Southie
Southie is the more casual sister restaurant to the wildly popular Wood Tavern next door. Southie, named after the Boston neighborhood, bills itself as having an "East Coast mentality, West Coast sensibility. The specialty here is all things sandwiches, but not just your typical deli fare. At Southie, you're likely to find sandwiches like a Shaved Porchetta sandwich with Fennel, Avocado and Olive Puree and a Mustard Vinaigrette, or the "Spicy Hog" Pulled Pork sandwich with Pickled Jalapeños, Slaw, and Lime Aioli. There is also a small selection of soups and salads, along with desserts like Bacon Infused Chocolate Pudding. In the evenings, Southie switches from 'wiches to small plates like Fried Baby Artichokes, Sauteed Mussels with Chorizo, Ahi Tuna Panzanella Salad, and larger plates like Roasted Flat Iron Steak, Fresh Tagliatelle Carbonara, and of course a few of their signature sandwiches. Southie also has a selection of wines on tap and bottled beers.
Omelets Chicken and Waffle Pancakes French toasts Teriyaki Chicken....
Relax with your favorite espresso or coffee drink at this cute cafe on the corner. The large windows look out onto College Avenue, and the vaulted ceilings allow for an open and airy atmosphere. But the comfy couch, the mix of French art and movie posters for M and The Blue Angel and a few French country touches keep things quaint and homey. Find all the usual coffee and espresso drinks, as well as bagels, croissants and biscotti. Try the specialty coffee drinks like the Choco Mint Latte or Kathy's Mocha (with coconut Torani syrup...yum).
Serving delectable vegetable delicacies since 1994, the Millennium Restaurant is one of the best fine dining restaurants in the city. This Rockridge restaurant places a premium on the farm-to-table concept, with the dishes highlighting the best and freshest ingredients of the season. Gorgeously plated and divinely crafted, their unique fare appeals to both hardcore vegetarians and omnivores, be it the Purple Cauliflower Fritto or the Polenta Croutons. Compliment your meal with a wine from their extensive wine list and feel free to bring along your group and enjoy the happy hours served here. With such a diverse vegetarian menu, it is no surprise that the restaurant was named the 'Number One Vegetarian Restaurant in the World' by The Daily Meal.
Barney's Hamburgers is an Oakland, indeed a Bay Area favorite, with locations all over the East Bay and San Francisco. Specializing in all things burger, here you can get everything from your basic "Barney Burger", to the very California "Sunshine Burger" with aged cheddar cheese, sprouts & avocado on whole wheat bread. In addition to regular beef, patrons can also opt for Chicken Burgers or Turkey Burgers, as well as a variety of salads, and a good Kid's menu, with Hot Dogs and Grilled Cheese. Don't miss out on the appetizers, either: the bulkiest Onion Rings you've ever seen topped with parmesan cheese, Steak Cut Fries, Deep Fried Veggies, and a massive order of Curly Fries. They also serve up a nice selection of milkshakes made with Dreyer's Ice Cream.
The Grand Oaks Restaurant & Sports Lounge is a bit deceiving. The large awning outside makes it seem like it would be an old-fashioned early bird restaurant, but once you step inside you'll feel the excitement and energy in the air. Grand Oaks is one of the best places to go if you're looking to watch the game with some beers among other sports fanatics. During playoffs of any sport, Grand Oaks is practically exploding with competitive team spirit. In addition to pints and pitchers of draft brew, they have a limited menu of bar foods like burgers, wings and pizza.
