Taste of Temescal

My mom invited me to Taste of Temescal this year. This is a fundraiser for local schools and organizations. After my experience, I was a little annoyed that I didn’t get the invite the last 3 years!
My mom moved to the Temescal area 17 years ago and man has this neighborhood changed! It’s filled with hipsters and families, students and musicians. I love it! We barely made it from one place to the next without running into a friendly familiar face. My mom introducing me to someone every few plates. Families were out in force with the kids sharing yummy nib-​lets of goodness.
For this event, $ 30 got you a complete food coma, your name in a raffle to win great prizes and a stroll through a wonderful neighborhood at sunset that it’s residents can be proud of. 27 restaurants donated their time and their savory and sweet goodies. Within the 5 or so blocks of eateries, an assortment or worldly cuisine was waiting on small plates and handed out by smiling volunteers. I wish I would’ve had the stomach capacity to try a bite from every place. Near the end, I was asking for literally a bite-​sized serving. I was feeling guilty about throwing away so much food!
A few of my favorites were:
Pizzaiolo — aranici
Good Bellies Café — lemongrass pumpkin soup
Marc 49 — sangria and hummus
Lanesplitter — pepperoni pizza
I can’t wait for next year!

Let’s see if this review thread can stay at 5 stars like the Great Wall of Oakland.
I grew up in Oakland — borne, raised, still living, and damned proud of that fact. As such, I grew up pacing through «Temescal» (really hipsters, it’s just North Oakland) as a child and adult. Times have changed things, fo sho. Allow me to elaborate; but before I do, realize that I’m EOR (Equal Opportunity Racist). If I offend, my apologies, but that’s just who I am.
This area used to be a wasteland of potential, not even five years ago. The beautiful historical abodes and industrial buildings were blatantly abused and neglected by their relative occupants; the streets were trashy and filled with homeless people and bums. It smelled. When I lost my big ass puppy there back in 1994, I about gave up and left her for dead. It was that kind of neighbourhood.
Times change. White people brought it.
Now, as I traipsed down the streets and ducked in and out of shoppes and restaurants last night, I was continually amazed at how different things are. And I have been for the past year. I doubt the shock will ever die down.
You see, during the day, the streets contain almost the same vibe as it did naught five years prior. Have you ever heard that 80’s song «Freaks Come Out At Night»? Change it. Because when the sun goes down, the «normal» people find shelter indoors and the hipsters come out. The streets undergo a metamorphic change. At night, Temescal looks and breathes completely different than what it did just an hour ago.
I don’t ask you to understand. I simply ask you to experience. If you missed it last night, no worries. Temescal at night breathes its mysterious vibes daily. Go, and rejoice in what change brings. Besides, Taste will be here again in a year’s time.

My friends M, L and Buddy C finally were able to find an open date on the calendar and invade M’s ‘hood.
The night started in one of his local haunts where M flirted with the bartender right in front of me. I’m sure Buddy C would have a few choice words, but I will keep him in his cage for a while longer and hope that he calms down.
Taste of Temescal 2011 was an well organized event to help introduce us folk from Redwood City to one of Oakland’s hipster neighborhoods. For $ 30 you given a passport to several local eateries and given the opportunity to sample some of the area’s more tasty bites.
There were plenty of event organizers on hand to help you navigate your way up and down the street and answer your questions. My only complaint was towards the end of the night M asked one of the local pizza places if he could take a taste of two different pizzas but was denied.
Sick ‘em Buddy!

Did you go? I hope so. I didn’t see you, though maybe I didn’t see that much after the buzz got into my vein.
Almost every eatery, drinkery and craftwerk was open and inviting last night, from 43^rd Street to 51^st along and nearby Telegraph Avenue in the really hitting its stride Temescal District. When I moved here a few years ago Temescal was still a pigment in my imagination, but I had a feeling it would turn.
I had no idea by what degree.
Last night’s inventory of food and people variety was pretty incredible. You can choose from like 30 different restaurants, from cheeseboards to tapas, from kimchi to curry, from pulled pork made out of a vegetable to pulled pork made from Mr. Puerco himself.
Top shelf cocktails at Dona and Barlata, PBR at The Avenue or Kingfish. Arts and crafts in the alley off 49^th that takes you to Pizzaiolo. In this alley last night I procured a belt made of a snake.
Buddy C., L, thanks for making all this happen. Thanks Marisa of the small shoppe for the snake.