eat oakland

Spices III, Oakland, CA

NARRATIVE
On Friday Bonnie and I worked up a huge appetite after opening up the dance floor at the Oakland Museum of California for First Friday. The band was Mazacote and they were awesome.

I have been nursing a cold/flu for the last week and my appetite has been turned off. My sense of smell was somehow hijacked in this whole process and I was in search of a meal I could enjoy again.

Spices III is the third spin-off of the Spices restaurants on Clement Street in the Richmond District of San Francisco. About 18 months ago, we finally got our very own in the East Bay.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Spices III
12th Street between Broadway and Webster
(West side of 12th Street)
Oakland, CA

HOURS
Mon-Sun: 12 pm-12 midnight

CUISINE
Taiwanese fabulousness.

PRICE RANGE
Inexpensive. My favourite, favourite dish is the shredded tofu salad appetizer with shredded carrots and light sesame dressing.
Super cheap. Other favourites for me are the braised beans and the scallion pancake. There are seasonal seafood dishes as well.

SUMMARY
We arrived at Spices III at 10:30. The restaurant was packed. Our hostess showed us a table by the door that was available and I reviewed some of my favourite dishes to Bonnie.

One of the waitresses brought over chili cucumber salad and said it was compliments of the chef.

Nice.

True, it had been the second time I had been to the restaurant in a week. The previous week I went with Denise and Michelle for a snack and we had the Taiwanese Rice Sticks, Tofu Pockets, Shredded Tofu Salad and I honestly forget the chicken dish.

Bonnie and I agreed on Crispy Fish, a crispy lo mein noodle dish, and a scallion pancake to be soaked in the chili dressing from our complimentary appetizer. These dishes filled our bellies, and even more importantly filled my nose. When I touched the pickle to my lips I rejoiced. The lips tingled and the mouth was refreshed with the coolness of the cucumber. Mmmmm.

The Crispy Fish was dusted with chili powder and served with a black bean and leek light sauce. It was spicy, flavorful, and felt like it was taking the layer of illness away (albeit temporarily) that had coated my throat.

We ate, were entertained by pop videos, warmed by the decor, and absolutely satisfied by our meal.

SERVICE
In addition to the bonus treat of the Chili Cucumber salad, Spices III always leaves me feeling like a valued customer. I never want - my tea pot and water glass are always filled and I almost always have to wave off the waitresses because I spend about 10 minutes perusing the extensive menu for something new to try. All the staff is friendly and the owner can frequently be found outside. He's young, stylish and has a smile for his customers on the way in.

REST ROOMS
The restroom is tucked in the back of the restaurant and reflects the same warm, playful decor of the restaurant.

posted by wrki @ 11:43 PM