.Food & Drink

Jul 8, 2025

Akbar and Iglesias introduce Jaji

Where is Julie McCoy—Love Boat cruise director extraordinaire—when we need her? Last week my plan was to eat dinner at Lucuma, a new Peruvian restaurant in Oakland. I had asked two friends to come with me, but our party blossomed into a family-sized table of seven. To paraphrase the...
Exploring alterna-burger options for Bay Area Burger Week
Jun 17, 2025

Exploring alterna-burger options for Bay Area Burger Week

Bay Area shopping malls are experiencing a renaissance, with a couple of notable exceptions—I’m looking at you, San Francisco Centre. As we’ve returned en masse to gathering in public, the malls that are thriving have been invigorated...
The Royale opens in Pleasant Hill
Jun 10, 2025

The Royale opens in Pleasant Hill

Several years ago an editor asked me to come up with an article about a current dining trend. As a food writer I eat out a lot, but my mind went blank. I waited a couple of...
La Loulou welcomes all to an apéritif dinner
Jun 3, 2025

La Loulou welcomes all to an apéritif dinner

In the pre-streaming era, I watched the entire series of Sex and The City patiently, in real time. I couldn’t help but wonder, from one week to the next, what adventures and mishaps would befall the four...
Daytrip Counter reopens on Telegraph Ave
May 27, 2025

Daytrip Counter reopens on Telegraph Ave

Chef Finn Stern didn’t ask me to leave Daytrip Counter, but the thought must have crossed his mind. On the fourth day of service at the restaurant, Stern stopped by our table to ask how the meal...
Alora Social creates cheerful atmosphere in San Ramon
May 20, 2025

Alora Social creates cheerful atmosphere in San Ramon

Bollinger Canyon Road is lined with miles of white rose bushes. This month they’re in bloom. There’s something funereal about them, as if they indicate the way to a mausoleum entrance rather than mark the perimeter of...
Alameda chef John Thiel returns with Pizzeria Pappo
May 13, 2025

Alameda chef John Thiel returns with Pizzeria Pappo

Chef John Thiel makes two kinds of pies at Pizzeria Pappo. Alamedans enjoyed Thiel’s cooking for nearly two decades at his previous restaurant, Pappo, which closed in early 2022. When we spoke on the phone, Thiel told...
Bar Shiru and Gold Palm amplify Oakland's Uptown
May 6, 2025

Bar Shiru and Gold Palm amplify Oakland’s Uptown

Daniel Gahr and Shirin Raza are co-owners of Bar Shiru and, since last fall, Gold Palm, which opened in Palmetto’s former space. Raza is the general manager of both establishments, and Gahr is the creative director. Before...
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