One of the wonderful treats of living in the east bay is the number of fabulous restaurants and coffee houses. I want to share with you just a few of my favorites in the city of Oakland.
Piedmont Avenue, Oakland CA
Baywolf 3853 Piedmont Ave 510-655-6004 You can't miss Baywolf, the only restaurant situated in a restored Victorian on Piedmont Ave. The menu changes frequently and from appetizers to deserts, I have never had a meal I did not like. A great place to celebrate with family and friends.
Dopo 4293 Piedmont Ave 510-652-3676 I can't say enough about Dopo. I heard the owner Jon Smulewitz used to work at Oliveto's on College. Well, the fresh ingredients are translated from his kitchen to your plate. The menu is considered Italian and is always changing which makes it a great place to go if you are a local. They do not take reservations and as of November 2006 they have expanded the number of tables so the wait is not as long. A great spot for either lunch or dinner.
 Jojo 3859 Piedmont Ave 510-595-3003 Make sure to order the thinly sliced Niman Ranch flat iron steak cooked rare and sliced thin with the accompanying pommes frites, it's my favorite dish on the menu. This is a wonderful quaint small restaurant that really makes you feel happy to live in the bay area where we are surrounded by such talented chefs.
College Avenue, Oakland CA
 A'Cote 5478 College Ave 510-655-6469 If you are going to have to wait for a table, A'Cote is one place you don't mind waiting for tapa style French-Mediterranean cuisine in the east bay. There is a wonderful outdoor patio but regardless if you sit indoors or outside, the service is excellent.
Citron 5484 College Ave, Oakland CA 510-653-5484 www.citronrestaurant.biz located in lower Rockridge on College Ave, the restaurant is known to combine authentic French and Mediterranean dishes together. 5484 College Ave, Oakland CA 510-653-5484 Bruch is available Saturday- Sunday.
Garibaldi’s 5356 College Ave, Oakland CA 510-595-4000 www.garibaldirestaurant.com 5356 College Ave, Oakland CA 510-595-4000 Garibaldi’s has been in the Bay Area for over twenty years! If you have not been to Garibaldi’s for the delicious entrees, maybe it’s time you stop in during happy hour. New: Happy Hour from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. daily with half price food and $5 cocktails.
Noodle Theory 6099 Claremont Ave 510-595-6988 www.noodletheory.com located at the corner of College and Claremont where the Double Rainbow Ice Cream store used to be, this restaurant is always busy. With fresh, well seasoned noodles so reasonably priced, it’s no wonder.
 Oliveto 5655 College Ave 510-547-5356 Any article you read about Oliveto never forgets to mention Chef and co-owner Paul Bertolli and his wood-fired rotisserie. The place to splurge on a meal you will never forget. Call ahead of time for reservations. The menu is Italian cooking with a wide selection of delicious meats.
 Zachary's 5801 College Ave 510-655-6385 Very casual and a great stop for pizza lovers of all ages. Zachary's serves deep dish Chicago style pizza and thin crust pizza where you can choose your toppings, or chose from the menu. During afternoon hours you can walk in and grab pizza by the slice; great if you are on the go since the lines tend to be long. Make sure to call ahead for a quick pick up of your favorite pizza and here is a tip-order a half-baked pizza and finish baking it at home.
Montclair Village, Oakland CA
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 Il Porcellino 6111 LaSalle Ave 510-339-2149 This casual restaurant provides it's guests with a warm welcome, homemade pasta, and fresh ingredients. Don't forget to leave room for the scrumptious chocolate souffle for desert!
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| Temescal District, Oakland CA
 Dona Tomas 5004 Telgraph Ave 510-450-0522 This restaurant has helped change this neighborhood into a dinner destination. Dona Tomas uses sesonal, sustainably grown and raised ingredients like Niman Ranch meat and Hoffman Farm poultry and they serve homemade corn tortillas and salsas that remind you of Mexico. Dona Tomas does take reservations and parking is plentiful but if you get their early I recommend ordering a Margarita at the bar. On a warm evening ask for a table outside in their rear courtyard. Another hot tip: Their sister restaurant Tacumbaya is at 1788 Fourth Street in Berkeley 510-525-5160.
Downtown District, Oakland CA
Le Cheval www.lecheval.com in downtown Oakland serves the best Vietnamese cuisine. The wait is never long regardless of how many people are ahead of you waiting. One of the reasons for this is because the service is so quick, yet you never feel rushed. Great place to bring large groups.
Luka's Taproom & Lounge 2221 Broadway 510-451-4677 A great place to go for lunch or dinner. If you are looking for something small while running errands downtown, this is a great place for a salad. If cocktails and dancing after dinner are on your list, stop by. Parking is available behind the building.
Tamarindo 468 Eighth St., Oakland 510-444-1944 You'll find nothing but delicious Mexican food here. Althought the dishes are small, they are very filling and the concepts is "antojito's" so prepare to share. This is a great place if you have an afternoon of business to attend to, or want to have a nice dinner with a small group of friends and family. Remember Sundays or Mondays are when the restaurant is typically closed. |