Exploring the neighborhood, part 1
Last night Jack and I set out with my Dad & Stepmom to explore a bit of the new neighborhood and find something tasty to eat. We ended up at Tamarindo, this amazing little mexican small plates place in Downtown Oakland. It was *so* tasty! Little camarones & rajas empanadas, tamarind mole, fruit/walnut stuffed hot peppers and tasty sangria to boot!
There was a wait, of course, so we went wandering down the street to chinatown and found a bunch a places that look perfect to takes various folks to. There is a Chinese place with no english menu that my Dad & Mom used to frequent in the days of yore that we *must* take Murphy to, and a swanky dinner/cocktail joint that Jean and Bronwyn would adore. We also found the housewives market and Rattos, so fresh produce, sliced meat and cheesy goodness will soon be mine!!!
Then on the way back we happened past a grand opening party for a swank new denim boutique called Drift, which is apparently owned by the same people who own Tamarindo. They beckoned us inside and plied us with a hip DJ, champagne, snackies and these delectable little chocolates, handmade locally and sold in the shop, of course. I had 2 - the first had sea salt on the outside and a bergamot flavored filling and the second was mint sugar outside and mojito inside - heaven!
Then this morning, we had breakfast at the Buttercup Cafe, a diner connected to the Best Western on Jack London square. It was much better than I expected - generous portions of updated diner food, good local coffee from Peerless coffee down the street and good wait staff. This one I will save for Levanah and Gern. :-)
There was a wait, of course, so we went wandering down the street to chinatown and found a bunch a places that look perfect to takes various folks to. There is a Chinese place with no english menu that my Dad & Mom used to frequent in the days of yore that we *must* take Murphy to, and a swanky dinner/cocktail joint that Jean and Bronwyn would adore. We also found the housewives market and Rattos, so fresh produce, sliced meat and cheesy goodness will soon be mine!!!
Then on the way back we happened past a grand opening party for a swank new denim boutique called Drift, which is apparently owned by the same people who own Tamarindo. They beckoned us inside and plied us with a hip DJ, champagne, snackies and these delectable little chocolates, handmade locally and sold in the shop, of course. I had 2 - the first had sea salt on the outside and a bergamot flavored filling and the second was mint sugar outside and mojito inside - heaven!
Then this morning, we had breakfast at the Buttercup Cafe, a diner connected to the Best Western on Jack London square. It was much better than I expected - generous portions of updated diner food, good local coffee from Peerless coffee down the street and good wait staff. This one I will save for Levanah and Gern. :-)