Flora

If you took a walking tour and experienced Flora strictly from the outside as the outstanding Art Deco gem that it is you would be satisfied, but if you went inside – you would be elated.

The original architectural details are plentiful, the atmosphere is bustling, the food is simple and delicious and the bar is top-notch.

I love the artisan cocktail movement and Flora can keep step with the best of them, but sometimes all a great drink needs is two simple, high-quality ingredients. Chopin and Fever-Tree tonic fits that bill.

"There's an urban, Tribeca feel to Oakland's Uptown district, with Flora anchoring a neighborhood revival...."

Rave reviews AND comparisons to one of the hottest neighborhoods in NYC? Resurgence. Uptown. Indeed.

Did I mention it’s right across the street from the Fox Theater and they have created a cult following with their caramel pudding with sea salt?

Mua

Just when I was about to give up on finding a truly hip spot to go for drinks in Oakland – I found this place.

It’s bustling, big and open yet cozy, the music is great and I love the funky, arty warehouse-vibe plus they make a great cocktail. If you like Cachaça– and I do, try thePepper Basil Caipirinha.

If you’re staying for dinner don’t miss the Softshell Crab Po’boy sandwich.

I don’t know if the signage is intentionally Basquiat but the interior certainly is – and that’s a good thing.

It reminded me that it’s time to watch this incredible movie again. Directed by Julien Schnabel and featuring a star-studded cast including Jeffrey Wright, Davie Bowie, Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, Christopher Walken and Bencio Del Toro - Basquiat is a vivid and compelling journey through the downtown art scene of New York in the '80's.

Did I mention there's a live DJ – spinning some great vintage soul – during dinner – before 11:00PM and there’s no cover charge nor trip to San Francisco required? It just doesn’t get any better than that for me.

Rockit City DJ’s mixed some old favorites – and turned me onto a few new ones – for the perfect dinner music groove.

Bridge & Tunnel

I’m a huge fan of the Oakland Uptown renaissance and thought I’d hit all the hot spots. Somehow I missed this place – hard to believe considering Cafe Van Kleef already made a SF Gate Top 5 list.

The review in The NY Times says “San Francisco finally has a Brooklyn to call its own – a carnivalesque utopia”.  I think that is so spot on, there’s not much else to add.

But I will say this.  While it’s great to visit such an intimate and kooky venue in pursuit of live music, it is not necessary - the live music that is. The décor and the eclectic array of patrons are all the entertainment you’ll need. Well, and ordering one of those greyhound drinks that all the yelpers rave about will surely enhance your experience.

I also say bring on the “dirty-but-dapper café-bar”!

Potato Chicharrones

There is seemingly no end to the restaurant boom in Oakland’s Uptown – and I for one am enjoying the energy, resurgence and abundant choice that is redefining this great neighborhood.

Plum, Daniel Patterson’s new outpost in the East Bay – kicks up the serious foodie vibe and makes the list as a neighborhood game-changer.

Akin to his menu at Coi, Patterson delights in local, seasonal ingredients but in a way that is uniquely his own and the dishes at Plum are less composed and a lot more casual. However, the layering of taste and texture is so complex and multi-faceted that it’s hard to explain in a single post but this offers a very detailed description that’s worth reading before you try Patterson’s creations.

Dishes like New Harvest Potatoes– with staffan’s lardo, fresh shallots, chanterelles and wild arugula or Pork Trotter Burger – with kohlrabi sauerkraut, apple mustard on a fresh Acme bun might not sound that complex, but one bite – along with a very appetizing description from the well-versed wait staff will convince you otherwise.

The space is small, chic and almost brooding with the deep Bordeaux colored walls, Edison bulbs and super-sized art installations by Catherine Wagner. The soundtrack is both compelling and loud and they're open for dinner until 1am so they have the late night, hip crowd thing covered – an all around multi-sensory experience for sure.

Now, we wait for Bracina.....

Haven

Daniel Patterson is raising the culinary bar in the East Bay so high that pretty soon there will be little reason to pay that bridge toll. His flagship restaurant might be in San Francisco but he's steadily building a very worthy fleet right here in Oakland.

First there was Plum and then Plum Bar. Now, his latest venture, Haven, located in Jack London Square will leave you awestruck in every way. The décor is at once hip, contemporary, cozy and warm. The attention to detail is crazy and everything they place on the table screams supremely tactile - from the monogrammed felt coasters, to the Heath ceramics, to the air plants in place of flowers, to the sea salt that's so tasty it must be worth it's weight in gold.

Notice I haven't even gotten to the food yet, which can only be described as over the top. No, maybe decadent redefined is a better description. They say "technique-driven food" - yeah, I'll say. The list of techniques is long and varied including sous-vide, foams, reductions, firelit - all producing combinations that are as incredible to look at as they are to eat.

We ordered five different dishes from pasta to scallops to chicken to cauliflower to dessert and they were all so painstakingly prepared and presented that I cannot pick a favorite. 

The handcrafted cocktails featuring concoctions like the Clipper Ship with gin, elderflower, lime, and fresh fennel juice clearly require the same dedication to quality and technique as the food.

Then there's the music which is edgy, loud and unexpected - especially for a "fancy restaurant". You'll likely hear something from The Vines or The Big Pink. And even if you don't normally listen to their music, you will like it because it keeps you on your toes and completely engaged in a full-sensory experience.

I've saved one of the the best features for last and that is the top-notch service. Yes, the wait staff is prompt, friendly and professional but that is not what ranks as over the top. Their true skill lies in their deep knowledge and enthusiasm for each and every item on that menu. Like a captain needs a crew, they make navigating this restaurant so much more rewarding.

Yes, Heaven - I mean Haven indeed.