dimondites

Caffe Diem

224 MaCarthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 422-0299

DIMOND | Next door to the Dimond Post Office is this unsuspecting little cafe that serves Fair Trade coffee. The coffee is definitely some of the best I’ve ever had. I also like the flavor of the environment. Borderling bohemian-hip, Caffe Diem carries this sense of ‘real’ about it that makes the atmosphere not pretentious but comfortable. They offer free wireless internet for dial-up folks who want to spend a few hours in the speedier zone. Plus a few tables outside for sun worshippers and cigarette inhalers. Read about Fair Trade Coffee.

Rating: Love it!

Gaylord’s Caffe Expresso

4150 Piedmont Ave
Oakland
(510) 658-2877
map

Gaylord’s Caffee Expresso is owned by the same folks who owns Caffe Diem. Brooke wholeheartedly believes Gaylord’s and Caffe Diem offer the best coffee in Oakland. Gaylord’s also offers great bagels, numi tea, soup and double rainbow ice cream. Coffee is Fair Trade.

Rating: Brooke feels they have the best coffee in Oakland.

Del Navio

 

Motivated by Linda Burgess’ positive recommendation, I checked out Del Navio last month… On my birthday. Talk about pressure for a restaurant to please.

And pleased it did. The food was fantastic. Both Alex (food snob) and I (accommodating food snob) were pleasantly surprised by the authenticity of the meals. I started with the bruchetta trio, which I completed by myself, though it was meant for sharing. Then the bitole, a beets salad with gorgonzola and almonds. Delicious.  My main entree was osso bucco!  The unexpected treat of osso bucco was like receiving a surprise birthday gift. I’m such a fan of osso bucco, this find made me giddy. It was simply wonderful.

Unfortunately, I did not have enough room in my tummy for dessert. I practically rolled out of the restaurant. 

Oh, for wine, I chose Moscato on ice… It was a warm evening. If you haven’t tried Moscato on ice on a hot day or warm evening, you are missing something very pleasurable.  I highly recommend it.

Del Navio
2820 Mountain Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 482-2500
Website

Lunch: Monday - Saturday 11:30am – 2:00pm
Dinner: 5:00pm 7 days a week
Brunch: Sunday 9:30am - 3:00pm
Bar Hours: 3:30pm until closing

Referred by Linda Burgess | My husband and I ate there this evening celebrating our wedding anniversary. We’ve been there twice and everything was wonderful. They have a varied menu with a different pastas, steak, pork, fish, chicken and a killer oso bucco. Leave room for desert. They have a children’t menu as well. They have an early bird special from 4:30 - 5:30 (I think). They also have weekend brunch and a lunch menu. I asked all these questions when I had dinner there earlier tonight. They even have a pet friendly outside patio (when it gets warmer). I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this restaurant.

Also, they offer a great selection of wine by the glass. And did I mention dessert? Save room for dessert!

Buon apetito!

Ba Le 

1500 International Blvd. (at 15th Ave.)
Oakland, CA 94606
510-261-9800
[Map]

6:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. 7 days a week

EAST OAKLAND | A tiny, cramped Vietnamese sandwich shop where the line stretches out the door. Ba Le’s number one sandwich, banh mi thit, packs a crisp French roll with pickled vegetables, cilantro, and four kinds of pork: a black peppercorn-studded steamed pork; star-anise-scented ham; thin slices of gelatinous, meaty headcheese; and a buttery pork-liver paté. Other variations, like meatball or roast chicken, are creditable. Cash only. Very inexpensive.

^{Via East Bay Express (June 2nd 2004)}

 

Pho 84

354 17th Street
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 832-1338

DOWNTOWN  |  Mike Nisperos took me here for lunch a few weeks ago, because it was one of his hang outs when he worked downtown. I didn’t expect much, but upon arrival, the place was packed for lunch. It is a popular restaurant, especially for those who work downtown. I didn’t try their Pho, but I did try one of my favorite dishes, cat fish. They had quite a few options of cat fish though, and most of them I do not recognize as Vietnamese. Oh well. The name 84 is for the year owner Sang Nguyen first opened the restaurant. It is impressive, as they were one of two Vietnamese restaurants at that time. They’ve lasted this long, which speaks to the popularity of the food. Unfortunately, both Mike and I had cat fish, so I am not able to review any other dish. I ordered the cat fish with the soy-based sauce because it is the closest to the traditional cat fish in clay pot dish I love so much. It was pretty tasty, but still, not my cat fish in clay pot (pout). Very reasonably priced. Generous portions.

Rating: I need to try a different dish before making judgement. Nice atmosphere. 

Pho Saigon

2045 MacArthur Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 530-8968

DIMOND  |  I go here at least once a week for Vietnamese Sandwiches, Charbroiled Pork over Vermicelli (#46), Crab Paste & Tomato in Vermicelli Soup (#30 and I only recommend it to those who like fishy dishes.), and Fish in Clay Pot (#76 but only order if you are hard core Vietnamese-esque, because it’s made with a tad too much fish sauce). It’s four blocks from my house, so I can’t ask for more inconvenience. I think the downside is they don’t offer alcohol, but they do let you bring in wine purchased from the 2 Star Market across the street. I like the people who run this restaurant. They’re genuine, hard-working folks. Their pho is decent, and the items I order are fine. I also order the coconut drink religiously.

Rating: Good for quick take-outs