Published March 7, 2022, in my The Bold Italic column:
Six new restaurants/eateries, plus one pre-pandemic gem and two bar stops, all draw me to the East Bay. Digging in also meant some disappointments, including solid but not destination-worthy cocktails at charming Palmetto, or overwrought cocktails that sound exciting but don’t deliver at The Miranda. But each of these eight has one (or a few) winning aspects. Per usual, I’ve vetted, visited or ordered from every place reviewed here:
https://medium.com/@virginiamiller_29308/8-places-to-eat-drink-now-east-bay-edition-a9dd1b78b5c0
—Caribbean Chic: LITA, Walnut Creek
—Thai Creativity & Cocktails: Jo’s Modern Thai, Oakland
—Downtown Elegant Comfort: Tribune, Oakland
—Palestinian Brunch Goodness: Lulu, Berkeley
—Ethiopian Comfort: Mela Bistro, Oakland
—Korean Deli & All the Tofu: Joodooboo, Oakland
—Quality Cocktail Bar: Low Bar, Oakland
—Tiki Magic: Tiki Tom’s, Walnut Creek
Bold Italic Restaurant reviews:
— Buzzy New Rooftop Spot Transports to Peru: KAIYŌ Rooftop
— Beer Restaurant of the Future: Fort Point Valencia Reopens
— 6 New Restaurants Worth Visiting This Month: February 2022
— Vietnamese Chef Legend Charles Phan’s New SF Sandwich Shop: Chuck’s Takeaway
— Tropical Rooftop Vibes & A Team Centered Around Core Values: Good Good Culture Club from Liholiho
— 6 New Spots Worth Visiting: Cafe, Bar & Food Truck Edition
— Newly Opened Automat Combines Childhood Whimsy and Gourmet Goodness
— 5 New Restaurants Worth Visiting This Month Around the Bay Area
— This Japanese Restaurant Casually Schools Patrons on Sake & Sushi: Pabu
— When Two Michelin Italian Masters Open A Casual Italian Spot: Sorella
— Live-Fire Cooking Like You’ve Never Experienced Before at New Osito
— Atelier Crenn, One of the World’s Best Restaurants, Turns 11 Years Old
— Reimagined a Decade Since Opening, Bluestem Brasserie Is a Slice of Comfort in Downtown SF
— TBI’s Top 12 New Restaurants (+ Bars) of 2021
— Le Fantastique: Your New Music, Wine & Bites Hangout
— La Bande: Mid-Market’s New Tapas Slice of Spain With Art Deco Vibes
— Female Indian Chef Goes Vegetarian at Besharam
— The Castro’s New Copas Imparts a Festive, Collaborative Vibe The Space Hasn’t Exuded in a Decade
— ‘California Washoku’: On Full Display at Nisei + Next Door at Bar Iris
— (Experimental, Creative) Breakfast for Dinner? Hilda and Jesse Has You Covered
— Flour+Water’s New Italian Destination: Penny Roma
— SF’s Aziza Serves Some of the Best Moroccan Food in the Country
— Chisai Sushi Club Is for Nigiri Fanatics & Novices Alike
— Uma Casa: SF’s Only & Most Authentic Portuguese Restaurant
— SF’s Estiatorio Ornos Is a New Hyperlocal Escape to Mykonos from Michael Mina
— Turntable at Lord Stanley: A Rotating Showcase for Top Global Chefs
— 54 Mint Is SF’s Ultimate Gastronomic Escape to Roma
— New Modern Filipino Destination, Abacá, From Chef Francis Ang & Bartender Kevin Diedrich
— 25 Lusk’s New Traveler Menu Offer Jaunts Around the World (Mexican Food & beyond)
— Warung Siska, Redwood City (Indonesian Food)
**All my food, drink & travel Bold Italic articles here
