Food-obsessed? Want to discover the newest places to indulge in gourmet goodies and innovative cuisine? Oakland is the destination that should be at the top of the list.
California is filled with many lures – from the bright lights of Hollywood to the hip neighbourhoods of San Francisco, from the wine regions of Napa and Sonoma to the popular beach areas found along the Pacific coast – this state is filled with many possibilities for visitors. But its this East Bay city that has several lures for the foodies.
Located across the bay from San Francisco, this port town has benefitted from a unique mix of residents. This culturally diverse city boasts a population representing 125 different languages. With this widespread ethnic diversity and proximity to the Bay City and laid-back Berkeley, Oakland offers up many reasons to spend time and indulge in all kinds of food cravings.
Influences of California’s slow food queen Alice Waters is happily found here too – many dining establishments are proud to have staff who once worked at Chez Panisse and the local bounty of sustainable and organic offerings is a continuing inspiration – bring your hunger to visit the following:
At the Oakland waterfron’s Jack London Squaret, reserve a space at Bocanova. This resto serves up Pan American cuisine – with the palate delighting in influences from Central and South America, Europe and the East Bay area. Come here for happy hour and sample Bocaditos such as sea bass ceviche, beef, currant & olive empanadas, Prather Ranch mini burgers with guasaca sauce or organic black bean ‘cappuccino’ with tortilla strips.
When you need to satiate a sweet tooth, wander around the corner to Miette, an elegant French-inspired bakery, dressed in pale pastel shades like its creations. Here’s where cakes, cupcakes, cookies, macarons and other confections will surely please any sugar craving, even if it looks too pretty to sample.
Next head to Oakland’s Temescal neighbourhood where Barlata Tapas Bar is serving up Spanish tapas celebrating the Iberian peninsula. A mix of cold and hot tapas are on offer, from the classics such as Jamon Iberico, patatas bravas, Barlata paella and tortilla Espanola. But don’t stop there, order up Ensaladilla rusa with bonito tuna, potato and alloili, Morcilla (grilled blood sausage) or Arros negre with squid, clams, sepia in Spanish rice.
Rather indulge in wood-fired pizza and hearty Italian cuisine? Cross the street to Pizzaiolo, a raucous spot with dining available inside as well as on a back patio. And be prepared for those Italian classics – pizza, pasta and antipasti – done well and inspired by seasonal ingredients as well as California style in selections such as artichoke, mint, prosciutto and grana pizza or hand cut herb pasta with duck ragu and English peas.
For those with an adventurous palate and unique ingredients, Camino has a group of chefs who love to invent. With long wood tables for communal dining, diners can taste creations such as grilled duck breast with farro, artichokes, green beans and rosemary or grilled local sea bass with beets and a scallion frittata or roasted polenta with oven roasted eggplant with sweet and hot peppers.
So take time to indulge and savour the flavours of Oakland’s restaurant scene – foodie fanatics will surely be glad to spend some time tasting local and sustainable done East Bay style.