Wednesday, December 29, 2010

NYE Prix Fixes

If you don’t yet have New Year’s Eve plans, try celebrating at a few local restaurants.

Updated:

Chop Bar
247 4th St., Oakland
(510) 834-2467
$25 after 9 p.m. for food, music & champagne toast at midnight
Special family-style dinner before 9 p.m.

Sea Salt
2512 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley
(510) 833-1720
$48 4-course prix fixe with glass of champagne or added $15 for wine pairings

Cioccolata Di Vino
1801 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
(510) 898-1392
5:30 to 11 p.m., $55 5-course prix fixe and glass of prosecco, or order a la carte.

Oliveto
510-547-5356
Early seating ($80) and late ($95) for 4-course Venetian menu: starter, pasta, main and dessert.

Pizzaiolo
510-652-4888
Early seating ($90) and late ($125) for family-style dinner, likely including wood-fired Dungeness crabs, and drinks. Live music & dancing.

Gather
2200 Oxford St., Berkeley, 510-859-9180
Closes at 10 p.m. $65 4-course prix fixe, including vegan options.

Lake Chalet
1520 Lakeside Dr., Oakland, 510-208-5253
$75 murder mystery dinner. Solve a whodunit while enjoying a 3-course dinner at sparkling wine toast.

Ozumo Oakland
2251 Broadway, Oakland, 510-286-9866
Closes at 11 p.m. $65 6-course prix fixe with complimentary celebratory toast and entertainment by DJ Ed.

Zut! On Fourth
1820 Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-644-0444
Early seating ($70) and late ($90), 4-course prix fixe plus $30 for wine pairing. Live music and complimentary midnight toast

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas and New Year Eve's Prix Fixe

With the recent prix fixe success at Jimmy Bean’s and Lalime’s, a couple more K2 eateries are offering prix fixe Christmas Eve early dinners.

Who: T-Rex
Where: 1300 10th Street at Gilman, Berkeley, 510-527-0099
When: Dec. 24, 4 to 8 p.m.
What: $38 for holiday buffet featuring carving, salad, sides and dessert stations and glass of sparkling wine. Menu lacks ribs but includes suckling pig (with BBQ sauce), smoked turkey and salmon. Sides include beet salad, Cobb salad, Cesar salad, cornbread, brussel sprouts, mac & cheese, baked beans & sausage. For dessert, there’s carrot cake and chocolate bread pudding.

Sea Salt
2512 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, (510) 883-1720
Dec. 24, 3 to 8 p.m.
$25, 3-course San Francisco classic of chicory salad, cioppino, dessert and a glass of Brut.


If you don’t yet have New Year’s Eve plans, try celebrating at a few local restaurants.

Oliveto
510-547-5356
Early seating ($80) and late ($95) for 4-course Venetian menu: starter, pasta, main and dessert.

Pizzaiolo
510-652-4888
Early seating ($90) and late ($125) for family-style dinner, likely including wood-fired Dungeness crabs, and drinks. Live music & dancing.

Gather
2200 Oxford St., Berkeley, 510-859-9180
Closes at 10 p.m. $65 4-course prix fixe, including vegan options.

Lake Chalet
1520 Lakeside Dr., Oakland, 510-208-5253
$75 murder mystery dinner. Solve a whodunit while enjoying a 3-course dinner at sparkling wine toast.

Ozumo Oakland
2251 Broadway, Oakland, 510-286-9866
Closes at 11 p.m. $65 6-course prix fixe with complimentary celebratory toast and entertainment by DJ Ed.

Zut! On Fourth
1820 Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-644-0444
Early seating ($70) and late ($90), 4-course prix fixe plus $30 for wine pairing. Live music and complimentary midnight toast

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Weekend Eats & Drinks 12/16

Looks like Lalime’s is making a habit of its $38 3-course prix fixe and wine pairing. Today, start with Hog Island oysters paired with brut, move on to a Caesar salad with chardonnay, and finish with a grilled hangar steak and cabernet sauvignon. Reservations advised.

Solano Cellars hosts two wine flights this weekend. On Friday, try a $30 flight of Spanish wines from Vina Valoria dating to 1968 from 4 to 9 p.m. On Saturday, try a dozen sparkling wines while snacking on kettle chips and crème cheese from 7 to 9 p.m. for $25.

For a free flight this weekend, head to Rock Wall Wines in Alameda with four cans of nonperishable food to donate to the Alameda Food Bank. Try all 5 of the new releases and shop holiday deals, including free shipping on orders over $75.

Lalime's
1329 Gilman Street
Albany, CA 94706
(510) 527-9838

Solano Cellars
1580 Solano Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
(510) 525-9463

Rock Wall Wines
2301 Monarch Street
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 522-5700

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Weekend Eats & Drinks 12/9

UPDATED: Jamaican dinner at Guerilla Cafe and $4 mai-tais at Trader Vics.

Help others out and get free booze this weekend. Til the end of December, bring two cans of nonperishable food and get a free well drink or draft beer at Easy Lounge in Oakland. Or, bring an ornament to Ironwood BBQ in Berkeley to help decorate the tree and get a free beer. Farley’s East also holds its monthly nonprofit happy hour today from 5 to 9 p.m., with 20% of sales going to Oakland Grown, a program of the Oakland Merchants’ Leadership forum.

After Farley’s, walk the few blocks to Whole Foods in Oakland for its holiday soiree from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Sample Whole Foods’ holiday menu, catch live food demonstrations and performances by the Oakland Symphony Chorus and the Oakland Ballet, and shop local vendors. RSVP ahead of time to get a free goodie bag with a bottle of apple cider and a box of mulling spices, or get a goodie bag with any holiday order.

For those with a higher budget, catch the $70 Molnar family wine dinner at Solano Cellars. The Berkeley-based winemaking family will bring new releases to pair with cuisine from Hannah Hoffman. Highlights from the menu include crab cakes, rabbit pate, braised duck legs and hangar steak. Reservations are required as the limit is 22 people.

Also tonight, Lalime’s is doing a special 3-course seafood and wine pairing for $38/person. Start with a tuna tartare, move to a shellfish stew and finish with butterscotch bread pudding. Reservations strongly recommended.

For those looking for holiday gifts, shop men’s and women’s fashions while imbibing and munching at Convert on Fourth St. in Berkeley from 6 to 9 p.m. today. Get 20% off at all participating vendors.

On Friday, try Jimmy Bean’s 3-course $20 NY steak dinner and a glass of malbec. First course is a marinated beet salad and crème brulee for dessert.

Or, for a taste of the Caribbean, head to Guerilla Café in downtown Berkeley for a Kingston 11 dinner from 6 to 10 p.m. Order a la carte Jamaican specialties made with spices and herbs from the Caribbean and seasonal veggies and fruits from local farmers market like jerk chicken ($12.50) and salmon steak with ginger butter ($13).

Also, on Friday, celebrate Trader Vic’s anniversary at the Emeryville marina with $4 mai-tais all night. Just mention the secret code “1902” to your server.

On Saturday, you have to pick between wine or beer. Rock Wall Wines holds its winter wonderland open house from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $35 and include new and future releases from 10 wineries: Blacksmith, Carica Wines, Ehrenberg Cellars, Eno, Joseph Garry Cellars, JRE, Manic Monday, Mercy Vineyards, R&B Cellars and Rock Wall. Also enjoy catering by Freshta, live music, winery tours, barrel samples and more.

Also on Saturday, Solano Cellars will host a Christmas market from noon to 5 p.m. Sip on $5 glasses of beer, wine or mulled wine, while perusing Solano Cellar’s favorite food and wine vendors.

Lastly, for the beer folks, Pacific Coast Brewing in downtown Oakland is holding a sit-down holiday tasting of seasonal beers from noon to 4 p.m. $60 tickets include hors d’ oeuvres paired with holiday brews from Anchor, Sierra Nevada, Bear Republic, North Coast, Black Diamond, Stone, Dogfish Head & more. Advance tickets required.


ONGOING

Easy Lounge
3255 Lakeshore Avenue
Oakland, CA 94610
(510) 338-4911

Ironwood BBQ
2130 Oxford Street
Berkeley, CA 94720
(510) 981-8028

TODAY

Farley’s East
33 Grand Ave
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 835-7898

Whole Foods
30 Bay Place, Oakland
(510) 834-9800

Solano Cellars
1580 Solano Avenue
Albany, CA 94707-2117
(510) 525-9463

Lalime's
1329 Gilman Street
Albany, CA 94706-2450
510) 527-9838

Convert
1809B 4th St
Berkeley, CA 94710
510) 649-9759

FRIDAY
Jimmy Bean's
1290 6th Street
Berkeley, CA 94710-1402
(510) 528-3435

Guerilla Cafe
1620 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709-1612
(510) 845-2233

Trader Vic's
9 Anchor Drive
Emeryville, CA 94608-1510
(510) 653-3400

SATURDAY

Rock Wall Wines
2301 Monarch Street, Suite 300
Alameda, CA 94501
510-522-5700

PCB Holiday Brew
906 Washington St., Oakland
510-836-2739

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Weekend Eats & Drinks 12/2

The weekend starts early this week with a lineup of Thursday events.

The weekend’s best deal may be the $38 3-course dinner with wine pairing available this Thursday, Dec. 2, only at Lalime's. Start with a mussel appetizer, lamb shank and pear tart each paired with a glass of wine.

Across town in the Elmwood District, catch a holiday shopping fundraiser for People’s Grocery featuring local retailers, food by Summer Kitchen and wine tastings by Vintage Berkeley from 7 to 10 p.m. Eat from local farms, drink local wines, and shop from your favorite local merchants. Tickets are $10 presale, and $15 at the door.

The similarly themed Montclair Stroll also will run Thursday evening from 6 p.m. Enjoy refreshments from local eateries and entertainment while shopping special deals at local retailers.

For fans of Mumm Napa, try a tasting of their sparkling wines at the Terrace Room near Lake Merritt in Oakland from 6 to 9 p.m. For pinot enthusiasts, taste Calera library reserves dating to 1994 at Solano Cellars at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45/person for 8 wines and cheese. Call (510) 525-9463 to reserve as spots are limited. Lastly, Penelope bar in Oakland will hold a Berryessa Gap wine tasting.

Drake’s Brewing in San Leandro hosts first Fridays this week benefiting McKinley Elementary School. There’s a voluntary $5 per person admission that goes directly to the school, and $15 gets you a tasting glass and 3 tokens for 3 full pours. Food will also be available for purchase.

For the next two Saturdays, Berkeley’s Donkey and Goat will open its doors for free tastings of its eco-friendly Rhone varietals from noon to 5 p.m.

On Sunday, the California Artisan Cheese Guild will host a cheese and wine pairing event called Great Cheese & Good Cheer in Oakland from 2 to 6 p.m. Sample artisanal cheeses while enjoying local wines and beers from the likes of Cowgirl Creamery, Cypress Grove Chevre and more. Tickets are $40.

Lalime’s
1329 Gilman Ave., Berkeley
510-527-9838

Holiday shopping fundraiser at Vintage Berkeley
2949 College Ave., Berkeley

Montclair Stroll
Top of La Salle Avenue

Mumm Napa at the Terrace Room
1800 Madison St., Oakland

Calera library tasting at Solano Cellars
1580 Solano Ave., Albany

Berryessa Gap tasting at Penelope
555 12th St, Ste 120, Oakland

Drake’s Brewing
1933 Davis St Ste 177, San Leandro

Donkey and Goat
2323 B 4th Street, Berkeley

Great Cheese & Good Cheer
Grace Street Catering Building
4629 MLK Jr. Way, Oakland

Friday, November 19, 2010

Weekend Eats & Drinks 11/19

There aren't too many events this weekend to compete with Thanksgiving prep, but a few wineries are holding events if you're still looking for the perfect wine and turkey pairing

Tonight catch JC Cellars holiday case sale. Get 30% off select wine cases for the holiday. Mix and match 12 bottles from 5 to 8 p.m., as well as tastings with light appetizers. Neighbor Dashe Cellars also is offering 25% off case purchases til Sunday.

On Saturday, catch Kermit Lynch's annual Beaujolais Nouveau party. Kermit Lynch and Cafe Fanny will turn the parking lot into an afternoon party Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch usually is about $15 and wines by the glass range from $5 to $6.

After your lunch, wind down with Peet's free open house from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sample the new holiday blend coffee and tea, and sit in on home-brew demonstrations. For every coffee or tea purchase of $25 and up, get a free gift tin.


JC Cellars and Dashe Cellars
55 4th St., Oakland
www.jccellars.com
www.dashecellars.com

Kermit Lynch
1605 San Pablo Blvd., Berkeley
www.kermitlynch.com

Peet's Coffee
East Bay locations
www.peets.com

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Thanksgiving Restaurants

For less fuss this Thanksgiving, a few restaurants will open Thursday for holiday dinner.

Spicy Monkey Cafe in downtown Oakland holds its "Day of Giving" complimentary dinner. Bring 10 cans of food to the restaurant by today and get a free meal ticket for Thanksgiving dinner. For example, if you have a party of two, drop off 20 cans of food. All cans collected will be donated to the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Dinner includes an entree and a special treat.

Other restaurants are offering prix fixe, buffets and regular menus.

Prix fixe

Spice Monkey
1628 Webster St., Oakland

Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto's
1919 4th St., Berkeley
$19.95/person

Henry’s
2600 Durant Ave., Berkeley
$22.95/person

Lake Chalet Seafood Bar and Grill
1520 Lakeside Dr., Oakland
510-208-5253
$39/person, $19 for children under 12

Pican
2295 Broadway, Oakland
510-834-1000
Thanksgiving feast from the South, $65/adult, $21.95 children under 12

The following will serve Thanksgiving dinner but call for pricing.


Five Restaurant

2086 Allston Way, Berkeley
http://www.five-berkeley.com


Garibaldi’s

5356 College Ave., Oakland
510-595-4000
3-course prix fixe

Buffets

Montclair Bistro
6118 Medau Place, Oakland
http://montclairbistro.com
$48 per person, $24 for kids 12 and younger. Full menu here.

Scott’s
2 Broadway Ave., Oakland
www.scottsjls.com
510-444-3456
$35/adult, $15 children under 12


No details on the price or menu, but the restaurants will be open on Thanksgiving.

Kincaid’s Bayhouse
1 Franklin St., Oakland
510-835-8600

Skates on the Bay
100 Seawall Dr., Berkeley
510-549-1900

Quinn’s Lighthouse
1951 Embarcadero East, Oakland
510-536-2050

Miss Pearl’s Jam House
One Broadway, Oakland
510-444-7171

Thursday Eats & Drinks

The weekend starts early tonight with a pair of wine tastings and a beer pairing.

Oakland's Urban Legend Cellars hosts its new release party from 5 to 9 p.m. Sample the eight latest releases along with old favorites and barrel tastings paired with finger foods and chocolates from Cocoa Diva. Tickets are $10, and some of tastings include a 2008 Sangiovese, 2009 Mourvedre, 2009 Petit Verdot from Mendocino and other reds.


Solano Cellars
will also be hosting an aged Italian wine tasting tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. Sample rare, decade-plus-old Barolo, Barbaresco and Tuscan wines paired with appetizers. Tickets are $69.

Wines being poured:
‘97 D. Rivetti Barbaresco Ris. “Bricco de Neveis” $75
‘98 Dante Marramiero Montepulciano d’Abruzzo $60
‘00 Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino $72
‘01 Monte Faustino Amarone della Valpolicella $90

Food menu:
Polenta squares with mushrooms and truffle oil
Arancini risotto balls
Rosemary focaccia with pork shoulder
Selection of Piedmont and Tuscan cheese

For a beer-paired dinner, Berkeley's Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto teams up with 21st Amendment for a 5-course $40 prix fixe menu. Seatings start at 7 p.m., and a representative of the brewery will be on hand to answer any questions.


Urban Legend Cellars release party
621 4th st., Oakland
http://www.ulcellars.com/

Solano Cellars
1580 Solano Ave., Albany
http://www.solanocellars.com

Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto & 21st Amendement
1919 4th St., Berkeley
http://www.spengers.com

Friday, November 12, 2010

Weekend Eats & Drinks 11/13

Not sure what drinks to serve for the holidays? Head to one of four events Saturday for tastings.

Stage Left Cellars in Oakland is extending its hours in November, opening every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stage Left focuses on Rhone varietals, with an occasional Cab and Zin. Tastings are $5.

Across the Webster Tunnel, Rock Wall Wines is hosting a wine harvest party. Tickets are $75 online, or $85 at the door, and include tastings of the entire Rock Wall portfolio and BBQ ribs, brisket and chicken. The event also features live music, tours, barrel samples, and a blind wine tasting competition with prizes. Also receive special day wine pricing on purchases.

For more variety, try the Kermit Lynch and Solano Cellars release party from 2 to 5 p.m. A $20 ticket gets you tastings of more than 15 wines from France and Italy. Expect to taste favorites from the Rhone, Burgundy, Corsica and Bandol. The $20 ticket is refunded with a purchase of 3 bottles or more.

Lastly, sample unlimited wine and spirits at the Young Professionals Committee - East Bay Holidate dating auction fundraiser at Oakland’s Uptown Body and Fender gallery from 7 to 10 p.m. $35 tickets online, or $45 at the door, get you an evening of music and unlimited wine, spirits and chocolate tastings from sponsors like Buffalo Bills, Conjure, Ghirardelli, Periscope Cellars, El Relingo Tequila, Manana Tequila, Beringer wines, Ceja Vineyards, Charles Krug, Kinder’s BBQ and more. Aside from the food and wine, catch the auctioning of bachelors and bachelorettes who volunteer to go on dates to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area, which provides mentoring programs for Bay Area kids.

Stage Left Cellars
2102 Dennison St., Ste. A, Oakland

Rock Wall Wine harvest
2301 Monarch St., Building 24, Alameda


Kermit Lynch release party
1580 Solano Ave., Albany


Holidate SoireeUptown Body & Fender Art Gallery
401 26th St., Oakland

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Numi Tea Garden in Oakland

One visit to the Numi Tea Garden in Oakland proves that tea service doesn’t have to be pretentious. Located off the I-880, the tea garden’s brick office building exterior fits in with the surrounding warehouses and loading docks. However, inside, you are taken to a new age, Asian oasis with plenty of indoor plants and water fountains to tap your inner om or surf the internet in peace with the free Wi-Fi.

The tea garden is very informal, usually with a seat yourself policy. The service tends to be slow with only two people the Sunday I went working the tea tastings and the retail store. Though it took a while to be greeted and get menus, the staff was friendly and the tea presentation very attentive.

Most all of the teas Numi sells online is available but there are a few to taste that are not found online like the Jasmine Pearl, my favorite. A teapot tasting starts at $2, and increases depending on your tea selection. The choices are varied with green, black, white, herbal, oolong and flowering teas, most of which are organic. The White Nectar of organic osmanthus spring was light with hints of apricot, while the Puerh Mini Tuocha was dark, rich and smelled like chocolate. The standout was the Jasmine Pearl, a floral mix of green tea and jasmine, and a definite try for any green tea fan. Numi also offers a limited selection of snacks to pair with your tea. Instead of finger sandwiches, macaroons and other high tea nibbles, Numi’s menu includes nuts and dried fruits, hummus and other Mediterranean dips, cheeses and baked goods. We decided on the muhammara, a red pepper and walnut dip with pomegranate molasses that offered a sweet and spicy kick.

The tea service is much like an Asian tea room with all your accessories atop a hollow wooden box. In an elaborate presentation, the tea leaves are poured into the infuser followed by hot water, and then a sand dial timer is turned to measure precisely when your tea is done. Any excess water is swirled to clean your tea cup and then poured over a decorative frog figurine for what I’m told is good luck. The ritual definitely makes you feel special.

After your tastings, you can walk a few feet and grab some tea bags, loose leafs, or tea pots and accessories. The loose leaf prices are some of the more affordable I’ve seen for organic teas, and unlike online, you can get as little as an ounce.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Dine Out for Meals on Wheels

Dine out for a cause tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 9, for the inaugural “Bay Area Dine Out for Meals on Wheels.” A portion of the evening’s proceeds will go to local Meals on Wheels organizations that provide nearly 3 million meals each year to more than 8,500 seniors in daily need of a hot, nutritious meal, a wellness check and companionship.

The following East Bay restaurants are participating. Please mention that you are dining to benefit Meal on Wheels.

Alameda
BarCeluna
Dragon Rouge
Mona’s Table
Speisekammer
Tomatina
Tucker’s Ice Cream
Zeytini Restaurant and Bar

Berkeley
Ajanta
Chick-o-Pea’s
eVe
FIVE Restaurant & Bar
Sea Salt
Sfoofs Woofle Café
Zut! On Fourth

Oakland
Buttercup Grill & Bar
Dopo
Italian Colors Ristorante
Miss Pearl’s Jam House
Nex
Ozumo
Tay Ho Restaurant
Vo’s Restaurant

For a list of restaurants in other Bay Area counties, please see www.dineoutnow.org.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Weekend Eats & Drinks 11/5

Start the weekend with a free R&B Cellars flight tasting at Miss Pearl's Jam House at Jack London Square in Oakland today from 5 to 6 p.m.

For the high rollers, try Solano Cellar's Benjamin Flight today from 4 to 9 p.m. For $30, try three $100 bottles. First off is a full glass of NV Henriot Souverain Blanc de Blancs Champagne from Magnum. Then, tastings of 2004 Argiolas "Turriga", Sardinia, Italy, and 2005 Domaine du Jaugaret St. Julien (Medoc), Bordeaux, France.

If wine's not your thing, head to Drake's Brewing in San Leandro from 4 to 8 p.m. today for first Friday tastings. This month's event benefits the San Leandro Scholarship Foundation. $15 will get you a Drake's tasting glass and 3 tokens for 3 full pours. Additional tokens are $3.50. A $5/person voluntary donation can be offered at the door. Food will also be on sale.

On Saturday, Nov. 6, Stage Left Cellars near Jack London Square in Oakland will host an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. A $25 ticket includes wine tastings of Stage Left favorites, food like wood-fired pizzas and live music.

On Sunday, Nov. 7, the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Gourmet Food and Wine Festival at Hotel Shattuck Plaza from 2 to 6 p.m. Get a taste of local cuisine and wine from 25 area restaurants and caterers, and 25 local wineries. Enjoy live music, a raffle and silent auction, benefiting the chamber's scholarship program. The event will also help Through the Looking Glass, a nonprofit assisting families with disabilities since 1982. Tickets are $50.

Friday
R&B Cellars free tastings
at Miss Pearl's Jam House
1 Broadway, Oakland
510-444-7171

Solano Cellars
1580 Solano Ave. B, Albany
510-525-9463

Drake's Brewing
1933 Davis St., Ste 177
San Leandro, CA
Parking at Westgate Center Parking lot

Saturday
Stage Left Cellars
2102 Dennison St., Oakland
510-434-9930

Sunday
Berkeley Chamber of Commerce Stomp!
2086 Allston Way, Berkeley
510-549-7000

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Holiday gift ideas

With the holidays fast approaching, take advantage of a couple local events today for gift ideas.

From 5 to 7 p.m., head to Amanda's Feel Good Fresh Food Restaurant in downtown Berkeley for an eco-local preholiday party. Sample select Amanda's food and drink (including season catering options and local, organic beer and wine) while perusing displays by Bay Area eco-friendly retailers. For the eco-conscious, shop Convert eco-fashion, GIANNA fair-trade fashion and home decor, and PACT organic cotton underwear. The event is cohosted by Buy Local Berkeley, which will raffle gift certificates donated by local businesses.

For the tequila lovers, try the Terrace Room's $1 tequila tasting featuring Paqui from 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy specially paired appetizers and cocktails lakeside at the Lake Merritt Hotel eatery. If you like it, gift it.

Amanda's
2122 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
(510) 548-2122

The Terrace Room

1800 Madison St., Oakland
(510) 903-3771

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Locanda da Eva in Berkeley

Opened by a former SF Weekly restaurant critic, Locanda da Eva sits on a nearly deserted stretch of Telegraph Avenue. Unheard of in Berkeley, street parking is easy to find, as I had no trouble pulling up to a metered spot (free after 6 p.m.) steps from the front door. As I parked, I questioned the quiet streets and wondered whether the place was even open. It was. Despite the lackluster location, however, Locanda da Eva holds a lot of promise.

From the outside, the restaurant looks small but actually is comfortably spacious even if it has two contrasting seating areas. One room holds a dimly lit, sleek bar and lounge area that doesn't seem out of place in the Elmwood or Fourt Street districts. The dining room is more family friendly with brighter lighting but uncoordinated decor. The odd booth dividers look cheap, and the artwork, while notable, doesn't add much to the restaurant. It's diffcult to figure out what the ambiance of the dining room is suppose to be, so it may be a good sign that the restaurant will be closed November 7 to 9 for redecoration.

While the decor misses the mark, the food is reliable. The well-rounded menu includes salads and appetizers, pizzas, pastas, meat dishes, sides of vegetables and dessert. For not being a vegetarian restaurant, the menu is the most vegetarian and vegan friendly I have seen. Almost every dish except for those in the fish, fowl and meat category can be prepared vegan or vegetarian on request.

With a menu focusing on local and sustainable sources, Locanda da Eva is like many restaurants in Berkeley. What sets it apart are the delicious wood-fired pizzas and focus on Italian red wines.

The four pizzas, about 12 inches in diameter, on the menu, don't disappoint. The braised pork with roasted gypsy peppers, Grana Padano, chiles and mozzarella ($14) was well balanced and generous on the toppings, if a bit too generous as the thin crust pizza was a bit floppy.



The strozzapreti (tubular pasta) with roasted eggplant, lamb sausage, chiles, tomato, herbs, and ricotta salata ($16) was the opposite: a disappointment with mouthfuls of pasta but very little toppings. The pasta and herbs came through, while the eggplant and lamb sausage were either finely chopped or weren't there at all.

To combat the carbs, the menu offers sides of vegetables like fried cauliflower with mustard greens and braised fennel ($5). As an appetizer, the pork trotter fritters with roasted Poblano vinaigrette and radishes ($9 for 2) felt overpriced, and though fried perfectly lacked flavor.

Along with menu suggestions, the staff was helpful with wine pairings. Featuring a lot of Italian reds, the wine list can be difficult to navigate. But the payoff is a good sampling of Italian reds from a knowledgeable staff that I have yet to find at other Italian restaurants.

Locanda da Eva is a great neighborhood addition, especially since it stays open til midnight on Friday and Saturday for late night happy hour with $10 pizzas, $2 off specialty cocktails, $4 selected wines by the glass, and $2 Racer 5 IPA or Full Sail Session Lager. Regular happy hour runs from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday without $10 pizzas.

Locanda da Eva
2826 Telegraph Ave. Berkeley
(between Stuart St & Oregon St)
(510) 665-9601
locandadaeva.com

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Halloween Eats

Halloween isn't just about candy. A few local eateries are offering special Halloween promotions Sunday, Oct. 31.

Chiptole Mexican Grill
2311 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley
1050 Gilman Ave., Berkeley
Dress up as a processed food after 6 p.m. Sunday and get a burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos for $2. Proceeds will benefit Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, a nonprofit campaign to educate people about the importance of eating unprocessed food.
http://www.chipotle.com

Gourmet Ghetto Ghoulish GastronomiqueShattuck Avenue and Cedar Street
Now until Nov. 2
Gourmet Ghetto restaurants will create a special spooky menu where you may find deviled chicken, one-eyed monster pizza, creepy crepes and ghoul’s eye soup.
http://www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com/day-of-dead/

Friday, October 22, 2010

Weekend Eats & Drinks


If you can brave the rain this weekend, Oktoberfest continues with three beer events Saturday.

From noon to 5 p.m., head to Linden Street Brewery for a family-friendly beer and brats festival benefiting Bay Area Community Services. Drake’s Brewery will also be pouring at the event that features live blues music by Al D Bop & the Boptroplis Band and barbecue. Admission is free, and $10 for a souvenir mug and two beer tickets.

Also in Oakland, Pacific Coast Brewing Co. is celebrating 22 years with 1988 rollback prices Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight. Catch live music from the Damn Liars, 8 to 10 p.m. with no cover.

If you want more variety, try the Bay Area Craft Beer Festival in Martinez from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is $45 (or $35 if purchased in advance online tonight) for unlimited pours from over 30 microbreweries, including Bear Republic, Eel River, Dogfish Head, Lagunitas, and New Belgium Brewing. Click here for a full list. Get in an hour early at noon with a $50 VIP ticket. Three bands will provide entertainment, and food will be sold.


Linden Street Brewery Beer and Brats
Noon to 5 p.m.
95 Linden St., Oakland
http://www.clubrunner.ca/Portal/SitePages/SitePage.aspx?accountid=3190&pid=55019

Pacific Coast Brewing
8:30 p.m. to midnight
906 Washington St., Oakland
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=120008781391284#!/event.php?eid=120008781391284

Bay Area Craft Beer Festival
1 to 5 p.m.
333 Ferry St., Martinez
http://www.bayareacraftbeerfestival.com/

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Giants happy hour

Can't get seats to the Giants game? A few Oakland and Berkeley bars will show Game 1 of the World Series while serving up happy hour. Get there early; game time is 5 p.m. Have any to add? Leave a comment.

Updated: 10/27/10

Amanda's
2122 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
Happy hour 4-6 p.m., $1 off any beer or wine and free popcorn
http://www.facebook.com/AmandasFeelGoodFreshFood?ref=s#!/AmandasFeelGoodFreshFood?v=wall

T-Rex BBQ
1300 10th St., Berkeley
Happy hour 3 to 6 p.m.
$4 beers, $5 well drinks, $2 off glasses of wine
Lots of food specials, including $1 street tacos, $4 pulled pork nachos. $5 smoked BBQ riblets and full rack of ribs and PBR pitcher for $25
www.t-rex-bbq.com

Bobby G’s Pizzeria
2072 University Ave., Berkeley
Happy hour 4 to 7 p.m.
$1 off beers, $2 off pitchers & glasses of wine, 25% off bottles of wine
$2.25 cheese slices, $17 for 18” cheese pizza, $5 Caesar side salads
www.bobbygspizzeria.com

Pyramid Brewery
901 Gilman St., Berkeley
Happy hour 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
$3.50 pints, $10.50 pitchers except Brewer’s handle
30% off appetizers
Thirsty Thursday 6:30 p.m. to close
Any pizza & pitcher for $15 (min. 2 people)
www.pyramidbrew.com

Meridian International Sports Café
2050 University Ave., Berkeley
Happy hour 4-7 p.m.
$1 off beer, $2 off glasses of wine, $3 off pitchers, $2 off tapas
www.berkeleymeridian.com

Beta Lounge
2129 Durant Ave, Berkeley
4 to 9 p.m.
$3 beers, $5 wine, sake & food specials
www.thebetalounge.com/

Somar Bar
1727 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
4:30 to 8 p.m.
Food & drink specials, past deals include:
$2 Amstel Light, $3 Drakes IPA & Red Eye, $6 Jameson, $6-8 appetizers
www.somarbar.com

Easy Lounge
3255 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland
Past deals include:
$1 off all well drinks until 8pm; $2 off well drinks after 8pm

Ozumo in Oakland

When San Francisco’s Ozumo opened a restaurant in Oakland’s Uptown district in 2008, the corner of Grand and Broadway avenues was hardly a gourmet destination. A couple years later, and much has changed with Oakland institution Bakesale Betty and other San Francisco transplants Plum by Daniel Patterson and Farley’s opening. Yet, despite the new kids on the block, Ozumo holds its own as one of the best places to grab fresh sushi or sample contemporary Japanese cuisine.

If you've yet to try Ozumo, a good start is happy hour or a special $35 4-course dinner prix fixe. Happy hour runs every weekday from 4 to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 4 p.m. to closing. Deals include $5 rolls, cocktails and sakes. On Sundays, select sake bottles are also 50% off.

Like many Japanese restaurants, seafood features prominently on Ozumo’s menu and it does not disappoint. While the menu offers the usual Spider and tempura rolls, I recommend being adventurous and ordering the chef’s selection, an assortment of the day's freshest nigiri, which, according to our server, Ozumo gets as a whole fish instead of precut fillets. Arriving in a sculptural white plate, the colorful nigiri stood out beautifully, and tasted amazingly fresh. If you enjoy savory fish, I recommend finishing with the toro (tuna belly), market price, or hard-to-find beni toro (salmon belly), $8, for something fattier, richer and heavier. Both are delicious and almost melt in your mouth. The carb-conscious can find a perfect buttery balance in the Hanabi plate of layered hamachi and avocado slices in a spicy moat of ginger and jalapeno ponzu sauce ($16).

Like the sushi, the same artful presentation and balance comes through in Ozumo's signature dishes. The Futago small plate combines East and West, a blend of carpaccio and sushi: Deep pink Washu beef sits atop sauteed spinach and eggplant with a spicy miso sauce ($13). A beautiful dish that tastes as good as it looks. The Gyu Kakuni ($24) of Niman Ranch short ribs slow braised in a red miso and wine sauce was tender enough to fall apart at the touch of a fork. The red miso sauce was a highlight in itself: a savory, complex gravy that I lapped up with rice. A perfect example of modern Japanese food, the Gyu Kakuni is what I imagine Japanese comfort food is.

Ozumo is also one of the few places in the East Bay with a robata grill. While the chicken ($6) and beef skewers ($7) were appetizing and tender, they were not as exciting as the rest of the menu and probably the safest choice for picky eaters. There's enough variety in the menu, though, for vegans, carnivores and kids to find something. Perhaps all can agree on the duo of green tea desserts. The matcha green tea panna cotta was inventive and delicious, while the chocolate flourless cake with green tea ice cream was more traditional.

As for drinks, there's wine, beer and a full bar, but the highlight is the extensive sake list. Unless you're familiar with sake, I recommend ordering a flight, or asking the advice of your server. From light with floral notes to more complex, dry versions, the sake choices are endless.

We paired each course with sake recommendations from the server and were not disappointed. The service was attentive, if a bit leisurely paced perhaps to let you enjoy the dining room's modernist, earthy take. Like the food, the dining room is a mindful jumble of East meets West with a sleak glass sushi bar near classic wooden tables and chairs. The pulsing music floats into the dining room from the front lounge that it almost sounds like a night club. But don't let the vibe fool you, as I've seen families with toddlers nomming on happy hour sushi and edamame.

That anyone from families to office workers and couples were spotted during my visit reflects Ozumo's wide appeal as a neighborhood joint. Whether grabbing a quick happy hour bite in the lounge or meeting a date at the sushi bar, Ozumo's accessible and excellently executed menu offers something for everyone.

Ozumo
2251 Broadway Avenue (at Grand), Oakland
510-286-9866

Friday, October 15, 2010

Weekend Eats and Drinks

Whatever your epicurean vice, there’s probably an East Bay event for you this weekend.

On Saturday, start the day at noon in Old Oakland for Pacific Coast Brewery’s festival. Admission is free, and $20 gets you a commemorative glass and 5 beer tasting tickets. Separately, the glass is $5 and extra beer tastings are 6 for $20. The usual suspects are on tap, all California craft brews pouring anniversary ales: Bear Republic, Drake’s, Speakeasy, Lost Coast, Stone, Rubicon, Port, Sudwerks, Sierra Nevada and Pacific Coast. The event runs until 7 p.m. and is billed as family-friendly with live music and food from local restaurants.

If beer’s not your thing, head to JC Cellars a mile away at Jack London Square to see the winery in full production. The harvest is here and the winery has two free tours at 1 and 2:30 P.M. Afterward, head to the tasting room to try some Syrah, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir, to name a few, for $5. The fee is refundable with any purchase.

The gluttony continues early Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in Berkeley for Pyramid Ale House’s $10 all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet with NFL ticket. The buffet ends at 11:30, but you can catch all the games on one of the 6 HD TVs all day.

If you’re a late riser, Blue Bottle Coffee’s free Sunday cupping will wake you up. A must for coffee connoisseurs, the noon cupping is a way to evaluate Blue Bottle’s coffee aromas and flavor profiles side-by-side. See whether you notice the difference between a washed and natural Amaro Gayo. One caveat: Everyone dips their spoons in the same cups, so it’s not for germaphobes.

Afterward, head to North Berkeley’s Spice of Life festival, a celebration of food and art, running until 6 p.m. Catch cooking demos and samples by local eateries alongside open yoga studios and art exhibits. Stop by the wine garden on Vine Street, featuring local winemakers and importers, and listen to live music from the JazzSchol and Freight and Salvage, or get fresh, organic produce from the farmer’s market.

Running the same time is Spenger’s annual Crabby Chef Seafood Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Benefitting the Berkeley Cal Recreational Sports Development Fund’s camp scholarship program, the event includes a 2 p.m. Iron Chef cooking competition with a crowning of a Crabby Chef. Food booths offer the gamut of seafood from crab cakes to clam chowder.

Saturday
Old Oakland Beer Festival
Noon-7 p.m.
906 Washington Ave., Oakland

JC Cellars harvest tour
1 and 2:30 p.m.
55 4th St., Oakland

Sunday
Pyramid NFL breakfast buffet
901 Gilman St., Berkeley

Blue Bottle Coffee cupping
Noon
300 Webster St., Oakland

North Berkeley Spice of Life
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Shattuck Avenue from Rose to Virginia, Berkeley
http://www.gourmetghetto.org/2010%20spice%20of%20life%20info.htm

Spenger’s Crabby Chef seafood festival
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
1919 4th St., Berkeley
http://www.yelp.com/events/berkeley-spenger-and-39-s-to-host-10th-annual-crabby-chefs-seafood-festival-on-october-17-2010

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Trueburger in Oakland

Forget the growing rivalry between Five Guys and In-N-Out for best burger. Trueburger near Oakland’s Uptown district tops them both. Opened earlier this year by two former Baywolf sous chefs, Trueburger consistently delivers simple but delicious food.

The burgers are simple: ground on-site daily, cooked medium and served on a custom-made toasted egg bun with lettuce, tomato and garlic mayo. That’s the basic Trueburger ($4.95) that can be built upon with cheese ($5.45) and bacon ($6.45), or double-up the beef and cheese ($7.95). For vegetarians, there are mushroom burgers ($6.45) and salads ($6.75). The menu also includes hot dogs, but it would be a shame to miss the namesake Trueburger.

I don’t know what makes the burgers so great, whether it’s the perfectly seasoned and grilled patties or the delicious but not too garlicky mayo sauce, but Trueburger manages to turn something familiar into something I would look forward to eating every day.

While the burgers are a must, the fries ($2.95) are an afterthought. Skinny and golden to a crisp, the fries are OK but remind me of frozen Ore-Idas. The hand-spun milk shakes ($4.95) are a better complement. Made from either vanilla or chocolate ice cream, the shakes are thick, rich and creamy.

The simplicity of the food carries over into the restaurant. With a simple poster sign hanging out front and a sandwich board on the sidewalk, the small, 30-seater place is easy to miss across from the grandeur of the Cathedral of Christ the Light.

Getting to the basics, Trueburger also relies on DIY customers as wait staff. Place orders at the register, grab your own napkins, condiments and utensils, find a seat and wait for your name to be called. Signs also ask you to bus your own tables, so finding a clean table can be a pain when there’s a rush.

For now, Trueburger is open for lunch Monday through Saturday, and, to my disappointment, for dinner only Thursday through Saturday.

Trueburger

146 Grand Ave., Oakland
(510) 208-5678

Sunday, August 8, 2010

East Bay Underground Market

For those who couldn't get enough street food, the underground market was the place to be Saturday evening. After starting in San Francisco about a year ago, the underground market crossed the Bay for the first time, with about 40 vendors selling food, jams, breads and other homemade goods. Different from farmers markets where the food has to be made on commercial equipment, the underground market is for home chefs, so even you can open shop.

Those looking for fresh produce will be disappointed, as there were none. The underground market is a showcase of street food, ranging from Mexican tamales and moles to steamed dumplings and mac and cheese. Those with a sweet tooth can find plenty of options in artisan choclates, vegan chocolate cakes and of course various cupcakes. There are no home brewers, but organizers sold 12 oz. cups of beer for $4.

The couple vendors I sampled left me unimpressed. The $6 roasted potatos with melted cow's milk cheese sounded delicious but was a letdown with cold potatos and cheese that congealed too quickly. The overcooked, mushy rice was all I could think about in the $7 seafood paella. The mac & cheese sounded promising, but I was too slow and it sold out a couple hours before the evening ended.

While the food vendors offered nothing extraordinary, I did walk away happy with a jar of strawberry and meyer lemon jam from Jeannie's.

Despite the late hours from 5 to 11 p.m, the event is family friendly. The $2 admission doesn't cover any tastings, but you can enjoy the live performances that start around 7:30 p.m. Also remember, the market is cash only.

The underground markets have been held sporadically in San Francisco, so there is no regularly scheduled day, time or location. This weekend's event was held in a parking lot off 24th and Broadway in Oakland's Uptown district. For information about future events, sign up for the free newsletter.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

SF Chefs expands to the East Bay

As part of SF Chefs food and wine activities next week, select restaurants will offer prix fixe menus ranging from $35 to $50. While the main festivities occur in the city, a few East Bay eateries are participating in the weeklong fest beginning Monday and ending Sunday, Aug. 15.

In Berkeley, try the Meritage at the Claremont and Five in Hotel Shattuck. In Oakland, catch the special menus at Miss Pearl's Jam House and Lake Chalet Seafood Bar and Grill. Of the four, Five looks the most promising with two options for each course at $35, or add the wine pairing for an extra $15. The smoked duck salad sounds delicious with goat cheese, candied kumquats, pistachios and melon. The "Five" spiced lamb loin seems traditional and hearty, while the blueberry dessert lassi with white corn ice cream has me curious.

The menus for all but the Meritage can be found at the SF Chefs website, and reservations can be made at Opentable or by calling the restaurant.

Photo: SFChefsfoodwine.com

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

$3 for a $25 credit to Digs Bistro in Berkeley

A few months ago, I scanned Restaurant.com and found a place that I had always wanted to try, Digs Bistro in Berkeley. The Yelp reviews are good, and it is walking distance from my home. I had hopes it could be my neighborhood joint, and after my visit, I wasn't disappointed.

We walked in around 7:30 p.m. on a Thursday without a reservation and had no difficulty being seated. The space is tiny and quaint, decorated like a European cottage, which makes sense since Digs started as an underground supper club in an Oakland home. The dining room is intimate and small enough that only one waiter was working when we went. The clientele skews older, forties and up, which reflects Digs sensibility of comfort over trend.

I started with the fried stuffed squash blossoms, which were tempura-like puffs of batter filled with goat cheese, arugula, mango chutney and almonds. The dish was rich but nonetheless delicious.

Next was the roasted Rocky Jr. chicken, which I was hesitant to get because chicken is something I can easily make at home. I ultimately ordered it because nothing else sounded as appetizing. Once I saw the waiter bringing a plate with a thin layer of chicken juices, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. The roasted chicken was amazing, juicy, tender and piping hot. It came with a side of couscous and vegetables that were only made the better by the excess liquid rolling around the plate. Digs probably serves one of the best roast chickens I've had in the Bay Area.

The boyfriend had the flatbread appetizer and the steak (pictured). He said both were good, which I believe since he didn't share.

We skipped dessert because we were stuffed and it was closing time, though our waiter did not rush us out the door. We lingered 20 minutes or so finishing our bottle of wine, which is half-off on Thursdays, and the staff did not mind.

My only caveat is that the menu is limited with about five appetizers and five entrees, but everything is probably delicious. If you want to give Digs a try, use the code TASTY, good til July 22, to get 70% off, which brings a $25 credit down to $3. The price can get lower if you link through from cashback sites like Fatwallet or Ebates.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Tacubaya in Berkeley

Tucked in a corner behind Sur La Table, Tacubaya is easy to miss, as I apparently have for the past seven years. What drew me to the sister restaurant of Oakland's upscale Mexican eatery Don Tomas was the $8.50 weekday siesta deal that included 2 tacos of your choice and a bottled beer. It was a great way to try what otherwise would have cost $3.50 a pop.

I never expect anything authentic on Fourth Street, and Tacubaya was good for what it was, a quick bite in between shopping. The pork in the taco al pastor was what I'd expect from a street taco, with just the right amount of oil dripping off with each bite, but the avocado salsa was disappointingly bland. The taco de pollo was simply underwhelming. The first few bites were decent until I got past the cheese and salsa topping to realize the chicken was dry. At that point, I wished there were a free salsa bar to add some flavor. But, chips and salsa/guacamole must be purchased separately. The guacamole was delicious, but at over $5 it had to be.

The setting is casual, as you pay at the counter, get a number, grab a seat and wait for your food to be delivered. Before seating, grab utensils, napkins and chili sauce near the registers.

Lacking any real ambiance, the atmosphere is like a cafeteria as you sit at heavy wooden tables and listen to the echoing chatter of the bus boys hanging out near the kitchen. Tacubaya is definitely not a date place, unless you just want to be friends.

Technically you can also dine al fresco, but I wouldn't recommend it. Instead of an enclosed patio, tables are situated on the sides of a major walkway, so regular foot traffic is passing within a foot of your dining experience. That may work in Europe where the scenery makes up for everything, but not in a shopping mall where unruly dogs, strollers and children run rampant.

I would be hard pressed to return without the weekday promotion since the food is overpriced for a Mexican taqueria, but not for Fourth Street. I appreciate the use of local and natural ingredients, but other establishments like Cactus Taqueria in Oakland also aim for sustainability and freshness and are able to do it at lower prices.

Photo: Kris G.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Berkeley Dining Passport


The Berkeley Dining Passport sounds like a great way to try local restaurants and support the Berkeley Food and Housing Project. For $20 a person, you get a dining card good for special offers and discounts at select restaurants until May 31, 2011. You can use the card as many times as you want at each location, but each restaurant may have certain restrictions, such as not valid for drinks or prix fixe menus.

The BDP is a non-profit organization created to help local business and the community by donating to the Berkeley Food and Housing Project, which helps alleviate homelessness and hunger.

Like any dining program, there are some hits and misses. Anh Hong and Dig's Bistro are on Restaurant.com, which has better deals when you use the promo code SUMMER, good until June 24. Instead of $5 off a bottle of wine at Anh Hong, go to Restaurant.com for a $10 gift certificate for $2. Bypass the free dessert with your entree from BDP and go to Restaurant.com for a $25 Dig's dining credit for $3.

The dining passport site says offers can change throughout the year and more restaurants may be added, but below are my highlights.

The much talked about and well-reviewed eVe: 50% off a third course with purchase of $25 2-course prix fixe

The equally buzz-worth FIVE: 10% off lunch or breakfast (drinks not included)

The charming if not kitschy Caffe Venezia: Free dessert with the purchase of an entree.

Classic French fare at Bistro Liasion: 10% off (drinks not included)

Family-style Chinese food at King Tsin: 20% off (drinks not included)

Average Italian fare at Filippos but maybe worth the $1 bottomless glass of wine with entree

Hidden Italian gem Riva Cucina: $1 glass of wine or free dessert with entree

The only drawback is that each dining card is good for one person, so everyone in the party needs the passport to get the special. It's not quite clear how it works at restaurants where you get a percentage off the bill, but I imagine it works on the whole tab.

For $20 and a year of use, I think it's a bargain for people who dine at least once a month. Purchase yours online, at the visitors bureau or at any participating restaurant.

Photo: www.berkeleydiningpassport.com

Monday, May 24, 2010

Anchalee in Berkeley

With enough Thai restaurants in Berkeley as there are Priuses, it can be difficult to spot the good ones like Anchalee. Located in the same building as Caffé Trieste on the corner of Dwight Way and San Pablo Avenue, Anchalee offers Thai cuisine in a contemporary setting. This isn’t a hole-in-the-wall for college students to get early morning grub, but a proper restaurant where you can afford to treat your parents.

The menu is small, fitting on one side of an 8”X11”, but you get a good variety of soups, salads, appetizers, curries, rice and noodle dishes and daily specials. Entrees range from $8 to $10, and you can substitute brown rice for $0.75. Even more affordable is happy hour with $5 appetizers and $3 bottled beers, 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

On a recent weekend, we stopped for a couple appetizers and entrees. The goong grabog of shrimp fried with fresh herbs in a wonton skin fried made shrimp tempura look like an ugly step child. Paired with a housemade sweet plum sauce, the dish was inspirational as it’s on my test kitchen list. The vegetables were also lightly fried and paired perfectly with the cold beers.

I never liked the gelatinous, spongy texture of radish cakes but decided to try the kanom pak kard, or steamed radish cakes. As expected, they were dense cubes with the consistency of a baked potato, but the crunch from the fresh bean sprouts and the tang from the sweet and sour sauce almost made me a fan.

After the fried treats, the sweet aroma of Thai basil wafting from my pad ke-mao was a welcome change. The stir-fried rice noodle, green bean, tomato, prawn and bell pepper dish was excellent but could have used a tad more prawns as I found only four. The dish was correctly marked mild, so the spiciness ratings are not too conservative.

Against my better judgment, we also ordered the beef skewers. I have always been disappointed by restaurant skewers because the meat is usually overcooked, dry and tough. My dining partner insisted on the skewers, and it was just as described. I don’t fault Anchalee because I have never been anywhere where this wasn’t the case. Avoid the skewers and you'll be content.

What makes Anchalee stand out from other Thai eateries is the presentation and freshness. This isn’t oily, greasy food thrown haphazardly onto a plate with sauce everywhere. Dishes come out clean and organized, and make you want to eat. Anchalee was an excellent neighborhood surprise and I have a feeling I’ll be a regular at weekend happy hour.

Anchalee
1094 Dwight Way, Berkeley

Photo: Anchalee.com

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Maoz in Berkeley

Every friend who has traveled through Europe fondly recalls late night, cheap eats at Maoz, an all-vegetarian falafel chain new to Berkeley. Located on Telegraph and Channing, Maoz is a few blocks from the UC Berkeley campus. With a simple menu of pita sandwiches, salads and fries, the European chain is perfect for the student on the go.

Until the end of May, visit Yelp for a coupon for a pita sandwich and drink for $5 after 8 p.m. Otherwise, your best bargains are the combo meals that start at $7.20 and include a sandwich, fries, drink and unlimited salad bar. However, the idea of an unlimited salad bar isn't what we're familiar with at Souplantation or Sizzler. Rather, the salad bar is meant as toppings for your falafel, so that when you run out of pita, you can't get more because you don't have anywhere to put it. If combo meals and unlimited toppings don't appeal to you, you can order everything a la carte.

The food is standard, and nothing you couldn't make on your own. Sandwiches come with a choice of wheat or white pita that's filled halfway with mixed greens and a few falafels. You then accessorize at the salad bar, loading up on Mediterranean staples like olives, lentils and roasted vegetables. Falafels can be dry, so I recommend lots of yogurt and tahini sauce. Maoz also offers freshly squeezed orange, apple or carrot juice for an extra $1 when you order a meal deal.

The only drawback about Maoz is also one of its best features: the unlimited salad bar. Germaphobes rightly can complain as everyone uses the same spoons to refill their pita, meaning someone can go back with a half-eaten pita and ruin it for the rest of us if they don't have steady hands.

If you don't mind germs, Maoz is worth a try if you are vegetarian or health-conscious or you want to relive Euro trip memories. Don't expect anything grand as this is a college fast-food joint where you'll find inebriated students chowing down at 2 a.m. on the weekends. But, when you are in a hurry or don't want to cook, Maoz meets the requirement.

Maoz Vegetarian
2395 Telegraph, Berkeley

Photo: JAM

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Liege in Old Oakland

Nestled between empty business fronts in Old Oakland is the recently opened Liege Spirits Lounge. Spacious with high ceilings, Liege is the laid-back lounge downtown needs to fill its nighttime repertoire of clubs, hole-in-the-wall bars and upscale dining.

Most importantly, happy hour is Tuesday through Friday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Deals are on par to other bars with $3 Linden Street Black Oak Lager, $5 well cocktails and $2 off glasses of wine.

As the name implies, spirits are the focus with 10 specialty cocktails ranging from $9 to $14. The bartenders also come up with daily drink specials, such as Friday’s farmer’s market special made with fresh fruit from the Old Oakland market outside Liege's doors. About every two months, the wine menu changes to showcase a new region. Most recently Latin American whites, reds and bubbly were featured. The beer selection is limited with four drafts, currently Linden St. Burning Oak Black Lager, Duvel Green, Guiness and Houblon Chouffe, and bottles, ranging from $5 to $6.

In addition to drinks, you can find appetizers and snacks on the menu. The kitchen pairs with the wine, whipping up guacamole, ceviche and taquitos to go with the Latin American wines. Another feature on the menu is fondue, a perfect date food. For $14, you can get beer sirloin or Mexican white prawns, each with a side of mixed vegetables. Then pick from 12 sauces ranging in spiciness and uniqueness (pablano and kiwi, jalapeno and black cherry?).

With two flatscreens and tons of space to sit in large, vinyl chairs, Liege is an easy place to settle with drinks after work. Do note that you will be charged tax on drink only orders if you pay by credit card.

Liege Spirits Lounge
481 9th St., Oakland

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Vik's Chaat Corner, Berkeley


I never knew how good VIK's Chaat Corner could be until I visited after the recent move to a brighter and bigger spot on 4th and Channing, two blocks south of the original location. The Indian specialties remain the same, but you get to enjoy your meal in a freshly painted, eco-friendly location that's better organized and less hectic.

VIK's is known for chaat, or Indian street food, but serves weekday and weekend specials like vegetable and meat curries. The menu is a mix of the familiar (samosas) and the unfamiliar (dahi papdi), so it can be difficult to order wisely. My advice is to visit the updated Web site, which includes photos and descriptions of each dish, and write down what you want.

Upon entering the new warehouse space, the smell of oil, coriander, tumeric and other spices arouses my senses. One of my first impressions is based on smell. Too much bleach in the air tells me the restaurant is hiding something; the smell of fresh herbs and spices means the meals are freshly homemade.

On a recent visit, the lamb curry was deliciously light, juicy and fragrant. Served in a compostable bento tray, lunch specials range from $6 to $8 and come with various carbs in basmati rice, roti, dal, raita and papad, and achaar, a pickled salad. Chaats start at $4.75. I am still amazed at the quality and authenticity of the food with reasonable prices.

While the food has not changed with the move in March, the atmosphere has. Instead of fighting for grungy seats and tables in a pale, depressing warehouse, diners now enjoy bright yellow, purple and orange painted walls and shiny new tables and chairs. Getting your food has also gotten more organized, with the cash registers far from the food pickup. Orders are still announced on the speaker, but there's enough space that people are not waiting shoulder to shoulder.

It also wouldn't be Berkeley if the business wasn't green. Along with using compostable dinnerware, VIK's also divides trash into three barrels for compost, recycle and trash.

Overall, the move is a major improvement and only makes me want to visit VIK's more often. Let's just hnpe the newfound makeover doesn't mean an increase in prices.

VIK's Chaat Corner
2390 4th St., Berkeley

Photo: Nicole L.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Chop Bar in Oakland

I have been a fan of Chop Bar since it debuted at the Eat Right Festival last year at Jack London Square with roasted pig flatbread. This past Sunday, Chop Bar held another pig roast in its own digs and it was just as good as expected. The event included $3 beer specials and $10 plates of roasted pig, salads and roasted vegetables. Chop Bar is one of the few places that feels like a home, and the food reflects that. The space is spacious and on hot days they open the warehouse door making it a perfect spot to enjoy some drinks.

Aside from occasional Sunday specials, Chop Bar serves breakfast and lunch daily and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. The menu is mainly American with a few Asian and Italian influences. Lunch consists mostly of sandwiches, of which I recommend the classic Reuben. Grilled perfectly for a nice crunch, the Reuben is heavy, oily and all that is good.

Happy hour also runs Tuesday through Friday, 4:30 to 6 p.m. and is said to include free snacks.

Service is excellent, as the staff really just want you to have a good time. Chop Bar is so great that it makes me want to live in one of the nearby condos/apartments so I can visit every day.

Chop Bar
247 Fourth St., Oakland

Photo: Chopbar510.com

Sunday, April 11, 2010

12% off to-go orders at Amanda's Berkeley

Monday's the last day to get 12% off all phone orders at Amanda's in downtown Berkeley. In celebration of the two 12-minute metered parking spots in front, the all-natural burger joint is offering the 12% discount.

While some people complain of the portion sizes, Amamda's is one of my go-to spots downtown for inexpensive, quick meals. Whenever I have a show at the Berkeley Rep, I stop by Amanda's for a quick bite and am out the door in 20 minutes or less. The naturally raised beef burgers ($3.75) are comparable to In-N-Out more than McDonald's, and the baked fries ($1.50) are deliciously crispy. For a healthier option, try the sweet potato ($1.75) or raw apple fries ($1.50).

In line with a restaurant that serves sustainable, organic food in biodegradable packing, Amanda's makes its own sodas ($1.75), from cola to ginger ale and raspberry. If all the above sounds good, grab a combo ($6.75) that includes a burger, regular fries and a soda.

Amanda's
2122 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley

Photo: Wilhelm Y.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Cherry Blossom Festivities

Celebrate the blooming of cherry blossoms today with all night happy hour at Ozumo Oakland. Starting at 5 p.m. in the bar and lounge, enjoy cocktails, sushi and other Japanese specialties. Featured drinks include Skyy Infusions Ginger, Cherry and Zipang sparkling sake cocktails.

Continue the celebration this weekend and next in San Francisco Japantown with the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival. Enjoy food, cultural performances, martial art displays, live music and more at the nation's second largest cherry blossom festival. The parade will be next Sunday, April 18, beginning at City Hall.

Ozumo Oakland
2251 Broadway, Oakland

Photo: ATPF.org

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Happy hour at T-Rex Barbeque, Berkeley

My favorite happy hour place in Berkeley is T-Rex Barbeque off Gilman and San Pablo Blvd. While dinner is mediocre and better barbeque can be held elsewhere, happy hour is fantastic. Every day from 3 to 6 p.m., get $4 beers, $2 PBRs $5 well cocktails, $2 off wine, $1 tacos, $1.25 oysters and other delicious finger foods.

The beer options are all craft brews, with my favorite being the Stone Pale Ale. My absolute favorite dish is the nachos with pulled pork and salsa ($6). Oven-warmed chips with tangy pulled pork go well with the refreshing coolness of the salsa. Also try the bar riblets with spicy cayenne BBQ sauce ($5). I could, and would, eat the two every day. The brisket Banh Mi sounded interesting, but didn't deliver considering I could get something twice as big and flavorful for half the price in Chinatown. Deviled eggs ($2) and the fries with chipotle ketchup ($3) are average.

Happy hour has also expanded to include whole meals. Get a 1/2 pint of PBR and a burger for $5, or to share try the full rack of baby back ribs and a pitcher of PBR for $25.

Unlike most places that have happy hour at the bar only, T-Rex opens up the whole space. Whether you sit at a table or one of the couches upstairs, the atmosphere is very chill, especially Monday through Wednesday when there aren't many people. If you sit at a table, you get waiter service, which I appreciate for happy hour. Happy hour is a must when in Berkeley.

T-Rex Barbeque
1300 10th St., Berkeley

Photo: Earl G.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Tuesdays at Pyramid Brewery, Berkeley

If I were unemployed, I would spend every Tuesday at Pyramid Brewery and Alehouse. Not only is there alcohol, but there are plenty of activities to keep me busy for an evening.

I would start my day at 4 p.m. with a free, daily tour of the brewery. The 45-minute guided tour covers the brewing process and the history of Pyramid, as ends with three samples. For those under 21, there is Thomas Kemper soda.

After the tour, I would mosey down to the restaurant for happy hour, which runs from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Pints are $3.50, pitchers $10.50 except for Brewer's Handle Selection and appetizers 30% off. The blue cheese potato chips go perfectly with a cold brew.

After happy hour, I'd hang around until 7:30 p.m. for the start of Brainstormer's Pub Quiz. Trivia winners usually get free beer, with a six-pack for third, 12-pack for second, and a case for the winners to share.

Tuesday is also pint night, so you get to keep the pint if you purchase one of the seasonal glasses. Limit one glass a person.

Pyramid is one of my favorite breweries in Berkeley because of the daily events and promotions they have. The food is average, but Pyramid is a nice, easy place to relax and unwind with friends. Major bonus: they have their own parking lot!

Pyramid Brewery and Alehouse
901 Gilman St., Berkeley

Photo: Beerlabels.com

5% to Charity at Whole Foods Oakland today

For those who shop at the Whole Foods in Oakland regularly, you can feel good knowing 5% of the day's net sales today will go to the Oakland Digital Arts & Literacy Center. The ODALC offers youths free computer training courses, keynote speakers from the Silicon Valley, and other career counseling to train, mentor and inspire them.

Whole Foods
230 Bay Pl., Oakland

Friday, April 2, 2010

Taste for Artisans at Jack London Square, Oakland

After you're done finding Easter eggs and chasing bunnies, head to Jack London Square in Oakland for Taste for Artisans on Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. Presented by East Bay Express, the Western-inspired event celebrates local vendors, from artists who will be selling their work to tastings from family farms, local brewers and winemakers. Admission is free, with swag bags for the first 200 guests and free bicycle valet.

Events include live art and craft-making, live music, mechanical bull riding, cream corn wrestling, pie eating contests and square dancing lessons. Bring unused art supplies as a donation, and receive a free raffle ticket. The supplies and event benefit the Drawbridge Foundation, which provides art programs for children.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Specials at Guerilla Cafe, Berkeley

Among the upscale dining options and boutique businesses in North Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto is a revolutionary-inspired cafe. Established in 2006 by artist friends, Guerilla Cafe is an urban burst in an otherwise suburban stretch of Shattuck Avenue.

The well decorated cafe, which doubles as an art gallery, specializes in breakfast, brunch and lunch with Blue Bottle Coffee and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Hours have recently extended to 10 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, with Thursday $2 Red Stripe happy hour and games of dominoes every night. Also, the cafe runs occasional Twitter deals: Until Saturday, say the password "mama say mama sa mamakusa" to get a buy one, get one free waffleito promo.

The afterhours menu starts at 5 p.m. and includes about five small plates, including salumi, cheese and fruit, and beet salads, for less than $10.

The staff is friendly and hospitable, even helping us with the rules of dominoes last Thursday. Everyone is laid back and you feel like you can lounge around without anyone minding.

Guerilla Cafe
1620 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley

Photo Credit: Scott B.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

East Bay Urban Wine Tastings

For fans of urban wineries, there are a few events this week and next celebrating local makers from the East Bay.

Today from 6-9 p.m., Nirvano.com is hosting a tasting of San Francisco, Treasure Island and Oakland wineries at SOM bar in the Mission. Tickets are $10 with RSVP and $20 at the door. East Bay wineries include JC Cellars, Dashe Cellars, Donkey and Goat Winery, and Periscope Cellars. Nirvano.com is a wine rating guide for iPhones.

On Friday from 1 to 6 p.m., try a free tasting of Eden Canyon Vineyard’s just released 2007 “Estate” Cabernet Sauvignon and NV “Suerte” at Periscope Cellars in Emeryville. While there, also check out free tastings from Periscope Cellars and Urbano Cellars Winery. The two experiment with blends, especially Periscope Cellars, which hovers near the minimum percentage required for Syrahs, Cabernets and Zins.

Lastly, the third annual Passport to the East Bay Wine Trail will be held next Saturday, April 10 from noon to 5 p.m. Twenty East Bay wineries, including many not open to the public, will take over seven locations in Oakland, Emeryville and Alameda to offer everything from Barbera to Zinfandel. Tickets are $30 in advance, $45 at the door, and include a souvenir Riedel glass. Check out the East Bay Vintner’s Alliance page for participating wineries, which include big names like Rosemblum Cellars in Alameda and smaller ones like Two Mile Wines on San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley.

Photo: Sweetmemorybaskets.com

Monday, March 29, 2010

All Day Happy Hour at Fonda, Albany

One of the benefits of being in a recession is daylong happy hour prices at Fonda. Every day, any time, you can get select $6 cocktails and appetizers at the tapas bar on Solano in Albany. Cocktails are all Latin-American inspired with ingredients like jicama and Serrano chiles, and appetizers include standards such as chips and guacamole ($6) and spicy chicken wings ($6).

While the drink specials are great, be careful with the appetizers since they are served as tapas, which means they may not be worth the price and can add up quickly. My favorite dish is the tender duck tacos with guacamole, pomegranate seeds and arbol salsa ($7.50). Everything else on the happy hour menu is average, but I would avoid the Fonda wings and Cuban mini-burger. The wings taste like frozen Foster Farm wings with chili powder seasoning, and while good, the mini-burger should not be $6.50 when you get only one slider.

Despite the lackluster food, I keep returning to Fonda because it is one of the few places I can get a drink and food at 11 p.m. Monday. You just have to know what to order

Fonda
1501 Solano Ave., Albany