Today, the Friends of the Oakland Fox theater host a welcome party for Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. The $25 ticket gets you appetizers and one-hour of a hosted beer and wine bar. For $125 more, get a VIP pass with a swag bag and a custom name plaque affixed to a Fox Theater balcony chair. The friends will also host a raffle and silent auction.
The annual Berkeley Kite Festival takes flight this weekend from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Admission is free, while onsite parking is $10. See the world's largest octopus kite, listen to taiko drummers, and learn how to make and fly a kite. No word on who the food vendors will be, but you can always bring a picnic.
Saturday, the Oakland A's host its 15th annual beer fest two hours before the 6:05 P.M. game against the Minnesota Twins. Tickets to the baseball game get you free entry to the beer fest, but it costs $12 for 3 tastings and a souvenir beer mug. Participating microbrews include 21st Amendment, Anchor Brewing, Firestone Walker Brewing, Lost Coast Brewery and more.
Also Saturday, the Terrace Room near Oakland's Lake Merritt hosts its Summer Swing event from 5 to 10 P.M. Learn how to swing dance from 5 to 6 P.M., and then the floor opens up for a live band. $25 lets you dance and drink (2 tokens), while VIP tickets that include appetizers cost $55. Reservations required.
Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe
1805 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
(510) 251-9400
Oakland A's Beer Fest
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland
(510) 569-2121
The Terrace Room
1800 Madison St., Oakland
(510) 903-3771
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Weekend Eats & Drinks 7/21/11
Tonight, catch Jack London Square's second waterfront foodie flick of the summer: Big Night starring Tony Shaloub and Stanley Tucci. The summer movie series occurs every other Thursday at 7:30 P.M. in the market lawn with local food vendors and cooking demonstrations. The film starts at dusk.
On Friday, San Leandro's Drake's hosts a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new barrel house from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. The party continues Saturday from 5 to 8 P.M. with the official opening. $2 from every beer sale will go to the San Leandro Education Foundation.
Moe's Bookstore in Berkeley debuts its breakfast tea blend created by the Lhasa Karnak Herb Company. Sample the Darjeeling, Orange Pekoe black tea blend Saturday from 2 to 3 P.M. while perusing the shelves.
For something stronger, head to Donkey and Goat's summer party from 4 to 7 P.M. in its new Berkeley digs. Admission is free, but an RSVP is requested. See the new tasting room and sample new summer wines. Pizza Politana will be on hand selling wood-fired pizzas.
Bigger than your cafeteria fights, the East Bay Food Fight from 4:30 to 7:30 P.M. at Jack London Square has 40 restaurants, chef battles and guest judge Alice Waters . A live auction also offers private chef dinners, private culinary tours and more. The events benefits St. Vincent de paul's culinary training program. Advance tickets are sold out, but tickets will be $40 at the door.
Sunday, Nex in Oakland hosts its 7th OinkCon, a celebration of roast pig. This time, it's a Hawaiian luau for $15 in advance and $18 at the door from noon to 4:30 P.M.
Jack London Square
66 Franklin St., Oakland
(510) 628-0718
Drake's Brewing
1933 Davis St. Ste 177, San Leandro
(510) 568-2739
Moe's Bookstore
2476 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley
(510) 849-2087
Donkey & Goat
2323 B 4TH St., Berkeley
(510) 868-9174
Nex
2442 Webster St., Oakland
(510) 238-8224
On Friday, San Leandro's Drake's hosts a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new barrel house from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. The party continues Saturday from 5 to 8 P.M. with the official opening. $2 from every beer sale will go to the San Leandro Education Foundation.
Moe's Bookstore in Berkeley debuts its breakfast tea blend created by the Lhasa Karnak Herb Company. Sample the Darjeeling, Orange Pekoe black tea blend Saturday from 2 to 3 P.M. while perusing the shelves.
For something stronger, head to Donkey and Goat's summer party from 4 to 7 P.M. in its new Berkeley digs. Admission is free, but an RSVP is requested. See the new tasting room and sample new summer wines. Pizza Politana will be on hand selling wood-fired pizzas.
Bigger than your cafeteria fights, the East Bay Food Fight from 4:30 to 7:30 P.M. at Jack London Square has 40 restaurants, chef battles and guest judge Alice Waters . A live auction also offers private chef dinners, private culinary tours and more. The events benefits St. Vincent de paul's culinary training program. Advance tickets are sold out, but tickets will be $40 at the door.
Sunday, Nex in Oakland hosts its 7th OinkCon, a celebration of roast pig. This time, it's a Hawaiian luau for $15 in advance and $18 at the door from noon to 4:30 P.M.
Jack London Square
66 Franklin St., Oakland
(510) 628-0718
Drake's Brewing
1933 Davis St. Ste 177, San Leandro
(510) 568-2739
Moe's Bookstore
2476 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley
(510) 849-2087
Donkey & Goat
2323 B 4TH St., Berkeley
(510) 868-9174
Nex
2442 Webster St., Oakland
(510) 238-8224
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Weekend Eats & Drinks 7/13/11
A few weekend highlights around Berkeley and Oakland:
For the early birds, catch the Bay Area BBQ Championship at the Oakland Coliseum prior to the A's baseball game against the LA Angels on Saturday. Start eating pulled pork and ribs as early as 9:30 A.M. before the 1:05 game start. Tickets prices vary, with the cheapest at $48 that includes 5 food/drink tickets and 1 plaza outfield seat at the double header game. Extra food and drink tickets are 10 for $15. All tickets must be purchased in advance as no tickets will be sold at the event.
Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant celebrates Bastille Day on Saturday by closing its parking lot from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. and firing up the grill. Kermit Lynch says the event admission price will be "fair" and bring cash for wines by the glass and food.
Urban winery Urban Legend Cellars hosts a release party Saturday from 6 to 9 P.M. in Oakland for its 2009 Teroldego and its 2009 Cooper Ranch Barbera.
Sunday, Chop Bar moves its monthly $20 pig roast to Linden Street Brewery after outgrowing the restaurant space. Expect an all-u-can-eat roast pig and sides.
Also Sunday, Alameda Meals on Wheels hosts a community fair and wine tasting event at Rock Wall Wine from 1 to 5 P.M. Taste hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants and area wines like Dashe Cellars, R&B Cellars, J. Lohr Vineyards & more. The backyard carnival can entertain kids while adults shop the silent auction or listen to live music. A $20 donation is suggested at the door.
Bay Area BBQ Championships
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland
(510) 569-2121
Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant
1605 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
(510) 524-1524
Urban Legend Cellars
621 4th St., Oakland
(510) 545-4356
Chop Bar @ Linden Street Brewery
95 Linden St., Oakland
(510) 812-1264
Rock Wall Wines
2301 Monarch St., Alameda
(510) 522-5700
For the early birds, catch the Bay Area BBQ Championship at the Oakland Coliseum prior to the A's baseball game against the LA Angels on Saturday. Start eating pulled pork and ribs as early as 9:30 A.M. before the 1:05 game start. Tickets prices vary, with the cheapest at $48 that includes 5 food/drink tickets and 1 plaza outfield seat at the double header game. Extra food and drink tickets are 10 for $15. All tickets must be purchased in advance as no tickets will be sold at the event.
Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant celebrates Bastille Day on Saturday by closing its parking lot from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. and firing up the grill. Kermit Lynch says the event admission price will be "fair" and bring cash for wines by the glass and food.
Urban winery Urban Legend Cellars hosts a release party Saturday from 6 to 9 P.M. in Oakland for its 2009 Teroldego and its 2009 Cooper Ranch Barbera.
Sunday, Chop Bar moves its monthly $20 pig roast to Linden Street Brewery after outgrowing the restaurant space. Expect an all-u-can-eat roast pig and sides.
Also Sunday, Alameda Meals on Wheels hosts a community fair and wine tasting event at Rock Wall Wine from 1 to 5 P.M. Taste hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants and area wines like Dashe Cellars, R&B Cellars, J. Lohr Vineyards & more. The backyard carnival can entertain kids while adults shop the silent auction or listen to live music. A $20 donation is suggested at the door.
Bay Area BBQ Championships
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland
(510) 569-2121
Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant
1605 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
(510) 524-1524
Urban Legend Cellars
621 4th St., Oakland
(510) 545-4356
Chop Bar @ Linden Street Brewery
95 Linden St., Oakland
(510) 812-1264
Rock Wall Wines
2301 Monarch St., Alameda
(510) 522-5700
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Reviewed: Phil's Sliders in Berkeley
Before I tried Phil's Sliders, I never understood why sliders existed. It was essentially a mini hamburger - a kid's or dieter's portion. But Phil's Sliders proved me wrong. Each slider has so much flavor and tastiness in the one bite that the deliciousness would get lost in a full-size burger. After the sticker shock of $2.50* for a bite wears off, you can bask in the perfect balance of Marin Sun Farms grass-fed beef, lettuce, cheddar cheese and special sauce.
Phil's Sliders opened a few weeks ago where New China Express used to be in downtown Berkeley. The narrow space is transformed with a decently-sized though minimalist dining section and an open kitchen. See the hanging posterboard menu and check the chalkboard wall for homemade dessert and shake specials. Once you know what you want, grab a mini-clipboard, write your order and hand to the cashier.
The portabella sliders pale in comparison, so I would avoid them unless you're a vegetarian. The poppyseed coleslaw ($2) was average and something I could find at any potluck, but the potato tots ($2.50) were fantastically starchy, creamy and crispy. Unlike butter-heavy croquettes, we ate these tots with our fingers without much need for napkins.
While the homemade shake sauces (chocolate and dulce de leche when we went) are delicious themselves, the shake ($2.50) disappoints. I like my shakes milky and rich, and Phil's are not that. The base looks and tastes like soft serve, melts too quickly, and is a bit grainy. We skipped the dessert, but an assortment of homemade cookies and brownies are displayed nicely at the cashier.
Service, while pleasant, still needs work to catch up with demand. Our to-go order of 4 sliders, a side of slaw and tots and a shake took 15 minutes to ready. The one cashier also makes the shakes, which holds up the line to order. I'm not sure what two of the three cooks do, as only one of them is assembling the sliders. I give the slider maker props, though, as ours were packed neatly and precisely while they could easily have been slopped together.
Overall, I'm glad to see Phil's in town. I definitely will continue to visit. I can afford the sliders and tots, but I'm not sure if the limited, pricey menu can sustain downtown where college students probably won't splurge for $2 sliders when there's a $6.99 buffet nearby.
*Posted prices say $2, but our bill total broke down to $2.50.
Phil's Sliders
2024 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
(510) 845-5060
Phil's Sliders opened a few weeks ago where New China Express used to be in downtown Berkeley. The narrow space is transformed with a decently-sized though minimalist dining section and an open kitchen. See the hanging posterboard menu and check the chalkboard wall for homemade dessert and shake specials. Once you know what you want, grab a mini-clipboard, write your order and hand to the cashier.
The portabella sliders pale in comparison, so I would avoid them unless you're a vegetarian. The poppyseed coleslaw ($2) was average and something I could find at any potluck, but the potato tots ($2.50) were fantastically starchy, creamy and crispy. Unlike butter-heavy croquettes, we ate these tots with our fingers without much need for napkins.
While the homemade shake sauces (chocolate and dulce de leche when we went) are delicious themselves, the shake ($2.50) disappoints. I like my shakes milky and rich, and Phil's are not that. The base looks and tastes like soft serve, melts too quickly, and is a bit grainy. We skipped the dessert, but an assortment of homemade cookies and brownies are displayed nicely at the cashier.
Service, while pleasant, still needs work to catch up with demand. Our to-go order of 4 sliders, a side of slaw and tots and a shake took 15 minutes to ready. The one cashier also makes the shakes, which holds up the line to order. I'm not sure what two of the three cooks do, as only one of them is assembling the sliders. I give the slider maker props, though, as ours were packed neatly and precisely while they could easily have been slopped together.
Overall, I'm glad to see Phil's in town. I definitely will continue to visit. I can afford the sliders and tots, but I'm not sure if the limited, pricey menu can sustain downtown where college students probably won't splurge for $2 sliders when there's a $6.99 buffet nearby.
*Posted prices say $2, but our bill total broke down to $2.50.
Phil's Sliders
2024 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
(510) 845-5060
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Weekend Eats & Drinks 7/6/11
Jack London Square's free foodie waterfront flicks begin this week with a screening of Julie and Julia at the market lawn at sundown. Arrive early and catch cooking demos and trivia prizes. Miss Pearl's Jam House will cook up grilled treats with 10% of proceeds going to Bay Area anti-hunger programs. Blankets and stadium chairs recommended. Saturday, Alameda's Rock Wall Wine holds the first ZAP Rib-orama. Sip local zins and savor ribs from 2 to 5 P.M. Participating wineries include Bota Box Wines, Dashe Cellars, Gnarly Head Cellars and more. Tickets are $45 in advance, or $55 at the door.
Nearby, JC Cellars hosts its annual beach party from 1 to 5 P.M. The beach-themed tasting costs $35 in advance and $40 at the door for a souvenir glass, appetizers and cheese and tastings of JC Cellars wines.
Sunday, Temescal streets close for last month's rescheduled street fair beginning at noon. Catch music from two stages while you send the kids to the carousel or climbing wall. Munch on Lanesplitter Pizza, SR24, Barlata and other local favorites.
Jack London Square
66 Franklin St., Oakland
(510) 628-0718
Rock Wall Wines
2301 Monarch St., Alameda
(510) 522-5700
JC Cellars
55 4th St., Oakland
(510) 465-5900
Temescal Street Fair
Telegraph Avenue between 45th and 51st
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