Bay Area Trip Help
My family and I will be visiting the in-laws (in Lafayette) over the Thanksgiving weekend. I have a couple of requests:
1) My wife is taking me to Gary Danko to celebrate my 40th birthday. Are there any "must-orders"? I'm a foodie, but have rarely gone to any really top-notch/expensive restauarants...prefering to find the cheap gems. Consequently I'm leaning towards trying things like foie gras and sweetbreads...things I just don't the opportunity to taste. Good choices? Anything else I must try?
2) Whenever we visit the area I like to take my two sons (7 and 10) on the BART and just explore. Since we are geeks, we usually end up at Endgame in Oakland (12th St BART) and then the Shattuck area of Berkeley. When we are out and about, where should we eat? We did bakesale betty's last year (pretty good, but not "talk about a year later good.") I'm looking for something with "wow" factor. Of course these are kids, so sweets are good (was thinking that Crixa Cakes might be good)..but I'm struggling for lunch. Zachary's looks good, but I know it's not really a favorite of the board.
So:
1) What to order at Gary Danko?
2) Where to take my boys that is close to BART, preferable in the Lafayette/Oakland/Berkeley triangle?
3) Bonus question: Must buys at the Ferry building on Sunday? Going to spend day there before Gary Danko.
Thanks for the help.
By chuckles2000
on Nov 24, 2009 10:42 AM
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Fruitvale in Oakland for authentic Mexican - tacos, tamales, ice cream, etc., etc.
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Since you mentioned, foie gras, I'll note that foie gras is often mentioned as a standout at Gary Danko. If you're going to do the full fine dining experience, then really go for it!
What kinds of food do your kids like? Oakland Chinatown is just a block from 12th St. BART. It might be fun just to walk around with the boys and buy whatever strikes your fancy. There's lots of stuff you can graze on (bakeries with both sweet and savory baked goods, take-out dim sum, BBQ, etc.). You could do sit-down dim sum, too, at any one of several places (I'm not sure which place is currently at the top of its game).
What day are you going to be in Oakland? There's a good farmers' market a couple of blocks from the 12th St. BART station on Friday mornings (9th and Clay, 8-2), that's also fun for grazaing. ScreamSorbet has a stand there, for something sweet with wow factor (it's expensive, but a small serving is usually enough, and they're generous with samples).
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My kids are pretty adventuresome...they love Dim Sum. I'm pretty sure we are getting take-out from Yan's in Lafayette for dinner, but it's probably ok to double up on the Chinese food (dim sum and szechuan take out being fairly unrelated). We are going to be out and about on Black Friday (braving the crowds), so the farmer's market might be fun...in fact I think I ran into that on my last trip to Endgame a few years back. Maybe if we did that early enough we could still hit Zachary's, Pie in the Sky, Crixa, Tomm's BBQ, Wood's Tavern...or others too (those are the one's I've looked at recently).
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No need to suffer through Yan's. Lafayette has a very good Shanghainese restaurant, Lily's House.
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Unfortunately, Melanie, the in-laws are doing the ordering and Yan's is where they get take-out.. However, it is my 40th birthday meal, so maybe I can convince them to try Lily's House. I took a quick look on Yelp (yes, that can be dicey) and the reviews are decidely mixed. How recently have you been there? Recommendations on what/how to order?
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I had dinner at Lily's House last month. I only order from the menu of Shanghainese dishes, it's in English. Ignore the no-nothing Yelpers who complain about mango prawns. . . although maybe that's the kind of Americanized stuff your inlaws like. In that case, I'd say skip Lily's. I live in SF, and Lily's is my favorite Shanghainese food in the area.
Here's a link to chowhound reports on the food.
http://search.chow.com/search?query=L...
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You do know that Sunday at Ferry Plaza is really dead. Are you coming to the city with kids that day? I'm guessing that if you are eating at Danko your children will be staiying with the in-laws.
What are you doing Saturday, that would be the better day to go to Ferry Plaza. It is when the big market is held. I can't see more than an hour or two on a Sunday. Boulette's Larder makes some nice beignets.
Where are you coming from? I ask because of that Zackary's question. You really will have to go out of your way for mediocre pizza. Have you had the pizza at Cheeseboard yet? You could always go across the street to Epicurious Garden and have dim sum too.
Speaking of out of the way, another reason I ask where you are coming from, as much as I've been pushing Tomm's, I really, really ... really ... would NOT recommend it. It is really out of the way and in a terrible neighborhood with not another interesting thing nearby. Seating is minimal. If you are somewhere that is devoid of bbq you might give T-Rex a try. In the East Bay that's about the only place that is significantly different from the other BBQ. I'll bet if you blind-folded people and had bbq at every other place, they couldn't tell the difference.
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Hmm..lots to reply to here. Thanks so much for taking the time. I live in Wenatchee, WA and my in-laws live in Lafayette. On Friday with my boys I'm totally limited to BART and feet. Sounds like Tomm's is out, and I've heard enough questions on Zachary's to take it off the list. I have had Cheeseboard a couple years ago, which I enjoyed, but didn't think it was extraordinary. Also I worry that the line on Black Friday will just be crazy.
I was hoping Sunday wouldn't be "really dead", but Saturday is our Tgiving and we won't be driving into the city until Sat night. We have Sunday free. Figured there would be enough to do there to spend a liesurely few hours nibbling and drinking before a nap followed by Gary Danko. Was just looking for recommendations like "Do not miss the x at y" (understanding that there would be a lot more "x's" if we were there on Saturday.
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there seems to be a pizza theme in your tentative lists; some of the best pizza in the east bay is made at Pizzaiolo, just a few blocks more distant from the Bart station than Bakesale Betty's. The non-pizza stuff is very good too--everything made from very fresh ingredients.
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Slight correction, by Google Pizzaiolo is 189 feet from Bakesale Betty's
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Unfortunately Pizzaiolo isn't open for lunch.
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At lunchtime, Lanesplitter is open. It's about two blocks from Bakesale Betty's. For optimal results, order a whole 15" pie. The larger pie is often a bit undercooked in the middle and reheated slices are a bit overcooked.
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For a BART-accessible lunch, how about Pican? Haven't heard any reports about their lunch menu, but it sure looks good, possibly approaching WOW?
Two other BART stops worthy of exploring are 16th&Mission and 24th&Mission. Plenty of lunch options near both. Not so sure about the WOW factor, unless you swoon for good tacos and burritos.
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(1) In addition to the foie gras, I really enjoy the lobster risotto at Gary Danko. Also, the cheese cart is quite nice.
(2) I like the suggestions of Fruitvale and Oakland Chinatown, though it has been 5+ years since I've been to either, which is just sad. I hope the taco trucks, banh mi shops, et al are still churning it out.
I'm drawing a complete blank on food by the Downtown Berkeley stop. Ryowa? Great China? Some Top Dogs and roaming the Cal campus?
At Macarthur, you have some of the better Korean places, like Seoul Gomtang and Ohgane, though the latter is about a half mile walk. Not a very picturesque neighborhood, though.
(3) I'm a big fan of the sopressata at Boccalone. Cheeses at Cowgirl, oysters at Hog Island also nice. Apparently, the pastrami sandwich at Prather is supposed to be excellent, but I have not tried it. Maybe tomorrow.
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First of all: Happy Birthday!
While you're exploring around Shattuck you might want to wander down University to Chocolatier Bleu. Their hot chocolate is pretty wow, as are the seasonal chocolates (they're expensive, but kinda worth it). Downtown Berkeley's BART station also has bonus proximity to Comic Relief and Games of Berkeley, to get your geek on.
Alas, there is no farmer's market in downtown Oakland this Friday because of the holiday. (That sorbet is pretty amazing, though, for next time you're here).
Crixa might be special enough to warrant a detour, especially if you like fruity/nutty pastries.
And personally I prefer the Ferry Building on Sunday, when it's not as manic. Must buys: Boccalone for a salty pig treat or five. I love their mortadella. Also, Cowgirl Creamery makes a great cheese called Pierce Pt. that's only available in the fall and winter.
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In Berkeley I'd stop in Gourmet Ghetto -- Gregoire, Cheese Board Collective and Epicurious Garden, all with a block or so of each other and a 10 min walk from BART. All these will be kid friendly and casual more or less yet still on the tasty side for adults. You could also walk to the UC Berkeley campus and around and then bum around Telegraph Ave, get a Top Dog or slice of pizza from Fat Slice and look at street vendor stuff.
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link
1512 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709
2109 Cedar St, Berkeley, CA 94709
2534 Durant Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
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If you decide to check out Fruitvale for tacos, tamales, corn on the cob, churros and some kick-butt ice cream, here is the map that rw_orange did for me last November:
http://local.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=111386974984487942660.000458e05a96736e8fd05&ll=37.775803,-122.219403&spn=0.015502,0.024762&z=15
and links to the threads that led to the map being created:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/562094
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/571843
We had a great time and I think it would be even better on a Friday (we went on a Monday). Happy birthday, and have an awesome trip!
grayelf from Vancouver BC not WA
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Thank you all so much for the responses. I've talked it over with my youngest and we've decided on a Friday itinerary of:
Start in Oakland Chinatown for the take-out Dim Sum bakery crawl. Need to assemble the specifics, but Sun Sing for the baked char sui bao and egg tarts at Ruby King and a few others. Then we do the Endgame thing (board games, card games and minis). Hop back on the BART to go up to Berkeley. Spend some time at Comic Relief (my boys love this place), then up to Gregoire for the Potato Puffs and the Flank steak sandwich...of course I just clicked on the link again to double check the menu and realize they are closed on Friday. Arrrgh. Thought I had it all figured out. Looks like we still have our lunch/afternoon snack slot open. We'll hit Crixa Cakes on the way home for the after dinner sweets.
The pastrami sammich on Sunday sounds lovely.
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Adventure Playground at the Marina in West Berkeley is wonderful for kids. Fourth Street, Spenger's, Brennann's, Seabreeze Cafe, Vik's, etc., etc. Available via AC Transit.
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That looks really cool, but only open on Sat and Sun....I think.
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Trying to think of a wow factor place somewhere in the vicinity, Zaki Kabob house has some amazing chicken ,... a recipe that has been passed down thru generations. Haven't been to either but Bobby G's and Lanesplitter Pizza get some positive mentions.
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With lanesplitter, the standout is the beer - probably not exceptional for kids. Good pizza, but not good enough to be a destination.
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I disagree, Lanesplitter's pizza is some of the best in the area, provided you have a 16" pie made to order.
I actually prefer it to Pizzaiolo--I appreciate the Neapolitan style, but prefer my crust to be crisp a la New York. And I think Lanesplitter beats all the other NY-style places in the area, with the exception that Pie in the Sky might be better by the slice.
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Perhaps I should add that I don't know from NYC pizza, but I know from beer, and their blend of freshness and selection of west coast locals is hard to beat anywhere in the bay area (especially the san pablo location).
For kids, I can imagine a huge benefit in "build your own slice", where they can try out whatever crazy taste combo they want. I've settled into a rut with one slice of peperoni garlic, one pineapple and anchovy.
I would honestly say the OP's better off at the Kebab house or the Pakistani place around the corner or even the "urban" culture of E&Js if one of those isn't something you get at home. I imagine kids and pizza are familiar across the US.
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The original post mentions Zachary's, so an alternative of pizza that isn't soggy and gloppy seems on point to me.
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Friday's is the Oakland Chinatown farmers market on 9th at Washington. An interesting market and typically a bit less expensive than its weekend cousins. You can also get live birds (as in Chickens and pigeons) or have them killed on the spot for you (don't know if they pluck the feathers for you).
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The farmers market would have been great, but an earlier reply indicated isn't wasn't going to be open this Friday.
Does anybody know if we'll have trouble with the Dim Sum/Bakeries being closed? Seems like that wouldn't be an issue.
Still looking for the early afternoon lunch spot, but we might just snack our way through the bakeries.
Wood tavern is also a thought. My oldest is a bit of a brger connisiuer (he still talks about the burger he had at Palace Kitchen in Seattle a few years ago).
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Asian places mostly keep regular hours. There'll be plenty open in Oakland Chinatown / Little Saigon / Koreatown.
Wood Tavern's burger doesn't do it for me, great meat but a baguette is the wrong tool for the job. On the other hand, the pastrami sandwich is glorious.
The burger at Mua (a few blocks from 19th St. BART) is awesome but the place doesn't open until 4:30.
Cafe Rouge is another contender for best burger in the East Bay. I should make a West Berkeley culinary tour map, there's a ton of stuff there but it's scattered around.
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That would be great, Robert. Yes, please do make one.
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If you haven't explored 4th St yet, Cafe Rouge would be great. Chocoletier Blue has an outpost there. There are also lots of other interesting shops. I think the toy store may still be there. Don't know how kids would dig this, but Teance is one of the best tea shops in the Bay Area. Also stop by the bakery next to Bette's Oceanview Diner for some cheesepuffs to take home. The Pasta Shop which is also in the Rockridge location has a spot here. Lots of free food samples for the weekend. Taycubaya which is mainly ok, has some nice weekend dishes, especially the menudo.
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How do you get to 4th St from the BART? Easy bus ride?
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Very easy. Walk to Shattuck/Center, across from the main exit/entrance to the BART station, and take the 51 in northbound direction. Get off at the end of the line, drops you right at 4th Street. A 15 minute bus ride, though waiting for the 51 can be tiresome.
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It's about a mile from the North Berkeley BART station. I'll try to whip out a map in the next day or so, there are dozens of interesting foodie stops besides the yuppie paradise at Fourth St.
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Here's a West Berkeley foodie tour map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&...
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What happened to Yellow Brick Cafe and Siam?
http://www.chow.com/restaurants/39394/yellow-brick-cafe-formerly-all-star-donut
http://www.chow.com/restaurants/17669...
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Oh yeah, and I forgot De Afghanan, too.
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Bet you'll get lots of requests/response. Please add Country Cheese. Thank you.
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I'm just listing my top picks. If you walk to Mi Tierra from University, and back on the other side of the street, there are a dozen other places to check out.
To me, Country Cheese is in a no-man's-land between Grocery Outlet on one hand and Peet's and the Pasta Shop on the other. Plus, a cheese store should not also sell coffee unless it has separate storage areas.
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and Jamaican Soul is now Flavah Island Cafe.
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Are there any Thai grocery stores left in Berkeley? I think the last time I walked down University the two Thai stores I saw had only videos and so on, no food to speak of.
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Has the Thai market next to the halal burrito place closed.
1704 University Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94703
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Other than that one, it seems Richmond and San Pablo are the go-to place for Thai / Lao markets. Don't know the Oakland situation though.
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There's Lao Market at 1619 International, and a Thai market a few doors down or in the next block, but it's not a very interesting stretch of International for walking.
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I also created one for downtown Oakland from Jack London Square to Koreatown:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&...
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And another map for Koreatown / Temescal:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&...
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I realize you concentrate on your favorites but is the map complete without Genova, Bear Naked and Calaca Loca which all get mentions on this board.
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I'm putting these together with tourists in mind, those seem like locals-only places to me.
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Grocery Outlet? At least at Genova you can get a decent sandwich for your picnic or plane ride.
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Grocery Outlet's a regional chain, its easternmost stores are in Idaho and Arizona. I think it's fun for anybody who doesn't live near one.
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Heck I would certainly want to see the Grocery Outlet if I were from Kansas City. Should that be easternmost since I think we are west of Idaho.
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Here's a link to the Fourth St Shops with holiday info such as the free, hot cider and cocoa at Chocolatier Blue Patisserie. ... though that doesn't start till 4:30
http://www.fourthstreet.com/
The Ark is the toy shop I was thinking of. I haven't bought gifts since last Christmas. Glad to see they are still in business
http://www.fourthstreet.com/shop_1812...
And I have been forgetting ... Happy Birthday ... Happy Thanksgiving ... Happ trip
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