Where would Jack London eat?
July 13, 2011 5:42 PM Subscribe
Oakland, CA - dinner and lunch recommendations?
Wife + I will be in Oakland, CA over the weekend, Jack London Square. Dinner somewhere in the vicinity, Sunday, and lunch Monday. I briefly looked at Yelp, but nothing stood out. We're pescetarians, willing to try new stuff, but emphasis on tasty. Would really like to stay in the vicinity of Jack London Square and don't feel like fighting endless traffic+parking battles, but anything within a few mile radius is fair game. Fresh seafood always interesting, but open to all options. Anyone have any favorites?
Wife + I will be in Oakland, CA over the weekend, Jack London Square. Dinner somewhere in the vicinity, Sunday, and lunch Monday. I briefly looked at Yelp, but nothing stood out. We're pescetarians, willing to try new stuff, but emphasis on tasty. Would really like to stay in the vicinity of Jack London Square and don't feel like fighting endless traffic+parking battles, but anything within a few mile radius is fair game. Fresh seafood always interesting, but open to all options. Anyone have any favorites?
Also forgot to add that there is plenty of parking in that area.
posted by babbyʼ); Drop table users; -- at 5:48 PM on July 13, 2011
posted by babbyʼ); Drop table users; -- at 5:48 PM on July 13, 2011
There's a Burma Super Star in Temescal. Parking & traffic aren't so bad over there. Bonus: it's not far from Article Pract, a must-stop if you or your wife are into yarn crafts. I am no longer allowed to go because I tend to blow my grocery money on yarn.
posted by smirkette at 5:58 PM on July 13, 2011
posted by smirkette at 5:58 PM on July 13, 2011
I've never been, but I hear Yoshi's is really good. Check them out on Yelp.
posted by pluot at 6:01 PM on July 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by pluot at 6:01 PM on July 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'd suggest heading up to Temescal; smirkette already covered Burma Super Star, which is good, but there's also Pizzaiolo and Doña Tomas, among others. (Protip: you can almost always find parking in the parking lot by the Walgreen's at 51st and Telegraph.) Depending on how you feel about Korean food (I know it tends to be meaty, but there are some vegetarian options), you won't go wrong by going into any place on Telegraph between West Grand and 51st.
posted by asterix at 6:09 PM on July 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by asterix at 6:09 PM on July 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
Zip on over to Alameda (about 15 minutes in the car) and eat dinner at C'era Una Volta. Make reservations. Not terribly expensive but very nice Italian. Not the heavy spaghetti and meatballs kind of Italian. I highly recommend the spinach salad and the lobster ravioli. Go around the back, there's parking behind the restaurant.
Yoshi's is a must, but kinda expensive. I'd have lunch there because of that, but it's also a jazz club and you might want to see who's there in the evening and have dinner and go to the show.
posted by puddinghead at 6:15 PM on July 13, 2011
Yoshi's is a must, but kinda expensive. I'd have lunch there because of that, but it's also a jazz club and you might want to see who's there in the evening and have dinner and go to the show.
posted by puddinghead at 6:15 PM on July 13, 2011
Best answer: I worked in Jack London Square for about a year (2009-2010), and I have to tell you, not much about it impressed me. From what I recall, restaurants directly in the Square include, Miss Pearl's Jam House, Boca Nova, Scott's, Il Pescatore and Kincaid's. There is nothing truly special about any of these; and, they tend to be overpriced. I would highly recommend grabbing a drink at the First and Last Chance. A couple of blocks up from the Square is The Fat Lady. It's been there a long time, and it's a fun little place; but I wouldn't write home about it. The recommendations you have been given in the Temescal district are excellent - I would also add Barlata to the list. The Chop Bar is excellent and has outside seating.
posted by AlliKat75 at 6:23 PM on July 13, 2011
posted by AlliKat75 at 6:23 PM on July 13, 2011
Boot and Shoe Boot and Shoe Boot and Shoe
posted by QuarterlyProphet at 6:31 PM on July 13, 2011
posted by QuarterlyProphet at 6:31 PM on July 13, 2011
Best answer: Although there's quite a lot of (delicious, delicious) meat on the menu (PDF), there are also some tasty pesce options at my favorite place in Oakland, Hibiscus. It's just a little over a mile from Jack London square. I'd probably feel comfortable walking it but I don't tend to be very conservative in those matters so YMMV.
Flora was also pretty delish last time (~year ago) I was there.
Finally, if you like beer you should definitely check out The Trappist.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 6:35 PM on July 13, 2011
Flora was also pretty delish last time (~year ago) I was there.
Finally, if you like beer you should definitely check out The Trappist.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 6:35 PM on July 13, 2011
Best answer: This is my 'hood. There really is an odd number of restaurants that seem like they might be good but really just aren't worth the money. All the seafood places on the water (Scott's is one) are pretty bad, and all serve frozen stuff.
Chop Bar definitely has good food, especially burgers, but it can get super loud during peak weekend night hours. The BBQ at Everett and Jones is pretty good, but overpriced. Bocanova has pretty good tapas-style plates, and their chocolate-croissant bread pudding with Mexican-chocolate ice cream is insane. And the chicken and waffles place is damn good (you will need a nap).
posted by Ignatius J. Reilly at 6:39 PM on July 13, 2011
Chop Bar definitely has good food, especially burgers, but it can get super loud during peak weekend night hours. The BBQ at Everett and Jones is pretty good, but overpriced. Bocanova has pretty good tapas-style plates, and their chocolate-croissant bread pudding with Mexican-chocolate ice cream is insane. And the chicken and waffles place is damn good (you will need a nap).
posted by Ignatius J. Reilly at 6:39 PM on July 13, 2011
Also, you can take the free Broadway shuttle to most downtown locations, and to places on Grand Ave on that side of the lake.
posted by Ignatius J. Reilly at 6:40 PM on July 13, 2011
posted by Ignatius J. Reilly at 6:40 PM on July 13, 2011
Seconding Boot and Shoe Service. Also Pizzaiolo and Dona Tomas.
If you want to stay around Jack London Square, Yoshi's has great Japanese and seafood.
Scott's Seafood is rather overpriced for the quality of seafood, but it's elegant and has nice views.
posted by mikeand1 at 7:06 PM on July 13, 2011
If you want to stay around Jack London Square, Yoshi's has great Japanese and seafood.
Scott's Seafood is rather overpriced for the quality of seafood, but it's elegant and has nice views.
posted by mikeand1 at 7:06 PM on July 13, 2011
Best answer: There's a mexican place next to the Trappist on 8th St, the name escapes me, but it's quite good and has a great selection of tequilas.
posted by mikeand1 at 7:13 PM on July 13, 2011
posted by mikeand1 at 7:13 PM on July 13, 2011
Flora is indeed delicious, and has excellent cocktails. It's basically a straight shot down Broadway (it's at 19th and Telegraph). Parking can be hairy if there's a show at the Fox, which is across the street. My pescetarian partner had no trouble finding things to eat there, if I recall correctly (did I mention the cocktails?).
posted by rtha at 7:18 PM on July 13, 2011
posted by rtha at 7:18 PM on July 13, 2011
Jack London might stop in at Le Cheval if he was craving some haute vietnamese.
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 8:12 PM on July 13, 2011
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 8:12 PM on July 13, 2011
Nthing heading to Temescal; a pescatarian could eat quite well at Pizzaiolo or Barlata.
posted by villanelles at dawn at 8:14 PM on July 13, 2011
posted by villanelles at dawn at 8:14 PM on July 13, 2011
Or fish tacos at La Calaca Loca. I'm a Southern Californian but I'll readily admit that they make a beautiful fish taco.
posted by villanelles at dawn at 8:29 PM on July 13, 2011
posted by villanelles at dawn at 8:29 PM on July 13, 2011
Oh yeah, one other place: No Worries (in downtown Oakland). It's vegetarian Filipino food; I've never been there myself (and I'm a little skeptical of the idea of vegetarian Filipino), but it's at least interesting and it's got decent reviews on Yelp.
posted by asterix at 9:44 PM on July 13, 2011
posted by asterix at 9:44 PM on July 13, 2011
homeroom for mac n cheese
Gregoire for french take out (potato puffs!! basically fancy fried mashed potatoes)
posted by raw sugar at 9:59 PM on July 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
Gregoire for french take out (potato puffs!! basically fancy fried mashed potatoes)
posted by raw sugar at 9:59 PM on July 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
It's not a meal, but Blue Bottle coffee is pretty great and it's on 3rd and Webster.
Le Cheval is really good too - we had an entire fish/seafood tasting menu last time we went.
posted by guster4lovers at 10:16 PM on July 13, 2011
Le Cheval is really good too - we had an entire fish/seafood tasting menu last time we went.
posted by guster4lovers at 10:16 PM on July 13, 2011
Best answer: If you like beer, The Trappist is an absolute must. Personal recommendation on the North Coast Old Rasputin Imperial Stout and the Tripel Karmeleit. Get a taster of anything you're interested in. Limited food options, but there are lots of eateries in the immediate vicinity.
Golden Lotus has some of the tastiest vegetarian and fake meat going. And if you want one of the ultra-swankiest tiki lounges around, Forbidden Island is a short cab-ride away on Alameda. Over east of the lake in my neck of the woods, Green Papaya has some of THE TASTIEST Thai/Lao cuisine going. And it's BYOBeer.
Bake Sale Betty might not be open during your window of visit, but the absolute best fried chicken sammich in Oaktown has been joined by probably the best fried tofu sammich in all of Oaktown.
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 10:26 PM on July 13, 2011
Golden Lotus has some of the tastiest vegetarian and fake meat going. And if you want one of the ultra-swankiest tiki lounges around, Forbidden Island is a short cab-ride away on Alameda. Over east of the lake in my neck of the woods, Green Papaya has some of THE TASTIEST Thai/Lao cuisine going. And it's BYOBeer.
Bake Sale Betty might not be open during your window of visit, but the absolute best fried chicken sammich in Oaktown has been joined by probably the best fried tofu sammich in all of Oaktown.
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 10:26 PM on July 13, 2011
Response by poster: Thank you everybody so far - I'll keep checking this thread right up until dinner time Sunday, ha!
Though already it looks like we'll have to hit The Trappist for sure, perhaps after dinner... never could pass up a good beer or two :)
posted by VikingSword at 11:13 PM on July 13, 2011
Though already it looks like we'll have to hit The Trappist for sure, perhaps after dinner... never could pass up a good beer or two :)
posted by VikingSword at 11:13 PM on July 13, 2011
Best answer: Seconding Flora and The Trappist! They're both reasonably-walkable from Jack London Square-- Flora is a bit of a jaunt, but doable, and great for a nice dinner-- lovely cocktails and delicious, interesting food.
Bakesale Betty does indeed have wonderful sandwiches, but might be tough to get to for lunch. Pacific Coast Brewing is not Trappist-level awesome, but is quite nice, and a reasonable place to relax for a bit.
If you like dim sum, Legendary Palace is one of our standard stops on every visit, and it's right on the edge of Oakland's Chinatown, which is full of great little dive-y places to get snacks and baked goods full of who-knows-what. Ratto's Market is a good place to get sandwiches made-to-order, and might be a good lunch option.
There is a little coffeeshop right next to Ratto's that I cannot recall the name of (and Google Maps is not helping me!) that we go for coffee and breakfast when we stay in Oakland, and it also looks like there is a Blue Bottle Coffee right near Jack London Square.
Arizemdi Bakery is further away--we have walked from Chinatown to Lakeshore, but that was a very "let's walk all over Oakland!" trip-- but they have wonderful baked goods and excellent pizza-- it's an order-at-the-counter casual setting.
posted by Kpele at 8:56 AM on July 14, 2011
Bakesale Betty does indeed have wonderful sandwiches, but might be tough to get to for lunch. Pacific Coast Brewing is not Trappist-level awesome, but is quite nice, and a reasonable place to relax for a bit.
If you like dim sum, Legendary Palace is one of our standard stops on every visit, and it's right on the edge of Oakland's Chinatown, which is full of great little dive-y places to get snacks and baked goods full of who-knows-what. Ratto's Market is a good place to get sandwiches made-to-order, and might be a good lunch option.
There is a little coffeeshop right next to Ratto's that I cannot recall the name of (and Google Maps is not helping me!) that we go for coffee and breakfast when we stay in Oakland, and it also looks like there is a Blue Bottle Coffee right near Jack London Square.
Arizemdi Bakery is further away--we have walked from Chinatown to Lakeshore, but that was a very "let's walk all over Oakland!" trip-- but they have wonderful baked goods and excellent pizza-- it's an order-at-the-counter casual setting.
posted by Kpele at 8:56 AM on July 14, 2011
Response by poster: UPDATE: First place we hit Sunday night was The Trappist, recommended by several people here. Excellent recommendation, though I made a serious mistake - I did order the beers recommended by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey, but I didn't stop at that. Let's just put it this way - there was no time for dinner and we woke up the next day with huge hangovers. What we were not warned about is that The Trappist doesn't really reference monkish things, but the fact that you can get trapped trying the various beers, until it's too late; though bonus: they have a tiny kitchen, and you can order snacks, as we did. Luckily, we stayed longer in Oakland and had dinner Monday at The Chop Bar, the seafood was all-rightish, but the cheeze platter was very nice, drinks were fine, beer was OK, and we got out of there under just $100 for the two of us.
Side note to all of this - I got to know Oakland just a bit, which was a major discovery. I've been to SF countless times, but shamefully only drove through Oakland. This visit rectified that omission. My conclusion - Oakland is awesome. And very walkable - I covered quite a bit, and saw a lot of the restaurants recommended here. I love the various cafes, there is definitely a nicer and - for lack of a better word - more "authentic" vibe than anywhere in LA's "hip" Silver-Echo-Westside-Hollywood-etc. places.
Thank you everybody, and now I have a list of more places to try on our next visit, which we are sure to make, having been majorly turned on to Oakland. I am going to mark as best answer only what we visited, so that's no indication of any other rec's being any worse - we'll try the others next time. Thank you again!
posted by VikingSword at 12:34 PM on July 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
Side note to all of this - I got to know Oakland just a bit, which was a major discovery. I've been to SF countless times, but shamefully only drove through Oakland. This visit rectified that omission. My conclusion - Oakland is awesome. And very walkable - I covered quite a bit, and saw a lot of the restaurants recommended here. I love the various cafes, there is definitely a nicer and - for lack of a better word - more "authentic" vibe than anywhere in LA's "hip" Silver-Echo-Westside-Hollywood-etc. places.
Thank you everybody, and now I have a list of more places to try on our next visit, which we are sure to make, having been majorly turned on to Oakland. I am going to mark as best answer only what we visited, so that's no indication of any other rec's being any worse - we'll try the others next time. Thank you again!
posted by VikingSword at 12:34 PM on July 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
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posted by babbyʼ); Drop table users; -- at 5:47 PM on July 13, 2011 [1 favorite]