DeLuxe

I first heard about Absinthe two decades ago and was always curious what all the fuss was about. In December 2007 St. George Spirits in Alameda became the first distillery to produce legal absinthe in the US in decades. It wont make you crazy because it only contains federally approved miniscule parts of thujone. I waited in line for two hours on the day of the first release on Dec 21 so I could make it a Christmas gift for Susan. It tastes like cough syrup or perhaps a lot like Jagermeister but smoother.

On Mother’s Day this year, we decided to go back there to try the other spirits they make at St. George which is housed in a former airplane hanger on the former Alameda Naval Air Station. It’s a perfect location for a distillery with plenty of room for the giant copper stills which condense the extracted spirits that make their products. We ended up going home with some lemon infused vodka, white tea and pear liqeur, and some pear eau de vie. You get to taste most of their products for just $10 and get to keep your glass. It was lots of fun and the staff are very friendly and well informed. I even got myself a “gree is the new black” t-shirt.

St. George Spirits
2601 Monarch Street, Alameda, CA 94501
510.769.1601

Tacubaya is one of the best tacquerias in the Bay Area. Situated on Berkeley’s 4th Street it’s the sister restaurant to Oakland’s Doña Tomas in the Temescal district. What makes the tacqueria so special are the rich flavors and fresh ingredients in every bite. The tacos al pastor are made with Niman Ranch pork and served on freshly made tortillas. If you go early you can also get fine desayuno items such as chilaquiles. On weekends, there’s often a line but it’s worth the wait if you want something special you can’t easily find at other places.

Tacubaya
1788 4th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
510.525.5160

I knew when I moved to Berkeley in 1997 that they had many great record stores — all within a few blocks of each other. That’s what made the arrival of Amoeba Records so surprising. From day one it was the best record store I’ve ever seen. They carried everything including all the obscure and import stuff I never could find elsewhere. Their San Francisco store is bigger but since I’m living in the East Bay I usually end up here. They also have extensive DVD offerings in addition to the music. Online shopping is convenient but I still enjoy the browsing experience. Their buyers always have something on the shelves that I want — but just didn’t know it existed.

Amoeba Records
2455 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704
510.549.1125

The Crucible is one of those “only in the Bay Area” type places that I love. It’s a huge warehouse in West Oakland that offers courses and studio space in the industrial arts. This includes all kinds of welding, casting, glass blowing, neon, and electronics. I took a course there in the Spring of 2007 on basic electronic circuitry and can now build basic circuits include amplifiers, radios, little light and motion gizmos. It was so much fun. After taking that course I taught myself how to work with electroluminescent wire so I can (hopefully) make mini “neon” signs.

In addition to the courses they offer, they also have these open house events which often feature performances that show off what they do. In July of 2007, we went to their fire arts festivals and saw lots of fire based machines and robots. Additionally, they put on a nearly 2 hour performance of the Oddysey. In this movie, Odysseus is just getting on the boat to cross the river Styx on his was back to Hades.

The Crucible
1260 7th Street, Oakland, CA 94607
510.444.0919

The newest frozen yogurt concept allows you to blend your own flavors and add your own toppings and then pay for the snack by weight. The new Icebee store near my office in San Francisco is a lot of fun. They’ve got all the usual toppings you’d expect as well as some nice suprises such as fruity pebbles. The flavors were actually quite good including green tea and peanut butter/banana. Frozen yogurt seems to be making a comeback — it was really big in the late eighties.

Icebee
829 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
415.882.7800

Officially called G.B. Ratto & Co. International Grocers, Ratto’s has been in Oakland at the same location for generations. The neighborhood is now called Old Oakland. Most people go there for the great deli and sandwich selection. The place still operates like an old fashioned grocery with lots of bulk items and specialty products. I particularly like the cheese selection and the little greek soaps they carry. This is also a good place to find imported wines such as Lambrusco.

Rattos
821 Washington Street, Oakland, CA 94607
510.832.6503

I was sorry to see the 33 Grand Gallery leave Oakland’s uptown neighborhood but fortunately a great new store/gallery opened up in the same location: Industrielle. This place has a great blend of products from housewares, art objects, clothing by local designers to fine art. I’m particularly fond of the artwork of David Seiler who has shown there and done live portrait events there on Oakland Art Murmur nights. This is the gallery where I got my Spinnin’ Bebe Jesus painting (oil on wood paneling mounted on a lazy susan). This place is worth checking out and does a great job of supporting local artists and craftsmen.

Industrielle
33 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
510.271.0633

Many in Rockridge were sad to see the Asian tapas place, Grasshopper, close. I liked the place and it was always crowded but not so much I went there often. Wood Tavern, the restaurant that took its place is great. We went there one night after 9 and it was still packed but were hungry and so decided to dine at the bar. The soft lighting and dark tones of the decor in the restaurant are a good indication of what you’ll find on the menu. Lots of hearty meat dishes prepared very well. Try the crispy pork belly or the fusilli with pork sugo and you can’t go wrong. The critics rave about this place and so it’s a good idea to make a reservation if you go. Go late and you might get a seat right away.

Wood Tavern
6317 College Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618
510.654.6607

I first learned of Fabric8 through their online store which sold all kinds of independently made t-shirts and other artist designed objects and clothing. Two years ago the owners opened a retail store in the Mission. The store not only sells all the stuff on the website but also sells art from a number of local artists. I’m particularly fond of the painted wood block buildings designed by Sirron Norris. They’re open on evenings and weekends only so check the hours before you head on down. If you can, I highly recommend you go when they’ve got a live painting event. Olivia, the owner, sometimes invites all the artists down to paint, and you can buy the freshly painted art right on the spot.

Fabric8
3318 22nd Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
415.647.5888

Nathan and Co is just what the southern end of Piedmont Avenue needed. Nathan, a watch designer by day, opened up this little shop to sell housewares, upscale bath products, cards, jewelry, and anything else cool and fashionable you can think of. He certainly lives up to the “deliciously modern” that is the store’s motto. We’ve purchased many gifts here for friends and family.

Additionally, we’ve built up quite a collection of mercury glass decor for our house including some nice candlesticks and some decorative pieces for our dining room. As Jeff Lebowski would say “they really tie the room together.” I’m also a big fan of the scented candles and soaps carried here — always something unique I can’t find elsewhere. Nathan and Co is the best.

Nathan + Co
3820 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611
510.428.9638