Oakland transplants missing ‘seasonal’ weather are getting their fix this winter. First rain, then cold, now a bit more rain to come, and all welcome, but a little out of the ordinary. While we haven’t reached the coldest temperature in Oakland history (which was 25 °F, most recently on January 5, 1949), we have had some near freezing nights in the east bay these last couple of weeks, and the morning frost has put me in mind of New York, where it will drop to the single digits tomorrow. Bundle up, my eastern friends, you have some winter yet to come.

Here in Temescal, the trees are blossoming; first the acacias, heavy with fuzzy yellow spheres, then the stately magnolias, purple, pink and white, flowering with perfect posture. And now, right here on 40th Street, the cherry and plum trees have begun their dense and reckless explosion of pale pink blooms. We, too, are back in view and showing our colors. In the past week, I’ve seen neighbors more often and made new acquaintances. I’ve been out and about, even all the way across the bay to San Francisco! We’ve recovered from the holidays, weathered the winter, and learned to manage the pandemic, or at least our related fears, and now we’re getting on with our lives.

And Oakland is ready for our return, with tasty new food outlets on 40th Street and Telegraph Avenue and a series of pop-ups at Oakland Yard. OK’s Deli started serving their Asian-inflected, gourmet sandwiches last September, and the opening crowds have diminished enough to make a trip to OK’s more than worthwhile. Kitava had its grand opening two weeks ago, and is serving fresh, healthy fare at 40th and Opal Streets. Poppy’s Bagels on Telegraph is having their grand opening today! And right next to Poppy’s, Small Change Oyster Bar is working to get open as soon as possible. Pssst...keep an eye out for a Small Change oyster pop-up at Oakland Yard while they get their ducks in order. The future is mouthwatering. But first...

TONIGHT 2/2 - THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS: Domestic Whites & Italian Reds

2020 Loella Pinot Gris
2021 Phantômé Cellars Gruner Veltliner
2017 Red Newt Cellars Finger Lakes Dry Riesling
2021 Tenuta la Pergola Il Goccetto Brachetto
2020 Poderi Sanguineto IGT Toscana Sangiovese
2016 Terra d'Aligi Tatone Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Flights $15 from 5-9pm and wines by the glass from around the world until close!

SATURDAY 2/4 - PROVECHO at OAKLAND YARD from 2 to 6pm

Saturday Flights: Wines of Greece
2021 Zoinos Epiloges Debina
2020 Semeli Mantinia Moschofilero
2013 Vaeni Grande Reserve Xinomavro
2020 Thymiopoulos Young Vines Xinomavro
Flights $15 from 2-6pm and wines by the glass until 9pm *Bites from Provecho out front*

SUNDAY 2/5 - SPARKLING SUNDAY at OAKLAND YARD. Sparkling Flights and our first in a series of ARTISAN JEWELERS popping up here monthly. We are excited to host our first artist, Lindsay Knox of LADHA, who will be bringing a curated selection of offerings from her amazing collection - for sale here in the shop Sunday 2/5 from 2-6pm. Come have a glass and add some sparkle in the new year!

Cheers,
Max