The Voice of East Bay Living

Voulez-vous un repas fancais?  Try Michel Bistro -a wonderful new hot spot at 3343 Lakeshore in Uptown Oakland. -bone marrow, incredible fresh salads, escargot, olive tapenade, an extensive French wine list.. it is for sure  an ooo-la-la. Visit  GlassSabine.com Contact Team Glass Sabine at  ssabine @grubbco.com 

This week's restaurant pick is Homestead located at 4029 Piedmont Ave. in Oakland. Its main chefs are a husband and wife team, Elizabeth and Fred Sassen  who drew their inspiration from Elizabeth's grandparents,who were original homestead pioneers.  You will sample house churned butter, homemade cheeses  and a variety of charcutierie.  The centerpiece of the restaurant is a custom designed wood-burning hearth, where seasonal vegetables and large hunks of meat are roasted to create a most appetizing meal. I have gone back to this great place four times. My  new home away from home.  Visit  GlassSabine.com Contact Team Glass Sabine at  ssabine @grubbco.com 

Another wonderful restaurant on the Oakland scene is Cosecha , Spanish for harvest, a total gem nestled in the old Swan's Market in Uptown Oakland at  9th and Washington.  Owner and chef, Dominica Rice is a gifted and creative chef with a rich background of experience including Eccolo and Chez Panisse.  She prides herself in preparing authentic Mexican food from honorable local food  sources. The dishes are simple yet elegant, served with a lot of love - a must  try, thumbs up for this one. 

Penrose is the new hot spot at 3311 Grand Ave. across the street from the Grand Lake Theater. It has a sophisticated industrial feel with its exposed brick walls and open flame grill.  Many of the tables are communal style with nearly all of the items prepared on the large grills.The menu is unusual and tasty.

Miss Ollie's is a wonderful new hot spot at 10th and Washington in the Swan's Market area of Old Oakland. The chef and owner Sarah Kirnon, says that her menu is very authentic and reflects her international background, having been born in London and raised in Barbados. She describes her food as Caribbean American. It is a low key restaurant with very affordable prices and really delicious food.  For sure... a big thumbs up!

Hopscotch Restaurant  is one of the latest and greatest, upscale diners in bustling Uptown Oakland. The staff is gracious and food is unpretentious. I give it a triple thumbs up!

Check out  A16 , one of College Ave. -Rockridge latest additions. The site was formally Hudsons/Girabaldis and has retained the wonderful long bar and huge open space that we have all loved for so many years.  The new restaurant is vibrant with Southern Italy  cuisine, a huge Italian   wine list , fabulous authentic Italian dishes and adorable waiters that bend over backwards to make you  feel welcome-- I give it a triple thumbs up!