Oakland Airport Area?

[italy531]

I fly out on a red eye at almost 11pm and want to stop on my way from Livermore for dinner. Any good suggestions for a single dinner? More upscale and no mexican or bbq.

Thanks!

[jaiko]

If you go one exit further to switch over to Hwy 13, a 10-min drive will take you to the Park Blvd. exit into Montclair Village. You have two possibilities there for good food, both easily equal to the suggestions of Bellanico, Cafe Rouge, and Bocanova (all of which my DH and I have been to, more than once).

1) Italian Colors: 2220 Mountain Boulevard Oakland, CA 94611, [phone]. A little less creative than Bellanico, but they execute more consistently. Larger and prettier dining room, too. Make a reservation; they're popular at dinner. Note they are outside the main drag: when you see the Union 76 gas station, there is a narrow 2-lane driveway up to a tiny strip mall. Italian Colors is at the far end, and there is more parking up behind the restaurant if the first lot is full. www.italiancolorsrestaurant.com/; reservations only by phone

2) Montclair Bistro: 6118 Medau Place, Oakland, CA 94611, [phone]. Quiet, serene dining room with some good Cal-French dishes. Street parking, plus small open-air parking lot just before the restaurant. One of our favorites for a long time, although not equal to Artisan Bistro/Lafayette or Andre's Bouchee/Carmel. www.montclairbistro.com/; reservations through OpenTable

[Ruth Lafler]

Really? I've been to Italian Colors and thought it was ... fine. I've heard nothing about Montclair Bistro except that it's typical Montclair mediocrity. My family has lived in Montclair for almost 50 years and there has NEVER been a restaurant that's risen above the level of mediocrity. Which is kind of surprising, since it's the same demographic as Park Blvd. and Piedmont Ave.

[Mission]

How about Vientian Café

Not very upscale, but very tasty and not as far out of the way as the other places mentioned.

And probably nothing like it in Livermore.

Neighborhood is fine...but probably best to get out of there before 8pm.
You should be able to park right in front.

I have eaten like a King solo dining at Vientian Café .
For $30(or less) out the door.

3801 Allendale Ave
(between 39th Ave & 38th Ave)
Oakland, CA 94619

Alameda is also a good choice if you take Doolittle drive which runs right from the OAK Airport entrance straight into Alameda with hardly any traffic issues.
I'm surprised no one else mentioned this?

[tre2012]

If you've never been to Montclair Bistro, why are you dissing it?

[Ruth Lafler]

You're right -- I try not to dis places I've never been to. But enough people who's opinions I trust have been underwhelmed there that I wanted to temper your recommendation.

[Robert Lauriston]

Some previous reports here on Montclair Bistro:

https://www.google.com/search?q=%22mo...

[lmnopm]

Taking this thread in a slightly different tangent - any suggestions for a place to get a decent take out meal that will hold up until airplane time (i.e., sandwich, salad) between Oakland City Center and the airport? (No time for detours that aren't right off of 880.) I'd prefer not to have an "airport selection" from Terminal 1.

[Robert Lauriston]

If you're driving, Ba Le. The various prewrapped takeout items would probably hold up better than banh mi. If you're on BART, Cam Huong or any of the nearby shops.

[lmnopm]

Great idea. I never knew the location of the Oakland spot.

[wolfe]

Have you been to Koi Palace, Dublin?
http://www.koipalace.com/koigarden/sh...

[lmnopm]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/809405

A similar post when I asked a similar question.

[Robert Lauriston]

Livermore to OAK doesn't pass any upscale places.

Closest would be down 880 to downtown / uptown Oakland: Bocanova, Haven, Plum, Flora ...

[escargot3]

i completely agree with Robert.
One caveat: please don't plan on leaving anything of value in your car.

[ola]

I have lived in/worked in/dined in Oakland for years and never had my car broken into. Let's ease up on scaring people re: Oaktown.

[Ruth Lafler]

Here, here!

You might want to consider eating in Livermore, at The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Alameda. There's Angelfish for sushi and some other options on Park Street.

[Robert Lauriston]

There's good food in Alameda, but the request for "more upscale" suggested the extra few miles to Oakland to me.

[Ruth Lafler]

Has anyone been to Pappo recently?

[foodeye]

I haven't been lately, but that is a good idea. They have added some small plates to their menu: http://www.papporestaurant.com/pdfs/d...

[escargot3]

Ok, ola. Both of us have lived in Oakland for years, and neither of us has had a car broken into. Sorry I didn't mean to diss Oaktown.

But someone coming from the airport, and going to Livermore, might have luggage and should be reminded that it's a good idea to take precautions-- Oakland or SF.

[zin1953]

Agreed! Never had any problems in Oakland . . .

[Stephanie Wong]

Common sense should prevail -- Put your stuff in the trunk before reaching your parking space (wherever that may be).

[wolfe]

You might try upper Park Blvd, e.g.Bellanico, Marzano in Oakland off of 580 then down Park and back to 880.

[CarrieWas218]

Not really a neighborhood known for upscale, I'm afraid...

You might want to consider stopping on 4th Street in Berkeley (right off the freeway) for Cafe Rouge - that would be my best thought.

[lmnopm]

That is way way out of the way. Another consideration is Rockridge - 580 to 680 to 24 - from there, it is a fairly quick ride down to OAK.

I agree with Robert's suggestions re: downtown/uptown/JLS - it is a quick ride back to the airport, and only a few minutes' backtracking.