Oakland: Piedmont Ave. recommendations?

[cortez]

I've heard good things about restaurants on Piedmont Ave. in Oakland. But, I don't recall particular recommendations for particular places. I used to live there many years ago and would like to go back for a restaurant tour.

Any chowhound recommendations (any style or ethnicity is fine) for Piedmont Ave.?

Thanks for your help.

[klyeoh]

I tried Bay Wolf for the first time today, and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of their ingredients and the precision of their cooking.

Started off with a delicate artichoke, new potato & leek soup, subtly accentuated with a chive creme fraiche.

Entree was a robust-flavored grilled chicken sausage, accompanied by grilled asparagus (perfect) & a very delightful green garlic flan.

Dessert was a bittersweet chocolate-almond cake with Earl Grey creme anglaise & chocolate sauce.

If there is such a thing as a "perfect lunch" - this place just did it for me.

[laurenb]

Since you said you lived there before I thought I would bring up Little Shin Shin. I grew up in Piedmont and it has and always will be a favorite of mine.Shin Shin special Prawns, Mu Shu Pork and Kung Pao Beef are by far the best chinese dishes I have had.

[lexdevil]

Change of ownership in the past year has led to a downward slide in the kitchen.

[pirog]

Bay Wolf is always delicious - it's more pricey/classy than most of the spots on Piedmont Ave. Dopo is also yummy and I like Cesar too, but it can be a little pricey.

[Robert Lauriston]

We had a good meal at Bay Wolf last year but I wasn't happy with the wine list or the lack of a cheese plate (weird for a place with such a strong French influence).

[milklady]

I had a pretty mediocre meal at Bay Wolf recently. I wash horrified by "haricot verts" that were so mushy and gross they really seemed like canned green beans. The patio and service were pleasant, but I can't get over the green beans.

[hohokam]

I'll echo some of the sentiments about Cesar: very good food, but easy to rack up a big tab.

I was also much impressed by their bar offerings. I'm not a big-time drinker, but even I can imagine spending the better part of a day sampling from their wine and aperitif lists while snacking away on tapas.

[Robert Lauriston]

Based on how often I eat there, Dopo's my favorite restaurant these days, with the Piedmont branch of Cesar a close second. Both have great selections of wine by the glass.

Dopo's antipasto misto is a must. The pizza guy is a master, despite the handicap of a gas deck oven he makes some of the best around--try the one with prosciutto draped over it after it comes out.

[10foot5]

This may be sacrilege around here, but I prefer the pizza at Dopo to that at Pizzaolo - especially Dopo’s house pizza with anchovies.

If the kitchen is not too busy they will even do take-out and Dopo’s pizza definitely definitely travels better than Pizzaolo’s.

[The Dive]

We had a great pizza last week at Dopo with hedgehog mushrooms and lemon zest. However, I still think the gas oven makes it come second (albeit close) to Pizzaola.

[singleguychef]

I think Dopo is good, but it's a bit mixed in some dishes. The pizzas are generally good and the lasagna. I think the charcuterie plate is overpriced.

Xyclo is not bad but also a bit mixed in my opinion: http://singleguychef.blogspot.com/200...

Although if you go to Xyclo, definitely get the claypot medley. Very satisfying.

Cesar's is good but you can end up paying a lot before you feel satisfied.

Gregoire is not really a restaurant but they have seating if you want a casual dinner at this really tiny place.

Ninna has been featured on KQED's Check Please. It's a Thai place that tries to be a bit fusion. Haven't been to it so can't give you first-hand report.

Bay Wolf is a classic, but the last time I was there it was just OK.

[merle]

Ninna is pretty good. I've tried both a Thai(ish) dish there and an Italian(ish) dish. Both were very tasty, but not extraordinary. Service was a bit slow, as one might expect from a place with one server and one cook. Off-season seems to be the time to go there.

[brokergal]

For fresh, seasonal preparations of local ingredients Bay Wolf is a must - I've probably eaten there a couple of dozen times over the past 15 years and the food has never disappointed.

[Food Fiend]

So far, you've got a unanimous vote for Dopo, but I'm in the minority on Cesar; I think it's overrated (and overpriced).

I also like Xyclo, and Tropix is a solid if not terribly innovative choice.

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Tropix Caribbean Restaurant
3814 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611

[dml]

Third rec for Dopo.

[JasmineG]

Dopo, Cesar, and Jojo. All very different, all I recommend without hesitation, and if you go to Dopo, definitely get pasta.

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Dopo
4293 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611

Bar César
4039 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611

Jojo
3859 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611

[Lori SF]

Off the top of my head the ones I like but have not been to for awhile-
Newish if you have not been in the area many years- both very good from my last experiences
Dopo, 4293 Piedmont Ave
Cesar's- 4039 Piedmont Ave
Xyclo- I have not been here but it's new-4218 Piedmont Ave- Modern Vietnamese

I love the Tea shop across the movie theatre forget the name..