Oakland-Based Marisa Haskell Necklaces

photography by Christoper Kilkus, styling by Danielle Gold

Ever since our March Fashion feature, I can't get Marisa Haskell's necklaces out of my head. They're perfect for layering, and are one of the few items I can realistically convince myself would have looked just as good on me as on our model. 

Some of my favorites from the shoot were the Zion necklace (first photo, layered), but I'm trying to convince myself that buying the $185 Marrakech necklace (above) would be an excellent investment and that I don't run through jewelry just as quickly as I do sunglasses. 

A more realistic choice? This $92 hatchet necklace. It's like saying "hey, I'm totally on point with my accessories but I also have a creepy obsession with horror films!" all in one go. Marisa had her usual amazing collection of necklaces, earrings, and bracelets out last First Friday, so i suggest high tailing it over to her Temescal Alley workshop on Friday, May 4 and picking up a piece. Just not the hatchet necklace. You never know what a girl with a creepy horror film obsession might do. A couple of other favorites below...

Badlands, $110

La Paz, $99

Marisa Haskell

470d 49th St., Oakland

marisahaskell.com

Bites Off Broadway Says Farewell

photo from Oakland Local

It was like I barely knew you, Bites Off Broadway. I had planned and planned and planned on going and now you're gone.

Bites Off Broadway, likely tired of the red tape etc etc it's been jumping through (breaking through? walking around?) parked its trucks for the final time last Friday, October 21. Oakland's first food pod may be no more, but there's always Off the Grid Berkeley on Wednesday nights (more pics forthcoming). Hopefully some of the vendors (I'm looking at you, Nick's Wheely Breakfast Truck) will make the move on over to Wednesdays at Shattuck and Rose.

[Source: Oakland Local]

Coming Soon: Guest Chef in Rockridge

If you're like me, and lack a little trait called "decisiveness," new restaurant Guest Chef gives you the opportunity to try a whole new culinary concept every two weeks.

Owner Scott Cameron designed Guest Chef to give aspiring restauranteurs a chance to try their hand at running a dining establishment. Anyone with a special dish or creative idea for a menu (restaurants be expensive, yo!) can apply for a two week stint at Guest Chef. Once selected, the space becomes completely theirs, provided they bring in the raw materials for their menu, which they'll develop with Cameron and Mark Valentine (former chef at Bucci's in Emeryville).

The 20-seat space comes with a hostess/cashier and a dishwasher, as well as a full cooking line, serving equipment, and a beer and wine license. The owner for those weeks just has to dole out dishes that will fill the place and churn out happy customers. Successful chefs will be invited back, and the most truly mind-blowing guy or gal will get a shot at partnering with Cameron on a permanent location.

Intrigued? Guest Chef kicks off the last weekend of October with three of the top chefs from the Oakland Fire Department. Even better? All of the proceeds are going to charity. If you want to see who's on deck in the coming weeks, you can check theguestchef on Twitter or follow them on Facebook.

5337 College Ave., Oakland
website

Refinery29 Does Oakland

[refinery29]

I'll admit it: I'm a sucker for Refinery29. It used to pile up in my reader, but I find myself clicking through their daily email blast, coveting overpriced shoes and reading about people's fabulous homes and fabulous lives. Today they decided to venture on "the BART" and check out Oakland's Temescal, which is pretty impressive for a site primarily dedicated to the 7x7.

First stop? The sign! I mean, I guess it's pretty inviting. All digs aside, they suss out Esqueleto, a jewelry shop adorned with animal skulls and succulents, recently opened by Bay Area jewelry designer Lauren Wolf (their interview here). Also on the tour are Temescal Alley Barbershop, Marisa Haskell's jewelry shop, and decor store Lot 49, which stocks quirky home goods like glass owls and funky chairs.

Refinery also really throws me a bone with mention of Crimson Horticultural Rarities, since nothing can grow in my sunlight-deprived apartment, but I forgot everything by the time they finally reach Bakesale Betty. I'm probably the only person in the East Bay who hasn't tried their fried-chicken sandwich. They also give some lip service to Pizzaiolo, Dona Thomas, Homeroom, and a slew of other food stops, ranging from ice cream to Burmese.

The crew at Refinery finally rounds it out with bikes, tattoos, and Hooper Vintage Skate Shop. Wheels (I call them this because I've only long boarded and I don't keep in touch with any of my skater friends), chocolate, and tea sound like a great excuse to justify a visit, and maybe a new Arbor before I remember I can't skateboard drunk. And thus concludes Refinery29's day in Temescal. Anything they missed? I didn't see a single bar on there....
[Source: Refinery29]

Opening: Make Westing

I've been getting emails from Thrillist and Urban Daddy, and blog posts from Eater, and I still can't figure out when exactly Oakland's sleek new bocce bar, Make Westing, is opening. Eater says today, and also throws in some pretty photos of the interior for good measure. Thrillist tells me nothing regarding openings but instead makes Super Trooper references, which....hey, ok, and they've got some video. Urban Daddy is similarly unhelpful, but they were the first to make it to my inbox with news of lawn games and cocktails so I'll give them that. Oh, and I stole borrowed their photo of the interior. Thanks! According to Make Westing's Twitter (why didn't I start there?), they soft-opened a few Saturdays ago, and according to their Facebook, they're shooting for a more official opening today, barring any health inspection snafus.

It looks amazing and I want answers! Specifically, I want to know when I can go and drink fancy schmancy cocktails and further impair my lack of hand eye coordination before hurling balls around.All I've been able to pick up is that a bar is opening in Uptown that combines alcohol and bocce, they'll have a carefully selected cocktail list from a Sea Salt vet, and the place is all dark wood, concrete, and steel manliness. Hopefully they're open today, and hopefully you now have some idea of all the shit I wade through to try and bring you information. You're welcome.

1741 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
website

Tipsy Tuesday: Evil Twin Brewing Night at the Trappist (and a Birthday)

Tonight, join the crew over at The Trappist in celebrating the U.S. release of Denmark brewing company Evil Twin Brewing’s new beer, Wet Dream. Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergso (no, I don’t know how to pronounce his name) from Evil Twin will be on hand to answer questions, as will label artist John Casey. In addition, The Trappist will have other Evil Twin Brewing beers on hand, including Ryan & The Beaster Bunny, Ashtray Hart, and Katz Pis. Considering I just read about an energy drink named Pussy over in the UK, Katz Pis seems pretty tame, unless it actually resembles cat urine in any way, shape, or form, which smells like acid and I’m pretty sure eats through floors. I’m in love with The Trappist almost as much as I am with Residual Sugar, so if I wasn’t already celebrating a pretty princess’s birthday I’d be there. Also, remember, they have a new back patio! 7pm.

460 8^th St., Oakland

website 

Speaking of pretty princesses, you all should head down to the Kingsman's Ivy Room in Albany to wish my friend/fantastic Spoontonic bartender Justin a happy birthday. Listen to him play some sweet sweet music and then buy him some whiskey. He likes that. 9pm.

860 San Pablo Ave., Albany

Website 

International Beer Day

from oddlovescompany.com

Hot on the heels of IPA Day, today is International Beer Day! Here are some people celebrating. I should be off work, so most of this is blatantly copy and pasted. For a list of participating bars near you, visit the International Beer Day website.


Lucky 13 (Alameda): Featured beers include Iron Springs' Alsatian Pale, Sierra's Ovila series Saison, Deschutes Hop In The Dark, Anchor Liberty, Lagunitas Lucky 13, Auburn Alehouse Abbey Ale, OBC Total Slacker, and there's a Cherry Stave sour on its way from Thirsty Bear...and that's in addition to their usual pours.
event info
website


Parkway Lounge (Oakland): They've got 17 beers on tap, although I'm not smart enough to figure out what they're doing for International Beer Day, only that they claim to be doing something.
website


Beta Lounge (Berkeley): Happy Hour 4-9pm. They'll be introducing 4 new draft beers as well as many new bottles and beer flights. Expect around 20 new beers.
event info
website

BREAKING NEWS: Back Patio at Trappist?

from @TheTrappist

Ok, so it may not be breaking, but it is very pertinent to my interests. Word on the street (Twitter) is that The Trappist has opened a back patio, which sounds fantastic because I'm already getting cranky in all this heat. Does anyone know if they have wi-fi? I've been dying to do my work there ever since I saw a guy with a laptop perched at one of the tables. Alas, I have to work tonight, but I wouldn't be opposed to a few Rodenbach's before BARTing back for my shift...Also, can I steal Buzz, the dog in the photo below?
[Source: @TheTrappist]

460 8th St., Oakland
website

from @The Trappist

What to Do This Weekend: 8/5–8/7

Look at all this stuff (“isn’t it neat?)! It’s because I love you guys, and also between my job, this blog, and preparing for my interview today I’ve been working close to 11-hour days. Enjoy the fruits of my gradual slip into insanity. I also had coffee today, so there’s that…Oh, and I know that SFChefs is going on, but I can’t afford that shit and neither can you (probably), so go google it on your own time or buy me a ticket already.

Friday, August 5:

Dishcrawl during Art Murmur: Like every First Friday, the galleries in Oakland are open late and throngs of people shuffle in and out, pretending to admire the art. The Dishcrawl sold out, but you can be really creepy (they only give out the locations to people who buy tickets a day or two in advance) and follow around any group of people snapping pictures of food and throwing around the term “foodie” and mentioning how they “tucked in” to a dessert. They’re starting at Uptown Place Homes at 6pm and at least one stop includes steak sandwiches. If you just want to check out the art and try and get full off of wine and cheese, Art Murmur runs from 6-9pm and includes galleries from 22^nd to 26^th street and along the Broadway/Telegraph corridors.  

Dishcrawl

Art Murmur

from girl journalist's Flickr account

Saturday, August 6:

Urban Wine Xperience: You’re in luck! Due to some glitch, tickets that were supposed to have gone up to $60 on Monday are still $40 until tomorrow, when they’ll be $60 at the door. I already did a write-up for this for the job that pays me, so I’m blatantly copying and pasting that for you. 2-6pm

Website

Paddle and Picnic: Dragon boat rides, live music, and an ice sculptor. The boats are solely people-powered, so get ready to paddle and get along with your boat buddies, since getting the boat going is a group effort. Free. 12–4pm.

Website

[Source: Berkeleyside]

ImpactCon: Fantastic Comics (over in Berkeley) invites you to celebrate nerddom with them. You get a sneak peek at Impact Theatre’s upcoming production of Cameron McNary’s D&D (Dungeons & Dragons, yo) play “Of Dice and Men.” I know I’m getting really nerdy on you right now, but I know some of you are into this shit. And maybe into meeting some cosplay celebrities and winning vintage Star Wars and Star Trek shit. 8–11pm.

Facebook Event Page

Martinez Beaver Festival: Aside from the unfortunate connotations of the event name, this event sounds kinda really boring. Something about a civic uprising. There will be live music, wildlife festivities, and something called “paint your own tail” where you get to compete in a fashion show/contest. …I think if you’re a child. Anyway, if you’re into beavers (get it? Get it?), check it out.

11am–4pm.

Website

[Source: Claycord]

Saturday, August 6–Sunday, August 7:

Fenestra Winery 35^th Anniversary: Out in Livermore, Fenestra Winery is throwing a celebration in honor of their 35^th anniversary. They got ghosts! Or “an appearance by ‘the ghost’ of Mrs. True.” If that isn’t enticing (who are you?) they’ll also have live music, tri-tip sandwiches, and a special release of the 2006 Conjugation, which I’m hoping is a wine and not a sex tape. 12–5pm.

Website 

[Source: The Merc]

Sunday, August 7:

Cinnaholic One-Year Anniversary: You guys, Shannon is like, the most adorable thing ever and runs a kick-ass cinnamon roll shop over in Berkeley. They’re celebrating their one-year anniversary (with one of the best flyers I’ve seen in a long time) by offering up $1 Old Skool Rolls from 12–4pm. Get at it! I need to get at it, since she kindly gifted my work (bartending gig) with some rolls and someone (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE) left them out in our hot sweaty bar, rendering them inedible. You’re lucky I love you, mystery destroyer of delicious goodies.

Website 

Reviews:

Foodhoe, in addition to running a much classier East Bay blog [foodhoe.com] that probably doesn’t include words like “spunk” and “buttload,” went and checked out the new Home of Chicken and Waffles in Walnut Creek. Check out her review here. I’m going to try and get there this weekend, hopefully around 3am when I get off work and can see the finest specimens Walnut Creek has to offer as they’re released from the bars.

Opening:

The Fig Tree (Pleasant Hill): the website isn’t very helpful, so here’s The Merc’s thoughts. 

Closed:

SR-24 (Oakland). According to Tablehopper (via Chowhound and the restaurant’s Facebook page), they closed last Saturday for good.

Misc.:

Judging from a rundown of local police reports, more people are getting arrested downtown for drunk in publics, and the po po even nabbed a guy on a bike for a BUI. While I don’t think the police are going all Isla Vista Foot Patrol on us, it’s long been assumed that the WCPD are bored and looking for excuses to bring in easy money, so do as I say and not as I do and either checkity check yo selves or call a cab.

SF Blogs Hate Us: Sad Shooting Edition

In some of the saddest news I came across today (to be fare, most of my reading consists of restaurant openings and patch.com reviews of bars), a man named Paris Powell, who delivers food to the homeless under the name "Brother John, was shot and killed after making a delivery. The car holding him, his wife, and his daughters was riddled with bullets, one striking him in the head, one grazing his pregnant wife, and the other hitting his three-year-old in the arm. Really really sad stuff.


SFist would like to remind us that this is a good indication of how all of East Oakland is today, and then gives us this winner:

"Setting aside the questionable judgment of roaming International Boulevard after midnight with two small children in tow, this remains a terrible tragedy"

Really, just set it aside. Don't write about setting it aside. Don't publish it at all. This guy brought food to the hungry and attempted to better the lives of the homeless in Oakland, setting an example for his children. You can't exactly do that at 5pm on College Ave. It's a tragedy. Don't start questioning the judgement just so you can get a few zingers in about how terrible Oakland is. We get it. East Oakland is bad. Leave it for another day.


And really, as far as I can tell, I should just rename this SFist hates us. I'm looking at you, Jay Barmann. Guess we all know where I'll never get a job blogging someday...

What To Do This Weekend: 7/22–7/24

For some reason, I didn't really find that much going on this weekend. Saturday I'll be in the city all day for a friend's birthday and D's show, so maybe it's my fault for abandoning the 'burbs. In any case, I've included some opening and closing news, as well as reviews, so you're not left at home twiddling your thumbs. And guess what?!? CHICKEN AND WAFFLES IS HERE! Also, if any of you care, blogger is once again being a real bitch and inserting code into this randomly, so if some formatting is off, I'm on it digging into the HTML to stop the cray cray.

Friday, July 22:

Concert in Blackhawk: While you can’t bring in outside alcohol, they will let you grab drinks from local restaurants and enjoy the music. This week’s band is Petty Theft, a Tom Petty tribute band. I remember these concerts being weirdly crowded and awkward, but that was during my teen years and being able to drink makes everything better. Free, 7–8:30pm.

Blackhawk Plaza, Danville

Website

Saturday, July 23:

photo from eastbayloop.com

East Bay Food Fight: Live chef battles, cooking demos, and bites from 40 restaurants and alcohol providers, including Pizzaiolo, A Cote, Fenton’s, Flora. Look for pours from Linden Street Brewery, Drake’s, Ale Industries, and Rock Wall Wine Company. It’s looking like the event is sold out, so try and snag tickets on Craiglist, or maybe scalpers? Do scalpers do food events? I hope so, because that would be hilarious. “Yo, you need tickets to the foodie fest?” 4:30–7:30pm. 

Jack London Square, Oakland

Website

Openings:

Fig Tree (Pleasant Hill) 

Seth MacFarlane opens a kitty sanctuary (okay, so maybe not totally pertinent to this blog, but kitty cats!!) 

Gather’s open for brunch (Berkeley):

Remedy, inside the Berkeley Museum (Berkeley):

Creek Monkey Tap House (Martinez)

Closing:

Organic produce stand at Swan’s Market (Oakland). Early hours and lack of other grocery goods the culprits?


Local Reviews:

John Birdsall gets serious about the tater tots over at Phil’s Sliders [EBX WTF] 

Bauer’s impressed by Hawker Fare [SF Gate]

Ethan Kanat tackles SF’s gastro pubs [Bold Italic]

New Recurring Blog: SF Blogs Hate Us

Mr. Trebek shows up when you search for mean people in google

And in a new post I'd like to title "SF Blogs Hate Us," I'll try and keep up on every time a transplant from somewhere else now living in SF makes a reference to how much they hate/are scared of/think they're better than the East Bay. Today's post comes from SFist, which could probably run a certification course in shitting on their friends across the bay. Along with SF, Oakland was named one of the 10 most walkable cities in the US. Not one to share, SFist promptly poo poos the notion that anyone would dare walk the streets past 6pm. And no one goes downtown unless they work there? I get that you guys hate crossing the bridge now that you live in the city, but Oakland's not quite the lawless town you remember. I'll give you that more people in Oakland have cars, but please don't try and make it seem like all of Oakland is scary at night and downtown's got tumbleweeds rollin' across the street while people are a rapin' and a muggin' white people and a smokin' crack every which way you turn. But hey, thanks for clarifying that Rockridge and Grand/ Lakeshore are (somewhat) okay.

and zee original post, over at SFist: San Francisco and Oakland (?) Both Rank in List of Top 10 Walkable Cities

Tuesday Newsday: 7/19

If I somehow pull of the impossible and post this in the next 30 minutes, this will truly be a Tuesday Newsday. Otherwise, I’m going to use food poisoning and a busy weekend as excuses for why this showed up on a Wednesday and you can’t stop me. No, literally, you can’t, I need an excuse to sample Bloody Marys and have D keep our team afloat as we try and track down the best trivia night. Oh, and this is all about Oakland. Sorry!

Linden Street Brewery Expands: In an interview, owner and beer badass Adam Lamoreaux shared that Oakland-based Linden Street Brewery is experiencing mad growth rates and hopefully looking to open up a tasting room sometime in the near future. According to their Facebook page, Adam and Co. met with the planning commission earlier in this month, and the word along the rumor mill is that they’re looking at a September 1 open date. Also, Adam’s a big fan of Death and Taxes. Now you know. For now, you can find them at Heinhold’s, The Missouri Lounge, and others like Boot and Shoe Service, which brings me to my next point…

[Source: Eater]

95 Linden St. Suite 7/8, Oakland

website

Boot and Shoe Service Also Expands: Contrary to any assumptions I formed due to the bum making camp in front of their restaurant, Boot and Shoe service has opened their café space next door. They broke in the space last Tuesday and have been dishing out normal café fare, like coffee (fancy Sightglass coffee) and granola, but none of the hot stuff yet. I really tried to stop by, but they’re closed on Monday and that’s the only night nearby bar The Alley has trivia. 7am–2pm.

[Source: Inside Scoop]

3308 Grand Ave., Oakland

website

Awaken Café is Back! (sorta): Until their full café, beer, and wine bar opens in October, Awaken Café will be running a cart weekday mornings and show nights over at The Fox. They rolled it out last Friday. Monday–Friday, 8–10pm.

[Source: Oakland Living]

1429 Broadway at 15^th, Oakland

website

Also: The Chronicle sullies itself with boxed wines and picks out the best, which conveniently enough is the readily available Wine Cube, sold at Target. And Dishcrawl, the pub crawl for foodies (to put it in terms I understand) originally based in the South Bay, is finally bringing its discerning palate over our way. They’re doing a preview during First Friday (August 5) and only dishing the starting location two days before the event, granted you bought a $26 ticket. Hope you like surprises!

What To Do This Weekend: 7/15–7/17

Ugh, I am tired. Harry Potter wore me out, as did sleeping diagonally in my bed so kittah could stretch out. Enjoy some fun this weekend while I work a double and continue to get no sleep. Bastards.

Friday, July 15:
Gay Rum Party: Mount Gay, that is. Havana will be hosting a Mount Gay Rum "tasting invitation" tonight, featuring complimentary tapas, tastings of Mount Gay Old Rum, some famous punch by a guy named Chester (not sketchy at all!), and 1/2 off all other rum cocktails until 6pm. The first 20 attendees will also get a tiki mug and a cigar.
1516 Bonanza St., Walnut Creek
website

Rockridge Summer Jazz and Wine Stroll: I love that everyone rolls out a wine stroll when summer hits. They should really do it during the winter when everyone hates life and I'd get the added pleasure of seeing bedraggled cougars melting in the rain. But I digress. Presumably there is both wine and jazz at the event, judging from the name, but in what capacity is a mystery in their press release. You can expect specials and sales from participating merchants. 5–8pm.
College Ave., Oakland
website

Friday, July 15–Saturday, July 16:

i mean, look at this guy

Inferno: A Fire Circus: Now, normally I hate circuses, because of the whole clown thing, but light that clown on fire and I am there! Or would be, if I wasn't working. There will be dancing skulls, fire sword balancing, and all other kinds of fiery shit that proves that fire makes everything more interesting. Tickets are kinda steep at $45–55, so you may want to wait until they actually promise sacrificial clowns before handing over the dough. 7pm.
1260 7th St., Oakland
website

Saturday, July 16:
Oakland BBQ: 32 teams heat up their grills and put on their game faces to square off in the Bay Area BBQ Championship. They'll be competing in four categories (chicken, brisket, pork, and ribs). It'll also be a showdown between bay area football teams (go Niners!), since each team's tailgate crew (The Bad Boyz of BBQ for the Raiders and Q Masters for the Niners) will be competing against each other and an Iron Chef team during a three-hour live throw down. Get there at 9:30am for the people's choice round, and feel free stay for a live performance from American Idol finalist La Toya London. They woulda had me there had it been La Toya Jackson. 9:30am–3pm.
Oakland Coliseum Creekside Lot, Oakland
website

Saturday, July 16:

i mean, look at this fucking bear

California Beer Festival: Okay, so I know this is in Santa Cruz and nowhere near East Bay suburbia, but I love beer and would feel remiss in not sharing. $40 will get you a souvenir cup and access to over 60 craft brews, such as pours from Deschutes, Lagunitas, Speak Easy, and Ninkasi. You can also enjoy live music, play bocce ball (an admirable drunk pastime), and get sloshed guilt-free knowing proceeds benefit the Gen Giammanco Foundation, which supports student athletes. 12:30–5pm.
Aptos Village Park, Santa Cruz
website

Sunday, July 17:
East Bay Adoptathon: Last week, I was literally two steps away from buying a kitten. My judgement may have been impaired from two bloody marys, but how can you not love cute tiny balls of fur with their sleepy faces and penchant for attacking evil apples? In addition to adorable kittens and equally as adorable pups and dogs, there will also be a turtle and snake at the event for you reptile lovers, and adoptable bunnies from SaveABunny. Don't mind me if I smell like Bloody Mary and am holding three Siamese kittens. 10am–3pm.
Jack London Square, Oakland
facebook event page

Video Contest: Why I Choose Oakland

from sfgate.com

There's a video contest going on, in which you can profess your love for Oakland, and if you win, get some plane tickets to get the fuck outta there (technically, they're round trip, but I thought it was weird to convince people how much you love your city in an effort to get away from it). If you live in Oakland or own a business there, upload a 3 min or less video professing your love of the city to Oakland's facebook page, and convince all of your friends to vote for your video. Just please don't convince me. I already get enough harassment from engaged couples trying to win a free wedding from some sketchy contest. I personally love Oakland because they're really gentrifying it up in a way that makes us suburban kids feel safe. Keep on putting dem nice bars in Uptown!
More info ova at zee website

Opening: Japanese, Bread, Mexican, and Cupcakes

I haven't exactly made it a secret that I have a full-time job, and I can't blog at work so I do all of this in my off time and schedule things to publish the next day. When I hear about a restaurant opening, I just save the link and when I've had a busy week things tend to pile up QUICK. So here's everything that's opened while you've been working, or nursing your hangover, or doing whatever unemployed people do (not to imply you all are unemployed, but to be inclusive).

Already Open:

photo from SuperCarnitas

Kiraku: Their website is terribly unhelpful, but it looks like they opened July 1 near the UC Berkeley Campus and some early Yelpers have the scoop. The food is described as "Japanese-influenced with a twist," and includes dishes like ramen, roasted pork belly, and something called okonomiyaki. There's also word of a sake menu and Asahi on tap.
[source: Tablehopper]
2655 Telegraph Ave at Parker, Berkeley
website

B-Dama: It's looking like, from early reports on Chowhound, that the upcoming izakaya from the people over at Geta is less "coming soon" and more "newly opened." Right now, it's sounding like a lot of grilled chicken skin and beef tongue, but anyone nearby who wants to go check it out will be my hero, Enrique Iglesias-style.

[source: Chowhound]

4301 Piedmont Ave., Oakland

Panera Bread: They opened another Walnut Creek location back at the end of June, and I just haven't cared enough to write anything. But hey, they have free wi-fi, and are open until 9pm on most days! They also have a drive-thru window, which actually increases my level of caring from none to mildly interested. Check it out in the Countrywood shopping center.
[source: Walnut Creek Patch]

Opening Today: 
Cosecha Cafe: located in Swan's market in Old Oakland. Expect dishes like pork belly tacos, pozole, and torta ahogada. They'll also have a two dollar menu for their opening.
[source: Tablehopper]
907 Washington St., Oakland
website

Coming Soon:

french toast and maple bacon cupcake

James & the Giant Cupcake: Opening next to Actual Cafe this Monday (pending final inspections), this cupcake joint (formerly a delivery-only venture) is starting off with basic cupcakes and will venture into more creative flavors once the shop gets established. They also offer one vegan cupcake and one gluten-free option.

6326 San Pablo Ave., Oakland

website

[source: WTF]

Just a Heads Up

photo from: www.flickr.com/photos/senortaco/5880717599

Just in case you live in Oakland and thought you were having delusions of starring in a shitty movie with J.Lo and Ice Cube. Snakes. Why'd it have to be snakes?
[source: Oakland Local]

Tuesday Newsday 6/28

Yes, once again, a late post, but I am battling the demons living in my throat and apparently breathing fire when I'm not looking. I'm the worst. Read this stuff instead and feel sorry for me.

Over in SF: Interested on where to find the best bloody mary in San Francisco? Donuts in the city? Best summer brunches across the bay? The Bold Italic, Serious Eats, and Tasting Table have your answers. Now who wants to go on a bloody mary taste test in the East Bay? And if you have major skrilla, go crash SF Mag's Best of the Bay Area party this Thursday. It will only set you back $100. Better yet, buy my ticket for me please and I will pump myself full of cold meds just so I can shake hands with important people as Drake's "Fancy" plays in my head.

In super old news...: Patxi's opened a Lafayette location. If you don't know...now you know. Go check it out at 3577 Mt. Diablo Blvd. I fell in love with Pizza Antica last night, so I'll be hard pressed to be swayed. Actually, who am I kidding, I'm fickle. Let's go eat pizza!

Smack some ladies: The Tri-Valley Roller Girls are recruiting! If you live in the Tri-Valley area (aka Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore, or San Ramon) you can make like Rollergirl or Ellen Page in Whip It (depending on your reference) you can contact them over at trivalleyrollergirls@yahoo.com for more information about joining the team. I'm jealous.
[Source: Pleasanton Weekly]

Breakfast for dinner: Nick's Wheeley Good Breakfast Truck, owned by 22-year old Nick Bernard who's managing to make the rest of us twenty-somethings look even lazier, is serving up some serious looking noms in the East Bay. Cheddar buttermilk biscuit sandwich and Cuban breakfast sandwiches are always okay in my book. Check out the menu online or follow him on twitter to figure out where he'll be popping up, like Acme and Bites on Broadway.
[source: EBX: What the Fork]

New taqueria on Shattuck: Casa Bernal Taqueria opened at 2122 Shattuck Avenue last Tuesday. That's all I've got. Someone report back, since I almost never want Mexican unless I've been drinking.
[Source: Berkeleyside]

Late night service: The Broadway shuttle in Oakland will be running until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays starting in early July.
[source: Twitter]

Alright, that's it for now. Finally, right? I'm going to go dream of Bloody Mary's in a Niquil haze.

What to Do This Weekend: 6/24-6/26

It's Pride Weekend! Weeeeee!! I'm a big fan of all things gay, a rabid fan of all things drag, and have never really turned down an opportunity to day drink, so I'll start this roundup with some Pride activities, and finish it up with other things to do this weekend if you don't feel like making it out to the city or seeing a few socks on penises. Sorry, I know the offerings are a little scant this week, but I'm going to try and roundup a list of places near the start of the parade where you can drink, and I also need to focus my efforts on making this Sunday up to D, who I promised a nice leisurely brunch.

PRIDE:
The official SF Pride website has a whole list of official pride events. Today/Tonight:  The 33rd annual Pride Concert, 12 hour dance marathon Ghettodisco at the Endup, and SF Trans March (3:30pm). Tomorrow: Mamas and Papas Pride Potluck Brunch (all families welcome), The San Francisco Men's Spanking Party over at the Power Exchange (boys only!), Sundance Saloon Pre-Pride Dance (yee-haw), Go Bang! Go Pride! disco party at Deco Lounge (free before 10pm, $2 PBR and $3.75 vodka crans). Sunday: Massive Dance Party for big and bear men at Mist Ultra Lounge. I had no idea how many random clubs and lounges there were until I looked at this list.
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Sunday, June 26:
Pride Parade: starts at 10:30am at Market Street and Beale and ends at Market and 8th Street. The theme this year is "In Pride We Trust." I'm trying to figure out a way to incorporate my afro wig into the celebration.
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Hard French's "Los Homos": An all day celebration, with live music on two stages from 2-10pm. At Public Works.
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Juanita More! Pride Party: 12 hours of DJ and performer entertainment. At Chambers Eat + Drink.
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Misc: if you buy a half dozen cupcakes from That Takes the Cake you will not only save $11, but also help raise money for Pride.

EVERYTHING ELSE:
Residual Sugar Anniversary (All Weekend): My all-time favorite wine bar (aka the only wine bar in WC) is celebrating its one year anniversary this entire weekend. Expect live music, wine raffles, and a $10 anniversary special that will land you a glass of wine, sampling of cheese and charcuterie, tasting of port, and a cupcake. Not too shabby...
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Oakland Zoo Walk in the Wild (Saturday): This is the zoo's biggest fundraising event of the year, which I guess explains the $150 price tag. Sections of the zoo are set up with tables from over 100 Bay Area vendors, where you can sample different food, wine, and beer from 5–8pm. Oliveto, Plum, and local brewery Ale Industries are some of the vendors to expect. Head over to Flamingo Plaza after gorging yourself to do a little dancing until 10pm, when it's presumably bedtime for everyone who can afford to go.
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