Best Worldly Plates
Where do the locals like to eat? Best of the Best is written by Serena Bartlett, author of the GrassRoutes Guidebook Series and Oakland resident. Serena shares with us her best picks from a locals viewpoint of dining in Oakland. Her books, GrassRoutes Guide to Oakland and Berkeley and GrassRoutes Green Road Trip to Northern California Wine Country. For more info visit: www.grassroutestravel.com
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Bocanova
Before you even sit down at your appointed table Bocanova is sure to dazzle you and your lucky dining companion. The place is decked out with fine design that looks fresh from the best show on The Home and Garden Network. Choose one of the best seats in the house, either the window-side tables facing the estuary, or a more casual barstool facing the kitchen. Steal your eyes away from marveling the fancy light fixtures, stunning Jack London Square views, and the well-dressed crowds that gravitates towards this brand new Oakland eatery.
Bocanova is an instant destination - the unique yet approachable menu and sophisticated service meld with a naturally friendly ambiance, not to mention a fine wine and house cocktail list. If you come on a midweek evening you'll quickly get the attention of an attentive server, who will undoubtedly recommend the wonderful Little Gem Caesar, the marvelous Potatoes 'Delifina' that comes with a spicy Peruvian tapenade, of the house made tortilla chips to munch on. Continue with another course or two of small plates, or skip a 'share-zees' meal and order the delicate Petrale Sole Seafood Taco, the hearty 16 oz 'Bife de Chorizo' Steak, served with chimichurri sauce, or the never-dry roasted chicken, marinated in Peruvian spices and topped with surprisingly delicious banana salsa. Desserts are creative and romantically sweet, always with a south-of-the-border angle like Mexican chocolate ice cream smothering the Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding, and an updated take on flan cooked with parchment with organic berries.
If you simply can't get enough of the fresh flavors and lovely location return for a Sunday brunch of waffles with blood orange syrup, Huevos Rancheros, Huarache, which is fluffy eggs with blue cheese, fennel and braised leeks, just to name a few of the tantalizing options. This January Bocanova re-envisioned Happy Hour to include a dozen $4 small plates including kale, epazote and cotija cheese empanadas, sea bass ceviche, and fried shishito peppers, plus drink specials on both the house cocktails and select wines. It's one great reason to skip out of the museum, or conference, or where ever you are, and head to the base of Webster Street.
Bocanova
55 Webster Street
(510) 444-1233
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Amba
Come to Amba to enjoy simple yet flavorful vegetarian food that meets the strict kosher guidelines. Falafels here are crispy on the outside and perfectly crumbly on the inside, and stuffed inside a warm pita with fresh veggies and cucumber sauce it is hard to imagine a more satisfying lunch. Amba is located very close to quaint Montclair village - Oakland's most popular neighborhood for hikers because of its proximity to a slew of hilly trails with breathtaking views. Pick Redwood, Sibley, or Huckelberry Canyon Parks then order hot Fries, homemade Hummus and Falafels for all. This place seems built for cheerful gatherings of friends and family. If you dream of an authentic Israeli falafel experience Amba will get you there, minus the airfare. Don't leave without a glass of refreshing lemonade, always made fresh.
Amba
6464 Moraga Avenue
(510) 339-8000
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Zatis Mediterranean Cuisine
If you are running around Piedmont Avenue too quickly, you may miss the green awning of Zatis amongst the many other shops and restaurants, but rather, this understated eatery should be sought out. Lunch of grilled flank steak, or sea scallop crepes will certainly convince you and your dining companion. There are many variations of calamari, sustainable and in-season seafood, done here marinated with shrimp, fried or in a salad. Cabbage leaves rolled with seasoned ground lamb and beef with rice is the Turkish version of comfort food, and it definitely has a nourishing effect. The handmade ravioli here are splendid, stuffed with classic Mediterranean delicacies like mushroom and shallot gorgonzola cream, fish, capers, and arugula, or mint-roasted beef with tomatoes and yogurt. Each dish is cooked and served with Zatis very own olive oil blend, which you can buy at the restaurant. It comes direct from Turkey, pressed from last season's mature olives into a grassy extra virgin oil. It tastes good just plain with a little toast! Stay for dessert of traditional revani, a cornmeal and buckwheat cake layered with pistachio cream, nuts, and fresh-made lemon syrup. The rice pudding is some of the best in Oakland, always warm and creamy, and topped with roasted hazelnuts. After just one visit, this is one awning you won't miss next time - you won't want to!
Zatis
4029 Piedmont Avenue
(510) 658-8210
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Ohgane Korean Barbeque
If you aren't already familiar with this exciting, colorful, and delicious culinary tradition, you should take the opportunity to discover it while in Oakland. At a place like Ohgane you and your family and friends big groups are encouraged can experience the whole kit and kaboodle in full, flavorful, flair. Start with a tabletop covered with tasty bites and condiments - if it is your very first time at a Korean restaurant, don't be surprised when these many small dishes arrive even before you order - they are part of the experience and come with the meal. After sampling the sweet and sour pickled veggies, or fried bean curd, dive into the more formal appetizers, one of the best things on the menu at Ohgane are the pancakes - choose between the smaller ones laced with sauteed veggies, or the large, green onion variety. For lunch, grilled chicken, 'Dak Gu E,' and marinated pork 'Dae Ji Gu E,' are comforting and tender, or the cold buckwheat noodles 'Mul Naeng Myun' are a surprisingly delicious treat, served in a light broth. You can't go wrong with the ever-popular 'Bi Bim Bab,' which is rice and mixed Asian veggies with sliced stir-fried beef topped with an egg.
There's also the option of cooking your own meat, after all, each spacious table is equipped with ventilation and its very own table-center cooking surface. Stick with the classic thin-sliced marinated beef, or go for beef tongue, which isn't nearly as strange as it sounds, the texture and flavor are actually very tasty. This place seems made for big parties, whether you gather up a gaggle of friends or come for a family birthday, it is a unique way to celebrate that is a true culinary adventure. Oakland has many Korean natives, who have woven their rich traditions into the local scene for generations, so it is no surprise that some of the best Korean restaurants in the country are right here.
Ohgane Korean Barbeque
3915 Broadway
(510) 594-8300
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Destination Oakland Food and Drink