Gloomy Memorial Day weekend weather ruined your plans? Comfort yourself with a few local food events.
Tonight, chef and caterer Suzanne Drexhage brings some tasty food samples to her free cookbook discussion at Moe's Bookstore in Berkeley at 7:30 P.M. Drexhage will talk about her favorite cookbooks in the first of a series of cookbook talks at the bookstore.
On Saturday, catch FIVE exectuve chef Banks White's free cooking demonstrations at the Berkeley Farmers Market from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. Demos include how to pickle ramps, clean and cook artichokes, and make Johnny cakes.
Also Saturday, head to Vintage Berkeley for its weekly free wine tastings. This weekend features Denis Hoey of Odonata Wines in Santa Cruz: Grenache, Malbec, Syrah and Durif. Tastings run between 1 and 3 P.M. at the Vine St. location; 3:30 to 5 P.M. in Elmwood.
On Sunday, local123 hosts a $50 cash-only, 8-course vegetarian prix fixe popup dinner from 7 to 10 P.M. Menu highlights seasonal and local fare like chilled English pea soup, roasted maitake and brocolli, and a selection of Andante Creamery cheeses. RSVP to local123popup@gmail.com.
If you tire of hot dogs and burgers, head to the Jamaican Jerk cook-off on Memorial Day Monday from noon to 5 P.M. at Oakland's Linden Street Brewery. Admission is $10 for adults (free for children 12 and under) and includes 2 tickets good for one wine, beer or jerk tasting. Procceds go to My Yute Soccer camp, which encourages positive change in youths through soccer.
Moe's Books
2476 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley
(510) 849-2087
Berkeley Farmers Market
Center St. and MLK Jr. Way, Berkeley
510-548-3333
Vintage Berkeley
2113 Vine St., (510) 665.8600
2949 College Ave., (510) 549.9501
Local123
2049 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
(510) 647-5270
Linden Street Brewery
95 Linden St., Oakland
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Weekend Eats & Drinks 5/18/11
Spring is slowly warming up, so find seasonal menus and al fresco dining this weekend.
On Thursday, Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto hosts a wine-paired dinner starting at 7. The five-course prix fixe with California wines is $50 per person excluding tax and gratuity. No word on the menu, but it is recommended to call ahead to reserve a spot.
If you participated in Bike to Work day last week, Saturday is Bike to Market Day in the East Bay. Cyclists will get discounts and other goodies at participating markets when showing "proof" (bike helmet, bike gloves, bike jacket, etc). Participating groceries include the Oakland Whole Foods, Grocery outlet, Farmer Joe's, the Food Mill and Country Cheese. Sorry, no Berkeley Bowl.
On Sunday, Pacific Coast Brewing in Old Oakland hosts its annual spring beer tasting from noon to 4 P.M. $60 gets you 7 prix fixe courses and 14 craft beers from across the country. Tickets need to be bought in advance at the pub or via phone.
Also Sunday, Dashe Cellars holds its second spring luau and open house from 1 to 5 P.M. The island-themed fete will be catered by Chop Bar, including a whole roasted pig, and 2010 vintage wine and barrel samples. Tickets are $40 in advance, or $30 with the online code LUAUWC10. If any are leftover, they'll be $45 at the door. Admission also includes a Riedel glass to take home, and cases will be discounted 25%, or buy a case at full price and get the cost of two tickets refunded.
Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto
1919 4th St., Berkeley
(510) 845-7771
Pacific Coast Brewery
906 Washington St., Oakland
(510) 836-2739
Dashe Cellars
55 4th St., Oakland
(510) 452-1800
On Thursday, Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto hosts a wine-paired dinner starting at 7. The five-course prix fixe with California wines is $50 per person excluding tax and gratuity. No word on the menu, but it is recommended to call ahead to reserve a spot.
If you participated in Bike to Work day last week, Saturday is Bike to Market Day in the East Bay. Cyclists will get discounts and other goodies at participating markets when showing "proof" (bike helmet, bike gloves, bike jacket, etc). Participating groceries include the Oakland Whole Foods, Grocery outlet, Farmer Joe's, the Food Mill and Country Cheese. Sorry, no Berkeley Bowl.
On Sunday, Pacific Coast Brewing in Old Oakland hosts its annual spring beer tasting from noon to 4 P.M. $60 gets you 7 prix fixe courses and 14 craft beers from across the country. Tickets need to be bought in advance at the pub or via phone.
Also Sunday, Dashe Cellars holds its second spring luau and open house from 1 to 5 P.M. The island-themed fete will be catered by Chop Bar, including a whole roasted pig, and 2010 vintage wine and barrel samples. Tickets are $40 in advance, or $30 with the online code LUAUWC10. If any are leftover, they'll be $45 at the door. Admission also includes a Riedel glass to take home, and cases will be discounted 25%, or buy a case at full price and get the cost of two tickets refunded.
Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto
1919 4th St., Berkeley
(510) 845-7771
Pacific Coast Brewery
906 Washington St., Oakland
(510) 836-2739
Dashe Cellars
55 4th St., Oakland
(510) 452-1800
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Weekend Eats & Drinks 5/11/11
Start your morning with free waffles at the downtown Berkeley bike station Thursday. As part of Bike to Work Day, the station will offer free waffles and toppings to the first couple hundred people who park their bikes there. The station opens at 7 A.M., and parking is free until 8 P.M.
If you commute via ferry, stop by the energizer station in Jack London Square for a free gift bag and refreshments.
On Friday, wash away the bad luck of the 13th with a free wine tasting by R&B Cellars at Miss Pearl's Jam House in Jack London Square from 5 to 6 P.M.
If wine's not your thing, head to Trumer brewery in Berkeley for bike-in movie night Friday at 7:30 P.M. $5 gets you free brewery tours, popcorn, beer tastings, raffle tickets and an outdoor screening of bike-centric movies, With My Own Two Wheels and a couple short films. Proceeds go to the East Bay Bike Coalition. Don't forget the FM radio if you want to hear the films.
From Friday through Sunday, head to the Oakland Hills for the annual Greek festival. Enjoy Greek treats made by local Greek families while perusing crafts or listening to live Greek bands. Admission is $6, but get $1 off from the website. Children under 12 are free.
Also Sunday, Oakland's Chop Bar holds its monthly whole pig roast from 5 to 8 P.M. Tickets are $20 and include sides, usually veggies and salads, with $3 beer specials.
Bike to Work Day
2208 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
(510) 548-7433
Miss Pearl's Jam House
1 Broadway, Oakland
(510) 444-7171
Trumer Brauerei
1404 4th St., Berkeley
(510) 526-1160
Greek festival
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension
4700 Lincoln Ave, Oakland
(510) 531-3400
Chop Bar
247 4th St # 111, Oakland
(510) 834-2467
www.chopbar510.com
If you commute via ferry, stop by the energizer station in Jack London Square for a free gift bag and refreshments.
On Friday, wash away the bad luck of the 13th with a free wine tasting by R&B Cellars at Miss Pearl's Jam House in Jack London Square from 5 to 6 P.M.
If wine's not your thing, head to Trumer brewery in Berkeley for bike-in movie night Friday at 7:30 P.M. $5 gets you free brewery tours, popcorn, beer tastings, raffle tickets and an outdoor screening of bike-centric movies, With My Own Two Wheels and a couple short films. Proceeds go to the East Bay Bike Coalition. Don't forget the FM radio if you want to hear the films.
From Friday through Sunday, head to the Oakland Hills for the annual Greek festival. Enjoy Greek treats made by local Greek families while perusing crafts or listening to live Greek bands. Admission is $6, but get $1 off from the website. Children under 12 are free.
Also Sunday, Oakland's Chop Bar holds its monthly whole pig roast from 5 to 8 P.M. Tickets are $20 and include sides, usually veggies and salads, with $3 beer specials.
Bike to Work Day
2208 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
(510) 548-7433
Miss Pearl's Jam House
1 Broadway, Oakland
(510) 444-7171
Trumer Brauerei
1404 4th St., Berkeley
(510) 526-1160
Greek festival
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension
4700 Lincoln Ave, Oakland
(510) 531-3400
Chop Bar
247 4th St # 111, Oakland
(510) 834-2467
www.chopbar510.com
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Reviewed: SR24 in Oakland
With its barred windows and doors, SR24 looks like a jailhouse, but the food is anything but gruel and the staff hardly wardens. The exterior needs work, but give it time and gentrification will expand to the northwest corner of Telegraph avenue and 51st street.
SR24, named after the nearby State Route 24, delivers on classic American fare of favorites like corn chowder, fried chicken and pot pie. The dishes are nothing the home cook couldn't make, but sometimes you want a night off.
The mussels in spicy broth were standard and tame, but were pumped up with an excellent wine pairing of Prosecco. The sweet corn soup with dungeness crab and tarragon creme fraiche was lick-the-bowl delicious. The fried chicken was executed perfectly, crispy on the outside and juicy inside, complimented by vinegar slaw and mashers and gravy. The highlight was the kobe brisket pot roast. The beef was so tender I could pick through it with my fork, and juicy with a harmony of fat and flavor. The dish could have been better balanced with more than the scattering of carrots, fingerling potatoes and onions, but it was not a disappointment.
Also, do not miss the bread pudding french toast dessert. The bread pudding is more cake-like, with a thin layer of powdered sugar and a side of fruit jam and whipped cream. It was light enough for the sweet-averse boyfriend, but delicious enough for my sweet tooth.
With a menu of American classics, SR24 is family friendly with a children's menu; though the decor and tight spaces are more date night than play date. With dim lighting and lush red walls, the space is gothic chic. A scattering of funky chandeliers and throw pillows adds an eclectic touch, but doesn't quite mesh with the idea of comfort food.
The tables are also packed tight, as we easily could hear what the nearby couple were discussing. But, one thing to appreciate about the small space is the open kitchen. You can see the cooks readying your dish, but it is intimidating to know they can also see your reaction to their food.
Service is friendly and unpretentious, what you expect from an eatery aiming to be a neighborhood spot. The penny happy hour also doesn't hurt to drive in locals. From 4 to 6 P.M. Tuesday through Saturday, follow SR24 on Facebook to get a password of the day, then pull up to the bar and get a drink for less than a penny. SR24 has a little bit of everything: draft and bottled beer, wine on tap and by the bottle, a couple cocktails (no full bar) and non-alcoholic drinks like soda, water, tea and coffee.
Despite the inconspicuous facade, SR24 is a friendly, dependable weekday dinner spot. So, start searching between the couch cushions for those penny drinks.
SR24
5179 Telegraph Ave, Oakland
(510) 655-9300
www.sr24food.com
Photo: Yelp
SR24, named after the nearby State Route 24, delivers on classic American fare of favorites like corn chowder, fried chicken and pot pie. The dishes are nothing the home cook couldn't make, but sometimes you want a night off.
The mussels in spicy broth were standard and tame, but were pumped up with an excellent wine pairing of Prosecco. The sweet corn soup with dungeness crab and tarragon creme fraiche was lick-the-bowl delicious. The fried chicken was executed perfectly, crispy on the outside and juicy inside, complimented by vinegar slaw and mashers and gravy. The highlight was the kobe brisket pot roast. The beef was so tender I could pick through it with my fork, and juicy with a harmony of fat and flavor. The dish could have been better balanced with more than the scattering of carrots, fingerling potatoes and onions, but it was not a disappointment.
Also, do not miss the bread pudding french toast dessert. The bread pudding is more cake-like, with a thin layer of powdered sugar and a side of fruit jam and whipped cream. It was light enough for the sweet-averse boyfriend, but delicious enough for my sweet tooth.
With a menu of American classics, SR24 is family friendly with a children's menu; though the decor and tight spaces are more date night than play date. With dim lighting and lush red walls, the space is gothic chic. A scattering of funky chandeliers and throw pillows adds an eclectic touch, but doesn't quite mesh with the idea of comfort food.
The tables are also packed tight, as we easily could hear what the nearby couple were discussing. But, one thing to appreciate about the small space is the open kitchen. You can see the cooks readying your dish, but it is intimidating to know they can also see your reaction to their food.
Service is friendly and unpretentious, what you expect from an eatery aiming to be a neighborhood spot. The penny happy hour also doesn't hurt to drive in locals. From 4 to 6 P.M. Tuesday through Saturday, follow SR24 on Facebook to get a password of the day, then pull up to the bar and get a drink for less than a penny. SR24 has a little bit of everything: draft and bottled beer, wine on tap and by the bottle, a couple cocktails (no full bar) and non-alcoholic drinks like soda, water, tea and coffee.
Despite the inconspicuous facade, SR24 is a friendly, dependable weekday dinner spot. So, start searching between the couch cushions for those penny drinks.
SR24
5179 Telegraph Ave, Oakland
(510) 655-9300
www.sr24food.com
Photo: Yelp
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