Need help on restaurant recommendations post A.N. day

by Mike Heath on Aug 1, 2007 9:52 PM PDT Comment 64 comments

My wife and I, are planning on making it a weekend getaway.

This will be our third year of doing this.

The last two times we have had breakfast in the hotel we stayed at. (Airport Marriott)

This time we are staying at the Hilton.

Which, I was told has a great sports bar in it.

I was wondering If any of you fellow AN'ers out there have any ideas for both dinner and breakfast?

Thanks for any help!!!
See some of you Sat. can't wait!!!

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In Berkeley

La Note on Shattuck is really wonderful. Its open for dinners on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and serves brunch from 8-3 on Saturday and Sunday. It French provincal but not shishi or anything. I love brunch there. It has a back patio area which is really lovely in the morning. Dona Tomas on Telegraph in Oakland is good too. It too has an outside dining area and the mojitos are excellent. Beckett's on Shattuck is good for pub grub and beer although the later it gets, the younger the crowd gets.

"I want to live and I want to love. I want to catch something that I might be ashamed of." SPM

by mlleaimee on Aug 1, 2007 10:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

One of my favorites

La Note has fantastic food and it's not as crowded as Rick and Ann's which is also amazing.

by jasonh on Aug 2, 2007 8:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bakeside Betty

in the temescal area of oakland. 51st and Telegraph. It's an up and coming area and there are several restaurants. Check out this article for Bakeside Betty and the sandwich in this article sure looks good. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl... There is also a very good Italian/Pizza restaurant right there too.. There are also quite a few restaurants on College Ave (Rockridge Area)of Oakland.

by oaklandbbfan on Aug 1, 2007 10:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That fried chicken sandwich is addictive

I live about a 10 minute walk from Bakesale Betty's and I'm in there once a week or so. It's mainly a lunch thing, so not really pertinent to the OP's question, and the place is closed on Sunday and Monday. Very casual seating...a bunch of stools on the sidewalk. Highly recommended for those in the area though. Make sure you get a cookie too!!

A traditional Oakland breakfast place is Mama's Royal Cafe on Broadway at 40th. Unless you get there right at 8 a.m. there will be a long line on Sat. or Sun. morning; great place though. It's about a 1/2-mile walk up 40th from the Macarthur BART station; not the most pleasant walk but safe enough during daylight hours.

As oaklandbbfan says, and as I stated in a comment to Englishmajor's diary, one of your best bets is to head for the Rockridge BART station, and then go about 1/2 mile in either direction on College Avenue...anywhere between Broadway on the south and Alcatraz Ave. on the north. Some breakfast places like Crepevine (at College and Ocean View, 1 block south of BART) and the Rockridge Cafe (College and Lawton, 2 blocks south of BART), a wide selection of places for dinner, and a couple of alehouses with pub grub (Ben N Nicks, 1/2 block south of BART and Barclays at College and Harwood, 3 blocks north of BART).

Enjoy your trip!

"In America, there's someone willing to pretend to be offended by everything, and so we annoy people." -- Matt Groening

by Soaker on Aug 1, 2007 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Totally concur

with Mama's Royal and Bakesale Betty's. Also La Note, MMA's fave, but not so much Dona Tomas...but this is the east bay, and we could go on about food forever. On the Welcome NRAF thread, I suggested a migration to Pacific Coast Brewing Co. after AN day, and several people seemed to go for that. It's right in downtown Oakland, off the 12th St. BART station. Good beer, decent pub food, and close walking distance to several other good places for dinner, either in old town or chinatown. It will be easy for a group of us to head there and then see where the night takes us.

by sslinger on Aug 1, 2007 11:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re-read the post

and if it's a quiet romantic dinner for two you're looking for, in the east bay, I'd recommend: Citron or Olivetto (College Ave/Rockridge area), Lalime's (Berkeley), or Dopo (Piemont Ave, Oakland, maybe not so quiet/romantic but top notch italian). A Cote (next to Citron) is also great but noisier.

by sslinger on Aug 2, 2007 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the line outside Mama's is too long

(and even if it isn't) there's also Tropix on Piedmont Avenue, which does great breakfast/brunch food often with Caribbean/Jamaican-inspired specials, and rarely has lines.

For dinner, in the Temescal neighbourhood - a short walk from MacArthur BART - you'll also find Dona Tomas for fine medium-high end Mexican (reservations recommended but not required ... time flies when you're having margaritas). And again on Piedmont Avenue, Cato's ale house and a new-ish branch of Cesar's tapas. At the very bottom of Piedmont, past the mortunary and under the freeway and where it meets Broadway Auto Row is the always excellent Drunken Fish sushi restaurant.

Temescal is definitely more "Oakland" than Rockridge though.

by green star oakland on Aug 2, 2007 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A post-dinner recommendation

First of all, I must confess that much of this discussion is cracking me up. I just recently moved to Oakland and my apartment is literally right in the heart of the Temescal. More specifically, it is directly above the intoxicating aromas and rather tasty treats of Bakesale Betty's. Yeah, I guess I should have expected things like this happening, but coming from Arcata (which, unless I'm wrong, isn't home to anyone else on AN), it still makes me smile to think that much of the AN community is, in fact, part of another community that I know well.

Anyhoo, I too heartily recommend Bakesale Betty's for both baked goods and their rather divine fried chicken sandwich (which is so good I may have to pick one up before meeting everybody at the game on Saturday). For a more traditional, sit-down meal, you cannot go wrong with Dona Tomas. Yeah it may take awhile, but they sure have some great food.

Also, for whatever it's worth, if you and your wife feel the need to check out a separate spot for dessert, I truly cannot say enough good things about Fentons Creamery (also off of Piedmont Ave in North Oakland). It's an ice cream parlor, so don't go if either of you are hankering for some tiramisu or creme brulee, but it's easily one of the most enjoyable places I've been to since I moved down here. The vibe is fun and relaxed (although the place has been packed every time I've been in, making it also rather loud) the ice cream is amazing (their sundaes being a particular favorite), and in a nice A's-related touch, Marty Lurie tapes Inside Baseball Saturday Night from there.

So yeah, that's a thought. Or three.

In God We Trust...All Others Must Show Data

by Wes7 on Aug 2, 2007 12:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

not from Arcata, but...

Go Crabs!

"We are all gods. You can never underestimate the creative potential of a human being. Nor the destructive potential."- Robert Pollard, GbV

by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Aug 2, 2007 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fenton's A's Fan Discount

If you wear your A's gear at Fenton's (home game dates only) you get 10 percent off your tab.

by uci anteater on Aug 2, 2007 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

what if you want fresca?

I'm not throwing in the towel, but I'm using it to wipe the sweat off my face and enjoy the rest of the season. ~ oaklandSMASH @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 2, 2007 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Must have breakfast at the

The Fifth Wheel in San Leandro .It only serves breakfast, brunch and lunch. I am assuming you are staying at the Airport Hilton, right? It’s less than 10 minutes away. This place is perfect if you are at the Airport Hilton then go to the game as it is on the way to the coliseum and only a few blocks away. It is a very popular local breakfast place usually full but you can still get a table in 5-10 minutes or so never longer really. From the airport Hilton you just drive down Doolittle towards San Leandro, make a left on Davis Street, drive down Davis Street towards the San Leandro BART station and make a left onto San Leandro blvd and it is one block up on your right. It is little hole in the wall place, which makes a great breakfast. After breakfast just continues on down San Leandro Blvd towards Oakland and bingo you are at the Coliseum in 3 minutes.

In England all A's fans are "Athletic Supporters"

by Athletics Fan In London on Aug 2, 2007 4:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Greasy spoon

This is a charming greasy spoon but I think the food is just average. If I was looking for one great breakfast in the East Bay I would probably go to La Note, Rick and Ann's or Mama's Royal as mentioned above.

by jasonh on Aug 2, 2007 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thinking more in terms of

easy access and proximity to the Airport Hilton and Coliseum. People here are talking about 35-45 minute drives to some of these places that are not easy to drive to if you don’t know the area. It’s just breakfast, inexpensive but good. IMHO the Fifth wheel is not gourmet but above average for it’s price. It is a good old fashioned Mom and Pop type place that is rapidly disappearing from the USA. I really don’t like the term "greasy spoon" it always seems a like a snob put down of a common mans restaurant to me.

In England all A's fans are "Athletic Supporters"

by Athletics Fan In London on Aug 2, 2007 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doug's Place

I've found none better in the East Bay than Doug's Place in Castro Valley (not to be confused with SF's Castro District... far from it). Walking distance form Castro Valley BART. Great breakfast. Usually a line, but moves very fast. Service is good and very fast, can't say enough about the food though. This place is a must try.

"...His energy, preparation, his thoroughness, his word choice---he is without peer." Greg Papa on Bill King

by westsideclubbin on Aug 2, 2007 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

also check out Fenton's on Piedmont Ave

they're known for their homemade ice cream, but their breakfasts (and other meal food) are surprisingly good. They also offer discounts for Oakland A's fans who wear regalia on a game day. During last year's postseason Fenton's proundly flew the A's flag outside the restaurant.

Marty Lurie often broadcasts his shows from Fenton's, and loves meeting fans. His show also gets broadcast from Crogan's Montclair, which also has decent food.

by OaklandSi on Aug 2, 2007 5:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I can't second this recommendation ...

the waits are long, the service is terrible and, while I can't argue with your taste, I've always found the food disappointing.

I've been there far too many times and I've never been at all impressed.

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Aug 2, 2007 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you

I haven't been there since it burned down, but before then the ice cream was terrible.

by green star oakland on Aug 2, 2007 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've always enjoyed the ice cream ...

it's just everything else about it that sucks.

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Aug 2, 2007 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The service there is

rivaled only by Aramark at the garlic fries stand.

by mikeA on Aug 2, 2007 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I said "surprisingly good"

about the food, since it turned out to be better than I expected...also, other people I know (with varying tastes) have said the same. As for my taste: it's not my restaurant of choice, but I added it in case someone might want to be in a very A's supportive environment.

I'm sorry if you had a bad experience...I haven't had a bad experience there.

by OaklandSi on Aug 2, 2007 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not gonna argue with you ...

our individual experiences are our own ...

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Aug 2, 2007 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

who's arguing?

I don't necessarily agree with everyone's recommendations here, but I'm not going to question their tastes...and I'm sure everyone has some good reason to recommend.

by OaklandSi on Aug 2, 2007 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My preference for ice cream

(or my wife's, since I don't eat it) is Tucker's on Park St. in Alameda.

So it goes.

by jeepers on Aug 2, 2007 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love that place!

a lot of my friends work there...lol

"When they start the game, they don't yell, 'Work ball.' They say, 'Play ball.'" ~Willie Stargell

by alamedagirl on Aug 2, 2007 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely

Tucker's has great ice cream, many decades in town with a great product to show for it.

"Ziggy, did you not know?"

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 2, 2007 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The best things about Fenton's, IMHO

are the ice cream toppings, particularly the hot caramel and hot fudge, which are really good. The food was never exactly a high point, and it hasn't been quite the same since the fire and rebuilding. One of the nice things about Fenton's is that it's open late, when so many Berkeley and Oakland restaurants put the chairs up at 10 PM on a weekend.

Disclaimer: I haven't given up on the 2007 season.

by Englishmajor on Aug 2, 2007 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

after Game 4 of the ALCS

my season ticket buddy and I left my apt (where we'd been watching the game) and headed over to Fenton's in full A's regalia. We had a blast with Marty and Shooty, and also indulged in some discounted ice cream sodas. It was a better way to commemorate the end of the season than sitting in front of the TV and being bummed.

by OaklandSi on Aug 2, 2007 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

new ice cream place

well, relatively new -- ici, on college near ashby. a little pricey for ice cream imho, but the homemade, handrolled cones are amazing.

by sec119 on Aug 3, 2007 8:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

applebee's, as i recall that outfit

has been a featured discussion on AN for the second year now.

Okay, ASB come and gone...time to make the run...or not.

by ak_A on Aug 2, 2007 5:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I've never heard of it. It sounds wonderful. Thx

Tara Reid - "I make Jessica Simpson look like a rock scientist"

by ohtobe21likehuston on Aug 2, 2007 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And be sure to order

the, Don't-bother-with-washing-hands-after-the-chef-visits-the-lavatory-hand-tossed-cobb-salad.

Okay, ASB come and gone...time to make the run...or not.

by ak_A on Aug 2, 2007 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

do you have small children?

I hear their margaritas are excellent!

death to myspace!

by malikot on Aug 2, 2007 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Problem is ...

you can't get enough salt around the lip of a sippy cup.

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Aug 2, 2007 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hear they're about to add to their menu

The new "Canadian High Roller" sushi plate.

"Ziggy, did you not know?"

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 2, 2007 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

la estrellita

on E12th st. near Lake Merritt, has great Mexican food (y Margaritas). Best mexi food in Oakland IMO. I can't think of anything better in the summer.

by Brian in 317 on Aug 2, 2007 7:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Second this

and Saint will third it if he comes by.

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Aug 2, 2007 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Francesco's

http://www.francescosrestaurant.com/...

Right down the street from the Stadium and right next to the Oakland Hilton

good food good prices..

by jjadco on Aug 2, 2007 7:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

this is an a's classic

A few years ago anyway, Bill King and Ken Korach used to remark that "So-and-so gets dinner at Francesco's" following a ten pitch AB. I'm not sure if they had to get a walk or a hit after the ten pitches, or not. I'm also not sure if they still do this anymore since I haven't heard them say that for a long time, but I always thought that was cool.

Still haven't been there so can't really recommend it for any other reason, though!

by Brian in 317 on Aug 2, 2007 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

As I recall ...

it was something the hitting coach at the time did and the player did have to reach base.

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Aug 3, 2007 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you want to be adventurous

There are a number of Ethiopian restaurants in the Temescal neighborhood that's been mentioned here. Asmara is at about 51st and Telegraph--I used to live over it. It's good food and a great experience. Red Sea is nearby and good, too.

So it goes.

by jeepers on Aug 2, 2007 7:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

2nd your recommendation

I love Ethiopian food.

If you don't have Ethiopian food while in Oakland, you'll probably never have it in your life.

Oakland is one of the few cities in the Western Hemisphere that has multiple Ethiopian establishments.

by uci anteater on Aug 2, 2007 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ethiopian/eritrean food is fantastic ...

very affordable and fun to it.

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Aug 2, 2007 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

While I share the recommendation

I think you're overstating the rarity - check out http://www.ethiopianrestaurant.com/

Even Kansas City has 3 !

by green star oakland on Aug 2, 2007 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Best Ethiopian food I ever had

In DC's Adams Morgan district, several top flight places on the same street, so good.

"Ziggy, did you not know?"

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 2, 2007 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

DC is famous for it.

The biggest East African communities in the country are in DC, Boston, and Oakland.

So it goes.

by jeepers on Aug 2, 2007 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I had my first in Chicago

and have been hooked on Injera ever since.

by green star oakland on Aug 2, 2007 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dinner...

At Tommy's Joynt in San Fran (Geary and Van Ness)

by TheGreenGoldCrush on Aug 2, 2007 7:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Taco Trucks on San Leandro Blvd

If you really want to get adventurous you can work you way up San Leandro Blvd and try some of the taco trucks. I particularly like the one at East 12th and Fruitvale on the north east corner called El Ojo de Agua. Note that you should be ordering the tacos, not the burritos at these places.

I think the pizza place which was being reffered to above is Pizzaiolo which is on Telegraph near 49th.

In the Rockridge area one block north of the BART station is Zachary's pizza which if you love Chicago style stuffed pizza is a must try.

by skwid on Aug 2, 2007 8:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Naive question?

"ordering the tacos, not the burritos" -- please tell me that isn't a visibility-related warning...

"They weren't frightened of me, they LOVED me!" ~ McFood, deep in denial

by Poppy on Aug 2, 2007 8:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tacos are better

This has nothing to do with the quality of the Burritos, just that the Tacos are fantastic and you should get a plate of Tacos instead of a Burrito.

by skwid on Aug 2, 2007 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, okay.

When I was a teenager, we used to hang out at Denny's in Redwood City, where our motto was "Always order Sprite." Because you can't see if there's a cockroach in the glass if you order Coke.

"They weren't frightened of me, they LOVED me!" ~ McFood, deep in denial

by Poppy on Aug 2, 2007 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

burritos are a "north of the border" creation

nothing against them, mind you, but in Mexico it's tacos, not burritos, that one orders...and it's really pretty much the same with the taco trucks.

by OaklandSi on Aug 2, 2007 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

but what a wonderful "north of the border"

creation ... best thing that ever came out of Canadia ...

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Aug 2, 2007 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK Mike

we'e going to need to narow your requirements down a bit - especially for dinner, since you're only here for a couple of days and the options range from Taco trucks to Chez Panisse (in the gourmet ghetto on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley and the putative birthplace of California cuisine).

So what kind of food, ambience and price are you looking for ?

by green star oakland on Aug 2, 2007 8:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

do you like sushi?

try yoshino's on hegenberger road down the street from the oakland airport! you MUST try the lion king roll - california roll (i think?) with a piece of salmon & some special sauce on top and baked. SO GOOD.

http://www.myyoshino.com/

by gotgreen on Aug 2, 2007 8:43 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

or Sushi House in Alameda

at Southshore Shopping Center... big restaurant a a large sushi menu.

by oaklandbbfan on Aug 2, 2007 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That place rules my face.

So it goes.

by jeepers on Aug 2, 2007 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Le Cheval

On Clay in Downtown Oakland, walking distance from BART. French Vietnamese food. Nice, but still casual, and won't break the bank. I've never had anything there I didn't like.

"...His energy, preparation, his thoroughness, his word choice---he is without peer." Greg Papa on Bill King

by westsideclubbin on Aug 2, 2007 9:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs