2009: Oakland crime decreased twice as fast as nat'l average (San Francisco: low crime, neighborhoods)

[ssmaster]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fantastic

Mission Viejo is within 5-10 minutes of Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Irvine, and Newport Beach. There are literally dozens of world respected restaurants in South County. You simply don't know much about the culinary establishments in the area.

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in that case oakland is 10 minutes away from downtown san francisco and 5 minutes away from chez panisse in berkeley. South county can't compete with the bay areas MICHELIN rated restaurants.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by ssmaster

in that case oakland is 10 minutes away from downtown san francisco and 5 minutes away from chez panisse in berkeley. South county can't compete with the bay areas MICHELIN rated restaurants.

Commis, Olivetto, Bay Wolf, Wood Tavern, A Cote, Flora, Marzano, Dopo, Pizzaiolo, Camino etc.

Oakland alone has a quantity of high caliber restaurants they will never have.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fantastic

Mission Viejo is within 5-10 minutes of Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Irvine, and Newport Beach.

There are literally dozens of world respected restaurants in South County. You simply don't know much about the culinary establishments in the area [/quote]

None of those areas has the variety of culinary choices that Berkeley has, much less San Francisco.

But let's strictly talk about Mission Viejo itself. The nice parts of Oakland have far more to choose from in non-chain culinary options than Mission Viejo.

And you never answered my question about how many bars are in Mission Viejo compared to Oakland. I'm sure Mission Viejo doesn't measure up to the oaktown.

I'm usually accused of being an Oakland hater but Oakland does have some good qualities, more than Mission Viejo does.

Now if you're making the point that there is more "socio-economic" diversity in Oakland, then that's partially true (even though it's basically rich whites/asians and poor blacks/latinos).

You are aware that there are affluent black neighborhoods in the Oakland Hills...

[Mr. Fantastic]

Why would we want more bars? Bars usually attract noise and crime.

Oakland does have a few good places to eat (Phat Matt's BBQ is good), but that's only if you can avoid the automatic gun fire, gang violence, and drug dealers.

Honestly, I don't think it's worth the risk.

[Mr. Fantastic]

Originally Posted by ssmaster

in that case oakland is 10 minutes away from downtown san francisco and 5 minutes away from chez panisse in berkeley. South county can't compete with the bay areas MICHELIN rated restaurants.

To be honest, I rarely eat out. I cook my own food. Restaurant dishes are full of sodium, and saturated fat. The majority of people who eat out all the time are usually lazy, and overweight. That's a proven fact.

[Gentoo]

I'm usually accused of being an Oakland hater but Oakland does have some good qualities, more than Mission Viejo does.

It's amazing what certain people can do to you huh? I used to do the same thing to San Diego until I saw a few posts that were just way out there. I no longer do that now since I know how irritating that must have been.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fantastic

To be honest, I rarely eat out. I cook my own food. Restaurant dishes are full of sodium, and saturated fat. The majority of people who eat out all the time are usually lazy, and overweight. That's a proven fact.

Lies!!!

I eat out a lot and so do many friends on mine. We exercise and stay fit and know where to eat. That's the problem, I don't blame you for not eating out in MV. It's nothing but the typical chain with lower quality food. Chez Panisse in Berkeley that was mentioned is known for great, high quality organic foods. Even the meat is free range. I guess you have to really know an area before you can know things like this

[Oakland Uptown]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fantastic

To be honest, I rarely eat out. I cook my own food. Restaurant dishes are full of sodium, and saturated fat. The majority of people who eat out all the time are usually lazy, and overweight. That's a proven fact.

Proof you eat at garbage chain resteraunts , in good quality resteraunts this is not a problem. Then again, quality to you is Apple Bee's.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by Oakland Uptown

Proof you eat at garbage chain resteraunts , in good quality resteraunts this is not a problem. Then again, quality to you is Apple Bee's.

Meanwhile, Oakland has so much activity in its city-wide restaurant scene, its dizzying.

[LEFT]Glenview
Oakland’s once quiet, now thriving Glenview district has
gained notoriety as a dining destination with the spring
2008 opening of Bellanico and the December 2008 opening
of Marzano. Both were opened by seasoned professionals
who saw a real opportunity in Glenview. They are not the
only ones. The owners of trendy À Côté on College Avenue
will be opening a Pan-Latin restaurant with 150 seats. In the
May 2009 issue of Diablo Magazine, Glenview’s cutting edge
restaurants lead one writer to suggest that it may become
Oakland’s Gourmet Ghetto.

Coliseum/Edes Avenue
The hotel strip on Edes Avenue in the Coliseum area has
welcomed Celestine’s. Serving lunch and dinner, the
restaurant hosts frequent special events and live
entertainment. The two levels of dining are enhanced with
20 feet of flowing marble forming one of the largest bars in[/LEFT]
Oakland.

[LEFT]Foothill Boulevard
Since January, Yelpers and other foodies have been
raving about the all-you-can-eat Sunday brunches at Souls
Restaurant on Foothill Boulevard. The eatery’s Southern
and Soul menu features hearty portions that pack in the
crowds for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Fruitvale
Guests visiting the new Fruitvale Public Market have a
variety of authentic foods to choose from including freshfilled
churros at Churros Mexicanos, homemade ice cream
and desserts at Cinco De Mayo Helados, fresh juices and
coffee at La Verbana Café, handmade tortillas and pozole at
Leticia’s Taco Grill, and deli sandwiches and baked goods at
Panadería el Sol.

Grand Avenue
Anchored on one end by culinary powerhouse Camino,
Grand Avenue welcomed Sidebar which brought
sophisticated dining to the other end of the thoroughfare in
early 2009. Focusing on using locally grown ingredients, the
Grand Tavern has joined the culinary excitement.

Piedmont Avenue
Piedmont Avenue, already blessed with a wide choice of
dining options and home to two of the top 100 Bay Area
restaurants, welcomed Adesso. This Italian small-plate
restaurant is the creation of Dopo chef-owner Jon
Smulewitz and offers a huge selection of house-made
salumi.

Rockridge
Rockridge welcomes Zagat-rated Water Lounge & Raw Bar
to its already daunting list of noteworthy restaurants. This
venue features fresh raw seafood, small plates, adult
beverages and a hip urban environment. Glenview’s
Marzano also welcomed it’s sister restaurant to College
Avenue, adjacent to the ever-popular and newly-remodeled
Garibladi’s.

Temescal
Nearby Temescal’s stature as a dining destination
(Pizzaiolo, Doan Tomas, Bakesale Betty, Lane Splitter, etc.)
was enhanced with the recent arrival of Barlata, The Mixing
Bowl, Marc 49 and the aforementioned Burma Superstar.
Celebrated San Francisco chef Daniel Olivella opened
Barlata Tapas Bar, featuring a small plate menu full of
flavors from his native Spain, in March to rave reviews. The
Mixing Bowl serves imaginative soups, salads, sandwiches
and breakfast items in a hip, airy environment that invites
diners to linger. Just across the street, Marc 49 has a
serious international wine list to complement its[/LEFT]
pretension-free menu.

[LEFT]West Oakland
Over in West Oakland, Chef Tanya Holland’s waffles
served up at Brown Sugar Kitchen were deemed worthy of a
400-mile drive by Jonathan Gold of Gourmet magazine.
Clearly, given the large breakfast and lunch crowds, Gold is
not alone in his opinion.

Uptown
Hipsters have discovered Mua, a new gem among the
automotive blocks of Broadway Auto Row. Opened in
October 2008 by the owner of Soizic Bistro, the funky venue
is part restaurant, part bar, part lounge and totally cool.
The nearby Packard Lofts are home to the Mimosa
Champagne Bar where they serve small plates alongside
champagne. At the corner of Grand Avenue, just a few short blocks
down Broadway, culinary heavyweights Ozumo and Picán
have brought increased visibility and credibility to
downtown’s already robust dining scene. Opened in
November 2008, Ozumo is drawing large crowds with its
robata grill menu items, sushi bar and sake lounge boasting
more than 90 brands. Picán’s chef Dean Dupuis has updated
comfort food favorites such as fried chicken, ribs and mac
and cheese for today’s more sophisticated palates. These
two additions, along with Luka’s Taproom, Flora and
Franklin Square Wine Bar, have made Uptown a restaurant
mecca. In July 2009, Farley’s East, an offshoot from Farley’s in
San Francisco, opened on Grand Avenue. The coffeehouse
offers a full beverage menu, tasty panini sandwiches and
rotating exhibitions by local artists.
Coming soon to Uptown will be a new eatery from the
owner of Pizzaiolo and just across from Luka’s, the second
location for Bakesale Betty will be opening this spring.

Downtown
Oakland über-entrepreneur Alfonso Dominguez of
Tamarindo and Five Ten Studio fame has teamed up with
his mother again to open La Calle Asadero Mexicano, a
return to the original taqueira with a fresh and flavorful yet
simple lunch menu. Also, Tamarindo’s old Oakland location
is expanding – look for the unveiling of architect Alfonso’s
exciting new design coming soon!
Over on Clay Street, Kuwa opened in August 2009. The
restaurant infuses Caribbean and Southern flavors with a
new Oakland vibe. Nearby is the boutique bar/restaurant[/LEFT]
Penelope serving up artisanal cocktails.
Adding to downtown’s culinary mix, the highly successful
[LEFT]Chalet Management, LLC, which operates the Beach Chalet
in San Francisco, opened the 350-seat Lake Chalet Seafood
Bar and Grill in the historic Boat House on Lake Merritt in
August. Boasting one of Oakland’s longest bars and
stunning views, the restaurant enjoys large crowds.
In the waterfront warehouse district, Chop Bar opened in
September 2009. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily,
this neighborhood hangout has earned a following with its
cutting-edge menu.

Jack London Square
In early September 2009, Bocanova opened its stunning
waterfront location in Jack London Square. The restaurant
serves up pan-American fare blending culinary currents
from Europe and the Americas while using the best and
freshest local ingredients. Nearby, the 330-seat Miss Pearl’s
Jam House has been enticing diners to slow down with its
island-themed décor, robust menu and signature cocktails
since opening in August 2008.

Oakland’s stature as a dining destination will be further
bolstered by the Ellis Partners’ vision of Jack London
Square as the epicenter of culture, cuisine and commerce in
the East Bay. The largest of its kind on the West Coast, the
70,000-square-foot Jack London Market will offer local and
sustainably produced fruits, vegetables, meats, wine and
specialty products. The second floor will feature casual
dining, restaurants and culinary shops. Among those who
have signed up for space are: four-star San Francisco chef
Daniel Patterson who will open Bracina by the end of 2009
and Meg Ray of Miette Patisserie who’s cooking up a bakery
project.

This is just a sampling of some of the new and exciting
restaurants that have opened recently in Oakland. To learn
more about Oakland’s thriving dining scene, log on to[/LEFT]
www.OaklandGrown.org.

http://www.omlf.org/wp-content/uploa...orial-pp12.pdf

Aside from all the new fru-fru joints, I really have to recommed Brown Sugar Kitchen in West Oakland. Tanya Holland, their chef was trained in France and her waffles are the best I've ever had in the United States.

Definitely worth a trip.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fantastic

Why would we want more bars?

As long as bars don't attract gangbangers or white supremacists there's nothing wrong with them. They are part of the cultural life and fabric of a neighborhood. They add to a neighborhood's attractiveness (unless they attract gangs).

The fact that you think all bars are gang hangouts shows what's wrong with your community and yourself.

Bars usually attract noise and crime.

Parks and high schools attract noise and property crime, does that mean those don't have places in a community?

Bars are a part of what makes a community attractive and your perception of them says something about you and the community you live in.

Oakland does have a few good places to eat (Phat Matt's BBQ is good), but that's only if you can avoid the automatic gun fire, gang violence, and drug dealers.

Honestly, I don't think it's worth the risk.

West Oakland and East Oakland are not ALL of Oakland. How would you feel if someone claimed that Santa Ana, Stanton, and Garden Grove represented ALL of Orange County?