Dinner in Oakland - near Cathedral of Christ the Light

[katkatf]

Hi, my hubby and I are going to the Chanticleer concert at the Cathedral in Oakland Saturday night. I know nothing about Oakland or its restaurants. Are there any a short walk from the Cathedral so we could park once for dinner and the concert? Actually, come to think of it, I know nothing about Oakland parking either!

If there's nothing near the Cathedral, how about something between there and 580 (we're driving down from the North Bay) that has easy parking?

In any case, we love simple - burgers, pizza, really good soup, or "comfort food" - pot pie, meatloaf, etc.. Thai is also a favorite, as is Vietnamese. Good price performer preferred (I know, that's subjective).

Thanks for any input.

[katkatf]

Thanks, everbody, for all the great suggestions. We ended up at TrueBurger - really great burgers and yummy, hot, fresh fries. It was convenient, reasonably priced, and just what we needed at the time. I was a bit put off when we arrived by how small, loud and crowded it seemed, but it was a good choice.

[nicedragonboy]

Sidebar has a good burger also and is just up the ways on Grand Ave.

[JasmineG]

The Cathedral has its own underground parking lot, so you can always park there (I'm not sure how much it costs for an event), and there's also street parking around there, but it's often a pain on a weekend night. Right across the street from the Cathedral (on the Grand side) is Trueburger, which is great, and quick. Luka's is good too, but is a bit of a scene on a Saturday night (if you plan on Luka's, make a reservation). Also, if you pick a restaurant that's a few blocks from the Cathedral, and you're eating after the concert, I'd park near the restaurant and walk to the Cathedral for the concert, so your car is right near you when you're done with dinner (and vice versa if you eat first).

-----
Trueburger
146 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94612

[ML8000]

There's the Terrace Room in the Merritt Hotel, nice art deco interior, American food/New Amircan, tops out around $20 per/entre.

[Melanie Wong]

And The Terrace Room is a nice place to grab a burger too. Enjoy the room and view, not expensive.

-----
The Terrace Room at the Lake Merritt Hotel
1800 Madison St., Oakland, CA 94612

[Robert Lauriston]

Jong Ga House, Old Place Seafood, Mua.

Trueburger's first-rate in a fast-food way, kind of like a better version of In-N-Out with beer. Kind of zero atmosphere but clean and bright.

How's Enssaro?

Luka's can be really loud on a Saturday night and it's often a long wait without a reservation.

Ozumo and Pican are kind of expensive.

-----
Ozumo Restaurant
161 Steuart Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

Old Place Seafood
391 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA

Enssaro
366 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA

Jong Ga House
372 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610

Mua
2442A Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612

Ozumo
2251 Broadway Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612

Pican Restaurant
2295 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612

Trueburger
146 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94612

[daveena]

I noticed on my last visit that they'd hired a motley crew of new line cooks - don't know if these guys can cook Californian/New American as well as Jason Eng and Greg Low, but I dare say they cook better burgers and chili. I've always enjoyed the burgers, but I think they've improved with the current crew.

[Ruth Lafler]

It it were me, I'd probably go for Ethiopian at Enssaro. Parking in that neighborhood is not bad on a Saturday night -- should be street parking somewhere between the cathedral and your restaurant of choice.

I didn't know there was a Chanticleer concert that night. Hmmm ....

-----
Enssaro
366 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA

[bbulkow]

Lots of good Korean there-abouts, if you like that as well. I'd probably send you to Vo's.

Even though I like Luka's, I don't think you're looking for loud-busy-crammed tables.

If it was me, I'd go to Mua. I'm curious and haven't been.

[zorrosf]

Luka's in a heartbeat. Great burgers, mac & cheese, draft beers. About three blocks north of the Cathedral up Grand Ave. Excellent oysters also.

[wolfe]

Trueburger, Ozumo, Pican, Luka's.

http://www.lukasoakland.com/

-----
Ozumo
2251 Broadway Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612

Pican Restaurant
2295 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612

Trueburger
146 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94612

[ohlenox1]

You might want to consider Vo's RestaurantVo's Restaurant 59 Grand Avenue
Oakland, CA 94612-3727 [phone]

Atmosphere is a bit cold but the food is excellent and well priced. At the cornerof Grand and Webster -2 to 3 blocks. One more block. on the corners of Grand and Broadway there are 2 more good choices.

[escargot3]

I'm surprised by your experience. Perhaps Vo's is uneven. A few of us had a dreadful meal there: both food and service were really poor. But it's been about 2 years now.

[mamachef]

You might consider Homeroom, located at 400 40th st. in Oakland. They're doing a beautiful macaroni and cheese menu, and it got a nice review in the East Bay Express this week.

[Pius Avocado III]

That's ~20 blocks away from the Cathedral, and the same review cited potentially long wait times outside and additional waiting once seated; I wouldn't recommend it for someone wanting to park the car just once and make a showtime.