Recommended Restaurants:

Flora - 1900 Telegraph Avenue - (510) 286-0100 - www.floraoakland.com
Just across the street from the Fox Theater, Flora's classic Californian food has a modern sensibility. The menu is straightforward, but far from boring, as a few unusual combinations and ingredients raise the interest level. The meticulously stirred and shaken cocktails add a rhythmic beat to the symphony of happy dinner chatter.

HIBISCUS - 1745 San Pablo Avenue – (510) 444-2626 - www.hibiscusoakland.com
HIBISCUS serves organic Creole Caribbean dishes from the kitchen of exec chef Sarah Kirnon. You can expect Pan-Caribbean influences from Barbados to New Orleans and from Jamaica to Martinique. The menu changes according to seasonal ingredients but the Spicy Crab and Grits are always a hit.  There is also a lounge and bar for a unique rum inspired cocktail and a flavorful appetizer.

Luka's Taproom & Lounge - 2221 Broadway - (510) 451-4677 - www.lukasoakland.com
Luka's menu inspiration comes from the brasseries of France and Belgium. In fact, they've taken to calling their style of cuisine "California Brasserie," which basically means that they've taken traditional French & Belgian brasserie dishes such as oysters, mussels, frites , sausages and cured meats, and put them together in a way that reflects the culinary sensibilities of the Bay Area.

Picán - 2295 Broadway, at 23rd - (510) 834.1000 - www.picanrestaurant.com
Tantalizing aromas, rich tastes, stimulating colors, layered textures, enveloping sounds. The tradition of the South. The sophistication of California cuisine. Vibrant cosmopolitan energy. Full-service bar and lounge with Southern Twists and classic standards, alongside the most comprehensive Bourbon selection in the Bay Area.

Ozumo - 2251 Broadway - (510) 286-9866 - www.ozumo.com
This San Francisco favorite has moved across the bay, just a few blocks from the Fox.  Ozumo offers a well-rounded list of Japanese specialties: tempura, grilled items, sushi and sashimi. Aside from the expected, the kitchen comes up with more unusual fare such as herb-marinated scallops with a raspberry vinaigrette and veal sauce, or grilled lobster with a dashi-citrus sauce.

Home of Chicken and Waffles - 444 Embarcadero West - (510) 836-4446 - www.hcwchickenandwaffles.com
Immensely popular Oakland soul food hotspot Home of Chicken and Waffles (HCW) opened its doors in May 2004. From residents of the neighborhood’s luxury lofts to club-goers looking for a delicious way to end their night, Home of Chicken and Waffles is a hands-down favorite. Originally a franchise of Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, the family-owned HCW implemented an upscale thematic flair and re-branded itself with a 60’s diner image.

Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill - 1520 Lakeside Drive - (510) 208.5253 - www.thelakechalet.com
The people that rocked San Francisco with the beloved Beach and Park Chalets are have opened their follow-up in Oakland -- the Lake Chalet, a 425-seat, multimillion dollar seafood behemoth in Lake Merritt's newly renovated boathouse. The seriously classed-up premises are awash in painted blue wood, blackened steel, and mahogany, and are made up of several distinct dining zones including two fireplaced private eating rooms, an 80-foot marble bar that looks out at the lake, and a dockside patio.

Franklin Square Wine Bar - 2212 Broadway - (510) 251-0100 - www.fswinebar.com
The Wine Bar features more than 60 bottles of wine from California and Europe with more than 20 wines available by the glass. The cuisine is tailored to pair with the wine and includes grilled paninis, salads and a variety of small plates.

Levende East - 827 Washington Street - (510) 835-5585 - www.levendeeast.com
Levende East meshes a chic, moody ambience with a trendy yet accessible menu geared toward late night dining and casual nibbles between sips of well-crafted cocktails. Executive Chef Sean Randall's menu blazes a trail of fresh ingredients while spinning off fusion variations of world cuisines from Indian to Latin to Asian to modern American.

Awake Café - 414 14th Street @ Broadway - (510) 836-2058 - www.awakencafe.com
Awaken Café is an award winning green business, world-class espresso bar, and art gallery in the heart of the new downtown Oakland.  We have Art Openings and Performances every First Friday from 5 to 8 pm, Live Jazz on Saturdays from 11 am to 1 pm featuring Wil Blades and Guests, Trunk Shows featuring local indie merchants every Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm, and offer Green Catering for meetings and events.  We are open 7 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday and 8 am to 5 pm on Weekends.

Cafe Madrid - 2001 Broadway - (510) 271-0001 - www.cafemadrid.org
An authentic Spanish sandwich bar serving its famous Bocadillos alongside items ranging from gazpacho to tortilla Española. The Bocadillos here are resolutely hefty and sandwichlike: split lengths of baguette layered with Spanish-style meats, cheeses, and condiments, and served either warm or cold.

Louisiana Fried Chicken - 2214 Broadway - (510) 836-7888 - www.louisianafriedchicken.com
Like the unique music that originates in the South, Louisiana Fried is the Bourbon Street of Chicken. The unique spicy Cajun flavor will Jazz your taste buds and put a smile on your face.

Le Cheval - 1007 Clay Street - (510) 763-8495 - www.lecheval.com
East Bay Express Readers' Choice for Best Vietnamese/Southeast Asian for 21 years running, Le Cheval's style incorporates the French, Chinese and Southeast Asian cooking concepts of preparing wholesome, nutritious and special dishes that emphasize quality with quantity.

Mua - 2442a Webster Street - (510) 238-1100 - www.muaoakland.com
The cozy bar opens to an airy two-story dining area full of eclectic art that can be transformed into a dance floor or performance space as needed. The upstairs is intimate and lounge-like. The menu focuses on international comfort food such as BBQ pork buns, butternut squash soup, lamb tagine with couscous, and fried chicken.

B Restaurant & Bar – 499 Ninth Street – (510) 251.8770 – www.boakland.com
B Restaurant & Bar is a short walk from the Fox Theater down the tree-lined streets of Oakland’s downtown Historic District.  In this neighborhood restaurant, you will enjoy a seasonal California menu at its best, based on ingredients straight from local farms and markets.  The wood-burning oven turns out burrata and roasted fennel pizzas and finishes off Fulton Valley roasted chicken with artichokes.  On a warm summer night, enjoy outside dining on the bricked patio along the quaint historic streets of downtown.

Bakesale Betty –5098 Telegraph Avenue– (510) 985.1213 – www.bakesalebetty.com
Bakesale Betty was created by Australian cook, Alison Barakat, whose passion for food and regard for using the best ingredients make her unique cakes and sweets divine.  That line around the corner outside of Bakesale Betty every day at lunchtime?  That’s for their famous fried chicken sandwiches, with buttermilk-fried chicken topped with a generous helping of slaw.  Also serving chicken pot pie and brisket, Bakesale Betty is well worth the wait in line, which moves surprisingly fast.

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