Everybody’s favorite billion-dollar startup is headed to Oakland — so we say enjoy Uptown now, before Uber gets its hands on it. Here’s your to-do list for exploring our favorite neighborhood in the East Bay.
Come for…
If you’re coming in from the city, make a night of it, beginning at the Fox Theater, which still looks spit-polished following its $75 million renovation in 2009. Maybe you have tickets to this weekend’s sold-out Garbage show. Otherwise, book now for Welsh electropop act Marina and the Diamonds on October 20th — and public service announcement, Kendrick Lamar’s November 10th show goes on sale tomorrow. Full schedule here.
Start with…
Dinner at the just-opened Calavera, with the best people-watching in the neighborhood. Chris Pastena’s 150-seat space, designed by Arcsine, offers Oaxacan-inflected Mexican as filtered through chef Christian Irabien’s Chihuahua upbringing. Get the Wood Fired Margarita followed by one of every single taco on the menu (there are four).
Finish with…
Make Westing, our top watering hole in the district. Our pick from the cocktail offerings: the Penultimate, with gin, lime, elderflower, green chartreuse and prosecco. Our favorite “thing in jar:” roasted shishito peppers, though we hear a lot of enthusiasm for the roasted bone marrow. Our favorite thing not in jar: the habanero and cilantro popcorn.
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