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

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

Happy hour at Bobby G's Pizzeria, Berkeley

One of the few places that has happy hour daily is Bobby G's Pizzeria in downtown Berkeley. From 4 to 7 p.m. daily, get $1 off all beers, $2 off pitchers, $2 off glasses of wine, 25% off bottles of wine, $2 cheese slices, $15 18" cheese pizzas, and $5 Caesar salads.

Being Berkeley, Bobby G's serves up gourmet, organic Neopolitan pizzas and craft brews, such as Pliny the Younger. Pizzas are varied enough to cater to omnivores, vegetarians and vegans, and include standards like Meat Lovers Pie with gourmet combos like clam and garlic. My favorite is the triple mushroom with sautéed shiitake, baby Portobello and button mushrooms on top of fresh tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, garlic, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of truffle oil. Pizzas can be pricey with a small, good for two people at $15, and a large that can feed four for $23.75. In addition to pizzas, Bobby G's offers pastas, salad, paninis and appetizers like bruschetta, crostinis and chicken wings.

Bobby G's also has a bar area and three flatscreen TVs, so you won't have to miss March Madness.

Bobby G's Pizzeria
2072 University Ave., Berkeley

Photo: Chico F.

Open House at an Urban Farm, Oakland

I never would have guessed that there would be an urban farm a mile from MacArthur BART station. Located off Martin Luther King Jr. Way near the freeway lies Ghost Town Farm. This Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the farm is holding a free, self-guided open house. Owner Novella Carpenter, who has written a book about urban farming, will walk the grounds to meet visitors and answer questions. The farm includes a garden and has had animals such as goats, rabbits and chickens.

Ghost Town Farm
665 28th St., Oakland

Skates on the Bay, Berkeley

If I wanted to be transported to the 1970s, I would go to Skates on the Bay on the Berkeley Marina. Skates looks very old fashioned, from the wooden plank façade to the chandeliers and the maroon lounge chairs. But, if you can look past the décor, you will find some great happy hour deals. They have two happy hours every weekday. The first is 4-6 p.m., and the second from 9-11 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 p.m. to 11:30 Fridays.

Deals are ½ off select appetizers and cocktails. Portions are generous and you can make dinner out of it. I enjoyed the Kobe meatloaf sliders, which are like sloppy joes. The oven roasted red king crab and artichoke dip was good for the first few bites, but too rich and creamy to eat more than that. The teriyaki tenderloin was a pleasant surprise, and could have been a meal by itself. The roasted garlic prawns were seasoned well but overcooked. Vegetarian options are limited to slightly upscale pub food like sweet potato fries (crispy and delicious), beer battered onion rings, and cheese plates.

While the food makes it worth a try, the $4 drinks could be better. The pomegranate margarita and green apple drop were so watered down that I would have preferred a wine cooler. Service can also be haphazard since happy hour is in the lounge only

Skates on the Bay
100 Seawall Dr., Berkeley

Photo: Chad L.

$25 Gift Certificates for $2 at Restaurant.com

The quality of restaurants participating in Restaurant.com has gone up in the past few months, probably because of the weakened economy. Restaurant.com is a discount site where you purchase gift certificates for bargain prices. Usually a $25 card will cost $10, but the constant promo codes slash up to 80%, making it $2. The most recent code is COOK, good until April 1. Enter it during checkout to see the 80% applied to your order. If you use Fatwallet, you can also get 24% cash back on your order.

Over 50 restaurants participate in the East Bay, and even more in San Francisco. During a recent search, I found a few restaurants I had always wanted to try: classic American dishes at Digs Bistro, pub fare at Meridian International Sport Cafe and fondue at Fondue Fred in Berkeley, and the hundred or so beers at Cafe Biere in Emeryville. I would also return to a few eateries with the discount, such as the flavorful Ethiopian food at Cafe Colucci in Berkeley and late night eats at Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe in Emeryville.

Despite the increase in standouts, I still recommend checking Yelp or other review sites to make sure you're not going to a dud.

A Taste of North Berkeley restaurant walk

One of the great food corridors in Berkeley is the Gourmet Ghetto, home of the famed Chez Panisse, the upscale food mall Epicurious Garden and local favorites like Café Gratitude and Gregoire. If you’ve never been, I recommend tomorrow's Taste of North Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto restaurant walk. Twenty-seven restaurants, galleries and shops will offer food and wine tastings from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 a person and proceeds benefit the Lions Club Community Fund.

Participating businesses include Bistro Liaison, Cioccolata Di Vino, Fertile Grounds Café, Firehouse North Gallery, Trattoria Corso, Party Sushi, Café Gratitude, Sala Berkeley Boutique, Thai Delight Cuisine, Taste of the Himalayas, Poulet, Crepevine, Chick-O-Pea’s / Barney’s, Gregoire, Andronico’s Market, Cha-Am Thai, M. Lowe & Co. Jewelers, Mint Leaf, Alegio Chocolaté, Imperial Tea Court, Picoso Taqueria, SOOP, Kirala 2, Vintage Berkeley Wines, Chester’s Restaurant and Bar, Saul’s Deli, & Lo Coco's Restaurant.

Tickets can be purchased at the following locations or at the event at 1495 Shattuck Ave.

ACCI Gallery – 1652 Shattuck Ave.
M. Lowe & Co. – 1519 Shattuck Ave.
Holistic Hound – 1510 Walnut St.
Darling Flower Shop - 2004 University Ave.

A few of the highlights from the sample menu:

Café Gratitude: Live coconut curry soup
Bistro Liaison: Quenelle soufflé, salmon and scallop mousse with shrimp and cream sauce
Trattoria Corso: Pork belly sandwich
Kirala 2: Choice of sushi rolls and vegetable croquette

Gregoire in Berkeley

One of my go-to spots to take out-of-towners is Gregoire in Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto. It's a tiny, cute, cozy French take-out spot that is delicious, affordable and completely Berkeley. The menu changes monthly and ingredients are seasonal, organic and local. The best time to go is lunch, when sandwiches cost between $7 and $8 and come with a sample size of the day's pasta salad.

On Sunday, I made my monthly visit and tried the smoked duck breast with clementine chutney and daikon salad on a Semifreddis sweet roll for $7.75. I wasn't sure how the duck would taste since it's usually fatty and heavy, but the breast was sliced like deli meat and completely tender and juicy. The daikon added a nice crispy texture and the bread was toasted to a perfect crunch.

While sandwiches are a bargain at under $8, you should splurge for the potato puffs. Deep fried balls of goodness, the potato puffs are creamy like mashed potatoes on the inside and crispy on the outside. A $4.50 order, pictured, includes about 10 balls with a mayo-based dipping sauce and can easily be shared.

I have been going to Gregoire at least once a month for the past three years and have never been disappointed. The quality is always amazing and so much better than any sandwich you can find nearby. Seating is limited since this is a take-out place, with only three bar stools inside and two benches outside. Finding a seat is hit or miss, so I recommend ordering to-go just in case you don't get a spot.

Gregoire is tiny, and that adds to the charm. Grab a paper menu outside, then go inside to place your order with the cashier. The kitchen is located right of the entrance, so people sitting at the bar can feel the heat coming from the stoves and grill. The kitchen window also opens out to the two benches, so when orders are ready, they are yelled and passed through the window.
On sunny days, Gregoire is an ideal way to unwind and enjoy great food and weather.

Gregoire
2109 Cedar St., Berkeley

A second location opened in Piedmont.
4001 B Piedmont Ave., Oakland

Free Ice Cream and Pastry

I will be waiting in long lines tomorrow, as Starbucks and Ben and Jerry's are both offering free promotions Tuesday.

Start your morning at Starbucks. Until 10:30 a.m., or when supplies last, Starbucks is giving away a free pastry with drink purchase. Simply print the coupon, or show the coupon on your smartphone, to the barista for your free pastry.

For an afternoon snack, head to Ben & Jerry's for free scoop day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. No coupon necessary, just show up.

Fan Appreciation Week at Beta Lounge, Berkeley

Beta Lounge is one of the few places downtown for people looking for something more sophisticated than beer and fried food. Located on the bottom level of a mixed-use apartment building near the UC campus, Beta Lounge is celebrating a year in business with Fan Appreciation week starting today.

Simply show them proof that you are a fan on Facebook or twitter (this is where your smartphone becomes handy), and you will get happy hour prices on drinks all night. That means $3 beers (draft and bottle) and $5 glasses of wine and Nigori cosmos. They also have $5 cocktails all night Mondays, and $20 bottles of wine all night Wednesdays.

Beta is a low-key place with a chill ambience. Dimly lit with stained windows and gray walls, Beta can almost double as a club, which may be why there's live music on Fridays and the weekends. Since it is near campus, groups of students are a common sight, but it doesn't reach obnoxiously drunk levels like it can at bars. The bartenders are friendly, chatting you up on slow nights, and cocktails good with a heavy Asian influence, like lychee and Soju.

Beta Lounge
2129 Durant Ave., Berkeley

Photo: J.A.B.

National Corn Dog Day

Break out the deep fryer and celebrate national corn dog day today. Like clockwork, national corn dog day occurs every first Saturday of the NCAA men's division 1 basketball tournament in a celebration of basketball, beer and corn dogs.

Spots across the nation will hold corn dog parties today, including Ed's Mudville Grill in Clayton. Head to Ed's sports bar for corn dog and PBR beer specials all day while you watch the game.

Ed's Mudville Grill
6200 Center St., Clayton

Favorite Ice Cream and Yogurt Spots

With the weather warming, I can enjoy two of my favorite foods - ice cream and frozen yogurt.

For cheap eats, I go to Rite Aid in downtown Oakland during work. I am not sure if every Rite Aid sells ice cream, but it is worth a look if you happen to be near one. Rite Aid sells my childhood favorite, Thrifty's ice cream. Although the price has gone up from $0.99 to $1.29 for a single scoop in a cup or cone. Thrifty was the place to get ice cream growing up, so I return for nostalgia and the great price. The cylindrical scoop is still in use, making a perfect block of ice cream that won't easily fall off the cone. Not all flavors are good, so you have to know what to get. I would avoid sorbets since they are made of sugar and not real fruit so are really sweet. Mint chip and rocky road are my favorite.

For cheap froyo, I go to Yogurtland. At $0.30 per ounce, you can mix and match as many toppings and yogurts as desired. Each location has at least 5 yogurt flavors, ranging from original tart to strawberry and cheesecake. Toppings are just as varied and include cereal, nuts, dried fruit and candy. My go-to spot is the one in downtown Berkeley on Shattuck.

Other memorable places that cost a bit more are Fentons Creamery and Restaurant in Oakland and ici in Berkeley. Fentons is an East Bay institution, having been around for 115 years and immortalized in the Pixar film Up. Going to Fentons is like visiting an old ice cream parlor where waiters wear trifold paper hats, white pressed shirts and bowties. The ice cream is good, but I always go for the sundaes. My favorite is the black and tan, almond and vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup, toasted almonds, whipped cream and a cherry. I have yet to try the gigantic banana split, pictured.

Having only opened in 2006, Ici in Berkeley doesn't have the history of Fentons but I am sure it will be around for a while. Started by a former Chez Panisse pastry chef, ici is gourmet ice cream at its finest. Ice cream made daily from sustainable, fresh ingredients like Meyer lemon, cardamom rose and Earl Gray tea, these are flavors you will not find in the grocery freezer section. Since the flavors can be unfamiliar, be sure to ask for samples. The staff is friendly about that, but ask that you limit samples to two to keep the line moving - and there will be a line out the door. However, the ice cream is delicious and well worth the half-hour wait and $3.60 price for a single scoop on a hand-rolled sugar cone.

Rite Aid (various locations)
1400 Broadway Ave., Oakland

Yogurtland (various locations)
2236 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley

Fentons Creamery and Restaurant
4226 Piedmont Ave., Oakland

Ici
2948 College Ave., Berkeley


Photo: Mika D.

Livermore Valley Barrel Tasting

Friday at noon is the last day to get $25 advanced tickets for the Livermore Valley Barrel Tasting event this weekend. Wait to buy tickets at the door, and the price jumps to $35.

I am not familiar with Livermore wines, but the event sounds like a great way to spend a weekend. Over 25 wineries will open their doors Saturday and Sunday for barrel tastings, so you get to try wines straight from the source before bottling. Winemakers will be on hand, and you can even prepurchase what you taste. Some wineries will also hold special events, such as blending classes, food pairings and live music. Your ticket includes two days of wine tasting with at least one barrel tasting at each winery and a souvenir wine glass.

Photo: Ligaya T.

Chez Panisse Cafe in Berkeley

For those who can’t afford the steep prices at the world-renowned Chez Panisse or get a reservation, the upstairs café is a good alternative. Unlike the dining room that serves only one daily prix fix, the café has a varied menu, which is helpful for people with dietary restrictions or picky eaters.

The highlight of the café may be the daily three-course pasta prix fixe for $26 a person. Start with a salad, organic no doubt, then a dish of house-made but meatless pasta, and finish with dessert.

Eating here can still be expensive because you are paying for the brand and the local, sustainable food, but the café is a more affordable option, especially with a prix fixe, to take parents or out-of-towners who want to see what Chez Panisse is all about.

Reservations are highly recommended and can be made a month in advance for the cafe.

Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley

Weekly Drink Specials at Fellini, Berkeley

After having walked past Fellini in Berkeley every day to work for three years and never visiting, I am now tempted to stop by.

Mondays: All wine $12 a bottle
Tuesdays: BYOB or 1/2 off all wine bottles
Wednesdays: Beer pints $2.50, pitchers $10
Thursdays: Free glass of sangria with your entree and $3 soju cocktails

I was never enticed to try Fellini before since Italian food is so easy and affordable to make at home, but paired with these deals it is worth a try. The restaurant calls its food south-Euro inspired, but it is mostly Mediterranean and Italian. Menu ranges from pasta and pizzas to ratatouille and quinoa rotolino, with several vegetarian and vegan options. Prices are mid-range with entrees under $20.

Catch the wine and beer menu online.

Fellini
1401 University Ave., Berkeley

Free Cookie at Specialty's Cafe & Bakery

Happy 22nd birthday, Specialty’s Café & Bakery. In celebration, the chain is offering a free cookie if you become a fan on Facebook and post on their wall today with your favorite menu item. If you don’t want to do all of that, you can create an online account and you’ll get a free cookie with your first order using the code UNION.

Specialty’s in Oakland is my favorite sandwich spot near work. With over 15 varieties, hot and cold sandwiches, meat and veggie options, you can find anything for any mood and all reasonably priced between $4.89 and $7.49. They use fresh ingredients, sometimes even organic, and despite the lunch rush, service is quick. My favorite is the Beef & Bleu, roasted beef with crumbly blue cheese on top of sweet red onions, juicy tomatoes and organic spinach on a toasted Ciabatta roll. Salads and soups are also available.

Specialty’s is also known for its insanely large and delicious cookies. If you are that fanatical, you can even set up an e-mail notifications to find out when they’re freshly made. The cookies are dense bricks of baked goodness and worth the $2, but you may get lucky and find day-old ones at 50% off.

To beat the rush, I recommend ordering online and picking it up. You can also customize your sandwich better online, adding cucumbers and other condiments free of charge.

Specialty’s Café & Bakery
155 Grand Ave., 1st Floor, Oakland

Other locations across the Bay Area.

Photo: Specialtys.com

Yelp Drinks Week East Bay

The East Bay is closing out Yelp Drinks Week. Starting Monday, over 20 bars and restaurants across the East Bay will offer three handmade cocktails 50% off all day every day until Sunday, March 21.

I will be heading to Penelope and B, since they are within walking distance of work. Penelope has great cocktails, including its signature Penelope with beets and the Oaktown Heat with habanero-infused vodka.

Other highlights include the newly opened Bocanova in Jack London Square and the well-reviewed Grand Tavern by Lake Merritt.

Free tour at St. George Spirits Hangar One in Alameda

Located on the northern end of Alameda on the old naval base, St. George Spirits, maker of Hanger One vodka and other liquors, offers a free tour every Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. The tours are an hour long and cover everything from the distillation of the fruits to barrel aging and bottling. Sounds boring, but the tour leader turns the experience into a sketch comedy show and time passes quickly.

Our tour had at least 40 people so it can feel impersonal, but the tasting room is one big party. For $10, you can taste everything from fruity eau de vies to interestingly infused vodkas like buddha's hands and kaffir lime. You can try about 15 different types of liquor, and keep the glass as your souvenir. For $15, you get the regular tasting as well as a sample of absinthe. If liquor isn't your thing or you want to be able to drive home, share tastings.

The tasting room can get busy Saturdays, but the pourers take the time to tell you about each drink. It feels hectic, especially when the birthday parties roll in, but St George is definitely worth a trip to the island.

St George Spirits
2601 Monarch St., Alameda

$15 3-course prix fixe at Jimmy Beans in Berkeley

The price for the 3-course dinner at Jimmy Beans used to be $12 and you got a glass of wine, but it's still a deal for $15. The menu changes daily, so pick your favorite.

Monday: Spaghetti and meatballs
Tuesday: Sausage or veggie lasagna
Wednesday: Manicotti
Thursday: Meatloaf
Friday: Fried chicken
Saturday: Paella
Sunday: Mexican fiesta

Each dinner comes with choice of small mixed green salad or soup and the daily dessert special.

The first time I went, I tried the shepherd's pie, hearty, filling and perfect for a winter night. The second time, I tried the fried chicken, which was juicy and delicious. The food at Jimmy Beans is simple and looks and tastes freshly homemade, which I appreciate.

While the food is great, Jimmy Beans is more like a cafe than a sit-down restaurant. Known more for their breakfast and lunch dishes, Jimmy Beans' decor reflects that of a coffee shop. Diners are crammed in a small space near the front doors with tightly packed two-seaters in the center. The next party is only an arms-length away, so conversations are easily heard. The staff is still considerate and professional though.

If ordering off the prix fixe menu, prices can get steep as dinner entrees start around $13.

Jimmy Beans
1290 6th St., Berkeley

Late Night Happy Hour at Marzano on College

In case you feel like a late-night snack, head to Marzano on College (not to be confused with the one on Park near the lake) in Oakland's Rockridge district.

Select pizzas from the regular menu are $10, $4 cheaper than the normal price. Select cocktails are $6 and beer and wine $5, A few appetizers and salads are $6. The best part is that you don't have to order from the bar only and can sit in the restaurant to enjoy table service.

All pizzas are Neapolitan style with cracker-thin crusts. I like my pizzas hefty, which these aren't since a person could easily eat a whole one and still be hungry. It is happy hour, however, so the intent is to snack while drinking. The pizzas are light on the sauce, so if you're a fan of tomato sauce, you'll also be disappointed.

Very few late night, mid-scale happy hours exist in Berkeley or Oakland, so I'm glad to see Marzano stay open. The intimate, chic, dimly lit atmosphere give the place an upscale, lounge feeling perfect for enjoying a happy hour without the college crowd.

Marzano on College
5356 College Ave., Oakland

Photo: David D

$2 off pitchers & more at Triple Rock in Berkeley

Among the many brewpubs in Berkeley is Triple Rock Brewery and Ale House on Shattuck Avenue. Unlike the others, Triple Rock is one of the first five brewpubs in America and the only one of the five to still be owned by the people who started it. History aside, you should also go to Triple Rock for their deals and beer specials, especially if you are a beer drinker.

Today and every Tuesday, get $2 off any pitcher, which comes out to between $14 and $16 each. Every Thursday, try the in-house only, 8% A.B.V. Monkey Head Arboreal Ale at $9 per liter. For print-out coupons like 2-for-1 appetizers or a free pint with any burger, sandwich or entree, head to Berkeley Good Life.

I like my beers on the light side, so I stick with Red Rock Ale with my favorite burger, the A.B.S. (avocado, smoked bacon and swiss cheese). The food at Triple Rock is actually pretty good but limited to mostly burgers. With over 15 burgers and sandwiches, including vegetarian options, deciding can take a while. Vegans will have to stick with the smaller appetizer and salad menu. Seasonal brews are also a specialty, so ask your server if you are looking for something different.

While the deals are great, the slow service during dinner may dampen the experience. It takes a while to get noticed, takes a while to get your order, and takes a while to get your food. I have gone over a half-hour for my burger and have had to flag down the waiter for water, extra napkins and extra condiments. I don't think they are intentionally avoiding me as much as I think the waiters are that laid back. The staff here could easily blend in with the customers, mostly grad students and others a few years out of college who come to Triple Rock to unwind and toss back a few.

Triple Rock Brewery & Ale House
1920 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley

Manpuku in Oakland

With rolls as cheap as $2, the sushi at Manpuku is the draw but not the highlight. The first two times I went to the College Avenue eatery in the Elmwood district, I was indifferent about the sushi. Good for the price, but I got what I paid for. Rolls are heavy on the rice and not always properly made so the filling is loose. But, I cannot complain about 12 pieces of California and spicy tuna rolls for $6.

Over the weekend, I returned to Manpuku skipping the so-so sushi and ordering the beef yaki soba. Eating here can be confusing, crowded and hectic. Space is tight, so whether ordering takeout or dine-in, everyone orders at the cashier. If dining in, check your receipt for your number, grab free water or tea across from the register, and take a seat, if you can find one. Seating is limited to the sushi bar, several two-seaters and a couple of four-seaters in the back, so I would avoid eating here with groups. The no-frills dining matches the inexpensive prices. With a few scattered posters on the walls and tidy tables with only napkin holders, chopsticks and soy sauce bottles, the atmosphere is more like a cafeteria than a five-star restaurant.

Once ordered, the food arrives quickly but staggered. They bring out orders when they are done, never all at once, which can be a problem if you are in a group. So, while my boyfriend was enjoying his unagi donburi, I was wondering whether my yaki soba was worth the wait. Five minutes later, my noodle dish arrived slightly glistening in oil but topped with a perfect combination of beef yaki, shredded cabbage, carrots and picked vegetables. The noodles were cooked perfectly with just the right amount of sauce so that they were not drowning in oil or dry and bland. The dish was well balanced, seasoned and tasted exactly like yaki soba. Best of all, it cost $6.50.

We also ordered the Manpuku roll of yellow tail and avocado with unagi on top, which was consistent with the rest of the sushi I have had there: good, but nothing great for $6.75. I also tried the unagi don, which tasted just like the sushi roll and cost just as much but was presented beautifully in a decorative bowl with bright, colorful pickled vegetables placed artfully.

While Manupuku has amazingly low prices on sushi favorites like spinach and shiitake mushroom ($2), California ($2.85) and caterpillar ($6.95) rolls, I would return for the noodle and rice dishes. They are more complete meals, cost as much as specialty rolls and are presented so well that you may forget you are eating in a hole-in-the-wall. With some rain predicted later this week, I will be heading back to try the ramen.

Manpuku
2977 College Ave., Oakland

Souley Vegan in Oakland

Yes, even vegan soul food can give you the itis. After a surprisingly satisfying lunch of collard greens, potato salad, cornbread and other soul food standards sans meat, my coworkers and I were dreading returning to work. I could never be vegan but Souley Vegan in Oakland is one of the few vegan places I would revisit.

Unimpressive from the outside, the restaurant blends with the other white-washed, barred storefronts on Broadway. But do not judge a restaurant by how it looks as the inside is large, clean and organized. With a mini banquet hall in the back with enough room for groups of 10 and more, the space is hardly a hole in the wall

Once inside, you are greeted by owner Tamearra Dyson, who works the front of the house taking orders and serving food. With a small staff, there is no waiter service. Rather, you order at the register, get a number and take a seat. The staff will deliver water, utensils and your food. Service is friendly and fast as it actually took longer for us all to order than it did to get our food.

The menu, written on a blackboard behind the register, is simple, and tax is included in the price. Choose from three types of tofu burgers or side dishes a la carte. Burgers start at $6 and add $2 for any side. If you want a la carte, the first two items are $4 and any others are $2. Sides include collard greens, black eye peas, yams, lentils, mac and cheese, potato salad, okra, BBQ tofu, southern fried tofu and beans and rice. If you want a bit of everything, get the aptly named Everything Platter for $19. It easily feeds two and you get what I consider the best the restaurant offers. The highlight for me was the BBQ tofu that looked and tasted like BBQ meat, sweet and tangy, which may not be for some vegans.

For those who do not want their food to resemble meat at all, order the sides, which are as creamy and flavorful as any soul food I have had. I was anxious to try the mac and cheese, and it did not disappoint. The vegan variation had the creaminess I would expect from real cheese and a heavy hand of garlic. The only thing that would have made it better was if it were baked with a breadcrumb top.

While the sides were delicious, the burgers were a letdown. After seeing amazing pictures on Yelp, I ordered the crispy tofu burger. The tofu was about a half-inch think and the other 2 inches batter. There were too many carbs, from the bun to the breaded batter, that it was like eating a breadcrumb burger. My advice is to skip the burger and stick with the Everything Platter.

The idea of vegan soul food seems like an oxymoron, but it works at this Oakland eatery. The food is flavorful, delicious and filling, and the price is a bargain with dinner for two less than $20. Vegan food doesn't have to be raw, tasteless or expensive, and Souley Vegan proves that.

Souley Vegan
301 Broadway, Oakland

Photo: Carren E.

Oscar Showcase at AMC in Emeryville

For me, the Academy Awards is the most boring awards show: stuffy, long and self-congratulatory. I do, however, enjoy going to the movies and the list of Best Picture nominees this year is good.

In anticipation of Sunday’s Oscar ceremony, AMC Bay Street 16 in Emeryville is hosting a Best Picture Showcase on Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m. For $30, or $25 if you are part of AMC's free MovieWatcher Rewards, you can watch five Best Picture nominees back-to-back with a large popcorn and unlimited soda. This way, you can skip the boring speeches and talk with other movie-goers about your favorites.

Tomorrow’s schedule:
10:30 A.M.: Up
12:45 P.M.: A Serious Man
2:45 P.M.: The Hurt Locker
6:00 P.M.: An Education
8:00 P.M.: District 9

Not a bad deal if you are a fan of cinema or have not yet seen many of the films. You cannot bring in outside food, but a commemorative lanyard lets you enter and leave as you please. The food options in Bay Street are limited to chains like P.F.Chang’s China Bistro, California Pizza Kitchen and Asquew so you are safer bringing your own meal and eating outside by the fire pits in front of Barnes and Noble.

AMC Bay Street
5614 Shellmound Ave., Emeryville

Homemade Cafe in Berkeley

One of the several reasons I enjoy living in the Bay Area is the proximity of cafes. When laziness kicks in, as it does most weekends, I can walk a few minutes and find comfort food. Most days, I head to Homemade Café in Berkeley because the food is dependable and breakfast is served all day.

The wait can get so long on the weekends that you’ll see people standing outside for a table. The best times to visit are weekday mornings not just because the wait is short but also because of the weekday reward card. You get a stamp for every $5 spent, and when you reach $50 you get any free menu item. After just a couple visits with my party of two, I hit $50.

The menu at Homemade Café consists of breakfast staples like buttermilk pancakes, waffles and omelets along with Berkeley specialties like vegan and low cholesterol items. I am content with the huevos rancheros, which basically is a do-it-yourself breakfast burrito, but the pancakes are nice and fluffy.

While the food is good, like most cafes, it is nothing I could not make at home. What brings me back is the familiarity and service. The food is consistent, and the staff is friendly. Homemade Café has been here for over 30 years, so I appreciate the low-key, neighborhood vibe. There’s even a dog bowl outside, so you can bring your friend, eat outside and soak up a sunny morning.

Homemade Cafe
2454 Sacramento St., Berkeley

Photo: Ed U.

Marica in Rockridge

During lunch a couple Mondays ago, my friend mentioned she went to a fantastic seafood restaurant at the end of College Avenue in Oakland. She raved about the affordability, quality and all the complimentary dishes from the chef. I hardly crave going to a restaurant, but after hearing her compliments I had to try it. The next day, I dragged myself through the rain to Marica Restaurant.

Marica is a cozy family-run bistro. Walk by quickly and you may miss it. The space is well lit and bright with welcoming walls of art and mirrors. Entering, I felt as if I was visiting a friend's home, and the hostess-waitress-owner greeted us as such.

The menu is small with two daily fish specials and about seven entree staples that include chicken and beef for land lovers. The best deal is their three-course prix fixe of soup or salad, fish of the day and dessert for $25, or $21 if you are seated before 6:30 p.m. The dishes can be flexible, as our waiter kindly informed me that I could substitute the mussels as my appetizer and the steelhead for my entree.

Everything we had was delicious and flavorful. Marica makes one of my favorite mussel appetizers. Cleaned properly with a buttery, tangy sauce, they are the candy of the sea. The entrees were also good and hefty. This isn't a minimalist restaurant with a delicately placed piece of medium-seared fish on a pristine white plate. This is like going home to mom when she says you have gained weight but continues to give you an enormous heaping of her pot roast.

We were so impressed with Marica after our entrees that we appreciated even more all the little things the staff did, such as a free calamari appetizer and chocolate souffle dessert. It was our first visit, but whatever the occasion, Marica seems to give each table something complimentary. It is the type of service I have seen only on birthday and anniversary dinners, never for something as simple as just visiting.

Marica is a great place that I'm surprised to have found in Rockridge, one of the more affluent Oakland neighborhoods. Walk a few blocks up College and you'll find plenty of eateries that cost twice as much but are not half as good. From the three course prix fixe for $21 and all-day happy hour of $5 cocktails and appetizers to the 10% cash discount, Marica offers terrific value. Our tab for three appetizers, two entrees, three desserts and two cocktails was $51 before tip.

I wish more restaurants were like Marica, but until there are, I will be making many return visits.

Marica Restaurant
5301 College Ave., Oakland
Reservations recommended

Photo: MilkConspiracy

Trivia Tuesdays

One of the first things I did when I moved to Berkeley in 2006 was trivia night at Pyramid Brewery and Alehouse. Back then, only a few people knew about it, so our team easily landed in third place and went home a six-pack heavier. Nowadays, there's major competition as people arrive a half-hour early to get a prime spot. Trivia nights are great. It is free, alcohol is nearby, and most people like to think they're the smartest in the room.

Today, three spots in the East Bay let you show off your Ken Jennings skills. Get a team together, think of a cool team name, and maybe win some alcoholic prizes.

The Den at the Fox Theater
1912 Telegraph Ave, Oakland
Every Tuesday at 7 p.m. when there isn't a show at the Fox

Pyramid Brewery and Alehouse
901 Gilman St., Berkeley
Every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Ben & Nick's Bar and Grill
5612 College Ave, Oakland
Every Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Beckett's of Berkeley
2271 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
Every Tuesday at 10 p.m.

Missouri Lounge
2600 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
Every third Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

If you can't make Tuesdays, visit a few other spots throughout the week.

The Albatross Pub
1822 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
Every Sunday at 8:15 p.m.

Cato's Ale House
3981 Piedmont Ave., Oakland
Every Monday at 7:30 p.m.

Henry's in Hotel Durant
2600 Durant Ave., Berkeley
Every Monday at 8 p.m., $10 pitcher of Stella

The Alley
3325 Grand Ave., Oakland
(510) 444-8505
Every Monday, call for time

What's your favorite place to go?

Yelp Drinks! Month

Love it or hate it, Yelp throws some great parties and is starting to organize foodie weeks. To complement October's inaugural Yelp Eats! Week when participating restaurants offered $35 prix fixe meals, this week is the beginning of a monthlong happy hour across the Bay.

Select bars will offer three handmade cocktails 50% off all day. The first week hits San Francisco today to Sunday. Silicon Valley is next from March 8 to 14, and the East Bay last from March 15 to 21.

My tentative plan is Butter in SOMA for their cleverly named drinks, 5-Star Yelp-Tini ($5) and Bitchin' Camaro ($4) and Hayes Valley's Pisco Lounge for their Spanish specialties (all under $5). Any recommendations?