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 [...]

Recently, I have felt the buzz circling around the East Bay. Foodies  are out weekday and weekend to get their fill of our phenomenal  cuisine.  Last weekend Kermit Lynch had their annual Oyster Bliss,  featuring oyster’s from Monterey Market, food from the former chef of Eccolo, sweets from Cafe Fanny, bread from Acme Bread Co. [...]

The East Bay just keeps getting better and better.  If you think Oakland and Berkeley are sleepy cities, then you are certainly mistaken!
Once Ozzie’s Fountain Shoppe a  mid-century pharmacy and soda fountain is now the Elmwood Cafe.  This cafe was thoughtfully renovated and the owners did their best to savage the essence of its former [...]

Here are a few of my favorite places to grab quality food on the run.  Cafe 15 is in Downtown Oakland at 597 15th Street behind the State building.  This is owned and operated by husband and wife team Lauren and Arash Ghasemi  (Arash was a chef at Eccolo restaurant on 4th Street in Berkeley, [...]

Finding a Voice by Marissa Anderson, (age 14!!) will be showing at Red Oak Realty Solano Avenue location February 8- April 3rd  Artist reception February 5th, 6-8 pm

The other week, I attended the Eat Real Fest at Jack London Square.  To kick off the festival there was an ice cream evening.  It was  a 90 degree Friday night, Perfect!  Ice cream for dinner.  In the name of research  I sampled several scoops of creamy goodness.  If I had to pick my [...]

When I was a kid I always admired the homes in Claremont Court.  I imagined that these homes had extra large crystal chandeliers and wonderful food simmering in the kitchen.  As an adult, I admire the manicured yards, the classic architecture and the close walk to College Avenue and UC Berkeley.    What I love [...]

Upcoming events in the Oakland- Berkeley area.
Charles Chocolates in Emeryville, (6529 Hollis Street) is hosting FREE summer movies.  Tonight’s film is Soul Food and in honor of this movie, barbecue ribs, fried catfish and mac n’ cheese will be on sale, (along with Charles Chocolates’ Blue Bottle coffee services, hot chocolate and sweets).  Food and snacks [...]

Berkeley Bowl West – 920 Heinz Avenue in West Berkeley. Deidre Joyner

Berkeley Bowl West has arrived!  This is great news for foodies and folks who live in West Berkeley and North Oakland. (Berkeley Bowl West will also service the North Oakland community as it is a few blocks from the North-West Oakland and Emeryville [...]

Preserve the old!  I love these vintage mid-century signs in Oakland and Berkeley, a quick reminder of yesteryear.  Signs that have withstood the rain, earthquakes, wind, and decades of life in the Bay Area.