Dinner In Alameda

[asarwate]

My research group is planning on going to dinner + bowling in Alameda (the bowling is cheaper there). I'm looking for recommendations on where to get dinner. We have one vegetarian and would prefer something not too pricey.

I've heard Bagan is good, but it would be nice to have a few options. Any recommendations?

[peterme]

I can't in good conscience recommend Tomatina. It's Italian for families, and not very interesting.

My last dinner in Alameda was at The New Zealander, (http://www.the-newzealander.com/) a very convivial pub with excellent burgers and a sizable menu.

I second Speisekammer for group eats. Massive tables to gather around, and good beer. They have vegetarian options.

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Speisekammer
2424 Lincoln Ave, Alameda, CA 94501

New Zealander
1400 Webster St, Alameda, CA 94501

[nicedragonboy]

depending on how casual you're looking for, Hob Nob might be fun, it's more small plates, snacking food and a hang out atmostphere though. It's a few doors down from the previously mentioned Pho Little Saigon.

Speisekammer just off of Park St and Lincoln Ave, is a fun place too, but maybe not a great option for vegetarians. German food and beer.

[Ruth Lafler]

I forgot to mention that Havana appears to be ready to open any day -- if the food is anywhere near as appetizing as the menu, it will be a great addition to the local food scene.

[foodfan]

I will wait on other posters to test out ~ I ate at their branch in Walnut Creek once and had just an awful meal paired with an expensive ($11) but indifferent mojito. Even the fact that I was using a Passport deal that got us a free entree didn't make it worth it. Hopefully I was there on an off night and this will be a good addition for Park Street.

[Melanie Wong]

Here's my old post on Havana in Walnut Creek with some comments from a "shy" chowhound,
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/29993...
Wonder if anything has changed?

[Ruth Lafler]

I wasn't aware this was related to the WC Havana. Is it for sure? I just assumed that "Havana" is generic for Cuban restaurants the way "Saigon" or "Hong Kong" is for Vietnamese/Chinese restaurants. The reason it didn't occur to me is that I know the place is at least partially owned by the guy who owns the Italian places next door (who owns the building).

[Ruth Lafler]

As a point of information, according to the menu in the window, the mojitos at the Alameda Havana top out at $9 (most of them are $7), so maybe not the same.

[foodfan]

Maybe it was $9, (I ordered the one with 10 Cane after a fabulous drink featuring the rum at One Market) but whatever the price, it was a disappointing cocktail. I am almost positive the ownership is the same as Walnut Creek, although there is no mention on their web site. Should be any time now ~

[Melanie Wong]

Here's an article that says Zachary Scott owns both places.
http://www.alamedamagazine.com/media/...

[sarvey]

I'd like to try Bagan, too. If you do, please post.

Sushi House is right across the street from the bowling alley. Always packed, much better quality than one might think for the kind of place it is, and cheap. Service is minimal. But I chalk it up to an Alameda experience. Nice view too.

I also like Otaez on Webster (the other side of the island) for Mexican. It's another big, cheesy restaurant. But if you order carefully, for me that means avoid the fried food, it can be really good.

Also close to Otaez is East Ocean Seafood for Chinese. I've only had their dim sum but it was excellent. Don't get confused with a place of similar name down the street that has a buffet.

[dhatchell]

I second the Otaez and East Ocean recommendations-- these are destination spots alone for Alameda-- Otaez is good w/ their regular dinners- even for neophyte mexican eater-- East Ocean has great seafood and noodle dishes besides dim sum

[Ruth Lafler]

Oh, and La Pinata isn't great food, but you can have a good meal if you order carefully, and the margaritas are good -- it's a convivial place that will set the mood for a fun evening.

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La Pinata Restaurant III (now La Penca Azul)
1440 Park St, Alameda, CA 94501

[Ruth Lafler]

There are a couple of decent Chinese restaurants on Park St. (among the truly terrible ones): Ark and Hong Kong Seafood. The Pho Little Saigon is pretty good for Vietnamese, and if you want to make your vegetarian really happy, there's an all-vegetarian (fake meat) Vietnamese restaurant that's pretty good. Finally, Tomatina is pretty good for groups, even if it is part of a (small local) chain.

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Central Vegetarian Cuisine
1613 Park St, Alameda, CA 94501

Pho Little Saigon
1319 Park St, Alameda, CA 94501

Hong Kong City Seafood
1425 Park St, Alameda, CA 94501

Ark Chinese
1405 Park St, Alameda, CA 94501

Tomatina
1338 Park St, Alameda, CA