about 1 year ago - 2 comments
At the periphery of the downtown/Old Oakland neighborhood, right at to the edge of the OPD headquarters and 880 freeway, sits a strange looking pink box of a building, that seems like an odd dimensional portal to another time and place, a time when the urban restaurant bar was one of service, comfort, and community.…
about 1 year ago - 2 comments
Originally established in Berkeley, Breads of India is unique in Indian cuisine in that their tasty menu changes daily to present a smattering of dishes that come as entire balanced plates of carefully prepared food. In addition, they offer a wide selection of Indian breads to add to your selected plate, one which will be…
about 2 years ago - 1 comment
Longtime Oaklanders will remember the old Hofbrau set firmly on the corner of Grand Avenue and Broadway for decades. Luka’s Taproom & Lounge strives to keep the spirit of that old establishment alive, with a young, fresh, and modern twist that appeals to the new breed of Oaklandites. The restaurant is a pleasant room with…
about 2 years ago - 1 comment
Enter The Trappist. Easy to miss, this mysterious & dark establishment is a timeless oasis from the bustle and boom of Downtown Oakland. A credit to the Old Oakland area, the building is beautifully restored inside and out and has doubled in size since the impressive transformation to European looking bar first began in…
about 2 years ago - No comments
Chinatown seems to be the busiest pedestrian area of Oakland, which is probably why the crowd-loving oaktownman enjoys going there so much. And especially if you’re counting your pennies, oaktownman’s favorite bakery Tao Yuen Pastry is where you should go to pick up a snack. After waiting in a modest line to get in to…
about 2 years ago - 9 comments
Most of the month, the old runways of the former Naval Air Station in Alameda are a desolate stretch of bird sanctuary where the endangered California Lease Terns can thrive in their semi-traditional environment. But every first Sunday, an amazing phenomenon takes place. From practically nothing, an outdoor marketplace is built housing over 800 ‘shops’ and…
about 2 years ago - No comments
Webster Street in Alameda has changed so much over the last 20 years, since the old Alameda Naval Air Station was decommissioned. Back then, there was no shortage of tattoo parlors and hookers awaiting the sailors on their furloughs. Now the neighborhood has been somewhat cleaned up and facelifted. And a beautiful cafe has arrived…
about 2 years ago - 9 comments
*** UPDATE: CAFE DI BARTOLO CLOSED ITS DOORS AROUND 12/24/2010 HERE IS A PIC FROM THEIR GOODBYE PARTY. COFFEE WILL BE SORELY MISSED BY oaktownman *** ############### Best cuppa joe in town… Oaktown that is. Just half a block up Grand Ave from the Grand Lake Theater, Cafe Di Bartolo makes exquisite coffee. Forget all…
about 2 years ago - No comments
La Farine Boulangerie (oaktownman guesses that’s French for ‘bakery’) now has at least four locations in the East Bay. oaktownman most frequents their newest location on Piedmont Avenue. For bread, pastries, and cakes, there is no competition for this amazing French-style bakery. And the prices are great as well. If it’s convenient enough, buy your…