme is my favorite and this location next to Cafe Fanny and Kermit Lynch is a necessary stop when I'm cooking up a feast. The bakery store features familiar breads that show up at grocery stores like the baguette, batard, olive bread, herb loaf, etc. but also has apple turnovers, ham and cheese turnovers, croutons, and other goods. The turnovers, especially the apple, are so buttery good with layers upon layers of crisp puff pastry. I pretty much like everything they make--maybe the batard is a little too fluffy on the inside, and I wish they would also sell sliced pain de mie because, for the life of me, I can never cut a straight slice. The best breads by Acme are the rustic ones: the levain is a classic Acme bread and Chez Panisse favorite (you can find the recipe in one of the CP cookbooks), the leaf shaped fougasse, etc. During the holidays, they have seasonal items like panettone. During lunch hours and on days before holidays, there can be a long line; so try to go there during off hours. Thankfully, the store is open until 6pm."

(view on the map)

In the heart and spirit of historic Telegraph Avenue, Amoeba Music in
Berkeley opened it's doors in 1990. With more than 500,000 new and used CDs, DVDs, Videos, LPs, 45s, posters and collectables you’ll find any and every genre of music you’re searching for including rare, hard-to-find and import titles. Amoeba Music is a gathering place, a community for music lovers celebrating individuality and diversity; preserving music and recycling culture. BUY* SELL* TRADE. We offer the most cash paid for your used DVDs, CDs and vinyl.

(view on the map)

"Excellent, crispy-crusted pizza when they are on top of their game--if you like the crust thin (AKA, New York style), this is your place. Plain cheese with some parmesean and herbs is all it takes to reach soaring realms of pizza-induced reverie. This place is small--blink and you'll miss it. Sometimes, though, they are inconsistent in spinning out the dough and you'll get a soggy center and a too-thich edge (it is still tasty, though)."

(view on the map)

"Pros: Food is GOOD, nice staff.
Cons: My god the wait. Get there early and don't go on the weekend."

(view on the map)

"Bette's to go has great foodstuffs for when the wait at the diner is too long - and has the BEST CUPCAKES in the greater bay area! They use the Magnolia Bakery recipe, and at 1.75 each they are priced right. I've had many a lame-ass cupcake at fancier cup-cakeries for 2.50 a pop that weren't anywhere near as good! Sometimes I drive down and double park just to run in and get a cupcake - yum!"

(view on the map)

Hours:
Mon-Sun 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.

"It may seem to the naysayer that simplicity in food items is something one can easily imitate at home, and therefore the more complicated culinary creations should be left for our favorite restaurants to accomplish. That may be why the menu at Cafe Intermezzo seems unexciting at best - chef's salad, peanut butter-and-banana sandwich, vegetarian chili, to name a few. There is much more to be said, however, to how much a restaurant can push the envelope of simplicity in order to achieve something virtually inimitable. At Cafe Intermezzo, the so-called "simple" salads are HUGE - the bowls holding the pile of fresh lettuce, beans, sprouts, tomatoes, cucumbers, egg, avocado, and whatever else could easily fit a soccer ball any other day. The sandiwiches are hearty, made on thick honey wheat bread and filled with a variety of concoctions, and the soups are savory and fresh. The most important part about the menu at this place, however, is how incredibly healthy everything is. Nestled in amongst the greasy pizza and Thai and burger places on Telegraph Ave., Intermezzo allows me to leave a meal full and satisfied and not feeling like my arteries and intestines are going to simultaneously burst from the pressure. I especially appreciate a trip to Intermezzo after a weekend of too much booze and late night fried food. And at an average of $6-7 a meal, it doesn't get much simpler than that."

(view on the map)

"I've had variable experiences at Cha Am over the years and my latest was the best in a long time. The initial seating was a bit of an adventure in this oddly shaped and crowded converted house--they first tried to seat four of us at a table that had one chair half taken-over by a space heater. The Royal Roll appetizers (crabmeat, chicken, shrip, jicama, onion, & herbs wrapped in tofu skin and deep fried) were rich and redolent with shellfish. The Tom Ka Gai was the standout dish of the evening--this dish is usually too cloying for my taste, but they got the sweet/spicy balance just right. Their versions of the stalwart Masuman Gai and Pad Thai were well-executed.

The service was rather brusk and the waitress was very pushy about getting our order. The food came out in record time--this place is all about turning the tables."

(view on the map)

"Our goal is to be the Rolls-Royce of take-out - to make people's home their own four-star restaurant." - Soheyl Modarressi (Developer)
March 3-9, 2006 San Francisco Times

"It's hard to fathom Berkeley's gourmet ghetto getting more gourmet, but it's about to. Soon, East Bay Foodies will have a new one-stop spot to pick up a wide range of delectable food-on-the-go.
February 8, 2006 The Oakland Tribune

"No Spring Chicken, North Berkeley's gourmet ghetto gets a Botox shot of youth and glamour."
April 2006 San Francisco

"North Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto has'nt seen such promise since 1975"
March 22, 2006 East Bay Daily News

"Epicurious Garden, a one stop shop for gourment takeout"
April 5, 2006 San Francisco Chronicle (Food Section)

(view on the map)

"4.5 stars! the food is simple, very fresh, and very good. i had a ham and gruyere buckwheat crepe with a poached egg on top that was all sorts of delicious and comforting. the cafe au lait was oooo-la-la and tres bien. kudos for having brown sugar cubes! i would also recommend going on a sunny, warm day because eating outside makes the experience beyond pleasant. one more thing, walk next door to the acme baking co and pick up a loaf of cinnamon raisin/currant bread with walnuts. i can't even begin to describe the sugary goodness..."

Hours:
Mon-Fri 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Sat 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Sun 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

(view on the map)

"The slices don't look inspiring at all- big fluffy crust and small very flat cheesy area with difficult to i.d. ingredients. Rest assured, the flavors are dialed to maximize the goodness that pizza can be. There aren't many toppings to choose from, and they close super early (8pm on a Friday!), but well worth the 3 bucks a slice. The sausage one was very satisfying and next time I'll get a whole pie. A nice, tart strawberry lemonade is available to wash it all down."

(view on the map)

from Rick H. on yelp:

"Tasty donuts near campus you say? ha!! As if donuts weren't addictive enough, they must put crack in these things because once you try a King Pin, you will have to come back for your fix again and again and again and will certainly never go back to Winchell's (assuming they still have those), Dunkin' Donuts, or even Krispy Kreme - that's right, even Krispy Kreme - unless you are outside of a one thousand mile radius of this place. Audrey is right, there are no words to describe the hot, puffy cinnamon twists. Hot, flaky, puffy, light...whatever, these donuts defy verbal description. It won't even dawn on you that you are ingesting pure cardiovascular and gastrointestinal poison until its far far too late. This place is without a doubt, a cruel joke."

(view on the map)

from kennetyh r. on yelp.com

"The place is great, clearly. They have awesome fruits and vegetables, purchased by Mr. Fujimoto at the produce market while you were sleeping. The personnel are friendly and accomodating -- if you can't find what you want, they'll direct you to it or consider stocking it.

It's natural to compare the Monterey Market to farmers' markets and to the Berkeley Bowl. MM is cheaper than both. It loses to the Berkeley Farmers' Market in the salad category and for certain specialty items. It has a lot less selection than the Berkeley Bowl even as far as produce goes. Also, BB has a serious selection of traditional supermarket items that MM doesn't carry. Further, the BB has a butcher, a fish counter, a deli counter, and so on -- all lacking at the MM. Finally, the Berkeley Bowl is open on Sundays!

Take the MM on its own terms, and you'll be happy.

As someone else pointed out, the Monterey Market is traditionally stronger than the Berkeley Bowl in its selection of mushrooms. That can be important. Another wrinkle is that the MM has a weird automatic orange juice machine that will squeeze for you a jug of orange juice on demand. (Ask at the register as you check out.) In the right season, you can get blood orange juice. The Monterey Market is starting to have a decent wine selection. If you have wines to recommend or ask about, try to find Mickey, the wine buyer. (He usually has a feather duster in his pocket.)

(view on the map)

"Delicious chaats in a warehouse. The food was delicious and the service speedy and polite. For a vegetarian feast for two, I would recommend the samosa chole, sev puri and a masala dosa (dosa only available on the weekend). It will be too much food, but it is worth it. You'll get several tastes and textures, including these tiny, delicious fried noodle things. The desserts look great, too. There are some meat options, too, but I can't vouch for them.

I would give this place five stars but for two small issues. First, the idli taste like armpits. Their texture is also sort of off, but it's the smell/taste that did me in. Also, make sure you NEVER sit in the tables close to the line to order, lest you be accosted by a legion of annoying people who ask you a zillion questions about your food and never apologize for interrupting your meal, let alone say thank you. I understand that this is a foreign cuisine to most and initially we were happy to share, but seriously suckers, you can say thanks. This is in no way the proprietor's (Vik's?) fault, but I issue it as a word of warning. Vik's is definitely great and you should go, just watch where you sit."

(view on the map)

Cool little book store on College Ave. They have a decent selection of used books, so if you're looking for something in particular you might be able to find a used copy of it here for a few dollars off the price of a new copy.

(view on the map)

"Excellent pizza and great breads all in one place. I think the guys who started this used to be a part of the Cheeseboard collective. It's cheaper than Cheeseboard at the moment. hehe. Although i still prefer the cheeseboard pizza crust to the arizmendi one. Other than that, it's just as good."

You can't go wrong with any of the baked goods from this bakery cooperative. Try the Sweet Sallies, Brioche Knots, or Chocolate Thingies for breakfast. Their pizza-of-the-day can be eaten by the slice there, or taken home half-baked, and is always interesting, featuring non-standard toppings such as butternut squash, leeks, or eggplant. Oh, and they have a decent cheese selection