Definition - hawk·er /Noun/ ˈhôkər/ - A person who travels around selling goods, typically advertising them by shouting.
Well, that pretty much sums up how I feel about this latest addition to the ever-burgeoning restaurant scene in Uptown Oakland. And judging by all the rave reviews, I am not the only patron shouting.
To be fair, I must say that I REALLY like Thai food - the curry, the coconut milk, the bright flavors of the fresh herbs and spices. Add the famed Michelin star chef, James Syhabout of Commis, to the list of ingredients and now we're talking ADORE Thai food.
But it's not just the food here. It's everything. Everything that is straight-up Oakland - hip, vibrant, low-key and top-notch all at once. I read one review that said "at Commis you taste the genius; at Hawker Fare, you taste the soul - and hear the song - behind the smarts". Yep - spot on. For me, what sets Oakland restaurants apart is always about the S.O.U.L.
Time your dinner here with a stroll through Oakland's Art Murmur on the first Friday of each month - don't miss this exhibit, and you'll be hawking this area louder than me - and that is saying something.