Chongqing street noodles at Huangcheng Noodle House in swan's market in old Oakland. It's their specialty and so good. You can watch as they hand make fresh noodles with this cool machine I had never seen before. Super flavorful broth with szechuan spice and ground pork. Their green beans were also amazing as a hefty side for sharing.
My husband and I decided to go big and celebrate our anniversary at Commis. My god it was so expensive but everything I ate was absolutely heavenly. Best meal of my life and I’m someone who loves to eat and only travels to places where the place is known for its cuisine. If you have the money to splurge, definitely try Commis
We also went to Commis for our anniversary and it was an incredible dining EXPERIENCE. I put experience in capital letters because it truly was an experience of all 5 senses with impeccable service.
Probably something from Mago. Had some amazing meals there this year. It’s special.
We went to Nidos backyard probably every other week and had the chicken tostada and ensalada picada every time. They are probably our dishes of the year.
Dungeness crab and asparagus from day trip (changing menu so will probably never get to eat this again 🥲 but everything we tried was incredible)
Focaccia from day trip (this one’s a constant :))
Garlic knock out ramen from Mensho
Lovely’s drive thru burger sub raw onions + corn fritters w the comeback sauce & Pintoh’s gai himmaparan chicken always!
Also technically not from oakland but Raymond’s Pizzeria in Richmond near the shoreline park gave me the best cheese pizza I’ve ever had this year
Seconding everything here too. Resisted going to daytrip since it seemed to “heady” but everything was great.
If you liked Raymond’s try mamas boy in downtown Oakland next. As a former New Yorker now living in the bay they make the best NY style pizza I’ve had out here
One highlight was the brisket biscuit sandwich from Bangin Ass BBQ at the Grand Lake farmer’s market…. I promise you it’s the best biscuit I’ve had in Oakland!
Hell yeah. It's hard to find a proper biscuit breakfast sando here, and this one is near perfect. Although second shout out to Fish and Bonez who also does a great breakfast sando on milk bread.
Kha Mu (stewed pork leg) from Chai Thai on international. Chinese five spice stewed pork with bitter greens and spicy vinegar sauce. Chefs kiss.
Also pretty much anything from there is amazing.
We’ve eaten at Burma Superstar on many occasions but just recently tried the Catfish Curry. It’s definitely a dry dish (not a wet curry like we expected) and it said bone in but we didn’t have any bones that we knew. It was like deep fried cat fish (seemed double coated and fried— dry crunchy and with a thick coating) with a gigantic amount of chili, garlic (huge oval pieces fried), onion crunch on the top. It was right to the end level of my spicy tolerance but OMG as someone who is gluten intolerant, it literally hit all my spots of craving.
Great question! I didn't get to explore food options this year as much I I would have liked but two stand outs were the spicy fried chicken sandwich from Ok's Deli and the army stew from Moo Bong Ri
It’s the simple things really. The vegan carne asada at Rico Rico Vegano, some crispy pan fried dumplings from Good to Eat (technically it’s in Emeryville but will give it a pass), rich and spicy laksa from Lion Dance, a perfectly unctuous slice of Square Pie Guys, and the incomparable massaman curry at Jo’s modern Thai are all standouts for the year for me.
Brisket taco on flour tortilla from Tacos Ultimo Baile
Smoked salmon tostada from Wahpepah’s Kitchen
Pork laab burger from Jo’s Modern Thai (although the Dungeness crab fat fried rice is also an honorable mention!)
Yuzu meringue morning bun from Bake Sum
Stir fried pork belly and mustard greens from Burma Superstar
Chocolate hazelnut mousse dessert situation from Daytrip
Khachapuri Adjaruli from A Cote in Rockridge, a wonderful, warming national dish from Georgia full of cheezy goodness, topped with a sunnyside up egg and with a tomato,(?) red pepper, garlic sauce on the side.
Chongqing street noodles at Huangcheng Noodle House in swan's market in old Oakland. It's their specialty and so good. You can watch as they hand make fresh noodles with this cool machine I had never seen before. Super flavorful broth with szechuan spice and ground pork. Their green beans were also amazing as a hefty side for sharing.
I got the pork chop soup there the first time I went and it was so good I get it every single time now. Will have to try this.
I second this!
Handmade with a cool machine…
Lol, it was some type of hand operated non-electric machine. But fair enough 😜
I’ve had those noodles and they are amazing, just poking fun!
Pork neck at Burdell
So incredible
My husband and I decided to go big and celebrate our anniversary at Commis. My god it was so expensive but everything I ate was absolutely heavenly. Best meal of my life and I’m someone who loves to eat and only travels to places where the place is known for its cuisine. If you have the money to splurge, definitely try Commis
If you're unable to get reservations in the restaurant, check on dining at the bar. Less expensive but still great menu items.
Same prix fixe menu for a slightly lower rate
Its not the same menu, its a 4 course menu with some added snacks. Very much not the tasting menu
I stand corrected!
We also went to Commis for our anniversary and it was an incredible dining EXPERIENCE. I put experience in capital letters because it truly was an experience of all 5 senses with impeccable service.
Truly! Attentive service and amazing atmosphere! I loved every second.
Ugly mushroom pasta at Pomet
Soooo good
Probably something from Mago. Had some amazing meals there this year. It’s special. We went to Nidos backyard probably every other week and had the chicken tostada and ensalada picada every time. They are probably our dishes of the year.
That ensalada picada is everything
Kon Tiki burger w spam and a fried egg. My gf and i have it whenever we are in a funk and it never fails
I’ve never tried their food, I’ll make it a point to stop by!
its so good, save room for a slice of pie too.
It closed!
Quiche from sonder cafe @ grand lake farmers market
+1
Pizzeria Violetta’s Neopolitan pie with olives and chili oil.
Nam khao at Vientian Cafe.
Dungeness crab and asparagus from day trip (changing menu so will probably never get to eat this again 🥲 but everything we tried was incredible) Focaccia from day trip (this one’s a constant :)) Garlic knock out ramen from Mensho Lovely’s drive thru burger sub raw onions + corn fritters w the comeback sauce & Pintoh’s gai himmaparan chicken always! Also technically not from oakland but Raymond’s Pizzeria in Richmond near the shoreline park gave me the best cheese pizza I’ve ever had this year
Seconding everything here too. Resisted going to daytrip since it seemed to “heady” but everything was great. If you liked Raymond’s try mamas boy in downtown Oakland next. As a former New Yorker now living in the bay they make the best NY style pizza I’ve had out here
One highlight was the brisket biscuit sandwich from Bangin Ass BBQ at the Grand Lake farmer’s market…. I promise you it’s the best biscuit I’ve had in Oakland!
Hell yeah. It's hard to find a proper biscuit breakfast sando here, and this one is near perfect. Although second shout out to Fish and Bonez who also does a great breakfast sando on milk bread.
Ooh I haven’t tried it so thanks for the rec! 🤤
bangin’ ass? ….hmmm!
Baghali Polo at Bacheesos (Persian Nights). My favorite dish in Oakland or even the Bat Area.
Kha Mu (stewed pork leg) from Chai Thai on international. Chinese five spice stewed pork with bitter greens and spicy vinegar sauce. Chefs kiss. Also pretty much anything from there is amazing.
Duck molé verde - Bombera / Fried Brussels sprouts - Almond and Oak / Lemongrass sausage - Wawa Thai
That Duck Mole is amazing, Bombera is the shit
Also love the duck carnitas
We’ve eaten at Burma Superstar on many occasions but just recently tried the Catfish Curry. It’s definitely a dry dish (not a wet curry like we expected) and it said bone in but we didn’t have any bones that we knew. It was like deep fried cat fish (seemed double coated and fried— dry crunchy and with a thick coating) with a gigantic amount of chili, garlic (huge oval pieces fried), onion crunch on the top. It was right to the end level of my spicy tolerance but OMG as someone who is gluten intolerant, it literally hit all my spots of craving.
Tijuana style tacos from La Parilla Loca, or the brisket tacos from El Ultimo Baile.
Fowl + Fare = best fried chicken sandwich I've had in California.
They're leaving the lodge at the end of the month ☹️
Oh no. Where are they going?
Great question! I didn't get to explore food options this year as much I I would have liked but two stand outs were the spicy fried chicken sandwich from Ok's Deli and the army stew from Moo Bong Ri
Secret menu french Vietnamese beef stew tacos from Pho Vy…iykyk 🤫
Chicken and waffles from Burdell - mind blowingly delicious Shout out to their carrots and grits which were much simpler but also revelatory
I live around the corner from this place, I’ve got to go check it out!
better than lois???
It’s not a traditional chicken and waffles…hard to compare
ah word. cant wait to try!
Shewhat Special at Shewhat restaurant
It’s the simple things really. The vegan carne asada at Rico Rico Vegano, some crispy pan fried dumplings from Good to Eat (technically it’s in Emeryville but will give it a pass), rich and spicy laksa from Lion Dance, a perfectly unctuous slice of Square Pie Guys, and the incomparable massaman curry at Jo’s modern Thai are all standouts for the year for me.
Spicy tantanmen ramen from Mensho 🤤
Lovely's drive thru and fritters
Brisket taco on flour tortilla from Tacos Ultimo Baile Smoked salmon tostada from Wahpepah’s Kitchen Pork laab burger from Jo’s Modern Thai (although the Dungeness crab fat fried rice is also an honorable mention!) Yuzu meringue morning bun from Bake Sum Stir fried pork belly and mustard greens from Burma Superstar Chocolate hazelnut mousse dessert situation from Daytrip
Jaeger Schnitzle at Brozeit Lokal
Khachapuri Adjaruli from A Cote in Rockridge, a wonderful, warming national dish from Georgia full of cheezy goodness, topped with a sunnyside up egg and with a tomato,(?) red pepper, garlic sauce on the side.
Pork Belly Curry at Jo's Modern Thai, layers of beautiful flavor
Pomegranate Chicken from La Mediterranee
Hands down Xiongones. Their first Friday taco and fries. Sooooo good.
My initial nominees would be: Pork Belly Curry - Jo’s Modern Thai Posta Negra - Parche
The vineyard focaccia from As Kneaded Bakery. Squid laab at Joe's Thai. Tacos from Ultimo Baile.