Oakland baby!

Yes, I said it!  Sure I realize that Chez Pannise in Berkeley is the birth place for California Cuisine, (and Berkeley has great restaurants), but in recent years Oakland has moved the real food movement forward. There are many restaurants here that serve locally grown and delicious food.  This weekend was all about the food, as we had the Eat Real Festival in Jack London Square.  This festival is all about sustainable food, with the goal of making real food as accessible as fast food.  As an Oaklander, I was happy to see a stellar turn-out with tons of people outside enjoying the food, drink and music at Oakland’s waterfront.   I will be honest, the lines were long, so I only selected a few spots to indulge.

I want to try every flavor! Sweet crème brulée! The perfect dessert with the best packaging!

Friday night was majority a dessert night.  My son, daughter and I parked, walked through Jack London, stopped in the Decade With No Name exhibit, a celebration of the sculptors, painters, photographers and street artists who call Oakland, Berkeley and the greater East Bay home.   After walking the booths we all decided that we had to try,  Sweet, absurdly creamy crème brulée.  Rob of Sweet had various flavors, such as Grand Marnier, Coffee and Vanilla.  You walk up select a flavor and they burn the cream while you wait. Unbelievably good.  Next we stopped by Jack London’s newest additions, Miette.  Miette is an incredibly irresistible bakery, featuring cupcakes, cakes, cookies,  ice cream sandwiches and rarely found candy bars such as Sky Bar and Flake.   The creme fraiche ice cream sandwiches are incredible.   Miette began at the Berkeley Farmer’s Market and now has locations in the San Francisco Ferry Building in San Francisco and Jack London Square in Oakland.

Crème fraiche ice cream sandwich with graham cracker cookies. Only seen at Miette.

As the sunset, we headed over to Bocanova, for dinner.  (For a detailed review, check out my Yelp page, Deidre J.)  This place was hopping! With a full bar, handsome interior and gorgeous Oakland setting this place was the hang out  for Oaklanders.

Sea of Cortez scallops with a Brazilan curry.

Day Two of the Eat Real Fest brought out a more food carts and quite a crowd.  The best of show was Gerard’s Paella.  Seen on Throw Down with Bobby Flay on the Food Network, Gerard takes freshly caught seafood and makes monster pans of paella.  His set-up is unreal!  Worth the wait in line, this was the best lunch that I have had in weeks.

Just a modest pan of paella!

I wish you could try this.

Coming soon to The Oakland Berkeley Journal, food trucks around the town.  Bon Appetite!

Mina at work in Arjan

Why had I not visited Arjan Flowers before?  I have passed this Piedmont Avenue boutique many times over the last 11 months it has been open for business.  Somehow I missed it!  Better late than never.  Proprietor, Mina is gracious, knowledgeable and is the perfect hostess.  She answered tons of questions, potted a staghorn fern that I purchased, and after an enjoyable visit she left me wanting more.  Expect arrangements with branches, fruit and unusual findings.  In fact during my visit a customer presented Mina with blackberries on the vine from her garden for Mina to incorporate into her arrangements. Marvel at the photos below.

Green Walnuts on the branch

Mina cuts a green walnut in half to expose the nut inside

This is a nut and shell inside!

Flowers!

In addition to being a beautiful centerpiece on your dining room table, artichokes are mouthwatering when they are in season.  The other day, I picked up a few local artichokes at Berkeley Bowl West for $1 each and my daughter and I indulged in the savory treat after my tedious cleaning and de-thorning.  (yes, I realize de-thorning is not in the dictionary.)  Artichokes are native to Southern Europe, but are cultivated in California.   Artichokes flourish in a cooler, coastal climates and we are lucky to have these sweet, tangy, nutty tasting edible flowers, so close to home.  Here is how I prepared them:

Cut artichokes in half and then in quarters and cut off the thorns with a sharp knife or cooking scissors

Soak your clean and trimmed artichokes in water with lemon juice

Steam the artichokes until they are slightly tender. Toss with olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder and pepper.

Throw on the grill to add another layer of texture and a smoky flavor. Worth the time!

The Elmwood district of Berkeley

When I was thirteen, I took the bus to the Julia Morgan Center for my bi-weekly dance classes.  If I had the chance, I would stop by Sweet Dreams and spend a dollar of my allowance on super sour gummy candies.  The Elmwood was always an idyllic neighborhood to me.  Even at age 13 I loved the charm of the early 1900’s homes.  The location couldn’t and still can’t be beat, close to everything!  UC Campus, Rockridge, BART, WholeFoods and the Claremont district of Oakland/Berkeley.

At one time the shops of the Elmwood were sparse, but within the last few years new life has created a rebirth.

Inside Labels Luxury Consignment in Berkeley

Today, Labels had their grand opening, showcasing two stories of gently used and some new designer accessories, handbags, shoes and jewelery.

The Dailey Method is another recent addition to the corner of Ashby and College,  offering  strength and stretching classes with a heavy emphasis on your core.

Ici is my favorite ice cream shop!  Yes, you might find me in that long line on College Avenue.

Summer Kitchen and Bakeshop, serves re-imagined take-away food.

The Elmwood Cafe, is the Ozzie’s Soda Fountain reinvented.

Lola Home, was established in 2005 and brings inspiration to your to your walls, table and office.

What are homes selling for in this neighborhood?

Since January 1, 2010, a total of 10 – 3 (or more) bedroom, 2 (or more) bathroom homes have sold in the Elmwood.  With an average list price of $1,085,800 and an average sold price of $1,112,337, selling on average in 23 days.

Random photograph in the Elmwood today.

1. Buy a cross-cut type shredder and be sure to shred all personal and card info, especially approved credit applications.

2. Be careful of “Dumpster Diving.” Make sure that you do not throw anything away that someone could use to become you.

3. Be careful at ATM’s and using phone cards. “Shoulder Surfers” can get your “Pin Number” and get access to your accounts.

4. Cancel all credit cards that you do not use or have not used in 6 months. Thieves use these very easily – open credit is a prime target.

5. Put passwords on all your accounts and do not use your mother’s maiden name. Make up a fictitious word.

6. Empty your wallet of all extra credit cards and social security numbers, etc. Do not carry any identifiers you do not need. Don’t carry your birth certificate, social security card, or passport, unless necessary.

Take shelter in your new home...

As you walk along the path to the front door of 3390 Guido you will enjoy the cool breeze and shelter of the pine tree above.  Once you cross the threshold of the front door the the large rooms,  easy floor-plan and cheery kitchen will capture your heart.  This house was rescued 8 years ago.  Once a victim of a fire and re-built with plain white cabinetry and ordinary vinyl flooring, Ellyn gave this house new life and made it a home.  In the last eight years this house has had updated bathrooms, updated kitchen, new furnace, new hot water heater, seismic strengthening,  new drainage, new landscaping, new interior and exterior paint and lots of love!  Open Sunday July 18th, 2010 from 2-4 – 2 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms, offered at $615,000

5687 Florence Terrace in then.

Montclair is an area of Oakland above Highway 13 between Broadway Terrace and Park Boulevard, with properties built from the 1920’s to new construction.  The appeal is the woodsy setting and in many parts of Montclair you will get the feeling that you are away from it all, yet so close to the city vibe.  5687 Florence Terrace is a 3 bathroom, 2+ bedroom home,  currently on the market for $698,000.  The cool thing is you are only two blocks up from Mountain Boulevard which is a straight shot to Montclair Village, (a retail and restaurant district of this area), yet you feel like you are in a very private, lush nook.  Set back from the street, with drought resistant perennials flowers and paver-stone hardscape this house is very  striking and handsome.  Once inside the three sets of french doors to the grand balcony will capture your heart.  The simple and tasteful white decor is minimalist, meets Shabby Chic, meets East Coast beach house.  The owners of this house have done tons of upgrades from structural improvements to fantastic cabinetry and this house is truly a move-in and hang your artwork house.  This property has been renovated tastefully, yet it retains all of the essence of 1923 the year it was built, making it a must see.

5687 Florence Terrace now

Living room showing just one of three French doors.

Have you driven or walked by the corners of 11^th and Broadway and 41st and Piedmont in Oakland and remarked about the murals that depict the Key System Stations that operated streetcars and bus lines throughout the East Bay (and a commuter rail and ferry to San Francisco) from 1903 until 1948 and wondered who this talented artist is in our midst? His name is Rocky Rische-Baird and this native of Northern California who splits his time between the Bay Area and the village of Putney, Vermont. Rische-Baird self describes his art as representative of the unity between nature, self and the idea that the human mind retains past memories.  However it is interpreted, his art has an other-worldly quality that is mesmerizing and  gives us a peek into Oakland’s unique history.  Love them!

Mural at 1100 Broadway in Oakland

Rocky's mural on 41st at Piedmont. One of my clients is featured in the trolley car.

I can't wait for Scream to open! Steven of Scream is painting in preparation for a summer launch.

Coming in about two weeks is Scream! Sorbet.  This is some of the best sorbet out there.  Super creamy, seasonal flavors and incredibly refreshing.  My favorite flavor is the lime mint.  I have been buying scream sorbet at the farmer’s markets for years and now they are setting up shop at 5030 Telegraph Avenue in the Temescal, sandwiched between Bakesale Betty and Dona Tomas.