Dine

Hopscotch

Off the beaten path and off my radar, but I finally made it into this über-hip joint lurking on the outskirts of the ever-booming Uptown district.

It was this article in Oakland Magazine that put it back on my to-dine list, but this review by Michael Bauer that sealed the deal. 

From the moment you walk in the door, you'll question whether or not you're cool enough to be there but don't be put off by that - serious substance awaits. I love the retro diner decor and the coziness of this tiny space. There are maybe a dozen tables and it's only a matter of time before there's a line out the door.

The bartender, sporting a poofy hairstyle to match that retro diner vibe, mixes up some tasty artisinal cocktails. I had the Corpse Reviver no 2 because I'm obsessed ​with absinthe right now - especially the one from the folks at St George Spirits.

Oh, and last but not least the food, described as "Japanese comfort food", sounds like an oxymoron I know. I for one do not seek out sushi when only mashed potatoes will do, but trust me when I tell you Kyle Itani's take on "diner food" goes well beyond merely comfort.

​The Smoked Kampachi Crudo goes down as one of the best raw fish dishes I've ever had and the Manilla Clam Hot Pot while completely different is equally delicious. The Pork Chop with lardo, bamboo shoots and crispy garlic knocks it out of the park and the Skillet Roasted Striped Bass is a close second if in fact you need more fish.

The finale - a butterscotch pudding, could go toe-to-toe with Flora for creating a cult following with a tiny bowl of creamy scorched sugar - and that is saying something. 

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Honor Kitchen & Cocktails

Emeryville has it going on when it comes to trendy cafes, attracting start-ups and behemoths alike, shopping and deluxe cinemas, but not so much when it comes to a hip dining and nightlife scene. This place is sure to help with that shortcoming.

Honor clearly strives to be über-cool but in such a refreshing, low-key way you might not notice. The sense of ease starts with the fact that you can find parking right outside the door - no easy feat in the SF Bay Area, especially if the restaurant is worth a visit in the first place.

A cozy atmosphere, engaging soundtrack - Motown the first visit and Zeppelin, Sabbath and The Who the second, tasty artisanal cocktails, a hardy, small-plates menu, tub of beer AND pinball make this an honorable establishment indeed.

The Honor Cheeseburger and Hand-Cut Kennebeck Fries are a must. The other stand-outs include: Warm Burrata - I pretty much make it a rule to order this whenever I see it on a menu, the Pot of Brandade and of course, the Grilled Shishito Peppers. If you have any room, their Caramel Pot De Creme is worth a try.

As far as cocktails go, the list is inventive and reasonable - at least I consider $10 per drink for high-quality ingredients reasonable. I like The Von Tesse - vodka, st.germain, mathilde poire, absinthe, peychaud's and lemon.

If you're really thirsty upon arrival, the self-serve bucket of beers is very handy and with brews like Old Milwaukee in the can it's sure to appeal to the hipster in all of us.

Honor provides the perfect pre or post-movie pit stop. Plus what's not to like about a place that declares they honor great music, great atmosphere and honorable folks?

Rumbo al Sur

If you're driven to seek out and sample new restaurants the minute they open the doors like I am, you're probably asking yourself - "what the heck took her so long with this review"?

​They opened those doors over a year ago after all, and I was very motivated by the fact that this was the latest East Bay outpost from the folks behind À Côté, as well as their catchy tagline - Rumba al Sur means southbound journey. 

Truth is, this was not my first visit but rather my third.

And another truth is, if you rush into enough restaurants sooner or later you will experience what it means to witness them "working out the kinks". But here's the deal. Although I'm no longer a little girl, I'm still fearful of my grandmother's advice  - "if you don't have anything nice to say, then say nothing at all".

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it. If you don't see a restaurant review here on Gather365, it doesn't mean I haven't been there - it means I don't have anything nice to say.

You're reading this now, so trust me when I say they have gone WAY beyond working out the kinks. I had an inkling that third time's the charm when I spotted fried green tomatoes on the menu - nothing gets a Southern girl's attention faster. Although stacked with juicy bay shrimp, avocado and jalapenos en escabeche, I'm pretty sure it would get most people's attention.

Add that to a perfectly crafted margarita, some of the best house-made chips, guacamole and salsa I've ever tasted and this visit is off to a great start! An entree of Achiote pork for two with coconut rice, black beans and grilled pineapple salsa + impeccable service = muy bueno all the way around.

Here comes the best part - dining at that huge communal table next to folks from ​where else but North Carolina?  Just plain meant to be I reckon.

Revival

Amy Murray has been doing the farm-to-table thing in the East Bay for a very long time. So when she says it's Berkeley's turn for a Revival, I believe her.

She's the Chef/Co-Owner of Venus Restaurant  also in Berkeley (where she's been dishing up seasonal, organic and sustainable food for almost 10 years).

Her latest venture is the newly opened Revival Bar + Kitchen where she describes the menu as - snout to tail, root to shoot and all from scratch.

AND she's an enthusiastic supporter of the food movement that is Farmer Jane.org  about which she was quoted as saying  - "I am constantly inspired by women who roll up their sleeves, bring their hearts, souls and feminine touch to their work".

Michael Brennan did an excellent job with the restaurant design, which features reclaimed wood, great plaster effects and lots of turn-of-the-century fixtures and accessories.

One review I read describes the bar as - "sexy saloon-meets-bordello vibe, with atmospheric lighting". I'd say that's spot on - just like their cocktail recipes.

Try the Spring Fling  - gin, basil, ginger and a splash of fresh lime or the Farmer Jane - bourbon, orange tea liquor, strawberry, lemon, honey mint and soda.

Vive la Berkeley!