Oakland: Pomella; restaurant review

880 South

Pomella 

3770-B Piedmont Ave./MacArthur Blvd., (510) 250-9215. Daily 11-8.

entry to Pomella in Oakland, California

Situated in a duplex shared with Dona Mexican restaurant, Pomella specializes in Middle Eastern and Israeli fare and offers counter service--items are brought to the table. Big bowls of composed salads are particularly popular, and most items are meant to be shared. Ingredients are mostly organic, lamb is grass fed, salmon and shrimp are sustainably farmed, and the flatbread and pita are freshly housemade.

dining room at Pomella in Oakland, California

My dining partner and I shared a delicious shawarma lamb lafa wrap, which consisted of flatbread stuffed with tasty lamb, hummus, cabbage, salad, tahini, and a lemon-herb sauce. Next time I think I will try one of those salad bowls, or maybe a hummus plate with cheese-stuffed falafel, plus a side of pomegranate eggplant with yogurt-tahini sauce and also a seasonal panna cotta dessert that currently comes with pureed plum sauce.

shawarma wrap at Pomella in Oakland, California

Thinking ahead, I smartly picked up from the grab-and-go fridges some dense hummus, pretty pink pickled vegetables, and several pita breads to take home for dinner.

grab-and-go fridge at Pomella in Oakland, California

take-out hummus, pickled veggies, and pita bread at Pomella in Oakland, California

Seating is on a spacious open-air patio accented with blooming magenta bougainvillea, as well as indoors in a colorful space topped by garden lights crisscrossing the ceiling. A metered parking lot adjoins; street parking can be difficult.

colorful patio at Pomella in Oakland, California

Way more things to do in Oakland.

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images ©2024 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Oakland: Fentons Creamery; restaurant review

880 South

Fentons Creamery  

4226 Piedmont Ave./Entrada Ave.  Free parking lot adjoins. 

Enormous portions of housemade 12% to 14% butterfat ice cream is the name of the game at this well-established ice cream parlor, in business here since 1922 and remodeled in 2003 after a devastating fire.  

ice cream flavors menu at Fentons Creamery in Oakland California

Favorite flavors for Fentons freaks looking for a fix are toasted almond and Swiss milk chocolate.  Many of the sundaes are big enough  to share among several people.  

server deliveing the goods at Fentons Creamery in Oakland, California

If all those people eating out of one bowl is unappealing, ask for extra bowls.  Grandmas and grandpas will want to know that if they are age 65+ they can order from the children’s menu.  I did that and found that my sundae was just the right size.  And from all those exotic flavors Grandpa and I each chose vanilla, while my granddaughter chose strawberry.  Drinks include milkshakes served in old-fashioned metal canisters as well as sodas, floats, and sherbet freezes.  The menu also offers soups and salads, hamburgers, and an assortment of sandwiches, including the delicious house specialty--fresh crab salad on grilled sourdough.  Seating is in a large, open room with booths around the perimeter and an atmospheric sea of old-fashioned marble-top tables and wire-back chairs in the center. 

good to the last drop at Fentons Creamery in Oakland, California

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two top images ©2022 Carole Terwilliger Meyers; bottom image ©2022 Gene Meyers

Oakland: Cafe Colucci; restaurant review

880 South

Cafe Colucci  

6427 Telegraph Ave. (moved to 5849 San Pablo Ave.), (510) 473-5944.  L-D daily; $.  

exterior of Cafe Colucci in Oakland, California

Colorful, aromatic Ethiopian cuisine, with many vegetarian and vegan options, composes the menu at Cafe Colucci.  Items are arranged traditionally on a large round tray and placed in the table’s center, to be shared by all diners.  Following tradition, eating utensils are not provided.  Diners instead use their hands to envelope food with rolls of spongy injera bread.  Whole fried fish (asa tibs), a house specialty, is served with fried potatoes and salad.  Chicken in tumeric sauce with boiled egg (doro alicha) is another tasty option.  To familiarize yourself with the cuisine, order a combination platter.  My favorite is the Vegan Combination Platter, a feast featuring traditional Ethiopian cuisine staples--azifa (lentil salad), buticha (chickpea salad), messer wot (lentil stew), kik alicha (split-pea stew), gomen (collard greens) and atakilt (a mix of sautéed cabbage, carrots, and potatoes), salata (salad), and a large injera.  Note that gluten-free teff injera is available by request. Seating is available inside and also outside at picnic tables on a spacious patio with large tropical plants and heat lamps.  Ethiopian spices and books are available for sale, along with logo t-shirts.  

open kitchen at Cafe Colucci in Oakland, California

Ethiopian spices for sale at Cafe Colucci in Oakland, California

vegan platter (take-out) at Cafe Colucci in Oakland, California

Way more things to do in Oakland.

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images ©2022 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Oakland: Little Shin Shin (CLOSED); restaurant review

880 South

Little Shin Shin  

CLOSED  4258 Piedmont Ave., (510) 658-9799.  20 L-D daily; $.

exterior of Little Shin Shin in Oakland, California

This simple, old-school Chinese restaurant does an excellent job on standard Chinese dishes.  Little Shin Shin is a favorite with locals and wins awards.  Seating is plentiful seating and includes spacious round tables for groups.  Dishes to try include American-style Chinese favorites such as velvet chicken and jade prawns, but also Szechuan-Hunan dishes such as Szechuan prawns, mu shu pork, kung pao beef, walnut prawns, and long beans.  Additional favorites include orange chicken, Mongolian beef, Shin Shin special prawns. chow fun, prawns in black bean sauce, eggplant in Schezuan sauce (the eggplant is skinless in this dish), plus don’t forget wonton soup and spring rolls.  Lunch specials run $8.95 to $10.95.  I dined here recently and ordered up the green long beans (crunchy and spicy) and General Tsou’s chicken (deep-fried and spicy sweet).  Lunch included tea, a delicious sweet-and-sour soup, and a crunchy lettuce salad with tasty dressing.

interior of Little Shin Shin in Oakland, California

General Tsou's Chicken at Little Shin Shin in Oakland, California

green long beans at Little Shin Shin in Oakland, California

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images ©2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Greater East Bay

Nostalgic Ice Cream Parlors in the East Bay

You'll have to take a long trip to eat this ice cream sundae at
Miyahara in Taichung, Taiwan. 
But you can get something almost as good closer to home.  

         These vintage spots have been around for a long time.  How many have you visited?  Which flavors are your favorites?


since 1894: 

Fentons Creamery  

4226 Piedmont Ave., Oakland.
          Enormous portions of housemade 12% to 14% butterfat ice cream is the name of the game at this well-established ice cream parlor.  More.
Most popular items/flavors:  classic sundae; Swiss Miss chocolate


since 1950:

Loard’s Ice Cream  

2825 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland.
          Loard’s has branches all over the East Bay, but this is the original shop.  More.
Most popular flavors:  fresh strawberry, fresh mango, pralines with crème


since 1941: 

Tucker’s Ice Cream  

1349 Park St., Alameda.
          More than 33 flavors of ice cream, sorbets, and sherbets are available at this one-off ice cream shop.  Fresh fudge, waffle cones, and ice-cream cakes are made fresh daily.  A rear patio with a sheltering jacaranda tree and a fountain is open in good weather.  More.
Most popular flavor:  cho cho


since 1900:

Meadowlark Dairy  

57 W. Neal St., Pleasanton.                   
          California’s first certified dairy, this old-time drive-thru dairy has modernized into a drive-thru convenience store, but the reason most cars come here is to get a cone to go filled with the spectacular soft-serve ice cream.  More.
Most popular flavors:  orange

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2019 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Oakland: Benchmark Oakland (CLOSED); restaurant review

880 South

Benchmark Oakland  

CLOSED  499 9th St./Washington St., Old Oakland, (510) 488-6677.  L M-F, D daily.

One of several vibrant dining establishments located in a quiet neighborhood where trees strung with tiny lights bring cheer to the night, this corner restaurant is situated inside a vintage 1876 building that features original mosaic-tile flooring and enormous windows.  Red walls at Benchmark Oakland are accented with a high black ceiling, which work together to provide a cozy feeling.  You can see some kitchen activity and the red-tile pizza oven behind a zinc-topped semi-circle bar.  The decor makes this spot is a feast for the eyes as well as the tummy.

This is the second location for this pizza-centric eatery, and it features the same wood-fired, naturally leavened pizza as at the first (Benchmark Pizzeria in Kensington) with the addition here of fresh house-made pastas and breads.  The restaurant is noted for its house-stretched cheese and sourdough starter made with their own wild yeast.  Menu highlights include a Caesar Salad, strozzapreti Bolognese pasta, meatballs with polenta, and a pizza topped with fried sage.  My choices included marinated olives (a mix of plump green and small black orbs, some of which retained their thin stems), a colorful and flavorful orange-beet salad, and a spinach and thick-pancetta pizza on a chewy blistered crust.  From two dessert choices, we opted for light, spongy Italian beignets made with ricotta, flavored with lemon, and presented with a dark chocolate dipping sauce.  Specialty cocktails are on the menu along with an international wine list and assorted beers. In good weather, outside sidewalk-side seating is available.

exterior entrance of Benchmark Oakland in California

interior at Benchmark Oakland in California

bar at Benchmark Oakland in California

red tile pizza oven at Benchmark Oakland in California

colorful citrus-beet salad and olives at Benchmark Oakland in California

spinach-pancetta pizza at Benchmark Oakland in California

beignets at Benchmark Oakland in California

Way more things to do in Oakland.

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images ©2019 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Oakland: Rose’s Taproom; restaurant review

880 South

Rose’s Taproom  

4930 Telegraph Ave./51st St., Temescal, (510) 858-3969.

bar at Rose's Taproom in Oakland, California

This tiny spot does its brewing right in the back.  Seating at Rose's Taproom is available inside at a few tables and a small bar.  In good weather, more tables spill out onto the sidewalk.  Unless you are familiar with the brews, a flight is the way to go.  I liked the dark Toasted Coconut Porter best, as do many of the taproom’s customers.  It is interesting to know that they never use the same recipe twice.  Small bites are available to coat your tummy--olives, almonds, really good bread with salty butter--but a few heavier items are also on the menu and can supplement your drink into a meal.

bar at Rose's Taproom in Oakland, California

beer flights at Rose's Taproom in Oakland, California

sidewalk seating at Rose's Taproom in Oakland, California

brewing area in back at Rose's Taproom in Oakland, California

Way more things to do in Oakland.

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images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Oakland: Belotti Ristorante e Bottega; restaurant review

880 South

Belotti Ristorante e Bottega

Ristorante  5403 College Ave./Hudson St., Rockridge, (510) 788-7890.  L-D M-Sat; $$$.  Reservations advised.

Bottega  4001B Piedmont Ave., Rockridge, (510) 350-7619.  M-Sat 11am-8pm.

interior of Belotti Ristorante in Oakland, California

Situated in a small, contemporary space, this simple spot’s big draw is the housemade pasta.  It is yolk-heavy and served with a choice of six sauces and fillings.  Kitchen action at Belotti Ristorante can be observed through a glass wall behind the bar in back.  Though overall very Italian in feel, some of the ristorante also has a kind of cranky, stereotypical French demeanor that I experienced when I was greeted.  In addition to bruschetta and a mixed antipasto platter, several salads make nice starters.  The living butter lettuce is particularly lovely, served dramatically in the center of an oversize plate that is sprinkled with flowers.

living butter lettuce at Belotti Ristorante in Oakland, California

In fact, all the serving plates are oversized, to the point that my casoncelli--a family recipe from Lombardy featuring small oval pasta pillows stuffed with a beef-prosciutto-pork shoulder mix--were barely visible as they arrived, waiting until they were right in front of me to be seen.  Though it initially looked small, this delicious dish (with a sauce of sage and brown butter plus small cubes of salty pancetta) was just the right amount for me to leave an empty bowl.  Agnolotti di Lidia is another stuffed pasta, this a rectangular one from Piedmont and filled with a meat mix escarole and spinach.  The dish I plan to try next time is simple spaghetti tossed with a San Marzano tomato sauce topped with burrata and basil.  Usually one of my favorite pastas, the tagliatelle with a wild boar sugo disappointed me (I only tried a sample from the plate of my dining companion).

tagliatelle with wild boar sugo at Belotti Ristorante in Oakland, California

Several larger plates are also available--duck breast, snapper, and sometimes slow-cooked suckling pig.  Complimentary bread with delicious Seka Hills olive oil is served by request. 

bread with olive oil at Belotti Ristorante in Oakland, California

The wine list is mostly Italian, and the dessert list is a simple choice of panna cotta or tiramisu.

 

Way more things to do in Oakland.

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images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Oakland: Copper Spoon; restaurant review

880 South

Copper Spoon  

4031 Broadway/41st St., (510) 897-7061.  L M-F, SunBr, D daily. 

It’s all about the bar here, though the food service is good and enhances the drinks.  The pleasant sleek-yet-cozy interior of Copper Spoon features high ceilings, a stained concrete floor, and natural light from oversize front windows.  Seating is available at a long bar as well as in an adjacent, more private section that has small tables and booths and is closed off by a partition.  There is additionally a remote area in the back.  On my visit, I sat in the quieter private section and found myself wanting to see what was going on in the very lively bar area, but I was unable to see over the partition without standing up.  Next time I will secure a bar seat.

bar at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California

dining room at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California

From a selection of classic, contemporary, and original cocktails I chose the whimsically named, “healthy” Down The Rabbit Hole made with mezcal and some other earthy ingredients.  It was quite carrot-orange, served in a cute little glass, and topped with a red dot and a tiny marigold flower (think India).  Next time I plan to try the Don't Mind If I Do . . . (mezcal, passion fruit, and lime with a Santo Domingo float).  My companion was also pleased with his Golden Triangle (Tequila, Cappelletti, vermouth, and lime).

Down the Rabbit Hole cocktail at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California

Though main dishes are available--I’ve heard good things about the chickpea cakes and roasted chicken--we decided to order from the appetizer section and share everything.  We started with the soup (we ordered two), which this day was a refined, delicate cold coconut milk combine with fresh corn puree.  It was followed by Breads & Spreads consisting of small slices of toasted sourdough baguette and four colorful pureed spreads:  green Blue Lake beans and celery; orange red pepper hummus; red beets and goat cheese (our favorite); red tomato and bacon jam.

coconut milk-corn puree soup at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California

Breads & Spreads at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California

Then came deviled eggs that consisted of four halves topped with a teeny, tiny bit of pickled mustard seed and a teeny, tiny fried broccoli flower.  Our final dish was a delicate fried rock fish with house-made chips.

deviled eggs at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California

fried rock fish at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California

Desserts were a choice of carrot cake, chocolate mousse, panna cotta, and a nectarine bread pudding (our choice, but it was more a dense cake than pudding).  The use of mix-matched plates and flatware added to my aesthetic enjoyment (one of the plates was from the same pattern as some in my own eclectic collection at home).  Note that a 3% service charge is added to the check for the kitchen staff.

nectarine bread pudding at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California

Way more things to do in Oakland.

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images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Oakland: Agave Uptown; restaurant review

880 South

Agave Uptown  

2135 Franklin St./21st St., Uptown, (510) 288-3668.  L M-F, D daily. 

exterior of Agave Uptown in Oakland, California

The brightest spot on this dreary block, this cheery Mexican restaurant features a contemporary interior with big widows letting in plenty of light.  Diners at Agave Uptown have a choice of many seating areas, including an outside patio.  The Oaxacan-oriented menu requires some time to digest because it is not business as usual.  We started with a chunky guacamole served with thin chips--an “endless” basket of chips and salsa is also available--and cocktails. 

The beverage menu includes both shaken and stirred mezcal cocktails (my partner ordered a gorgeous and tasty Agave signature sour) and a long list of mezcal shots.  Our waitress assisted me in selecting an El Vago Elote mezcal for a tasty margarita.  Plenty of Tequilas, beers, some wines, and an agua frescas of the day and whole coconut drink are also available. 

I zeroed in on the enmoladas, which are basically a simple enchilada filled with tasty braised chicken and topped with the delicious housemade Mole Negro De Oaxaca--a secret version that uses 20 imported Oaxacan ingredients, including Chilhuacle negro chiles (jars of the vegan and gluten-free sauce are available to take home).  My partner chose the chile relleno--a stuffed poblano pepper also topped with the mole and some avocado slices.  Additional tempting entrée choices include Oaxacan cheese empanadas with mushrooms (or chorizo), a selection of salads, and several soups.  As would be expected, tacos are a good choice, but note that the tortillas here are small, so you might want to order extra, depending on your appetite.  In the future, I would like to try the salmon tacos with mango and avocado, and the prawns with peppers and red onions.  Most items are served with rice and mushed black beans.  Many items can be made vegetarian. 

Be careful of the thin whole green chile used as a garnish.  I bit into mine--I love chilis--and started hiccupping uncontrollably, to the point that I felt panic.  I do know what you’re supposed to do in this case is ingest lime juice, which helps, but I had none handy so I rode it out.  I was quite surprised because this is the first time in many years that I have had this reaction.  Take this as a warning and a helpful hint on how to handle this adverse reaction to a chili pepper should it happen to you--anywhere! 

Dessert brings on ice creams--Tequila (ole), pistachio, and butterscotchy lucuma--as well as a cinnamony rice pudding and a cup of Oaxacan hot chocolate with a churro. 

Since this restaurant is located just two blocks from a station, BART is a viable alternative mode of transportation.

bar at Agave Uptown in Oakland, California

interior at Agave Uptown in Oakland, California

cocktails at Agave Uptown in Oakland, California

guacamole at Agave Uptown in Oakland, California

enmoladas at Agave Uptown in Oakland, California

desserts at Agave Uptown in Oakland, California

Way more things to do in Oakland.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Oakland: Drake’s Dealership; restaurant review

880 South

Drake’s Dealership  

2325 Broadway/23rd St., (510) 568-2739 x40.  L-D daily; $$. 

Located on Auto Row inside the parts and service department of a former Dodge dealership, with brick walls and vintage lettering to prove that point, Drake's Dealership is a haven for beer-lovers.  It is tucked way back from the street in the Hive complex, with a large parking area in front that is, unfortunately private, but you can use it for a fee.  

 

exterior entrance to Drake's Dealership in Oakland, California

Plenty of indoor seating is available,

interior bar and dining room at Drake's Dealership in Oakland, California

but what I came here for is the very big outdoor beer garden with a gravel “floor” and even some trees strung with little lights.  When it fills up, it rocks with happy voices.  Several fire pits and some wood booths line the back garden wall, and Adirondack chairs mix with traditional tables and chairs--there is plenty of room, though sometimes there is a wait to get in.

beer garden at Drake's Dealership in Oakland, California

beer garden at Drake's Dealership in Oakland, California

Pours are 4-, 12-, and 20-ounce, and 32 brews are on tap (my choice is The Sun Never Sets, a delightful nitro English summer ale).  

 

beer service in beer garden at Drake's Dealership in Oakland, California

The pub fare is pretty good and includes a variety of wood-fired pizzas (I loved the Old School topped with mozzarella curd, pecorino, and baby basil), 

 

Old School pizza at Drake's Dealership in Oakland, California

salads (I liked the “Kudos” with cucumber, watermelon, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, arugula, and pistachios), 

 

Kudos salad at Drake's Dealership in Oakland, California

sandwiches (think barbecue pork and a burger), and more.  I was disappointed to find out too late that more goodies are in the Snacks section on the separate beer menu.  Next time I will be ordering When We Dip (toasted pizza dough with a garlic dip) and a bratwurst.  The entire place is kid friendly, and the garden is dog friendly.  Music is scheduled Thursday through Saturday evenings. 

          Complimentary tours are available of the San Leandro Brewhouse, where the Barrel House on-site brewery taproom and retail store provides a no-frills, warehouse-style tasting room set amidst the barrel and packaging storage area.



Way more things to do in Oakland.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers