Tamarindo Anteojeria
CONTACT INFORMATION468 8th St
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 444-1944
www.tamarindoantojeria.com
NARRATIVEThe creative din of middle school students made me wander along 14th to downtown Oakland. I happened across the menu in the window, smiled softly on a sunny autumn afternoon in early October to achieve culinary peace. I received that and more.
CONTACT INFORMATION468 8th St, Oakland, CA 94607
ph 510/444-1944
PRICE RANGEModerate - Decadent
SUMMARYThe menu drew me in...empanadas with delicate pastry, a sopa de maiz that was amazing, and a salad rounded out my lunch. The agua fresca de sandia was amazing. My mouth became a savouring museum, each new taste delighted and teased for the next work.
The interior is decorated with art pieces and filled with natural light. Every element has been blended into the whole experience, from the place settings to the decor and music. Elegance without pretense.
It's an intimate space that is planned well. The diners will experience a feeling of openness.
The theater kitchen allows one to anticipate the next course.
Awesome. Excellent to have a restaurant celebrate other flavours of Mexico and the Yucatan.
SERVICEExcellent. Multiple servers brought out each course in succession, but not in an overwhelming way to rush my dining experience. I felt like an honored guest.
RESTROOMSI did not use the rest room, but I imagine it has as much panache as the rest of the restaurant.
SUGGESTIONContinued success with your excellent restaurant! I suggest to myself to take advantage of your brunch menu!"
Labels: "Downtown Oakland", "Mexican Restaurant", "Tamarindo Anteojeria", Oakland, restaurant
Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
NARRATIVEI was so jonesin' to check my email before leaving the wired world. So I left the 12th Street Oakland BART Station and walked over the large Oak tree in Frank Ogawa plaza. Seateed on beautiful granite stairs I have all the wireless I could want.
CONTACT INFORMATIONBroadway/13th Streets
Oakland, CA
PRICE RANGEFree
SUMMARYLovely downtown park in front of City Hall that houses everything from afternoon lunch goers to NPR's Storycorps Griot trailer, busking violinists and dancers, capture the flag tournaments, and the Barack Obama rally.
SERVICECity staff keep the plaza beautiful. A nice rare find in the city.
RESTROOMSI shouldn't suggest the greenery.
SUGGESTIONContinue to bring community events to this space. As the condos get filled with those grabbing their piece of Oakland, I am sure it will be used more, but for now it's a bustling green in the daytime and a little night-time oasis in the city.
Keep Oakland beautiful!
Labels: BART, Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, NPR, Oakland
Woody's Laundrymat
NARRATIVEIt's a TCB ("Takin' Care of Business") kinda Saturday...
I got up just to miss the meteor shower this morning, laid in bed and contemplated doing errands car-free today.
Well, at least I managed to arrange my trip so it followed the loop I drive anyway.
I did the Lake Merrit/Grand Lake Farmer's Market, strolled along Lakeshore and windowshopped at Maribel and Juniper Tree and made some vitamin purchases at Lakeshore Natural Foods and now I'm doing the laundry. Or at least the machines are and I am in the back, picking up some free wifi and enjoying the sun, hibiscus flowers, amazing sunshine...all in Woody's back patio.
CONTACT INFORMATION1841 Park Blvd
Oakland, CA, 94606
Phone: (510) 444-5719
PRICE RANGEInexpensive - Decadent (If you go to the Parkway and have dinner and a drink at a local restaurant and...)
SUMMARYWoody's is a perfectly placed local business in the San Antonio/Lake Merrit region of Oakland just South of the Lake, and nestled between 880 and 580 freeways.
It has change service, machine washing, drying, music, television, a restroom, chill patio, and folding tables. It's awesome to get three loads of laundry washed and dry for under $10!
The customers tend to be chill.
SERVICEThe staff is always friendly, excellent, and attentive to detail. There's a constant eye on the floor for any dregs or drips. You'll see the brooming and mopping and care and pride.
They help YOU keep your laundry CLEAN.
RESTROOMSLovely, functional, and large.
SUGGESTIONGreater publicity about customer appreciation day! Woody's you and your staff are always wonderful. THANK YOU for being a staple to the community and being across the way from the Parkway so I can treat myself to laundry AND a movie!"
Labels: Lake Merritt, laundry, laundrymat, local business, Oakland, Park Boulevard, San Antonion District, small business, Woody's
Latin Music Festival - Jack London Square
NARRATIVEIt was a foggy Saturday morning. I thought I would just do my podcasting class and then come home. Since the sun peeked out I ended up going to the Filipino Festival and then returned to the East Bay and walked to Jack London Square to dance in the street.
By the time I got to the East Bay, full-on sun was mixing with a gentle breeze off the Bay to make for a perfect afternoon to enjoy musica sabrosa.
I wasn't disappointed. I danced my barefoot raw for about an hour and a half while the dj played classic salsa hits and Orquestra Salsa Dura from Hayward TORE IT UP with classics and original descargas that had the crowd out of their chairs and filling the dance floor.
Esta festival tenia
SABOR!CONTACT INFORMATIONI could only find a URL:
http://www.jacklondonsquare.com/index.php/main/event_detail/latin_music_festival/
HOURSSaturday, August 11, 2007
11 am - 7 m
PRICE RANGEFree - Some money to spend on food and artwork
SUMMARYThe selection of music was excellent for a first annual latin festival. The flavors were local, but included everything from Brazlian to latin pop, rock, and jazz, traditional ballet folklorico de mexico, and salsa!
The posters I came across pulled me in and let me know some time went into planning. It's good to know that my people are worthy of waterfront property in the middle of Jack London Square.
I selfishly went for the salsa at the end of the day. I arrived during the set-up music before
Orquestra Salsa Dura went on and the dj was playing classic salsa (always a good sign) and people were dancing (another good sign).
By the end of the set, this 3 month old band had everyone up and dancing, including families with kids who were shy to come to the dance floor at first and then were grooving with their parents by the end. It reminded me of outings with my family when I was younger...everyone invited to dance, smiling, twirling, showing their best steps.
The foggy day gave way to excellent weather. The air was filled with the aroma of kettle corn and I met a couple of friends I didn't know would be there.
Clearly there were Latinos or friends of Latinos involved with the planning of this thing because the mix of music, the crowd, and the venue were perfect. Onlookers could feel invited to peek in on the Latino-ness from their wandering through from the Arts & Crafts booths, Barnes & Nobles, or dining about Jack London Square.
SERVICEVolunteers were friendly and cleaned up rather efficiently at the end of the festival. Not a flyer, seat, or parasol was left as evidence of the day's festivities within 15 minutes of the end!
RESTROOMSPort-o-potties, Barnes & Nobles, and the Jack London Square facilities. Enough to be had by all!
SUGGESTIONBring it back next year!
Create a buzz among the salsa community through sfstation.com, or a festival website to receive feedback from the salsero/as and the soon-to-be converts to salsa!
Maybe include more youth performances and some Latin Hip-Hop to round the bill!
Labels: August 2007, ballet folklorico, brazilian, dancing, Jack London Square, latin jazz, Latin Music Festival, latin pop, latin rock, Oakland, Outdoor Festival, salsa
The San Francisco Marathon
NARRATIVE
Sitting alone in my friend's house catsitting over the Christmas holidays I was feeling pretty lonely and unaccomplished. A posting on craigslist changed my mind. From it I began my journey to my first athletic pursuit since finding white water rafting in 2002.
What began as 30 minute walks three times a week turned into 13.1 miles on July 29, 2007.
CONTACT INFORMATIONURL:
www.runsfm.comThe San Francisco Marathon
PO Box 77148
San Francisco, CA 94107
phone - 415.814.2823
fax - 415.276.4179
HOURSSummers in San Francisco (Check the website for dates.)
PRICE RANGE$30 - $115 depending on when you register and which event (5k - Full Marathon). Register early to save on progressively priced registration fees.
SUMMARYHaving not done athletic with my legs since marching band in college, I was wondering whether this event would stink of athletic pretention.
The Expo was a large marketplace of swag and wares - some decent (MMMMM almond milk and Zola Acai with Pineapple!) and some crappy.
The signage to get one's bib and t-shirt was a little confusing, but once I got my bib, chip, and t-shirt I was BRIMMING with pride. I was joining THOUSANDS of runners to do this thing and some of them looked like me (brown, not particularly svelte, and totally motivated).
My mom wanted to volunteer, but the information booth didn't seem to have good information for folks who wanted to sign up to volunteer during marathon weekend. (This is why I only offer 4 stars.) It was a missed opportunity.
The maps and little goodie bags were cool. I loved my honey sticks and am looking forward to my wine tasting in Napa.
The t-shirt is really cool!
Morning of I was IMPRESSED with the arsenal of port-o-potties to accomodate so many bodies needing to evacuate.
We were called in waves with a PERKY announcer and that helped the whole lining up and psyching myself up thing.
I was also encouraged when I saw someone else with headphones. I had been training with music and was HEARTSICK when the official guide said "please no headphones" and I couldn't figure out WHY. Naturally I hid my gear as I lined up and then put on the earphone when I saw earbuds a-plenty!
The run was GORGEOUS. The fog made sure to leave a sense of mysticism on the morning. The land gave way to familiar views with a gorgeous veil of cloud. Approaching the Golden Gate Bridge and crossing it twice was magic. The traffic honking in support and the large drops of condensation falling on my forehead felt like a type of baptism.
The water stops were well-staffed and having our names on our bibs meant we were greeted by name by the volunteers. AWESOME.
Bathrooms were plentiful and I used them to my benefit throughout the run.
After mile 9 we rounded near the beach and headed into the park. The waves lapping below our path was an amazing site and matched perfectly to my personal soundtrack. The song that came on as I saw the beach below was "Agua de la Vida" by Salsa Celtica which celebrates water as life-giving through salsa.
The final 3 miles seemed like a tease as the elevation increased over 3 hills in the Richmond before we skirted and then entered Golden Gate Park.
I would have loved half or quarter mile markers toward the end of the run just to get a sense of when the end was REALLY coming.
I crossed, excited...and then realized my friends and family had NO idea where I was because there were SEVERAL rose gardens near the finishing line! AUGH!
But it was SO awesome to cross the line, get more water, and be efficiently recognized as finishers and given our medal then and there.
SERVICEGreat volunteers kept our spirits and fluids up at the water stations. The registration process was fairly painless, save for some signage confusion.
The Volunteer coordinators missed out on an opportunity to sign up last minute help.
RESTROOMSPort-o-lets and park restrooms made for the happiness of THOUSANDS of runners! Well spaced and stocked!
SUGGESTIONBetter signage for the event, including partial mile markers and clear signage for supporters to know where actual finish line is for first half-finishers.
Labels: 2007, San Francisco, San Francisco Marathon
dp American Brasserie, Albany, NY
NARRATIVEMy friend and I were lost in downtown Albany in search of My Linh, a locally celebrated Vietnamese restaurant but were famished and reaching the Cinderella hour of 10 pm. The parking guy who graciously took our $10 suggested Yono's restaurant in the Hampton Inn. We walked into the wrong door, but into the right spot as the dp American Brasserie offered a variety to delight hungry, but still discretionary tourist palates to Albany, NY.
Chef Yono Purnomo and staff set us at ease.
CONTACT INFORMATIONdp American Brasserie
located in the Hampton Inn & Suites Albany Downtown Hotel
25 Chapel Street
Albany, New York 12210
Phone: 518-436-7733
HOURSMonday-Saturday,
11 am - midnight
PRICE RANGEMedium to $25 (Kobe) beef burger
SUMMARYWe walked up the stairs and into a quiet lounge where we asked for the menu. Upon quick review we noticed a range of flavors taking us from Italy to Indonesia.
The dining room was lit softly and our hostess sat us right away. Since we had eaten a late lunch we declined some of the main dish offerings like the rack of lamb simply because we didn't want to over-dine, but instead opted for small plates. My companion had the mere $10 burger and I had the Indonesian-style chicken salad.
He also had a Heineken and I asked the waitress for a sweet white wine. I was happy to be served a lovely Riesling that I am sad I do not recall the name. After a few sips we settled in and discussed our directional mishap that led us to this dining gem.
Moments after that our meal arrived. Much more than either of us anticipated.
My Indonesian salad was a rainbow of vegetables...green beans, carrots, tomato, greens, skewers of chicken seasoned with a tang and a spice that were out of this world. The salad was similarly tossed with the dressing and the portion was generous.
The burger was served open faced with a generous and tasty portion of cheese and julienne cut fries, avocado and other trimmings that make it more of an open-faced Salisbury steak than an ordinary burger.
SERVICEWonderful. The hostess and our server were both helpful, kind, welcoming, and generous. (We actually saw our waitress at one of the bars we visited later an her demeanor remained the same-- tres cool.)
RESTROOMSWe dined, but, alas, we did not stop by the restrooms.
SUGGESTIONThere was a dissonance between the "light 80s-pop" inspired jazz and the sophistication of the dining room. The music could have been softer in volume and better matched to the venue. Perhaps a more traditional jazz soundtrack or gentle electronica/lounge with a global bent to it? The menu features hints of global sophistication. The music should, too.
Labels: "Albany, NY" "dp American Brasserie" Indonesian American
The Crucible Fire Arts Festival
NARRATIVEApproaching and passing the West Oakland BART Station giants and giantesses constructed from metal begin to fill the skyline.
As the sun sets, fire tongues lick and leap from metal sculptures. Robots lumber and throw flames. Leather pants, and fire tools abound to the marvel and disbelief of the attendees and to the satisfaction of the artists and performers.
CONTACT INFORMATIONThe Crucible
1260 7th Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: 510-444-0919
Email: info@thecrucible.org
HOURSWednesday-Saturday, 2nd week in July
8 pm - midnight
* Fire & Arts Soiree is held on Saturday.
PRICE RANGELuxurious (but worth it!) or ask to volunteer!
SUMMARYAfter 7 years of watching this flaming spectacle from the freeway and that BART-way I finally decided to volunteer to get a grounds-eye view of the goings-on.
From the gorgeous Serpent Mother to the stories upon stories of metal sculpture gods and goddesses surrounded by a flaming garden of spectacle, art, robotics, pyrotechnics, demonstration, and interactivity (DANCE DANCE IMMOLATION!), the entire site is alight with elements that entice and delight all ages.
Last night I served as a youth escort and worked with another youth escort to introduce the little 5 years olds to the fire arts and explain how it all worked. Their eyes (as well as mine) opened wide at the wonder of so much fire, noise, music, performances, and characters that abounded on the grounds.
The Fire Oddesey combines dance, theater, opera, live and recorded music, humor, acrobatics, aerobatics that filled the bleachers and held the audiences delight.
All hail the Fire Arts Festival and the Crucible for an excellent event!
SERVICEAwesome. Well organized from the layout to the volunteer experience and the participant logistics.
RESTROOMSPort-o-potties with handwashing stations! (Always appreciated.)
SUGGESTIONMore demonstrations of the how these pieces were created or perhaps a pre-festival gallery walk where we can ask the artists how these pieces were created!
Labels: Fire Arts Festival, robotics, The Crucible
