Rockridge BART: what not to miss?
I'm heading over to the Rockridge brand of The Pasta Shop to pick up some Mariage Freres tea for two thank you presents I need to buy. Since it's been awhile since I've been out that way, I thought I'd see what people like out there for lunch and shopping.
Farine and Peaberry's immediately caught my attention: are they both worth checking out? Perhaps some fresh bread/pastries or a bag of coffee would be a nice addition to my gifts. Both of my gift recipients live in SF, so some East Bay flavor would lend some uniqueness to my efforts. What are your favorites, or should I just be going to Tartine and Blue Bottle?
And after all that shopping, I'll need to eat lunch. I'm thinking Oliveto Cafe or A Cote, but would love some cheaper casual options if they are easy to get to and tasty.
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A Cote
5478 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
Oliveto Cafe
5655 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
By Pei
on Nov 8, 2009 10:19 PM
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A Cote does not serve lunch. I would also consider Wood Tavern or Soi 4 for that. You can eat at the bar at Wood Tavern, which might be more comfortable for a solo diner. I also like Uzen for reliably good Japanese food, including sushi. Wood Tavern, Soi 4, and Oliveto all serve cocktails, if that makes a difference for you. The shops in the Market Hall are worth your time, though not cheap. You might add some Blue Chair jam (made in Oakland and available at the Pasta Shop) to your gifts, though it's pricier in the Pasta Shop than it is at the farmers markets. Outside of the world of food, this stretch of College Ave. has lots of nice boutique-y shops. Enjoy.
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A Cote
5478 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
Oliveto Restaurant
5655 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
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Wood Tavern does serve lunch but the menu is different from dinner so if you have been for dinner do not expect the same thing. Wood Tavern would be convienent if you are stopping by La Farine as they are just a couple of doors apart. If you enjoy a pint of beer there is Barclay's which is just between Wood Tavern and The Pasta Shop (on the opposite side of the street). There is outside seating if it is a nice day. If you want some great cherry tomatos the veggie place at the back of Market Hall has great ones. They are typically on the expensive side but quality is usually very high.
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Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
La Farine
6323 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
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Wood Tavern's my favorite place for lunch not just in Rockridge but the East Bay.
For tea, you should check out Far Leaves, too. If you wear glasses, don't miss Phoenix.
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Far Leaves Tea
2979 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705
Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
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South of Rockridge BART you've got Uzen (my favorite sushi in Oakland), and Bittersweet (chcoolate cafe that has drinking chocolate, and some excellent treats).
North of Rockridge BART, you cannot have better lunch than Wood Tavern. Cole Coffee, on 63rd and College, has some of the best coffee in the East Bay, including a variety of roasts dripped to order.
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Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
Uzen Japanese Cuisine
5415 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
Bittersweet Cafe
5427 College Ave, Oakland, CA
Cole Coffee
3179 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94705
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Definitely go to Wood Tavern for lunch, it's great. La Farine is absolutely worth checking out, it's right next door to Wood Tavern, about three blocks from BART. I like Oliveto Cafe, but it's nowhere as good as Wood Tavern's lunch.
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Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
La Farine
6323 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
Oliveto Cafe
5655 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
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Another vote for Wood Tavern. Fabulous "new style" pastrami on baguette with a side of fluffy coleslaw, a second sandwich alternative (a great entry in the rotation has smoked cod, avocado), thin frites served with small pots of mustard, catsup and aioli (you may have to ask for the aioli but they're most obliging), good beer selection, nice burger, prices very reasonable for quality/quantity. When you then stagger down to La Farine, try the Swiss Twinkie (croissant with chopped nuts/sugar/cinnamon rolled in), Frangipane (delicately flavored almond croissant), pain au chocolat, plain croissant (best if you can exercise the self-restraint to get it home, heat up briefly in a convection oven to revive all those buttery layers back to complete flakiness), apricot rugelah, morning buns.
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Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
La Farine
6323 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
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Wow, I'd better bring a suitcase and prepare to run ten miles a day with that glowing endorsement for La Farine!
What is "new style" pastrami? I checked out Wood Tavern's menu, and it does look reasonably priced and really tasty. The chile rubbed roast pork sandwich caught my attention, but I'm not one to turn down a well made pastrami either.
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Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
La Farine
6323 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
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It's nice, fatty Niman pastrami on a piece of baguette with Emmenthaler cheese and Dijon-horseradish dressing.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/490347
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Yet another vote for Wood Tavern. When visiting family in Oakland, this is the unanimous choice of our group for lunch -- comfortable, familiar, friendly and delicious. For a special treat, try a draft beer -- Old Speckled Hen -- from the bar.
It's a place to go back to time and time again in a very fun and interesting neighborhood.
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Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
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Warning: OSH is british. it's good if you like the british style - no hops, lots of body - and it's been transported a long distance, so whatever hops have faded. I know some people who swear by OSH (on the peninsula, find it at BBC in Menlo Park), but give me a west coast IPA every time.....
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Menlo Cafe
620 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
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Wood Tavern has Old Speckled Hen on nitro tap and it has been perfectly fresh the three or four times I've ordered it. To my taste it pairs perfectly with the pastrami. Not the thing to order if you like your beer bitter and fizzy.
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Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
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They also have Moose Drool brown ale from Montana on tap--how can you resist?
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It's unbelievable rich, but incredibly memorable. I'd order it again in a heartbeat.
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I dream about the pastrami sandwich at Wood Tavern daily..... it's scary good.
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Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
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No argument about Wood Tavern, but if you want something quick and casual, its hard to beat the crispy tacos at Cactus taqueria right next to the Bart station.
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Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
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I totally agree, I love the crispy tacos at Cactus Taqueria.
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Cactus Taqueria
5642 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
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This is my hood:
My wife and I love Uzen, Cole Coffee, La Farine (also poke your head into Ver Brugge's butchery next door). Wood Tavern is great, but expensive.
Alternatively, walk a little farther down and get sandwiches at Bakesale Betty on 51st/Telegraph or sandwiches at Genova Deli.
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Bakesale Betty
5098 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
La Farine
6323 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
Cole Coffee
3179 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94705
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I don't think Wood Tavern is expensive for the quality of the food or compared with Uzen. The pastrami is $10. At dinner, first courses are $8-11 and mains are $20-25.
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Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
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This is the first time I've read a thread and acted! Told my wife we should have lunch at Wood Tavern and it did note disappoint. The pastrami was great. The pork belly over lentils topped with a poached egg was phenomenal. Robert and dordogne should get a commission!
While on the subject of Rockridge, I'll put in a plug for the burgers at Barclay's. The menu is a step up from a standard pub menu, and I find their burgers to be very good--thick and juicy, on a toasted soft bun. And a great rotating beer selection to wash it down.
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Wood Tavern
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
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I'm not denying the Tavern's quality -- but for me, a $20-$25 dinner main is expensive.
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