Gourmet Ghetto of the East
Something's a-brew along the teeming urban boulevard of Grand Avenue in Oakland. It has quietly become a food mecca – can we call it the East Gourmet Ghetto? – and has some of the best restaurants, beverage hot spots, and markets in the East Bay.
The best diner-style brunchy breakfast is at Grand Lake Kitchen. Ever had savory oatmeal? This is the place! If you prefer a quick standing breakfast, my favorite spot is the Belgian Waffle truck, the closest version I’ve tasted to the true street vendor waffles of Belgium. These crunchy golden grids are showered so liberally with powdered sugar, they will quickly ruin your outfit unless you dress strategically -- so don’t wear black to the Saturday Grand Lake Farmer’s Market if you want to fully partake. The year-round market hosts over 40 local farmers, 30 specialty food vendors, and several local artisans; open every Saturday rain or shine, 9am-2pm.
Grand Fare Market is the newest addition to an already special neighborhood. It is both a market and a cafe with beautiful outdoor patio seating, and (secret’s out) awesome eggplant parm for the takeaway. Get there early to snap that up.
Chef and restaurateur Charlie Hallowell has made himself at home on Grand Ave., opening two restaurants in the past few years that have become beloved staples. Boot and Shoe Service is a pizzeria that makes everything in-house with the best local and organic ingredients from farms they love to support. This is the first place I ever had avocado toast — now ubiquitous around the world. Penrose highlights the foods of Spain, Italy, and North Africa. Both spots are testaments to the creative local food scene and quality in the East Bay.
Ordinaire is a wine bar that quietly opened a couple years ago. No ferns here — it’s a stark yet charming open space that could have once been a barrel room before all the wineries hired fancy architects. It certainly smells like one, in the best way possible. The walls are lined with bottles from California and Europe, and the casual counter is staffed with wine-lovers who are happy to recommend a glass or bottle to enjoy on-site, or any number of bottles to take away. There are also snacks that marry perfectly with the wine: Charcuterie and cheese boards, tinned fish, crackers, etc.
Another special stop along Grand Ave. is Alchemy. Just a few doors from the Grand Lake Theater, it’s a bottle shop with gorgeous style and offerings. I don’t know if their product selection is based on how beautiful the packaging is, but it’s a showstopper. The spirits are on display on the main level; gorgeous bottles from every corner of the world are lined up like well-dressed dolls. There are also curious concoctions you’ve never heard of, like rhubarb, anise, or cardamom tea gum syrup, tiny colored bottles of tinctures, bitters, flavor additions, and even an end-all cocktail strainer (which makes a wonderful gift). On the top floor is a curated collection of wine, and a tasting bar every Saturday. I sampled verticals of coffee liqueur one afternoon that went light years beyond Kahlua. Who knew that we needed gin from Iceland, Scotch from Taiwan, or lavender spritzer from New Orleans, but this shop is teeming from sun-up til cocktail hour.
After stocking up on adult beverages, go to Lake Merritt. The assets of this favorite Oakland destination include gondola rides, drinks and dinner at Lake Chalet, slack-lining, botanical gardens, twinkling necklace lights that ring the lake, rollering, strollering, biking and hiking, bird-watching, picnicking, birthday partying, people-watching, date-nighting, family-outing, and if I haven’t mentioned your favorite, let me know!
Oaktown Spice Shop on Grand Avenue is directly across from the lake. I’ve bought more gifts and goodies here than you can shake a cinnamon stick at. An emporium for spices from around the world, the airy space includes a chili bar, half a dozen curry blends (my favorite is the Japanese), and curiosities like beet powder and honey milk powder — both good with chocolate, by the way.
