A revival of local connection, community and creativity
Silke van de Grift and her dog, Molly, inspire shelter dogs to put their best paw forward.
In an era defined by disconnection and distraction, we find ourselves drawn more than ever to what grounds us: truth, art, food, love and place. For our annual Best of the East Bay issue, with a special section on Education, we highlight stories that are not just locally grown, but deeply rooted.
Whether it’s the thoughtful journalism Michael Bolden champions at UC Berkeley, the healing ethos of ALMA’s arts-based education in Orinda or the
ANDREW DEANGELO is an Oakland-based entrepreneur who writes about the arts, advocacy and plant medicine.
MARVIN DEWAND is the pseudonym of an East Bay-based writer.
JEFFREY EDALATPOUR writes about arts, food and culture for SF Weekly, Metro Silicon Valley, East Bay Express and KQED Arts.
lovingly prepared dolmas at the new Azerbaijani restaurant Bistro 4293 in Oakland, each story in this issue o ers more than a profile—it provides a portal into how culture, care and connection can shape lives.
We also share a deeply personal story of one family’s evolving understanding of gender and love, a powerful reminder that growth is often uncomfortable, always necessary and sometimes beautiful beyond measure.
LOU FANCHER has been published in Diablo Magazine, Oakland Tribune, InDance, San Francisco Classical Voice, SF Weekly, WIRED.com and elsewhere.
JANIS HASHE regularly contributes to the East Bay Express and other Bay Area publications.
And of course, our annual Best of the East Bay roundup is here to celebrate the people, places and businesses that continue to feed the soul of this region. Your votes, alongside our editorial picks, reflect a community in joyful motion—still changing, still rising, still home.
Welcome to the East Bay’s renaissance, with a celebration of what we value most, grounded in regional pride and rooted in the fearless joy of being real.
— Samantha Campos, Editor
PANASHE MATEMBA-MUTASA is a sta reporter for Tri-City Voice, East Bay Express and Metro Silicon Valley, where her work ranges from enterprise stories on public school underfunding to feel-good profiles of local restaurants.
BROOKE MOHIUDDIN is a writer and photographer for portraits, events and concerts in the Bay Area. She is currently a high school senior.
PHOTO BY SOON TANI BECCARIA MOCHIZUKI
Meaningful Music
Orinda academy’s humanitarian philosophy creates an enriching educational experience
BY Brooke Mohiuddin
The Academy of Language and Music Arts (ALMA) in Orinda sets out to o er lessons for all ages in a thoughtful, rich and meaningful fashion. The school was founded by Dr. James Fiatrone—also known to students as “Dr. Jim.” Fiatrone believes that from elementary through graduate school, we acquire a lot of knowledge and improve or gain skills, but there isn’t always a lot of thought behind it as to why.
“My feeling has always been that education has to have another reason
behind it,” says Fiatrone. “We try to teach people how to use their art not only for self-fulfilment, but for others. People can tell the di erence. Do you do what you do because you love it or for the recompense?”
A humanitarian philosophy is infused into the teaching style, culture and physical space at ALMA, intending to create a therapeutic and educationally intriguing experience for students that may be lost in at-home, online or even in-school lessons.
Fiatrone earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at UC Berkeley, studying Italian language, literature
ALMA MATTERS
Dr. James Fiatrone founded the Academy of Language and Music Arts.
« and culture with a minor in music. He then taught Italian at UC Berkeley, Southern Methodist University and at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. Fiatrone learned clarinet and piano from his parents, who ran a music school in Pinole, and developed his perspective on music education early on. With an itch to start something of his own and keep both his interest in language and music alive, he opened the academy.
At ALMA, learning music and language is never about excelling for the sole sake of competition or profit. ALMA is focused rather on planting a meaningful seed in students that enriches their approach to education and other activities.
“We’ve had students perform at hospitals and convalescent homes, and we surely encourage that,” says Fiatrone. “We teach people how to use their art not only for self-fulfillment, but for others. Even if it’s something as simple as, ‘Call your grandmother and play this for her; she’ll probably know this song.’ Just the idea of, again, whatever we learn, whether it’s a language or an art form, really any skill, how can you use that out in life, out in the world? Not just professionally, but to help
bring good vibes, and make the world a better place.”
Recognizing it can be difficult to philosophize about “the why” in a rigorous and competitive school or work setting, ALMA aims to offset that, giving students an opportunity to be mindful, slow down and explore their passions away from outside stressors or worrisome competition.
“We have, for example, a student who does clarinet,” says Fiatrone. “She’s a California state judge. All day long, you have the courts and the arguments, but she comes here, and it’s just kind of like a sigh. This is the time to turn off the message machine.”
Fiatrone shares how his parents taught a young Billie Joe Armstrong, Green Day’s lead singer. Though the star’s potential was clear from the start, he recalls his father saying, “If he does it for money, he’ll become very good. He’ll become professional and probably successful, but people won’t know why he’s doing it. And if he does it because he loves to sing and entertain, he’ll become even greater. And people will know the difference.” Fiatrone adds, “Ironically, he then became super-
duper successful as a man, and in a financial sense, too. But maybe that was his point.”
These ideas are woven into the teaching as well as the physical environment at ALMA—which is not only a school, but a full-service music store, filled with memorabilia and sheet music. The academy is located in an older building surrounded by greenery and shared with a yoga studio and flower shop. For Fiatrone, language and music taught in the same building is an immersive way to understand the culture carried by music and vice versa.
“Context is important in anything we do,” Fiatrone says, explaining that ALMA’s physical space is designed to evoke curiosity, peace and comfort.
ALMA carries several shelves of sheet music for students to pick and discover material from, allowing them not only to follow their interests, but to find unexpected gems. Instruments of all kinds are displayed, intriguing students to ask questions and try new things. Fiatrone recognizes and values this as another indirect form of education ALMA offers.
Students are meant to feel welcome, familiar and at-home. In fact, the door frame is covered with holiday and graduation cards from families and students who’ve attended ALMA, and are close with their teachers and Fiatrone.
Regarding the youngest students, Fiatrone says, “I think sometimes they have a funny feeling about what it’s going to be like going somewhere to take lessons. Maybe it sounds like going to the doctor or something. But we’re kind of wild and crazy. People are always coming in and out, and I try to know every person, whether or not they’re my student. It’s the life of the place that makes a big difference.
“We’re not judgemental,” he adds. “You don’t have to worry about how you’ll be evaluated. We try to eliminate that spirit. Just come out and put in a good session.”
Fiatrone encourages potential students—and their parents—who aren’t yet entirely sure how committed they are to learning music or a language, to just come down and try a lesson, because the environment and culture of ALMA may make a difference.
MUSICAL CULTURE The academy is not only a school, but a full-service music store, filled with memorabilia and sheet music.
Bentley School is an intellectually curious and inclusive community where teachers embrace the strengths of every student, helping them to achieve their full potential. At Bentley, we believe a culture that balances academic achievement, co-curricular engagement, and socialemotional well-being creates the most transformative student experiences. Please schedule a visit to learn more.
bentleyschool.org
Honoring Our Past. Building the Future.
F
ounded in 1887, Head-Royce is a diverse K–12 school nestled in the Oakland hills that serves families seeking a transformative educational experience. As a 138-year-old institution—and the third oldest independent school in California—
Head-Royce is steeped in tradition, but progressive in its approach to teaching. Our mission is to develop students of character, intellect, and creativity, and with those three core values in mind, we put students first in everything that we do.
Bolden leads
New UC Berkeley dean shapes the future of journalism
ESTEEMED JOURNO
RBY Lou Fancher
epresenting a prime catch for UC Berkeley, journalist Michael Bolden assumed his position as the School of Journalism’s eighth permanent dean on Aug.1. He brings to the Bay Area multifaceted experience and a particular devotion to community-connected, collaborative journalism.
Departing his most recent post as CEO and executive director of the American Press Institute (API), Bolden’s distinguished career as a reporter and national editor includes years working at New Orleans Times-Picayune, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle and others. During the pandemic, he co-developed the John
S. Knight Fellowship program at Stanford University. The program built and implemented an innovative framework for remote reporting, allowing fellows from across the country to remain in and best serve their local communities.
Bolden grew up in Mobile, Alabama. His father was a Baptist minister whose formal education ended at sixth grade; his mother had a background in corporate security and a family history that included educators. While he read World Book Encyclopedias for entertainment, she completed crossword puzzles in pen. Local newspapers and national magazines such as Ebony and Jet stacked the reading tables, and news television and radio broadcasts were the home’s constant soundtrack,
Bolden recalls in an interview in mid-July.
Asked to reflect on other childhood experiences that influence the journalist, industry leader and Black man he has become, Bolden says, “What comes to mind was that my dad was a social influencer before social media. I’m thinking of the way he moved in the world and going with him to the barbershop on Saturday mornings. Talking to his friends, hearing about what was going on in the community and politics, that emphasized for me the importance of being out in and learning from the community.”
From those hours in the barbershop, Bolden discovered there are layers in every person’s life. Listening to wisdom delivered, witnessing joyful »
Michael Bolden served as CEO and executive director of the American Press Institute, and worked as a reporter and national editor at several distinguished newspapers.
The Child Unique Montessori School
and Montessori Elementary Intermediate School of Alameda
The Child Unique Montessori School and Montessori Elementary Intermediate School of Alameda serve children at three campuses from 18 months through 8th grade. Renowned for its adherence to Montessori philosophy and social justice emphasis, we offer a sensorial, living experience to learn and honor the people within the world around us. We create a student-centered
environment which fosters curiosity, love of learning, critical thinking, and an understanding of identity, belonging, diversity, inclusion, and justice. The arts (music, performing and creative arts) and culture (second language lessons and inclusion) are bookends to our curriculum. And although our school seeks continual diversity, we recognize that diversity alone is not inclusion. With carefully crafted scaffolding, we help children learn in real time how to care for living things, including those who are different from them.
congregation and recognizing the diversity of people’s stories cranked up his innate curiosity, spawning his earliest, investigative desire to know more. “It was also about learning the trials and tribulations my parents faced. What it was like growing up in the Jim Crow South and how you had to swallow your pride in order to get along. But you were resilient, still able to function and emerge in the world as a man,” he notes.
The barbershop was located in an area known as Africa Town. As an adult, Bolden became aware Africa Town was where enslaved Africans transported on the last slave ship, the Clotilda, had settled. “We didn’t live in Africa Town, but Dad made a point of going to that barbershop,” he explains. “I didn’t realize it then, but there was an undertow to what I was seeing in this place.”
Upon arriving on campus, Bolden says important facets of his approach will include not insulating himself within the journalism department and practicing deep listening in communities on and beyond the campus. Within the department, the priority will be establishing structures and an environment that supports thinking, questioning and constantly refining and improving ideas and processes.
“There’s a need for cross-collaborations across divisions, and this includes people outside of the educational system,” says Bolden. “What can we learn from the rich history of Berkeley? It’s been a bastion of free speech, protest, assembly, and of course, the free press—all the fundamental essentials of democracy.” Along with those core elements, Bolden insists achieving immediate results that last means not imposing his will. “Collaboration is deep listening to the needs and ideas of other people, and then, finding a way to execute them,” he points out. The voice of the “smartest person in the room,” according to Bolden, is actually a collective. People and communities historically left out of mainstream media must be sought, heard, and their needs and interests understood and effectively, meticulously portrayed.
One of the greatest risks in journalism is succumbing to systemic weaknesses that result in a lack of public trust in the media. “That’s assuming we know what’s best, all the time,” says Bolden. “We decide to do a story on X. We do, but we might totally miss the boat on the real story behind the issue, the things that are most significant. Journalism for a long time has looked around and thought, we need to write about this, this and this. We’ve done that for decades.”
‘I see opportunities everywhere. We now have more diverse voices that open our eyes to things we’ve never thought about.’
Instead, Bolden says the best formula for strong journalism comes from entering the community to ask questions. What does one want to know? What are one’s problems? Are we meeting one’s needs? And to rise to a heightened level, embedding writers in the community where they live allows them to best serve the diverse voices and rich history unique to each neighborhood, city, town or region.
The conversation with Bolden ends with upbeat optimism. In his professional life, Bolden says, “I see opportunities everywhere. We now have more diverse voices that open our eyes to things we’ve never thought about. The industry is broadening; we’re opening the tent to innovators. We can’t tightly control the flow of information. We have technology to help us experiment, try new things.”
In his personal time, Bolden will explore the East Bay’s abundant arts activities—he loves ballet—and acclimate his two Sheepadoodles to the area. Named “Grace” to honor his late mother and “Gabriella,” a niece’s suggestion, Bolden says, “They make quite the pair.” The same might be said of Bolden and the future of journalism at UC Berkeley. ❤
« SUPPORTIVE COLLABORATION Michael Bolden became UC Berkeley School of Journalism’s eighth permanent dean on Aug. 1.
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory High School
Sacred Heart Cathedral is a private high school that offers a rigorous and innovative academic curriculum complemented by outstanding arts and athletics programs. Our faculty ensures students receive the best education within an inclusive Catholic community of faith.
SHC offers 25 AP courses, opportunities to compete in 24 sports, round-trip East Bay
transportation and state-of-the-art facilities, including a 300-seat theater, a spacious theater workshop, a 12,000-square-foot library and fitness and athletic performance centers. With 100 percent college acceptance, graduates attend top universities, including Stanford, Notre Dame and UC Berkeley.
1055 Ellis Street | San Francisco, CA 94109 | 415-775-6626 | shcp.edu
Transitions
When a daughter becomes a son
Ijust wanted to say how proud I am, proud of the young woman you’ve become.”
There was a pause as my daughter took what I said in. Then she began to tremble, big wet tears rolling down her cheeks. “But Dad,” she whispered. “I don’t want to be a woman…” More tears, trembling, sni ing. “I want… I want to be a man.”
And right there, before my very eyes, my daughter became my son.
Of course, our oldest child had been transitioning for years. Mostly internally. And in that moment, well … that was when I o cially began my own transition. That was when I first looked at my child in a new light. As a “he” and not a “she.”
By Marvin DeWand
We had been sitting in a fancy restaurant in Las Vegas. It was a last minute trip. I felt I needed some bonding time with our oldest child because we were about to lose her to college. Of course we were happy for her, and this was me releasing her into the world, a symbolic gesture, like the doves at the Olympics. It represented hope and love and peace.
I also felt like I was losing my job, like my parenting skills would no longer be needed. I was becoming obsolete, an ironic twist to parenting that nobody mentions. Doubly so since I was a stayat-home dad. This trip was my desperate attempt to cling to something that had meant so much to me. Without it, I was without purpose.
So when that emotional moment came,
when I had mustered enough courage to express my parental pride and I was ready to let go, my own child said something that stopped me cold.
“Wait … what?”
Years of parenting had not prepared me for this.
But there she was, there HE was, sitting across from me, being vulnerable, and my heart melted. I wasn’t sure how to react, but I knew I would do whatever it took to help him achieve his goals, to ensure his happiness. Isn’t that what every parent wants?
To be honest, my first thought was not so noble. My first thought was “What did I do wrong?” Maybe by being a stayat-home dad I had disturbed the natural order of things. Maybe the man is not supposed to raise children, imprinting »
And right there,
before my very eyes, my daughter became my son.
«
his maleness upon them more than he should.
Or maybe my subconscious desire to have a son had influenced our child’s behavior? I was happy with two daughters, I had thought, but that primal instinct to keep the bloodline going, to survive, maybe that was too powerful; maybe that’s what was really driving me?
Or maybe it’s a passing phase? You know, teens and their hormones. Who knows what’s going on.
Or maybe it’s our child rebelling against us? The ultimate dis. Changing gender and choosing a new name, throwing out the one we had worked so hard to bestow.
But after considering all of the above, and going through many di erent emotions in the weeks following that trip, my wife and I settled on one simple truth: that our daughter had grown up uncomfortable. Brilliant, yes, and funny, and charming … but feeling that something was o .
And that’s all that mattered. This was our son wanting to be happy, wanting to live their best life. So we would support him as best we could.
Why had I painted their room pink? That’s what I did, the moment I knew we were going to have a baby girl. Before kids, my wife and I constantly questioned social norms. But then parenting comes along, and there’s nothing else to act as a guide really. One begins to rely on old folk sayings and ancient wisdom that has been passed
down from generation to generation. Boys will be boys.
And signing her up for Girl Scouts? Probably a big mistake, I now realize.
We watched I Saw the TV Glow recently. The director, Jane Schoenbrun, describes the film as being about the “egg crack,” a term for the moment in a trans person’s life when they realize their identity does not correspond to their assigned gender.
It has helped me to understand what our child has been going through, and it made me sad that we didn’t recognize it sooner.
The signs were there, perhaps. Maybe. Our eldest daughter was never into dolls or social cliques or makeup or any of the stereotypical girly stu . She loved acting, usually gravitating towards male roles. But she wasn’t necessarily a “tomboy” either. She was just our daughter, someone with a big personality who loved reading and singing and playing games.
HE is still that person.
Physically, there have been some minor changes. He has started taking testosterone. That’s when we knew he was serious. Growing up, he had always feared needles. Now he was injecting himself in the stomach every week. He has since switched to rubbing gel on his shoulders. So his voice has lowered, and he’s a little hairier than before.
Top surgery is coming, as soon as we can figure out an a ordable option with our health insurance. And a legal name
change is in the near future.
It must be a scary moment, that “egg crack.” And choosing to live a new life, untested, shedding an identity that has been precast; well … who among us could be so brave? It makes me wonder how many of us just settle, living a life of mediocrity, never reaching our full potential?
I think the timing of our son’s coming out has certainly helped ease the transition for all of us. Starting college is like starting over, with a whole new set of friends in a brand new environment. His classmates, many of them from the LGBTQ+ community, all see him for whom he is.
A heartfelt email from my son to the grandparents was well received. And while there has been plenty of fumbling with pronouns, there has also been plenty of family love and support.
So what’s left to say?
I think only that, as a parent, as a dad, I thought my number-one job was to teach my children well, to prepare them for the world. But I hadn’t counted on that world changing. And now I realize that my kids are teaching me. How to be bold. How to accept di erences. How to forgive. How to love.
So Son, if you’re listening, I just wanted to tell you how proud I am. Proud of all you’ve accomplished. And I’m looking forward to seeing how brightly you shine. ❤
A t WriterCoach Connection we’re building bright futures for tomorrow’s professionals. We pair middle and high school students with trained volunteers to coach them through their writing assignments, ensuring students get the one-on-one time they need to strengthen their critical thinking and writing skills and become ef fective, confident communicators. Whether you are looking to volunteer or partner with us, or support youth education, we have lots of opportunities to get involved Sign up on our website below.
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ARTS ´ CULTURE
The wordsmiths
Bay Area-based writers and poets deserve recognition, too
BY Lou Fancher
It’s time to face it and embrace it. Arts and culture in the East Bay pack the award-winners’ list with everything from music to dance to theater, cinema, museums, art galleries, festivals, performing arts venues and more.
One gaping hole in the 2025 selections is wordsmiths. People who, on the page or stage or broadcast and internet platforms, sculpt, define, praise, criticize, analyze and re-imagine the world in which we live or the history and voices held in memory, forgotten
and in need of revival, or erased and longburied in overlooked communities.
Sticking mostly to Bay Area-based writers and poets with recent, new or forthcoming books and collections that stock local bookshelves to overflowing, the 2025 “Best Ofs” include science writer Mary Roach (Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy, September); YA graphic artist/novelist Briana Loewinsohn (Raised by Ghosts, February); and novelist/poet Leila Mottley (The Girls Who Grew Big, June).
Also included are author Jon Hickey (Big Chief, April); poet devorah major (word time, November); essayist Rebecca Solnit (No Straight Road Takes You There, May); novelist/ children’s picture book author/cookbook writer Ying Chang Compestine (multiple releases, 2025); memoirist Samina Ali (Pieces You’ll Never Get Back, March); author Isabel Allende (My Name Is Emilia del Valle, May); and more.
Allowing the literature to expand, there are cookbooks from chef Tu David Phus (The Memory of Taste, co-written with Soleil
Ho and released in late 2024) and Chez Panisse founder/owner and writer Alice Waters (A School Lunch Revolution, October).
Branching out to museums, one may scoop up BAMPFA’s marvelous Routed West: Twentieth-Century African American Quilts in California (edited with text by Elaine Y. Yau and including essays by Daphne A. Brooks, Bridget R. Cooks, Basil Kincaid, Eli Leon, Adia Millett, Matthew Villar Miranda, Wendy M. Thompson, Julie Rodrigues Widholm and more).
Comedian/host/producer/writer W. Kamau Bell hits all the right writerly notes with multiple projects in print, on tour with his standup show (“Who’s With Me?”) and through philanthropic collaborations benefiting East Bay schools and students. These writers and speakers of words are only the top of the barrel. For more, visit one of the East Bay’s many independent bookstores (see Goods & Services winners) and browse the stacks with the help of knowledgeable, book-addicted owners and employees.
NEW BOOK Novelist/poet
Leila Mottley released ‘The Girls Who Grew Big’ in June.
ARTS ´ CULTURE
BEST ART GALLERY
RICHMOND ART CENTER
THE COMPOUND GALLERY
SHOH GALLERY
BEST CHARITABLE EVENT
PINTS FOR PAWS, BERKELEY HUMANE
SAVOR THE SEASON, ALAMEDA COUNTY COMMUNITY FOOD BANK
A.B.O. COMIX
BBEST CLASSICAL MUSIC ORGANIZATION
OAKLAND SYMPHONY
COMMUNITY WOMEN’S ORCHESTRA
PROMETHEUS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
BEST COMEDY NIGHT
CRITICAL HIT COMEDY AT IT'S YOUR MOVE
COMEDY AT THE FACTORY
COMEDY OAKLAND
BEST COVER BAND
FLEETWOOD MACRAM E
OINGA BOINGA
PETTY THEFT
BEST DANCE CLUB
ASHKENAZ MUSIC & DANCE COMMUNITY CENTER
QU E RICO NIGHTCLUB
THE UC THEATRE, TAUBE FAMILY MUSIC HALL
BEST DANCE COMPANY
OAKLAND BALLET COMPANY
BANDALOOP
CONSERVATORY OF CLASSICAL BALLET
BEST DANCE INSTRUCTOR (AND STUDIO)
ROBIN NASATIR, SHAWL - ANDERSON
DANCE CENTER
ANN FISHER, CONSERVATORY OF CLASSICAL BALLET
KATHY REYES, ASHKENAZ MUSIC & DANCE COMMUNITY CENTER
BEST DANCE SCHOOL
SHAWL - ANDERSON
DANCE CENTER
CONSERVATORY OF CLASSICAL BALLET
BERKELEY BALLET
BEST FILM FESTIVAL
OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
NOIR CITY
ALBANY FILMFEST
BEST KARAOKE
THE ALLEY
FREAKYOKE @ STORK CLUB
MEL - O - DEE COCKTAILS
BEST LARGE MUSIC VENUE
FREIGHT & SALVAGE
FOX THEATER
GREEK THEATRE
BEST LATIN MUSIC CLUB
LA PE N A CULTURAL CENTER
ZANZI OAKLAND
BEST LGBTQ EVENT
OAKLAND PRIDE
OAKLASH
EL AFTERS
BEST LOCAL BAND
TOWER OF POWER
SKIP THE NEEDLE
MIDDLE - AGED QUEERS
TOWN LOVE Oakland Pride wins readers’ votes for Best LGBTQ+ Event.
SAL CASTANEDA, KTVU
GRAND LAKE THEATER
THE NEW PARKWAY THEATER
RIALTO CINEMAS CERRITO
BEST MUSEUM
OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA
BAMPFA
THE LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE
BEST OUTDOOR ART EVENT
EAST BAY OPEN STUDIOS
ART + SOUL OAKLAND
OAKLAND ART MURMUR
BEST PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
FREIGHT & SALVAGE
BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE
ZELLERBACH HALL
READERS’ PICKS
BEST PERFORMING DANCE COMPANY
OAKLAND BALLET COMPANY
BANDALOOP
BALLET FOLKLORICO NETZAHUALCOYOTL
LOS CENZONTLES
BEST RECORD/CD STORE
AMOEBA MUSIC
MARS RECORDS
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 GO! RECORDS
BEST SMALL MUSIC VENUE
IVY ROOM
FREIGHT & SALVAGE
LITTLE HILL LOUNGE
BEST SMALL THEATER COMPANY
SHOTGUN PLAYERS
CENTRAL WORKS
AURORA THEATRE COMPANY
BEST SMALL/QUIRKY MUSEUM
ROSIE THE RIVETER WWII HOME
FRONT NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
PACIFIC PINBALL MUSEUM
NILES ESSANAY SILENT FILM MUSEUM
BEST THEATER COMPANY
BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE
SHOTGUN PLAYERS
AURORA THEATRE COMPANY
BEAUTY, HEALTH ´ WELLNESS
GO WITH THE FLOW
El Cerrito’s Soma Yoga & Wellness o ers classes based on principles of yoga, Ayurveda and somatics.
Hair Now, Flow Later
A welcome return to self-care in Berkeley and El Cerrito
BY Janis Hashe
There’s been less talk about and focus on “self-care” since everyone emerged back into the busy world post-pandemic. But it’s worth considering that self-care is even more important now, as people need to look and feel their best to do their best
in a demanding work, home and play environment.
Whether it’s keeping muscles and joints flexible with the many types of yoga available, taking good care of skin (the body’s biggest organ) or just feeling more upbeat because hair and nails look good, the physical and psychological benefits are legion.
The East Bay has it all, from superglam to low-key, homey spaces. Berkeley’s Today’s Rave, for example, is a small, woman-owned hair salon that earns customers’ kudos for the skill and professional expertise of the folks who cut and color hair there.
Of the many and diverse yoga studios, El Cerrito’s Soma Yoga & Wellness o ers several types of “flow” yoga, alongside
more challenging vinyasa, as well as yin, with longer posture holds and restorative benefits. Many yoga enthusiasts enjoy a combination of styles. Soma’s goal is o ering classes based on principles of yoga, Ayurveda and somatics, which emphasizes body awareness, releases tension and fosters a sense of safety and well-being. It was di cult to maintain regular dental visits during Covid. Yet taking good care of teeth is another vital way of maintaining long-term health. It’s important to find a dentist whose care and advice inspire trust and confidence, and whose sta is welcoming. Fortunately, the East Bay is home to many such providers, including those voted on in this year’s “Best Ofs.”
Getting back into the world has meant more freedom, of course, but also more stress. Now may be the time to work on the inner self with help from the right therapist. Working through problems is never out of style.
Today’s Rave, open Tue-Sat by appointment. 1787 Solano Ave., Berkeley. 510.524.0991.
Soma Yoga & Wellness, open daily. 9951 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 510.240.9059. somayogawellness.com.
BY
PHOTO
MADELYN MARKOE, MADSO PHOTOGRAPHY
in the Temple of Venus
Like a Tibetan sand painting, our beautiful community Temple Shop of 13 years blew away last month. And then we found our new magical spot, now open at 1733 Fourth Street. Come visit and join our LoveTribe.
Krista wearing Johnny Was mesh dress
Photo by Sequoia Photography
BEAUTY, HEALTH ´ WELLNESS
BEST ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE
CARA BROCKBANK
OAKLAND COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE
JENNY CRISSMAN INTEGRATIVE HEALING
BEST ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY
ST. PAUL'S TOWERS
SILVERADO BERKELEY MEMORY CARE COMMUNITY
THE WATERMARK BY THE BAY
BEST CHIROPRACTIC OFFICE
ONSIGHT CHIROPRACTIC
IN LINE CHIROPRACTIC SPORTS AND WELLNESS CENTER
BRUCE RIZZO DC
BEST DAY SPA
ARCTIC RESTORE
PIEDMONT SPRINGS
SUPPLE
BEST DENTAL PRACTICE
PIEDMONT DENTAL BY DESIGN
PIEDMONT ADVANCED DENTISTRY
MONTCLAIR PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
BEST DERMATOLOGY PRACTICE
DERMATOLOGY CENTER OF THE EAST BAY
NORCAL DERMATOLOGY GROUP
PLEASANTON DERMATOLOGY
BEST ESTHETIC DENTIST
JILL MARTENSON
PIEDMONT ADVANCED DENTISTRY
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IBX FITNESS
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FOX AND BELLE SALON
KET E R SALON
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CENTER FOR BETTER HEARING
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JOHN MUIR HEALTH WALNUT CREEK MEDICAL CENTER
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SUPPLE
ALBANY SAUNA, MASSAGE THERAPY, FACIALS & HOT TUBS
ALLISON AYER
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SOLEMATES
MARLOWE
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BEST OB/GYN
LISA M. DESMOND, SUTTER HEALTH
PATRICK DAWKINS, KAISER PERMANENTE OAKLAND MEDICAL CENTER
RAMA POLISETTY, STANFORD MEDICINE
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ROCKRIDGE OPTOMETRY
SOLANO EYECARE
UC BERKELEY OPTOMETRY CLINIC
BEST PEDIATRICIAN
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NANCI TUCKER, KIWI PEDIATRICS
ALLISON HAMPTON, KAISER PERMANENTE SAN LEANDRO
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NICHELLE JENKINS, PRONATAL FITNESS
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DARREN L. MOORE, STUDIOFITLIFE
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PLANK + POWER
ROOT & LIMB
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LUCIA GRAUMAN
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SUPPLE
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THE YONI TEMPLE
SUPPLE
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GAIA YOGA
ADELINE YOGA
BANANA YOGA
We’re honored to be recognized by our community!
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CANNABIS
Grassroots and Grit
Local cannabis pioneers adapt and thrive despite hurdles
BY Andrew DeAngelo
East Bay cannabis is truly something for our community to be proud of. Some of the most successful cannabis companies in California—and the world—are still based here and in San Francisco, despite many others closing up shop as adult-use legalization has failed many in this state.
I don’t need to elaborate on overtaxation and over-regulation to local consumers; we all see the results on the price tags in dispensaries and the disruption to our favorite brands.
Operators have had to comply with one absurdity after another just to stay in business. The California excise tax for weed being almost twice that of firearms is but one example. Despite it all, the resiliency and grit that are hallmarks of East Bay culture are being tapped by operators to get weed to the people. Good weed at that.
It all started with the legacy dispensary Berkeley Patients Group, which began in the late 1990s and is still going strong today. They were the first of many important pioneers. Oaksterdam University and the work of Richard Lee (who sadly passed away in July) and Dale Sky Jones broke new ground for so many in our community. Oaksterdam is still teaching and advocating for reform to this day. Then Harborside opened its doors in 2006 and put Oakland cannabis on the international media map, making The Town the face of global weed.
Other legacy companies made their own contributions, like Kiva, Jetty Extracts, Oakland Extracts, 7 Stars and Nug. All are alive and well in places like Oakland, San Leandro and Richmond. Not to mention Cookies, the global powerhouse that got started right here in the East Bay and may be the biggest force in all of cannabis.
Newer players like Snowtill in San Francisco, Vertosa in Berkeley, Budist in Oakland and Park Social in Alameda continue to innovate and create new formats or interfaces for cannabis and consumers. Social equity companies like Root’d in the 510 dispensary and the Equity Trade Network bring excellent operations and products to customers, allowing them to support those most harmed by the war on weed.
While it’s tempting to conclude that legal cannabis has no heart, sometimes one just has to poke around. Here in the East Bay and San Francisco, there’s no shortage of excellent operators and products for the people to enjoy and heal from. The operators I’ve listed here are just the tip of the iceberg, so one may keep poking around. They may just hit something that really lights them up.
CANNABIS BOUTIQUE One of Alameda’s first adult-use cannabis dispensaries, Park Social, opened in a historic Art Deco building in March 2023.
CANNABIS
READERS’ PICKS
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7 STARS HOLISTIC HEALING CENTER
ROOT’D IN THE 510
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FARMACY
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SMOAKLAND (SMOKELAND)
FARMACY
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7 STARS HOLISTIC HEALING CENTER
ROOT'D IN THE 510
FARMACY
BEST CANNABIS EVENT
ROOT'D IN THE 510
THE APOTHECARIUM DISPENSARY
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7 STARS HOLISTIC HEALING CENTER
ROOT'D IN THE 510
FARMACY
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7 STARS HOLISTIC HEALING CENTER
ROOT'D IN THE 510
THE APOTHECARIUM DISPENSARY
BEST PIPE SHOP
7 STARS HOLISTIC HEALING CENTER
ROOT'D IN THE 510
BIG AL'S
BEST SELECTION OF EDIBLES
7 STARS HOLISTIC HEALING CENTER
ROOT'D IN THE 510
THE APOTHECARIUM DISPENSARY
Photo by Daniel Villarreal
GOING FOR GOLD Richmond’s 7 Stars Holistic Healing Center wins it all yet again.
FAMILY ´ PETS
Unleashing Affection
Blending her artistic talent and a stong passion for dogs, Silke van de Grift helps pets at Berkeley Humane and Rocket Dog Rescue get adopted by unleashing—no pun intended—their true personalities for the camera.
Van de Grift’s focus on pet photography began when she adopted and started posting photos of her own dog, Molly—“a shy and anxious little weirdo,” she calls her. As Molly grew closer to her, she noticed the di erence it made on camera. Her photos gained attention from friends, and she began photographing their dogs. Eventually, van de Grift volunteered with a friend at the Milo Foundation, a shelter in Richmond. She thought, “Maybe I can actually make this my full time thing,” and started her business.
Today, van de Grift photographs dogs for private clients and public shelters with a goal of capturing the authentic character their humans know and love.
Shelter dogs can often be emotionally responsive to their new placement at the
How Silke van de Grift uses photography to help rescue dogs get adopted
BY Brooke Mohiuddin
shelter, and a camera may only amplify that or evoke other reactions. “The camera is like a big eye looking at them, and that’s very scary,” says van de Grift.
Potential adopters can feel discouraged by poorly representative photos, or when dogs they meet at a shelter don’t run up to them playfully, but are instead uneasy or reserved. Van de Grift’s photography for shelters is important because quality photos that accurately depict a shelter dog’s charm help them get adopted. When given the opportunity to choose dogs to photograph, she gravitates toward ones who’ve been there longer or who are less outgoing, understanding they may just need the extra love and attention.
While pretty backgrounds and posed photos are fun, van de Grift’s philosophy is centered around helping dogs feel comfortable and confident. There aren’t necessarily tricks to make her photos happen.
“There are definitely a lot of treats and weird noise makers,” says van de Grift. “But my style is more relaxed, more like documentary-style.”
Every shoot is di erent. Generally the task is to gain the dog’s trust, pick a good location, collaborate with the owners and do all of this while the dog is likely distracted by the setting. This can be a challenge with especially reactive or anxious dogs, though van de Grift also recalls fun memories shooting with a new puppy litter: “They were tumbling over each other, falling o the stage, and they peed everywhere—it was a mess, but it was a lot of fun.”
Photographing dogs is a process that van de Grift finds rewarding not only for the animals, but also for herself, as she takes joy in witnessing the impact her photography has.
“The fun with puppies, puppy kisses and cuddling is great, but seeing them open up and with their new family afterwards is very rewarding,” she says. “The best part is some people hire you afterwards to take photos of the dogs once they’ve been adopted and are happy at their new home, with their new family.”
For more info, visit Feral and Fab Photography, feralandfabphotography.com.
PHOTO BY SILKE VAN DE GRIFT
CANINE CAMERA Joni hams it up as her weird and wonderful self at her beautiful home.
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FAMILY ´ PETS
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BERKELEY HUMANE
EAST BAY SPCA OAKLAND ADOPTION CENTER
CAT TOWN
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THE GRAND LAKE VETERINARY HOSPITAL
BERKELEY DOG & CAT HOSPITAL
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EAST BAY SPCA, OAKLAND ADOPTION CENTER
THE MILO FOUNDATION
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CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
OAKLAND ZOO
THE BACKYARD, RICHMOND
BEST CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL CENTER
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HABITOT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
THE SCHOOL OF ROCK, BERKELEY
BEST DOG TRAINER
BERKELEY HUMANE
HAPPY HOUND
EAST BAY SPCA, OAKLAND ADOPTION CENTER
BEST DOGGIE DAY CARE
HAPPY HOUND PLAY & DAYCARE
METRO DOG
THE BARKMONT
DOG SOCIAL CLUB
BEST PET SUPPLY STORE
PET CLUB
HEALTHY SPOT, NORTH BERKELEY
HIGH TIDE AQUATICS
BEST PET-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
DRAKE'S DEALERSHIP
PICANTE
THE BACKYARD, RICHMOND
BEST PLACE TO BOARD YOUR PETS
HAPPY HOUND PLAY & DAYCARE
DOG SOCIAL CLUB
METRO DOG
BEST PRESCHOOL
THE CHILD UNIQUE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
EAST BAY GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
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HEAD - ROYCE SCHOOL
HOLY NAMES HIGH SCHOOL
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EAST BAY MONTESSORI
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ELDER ASHRAM
SUNRISE OF OAKLAND HILLS
SILVERADO BERKELEY MEMORY CARE COMMUNITY
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THE CRUCIBLE
CAMP WINNARAINBOW
BERKELEY REP SCHOOL OF THEATRE
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MR MOPPS' TOY SHOP
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TOY SAFARI
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THE GRAND LAKE VETERINARY HOSPITAL
EAST BAY SPCA OAKLAND ADOPTION CENTER
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SHOEY SINDEL PHOTOGRAPHY
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BRAZILIAN ROOM
HAMMERLING WINES
CLAREMONT RESORT & SPA
BEST WEDDING VENUE
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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BOTANICAL GARDEN
BERKELEY CITY CLUB
Home
Veterinary Practice
Animal Rescue Group
Animal Adoption Center
Animal Hospital
Non-Profit Organization
Dog Trainer
FOOD ´ DRINK
My-O-My
Customizable fast-casual
Med dining in Berkeley
BY Panashe Matemba-Mutasa
Tucked beneath the golden arches of UC Berkeley’s MLK Student Union, My-O-My o ers a breezy, build-your-own Mediterranean dining experience that’s fast, flavorful and surprisingly fresh for campus food. It’s a favorite among students juggling classes, thanks to its quick service and customizable bowls, wraps and salads.
The vibe is casual and clean, with upbeat music humming over the sizzle of falafel and grilled chicken. Diners order at the counter, assembly-line style, choosing
a base (pita, fries or greens), then layering on mains like shawarma-spiced chicken, beef or lamb. The toppings bar is a riot of color: roasted eggplant, shredded cabbage, lemony cucumbers, pickled onions and creamy hummus. Tahini and garlic sauces are essential: bold, herby and not shy on flavor.
Though it’s a quick bite, nothing feels mass-produced. The pita is warm and pillowy, the proteins are well-seasoned and the produce is fresh. Plus the sta keeps the line moving e ciently, even during the mid-day lunch rush.
And there’s seating inside and on the sidewalk patio.
For students and sta looking for comfort food with a conscience—or for locals just passing by Euclid Avenue— My-O-My delivers Mediterranean staples served up with California casual energy. And in a dining scene where greasy pizza and chain sandwiches often reign, this little campus gem is a refreshing, veggie-packed standout.
My-O-My, open Mon-Fri 11am-midnight and Sat-Sun noon to midnight. 1866 Euclid Ave., Berkeley. 510.356.4460.
PHOTO BY
TINY MED Fast-casual restaurant My-O-My is conveniently located across from campus, with sidewalk seating.
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So-called
FOOD ´ DRINK
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EAST BROTHER BEER CO.
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SAM'S LOG CABIN
LULU
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THE BACKYARD
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EL TUCA N
RICO RICO TACO
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ZAYTOON MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT & BAR
THE LAKE CHALET
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PICNIC
THE LOCAL BUTCHER SHOP
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SMELLY'S AUTHENTIC CREOLE AND SOULFOOD CATERING
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SCOTT EASTMAN, JUANITA & MAUDE
JAMES SYHABOUT, COMMIS
YANG PENG, WOLF
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FAR WEST CIDER CO.
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HOTSY TOTSY CLUB
THE FACTORY BAR
NORTH LIGHT
PUNK GOLD Downtown Oakland gem and Mosswood Meltdown favorite Aburaya wins for Best Fried Chicken.
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SAFFRON KITCHEN RESTAURANT & BAR
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COOK PROGRAMS
FARMCURIOUS
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BERKELEY BOWL WEST
ALE TALES
THE GOOD HOP
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GHOST TOWN BREWING, WEST OAKLAND
FIELDWORK BREWING CO., BERKELEY
ORIGINAL PATTERN BREWING CO.
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HOTSY TOTSY CLUB
THE FACTORY BAR
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M AGO
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GREGORY'S GOURMET DESSERTS
MARKET HALL BAKERY
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SAUL'S RESTAURANT & DELICATESSEN
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RUDY'S CAN'T FAIL CAFE
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TALLBOY
KANSAI
CHISME AT LOW BAR
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MAMA OAKLAND
IKEA
ALBANY AO SEN
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HOTSY TOTSY CLUB
LITTLE HILL LOUNGE
ELI'S MILE HIGH CLUB
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HAPPY DONUTS, ALBANY
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BERKELEY FARMERS' MARKET
THE KENSINGTON FARMERS' MARKET
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FOB KITCHEN
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THE LUMPIA COMPANY
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TOKYO FISH MARKET
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TACOS EL AUTLENSE
SE N OR SISIG
TACOS SINALOA
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ABURAYA
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TROY, BERKELEY
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TOP DOG
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STUDY HALL ROOFTOP LOUNGE, RESIDENCE INN BERKELEY
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FENTONS CREAMERY
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BAD WALTER'S
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AJANTA
CAFE RAJ
BEST INTERNATIONAL FOOD MARKET
99 RANCH MARKET, RICHMOND
BERKELEY BOWL WEST
BERKELEY BOWL MARKETPLACE, OREGON STREET
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MAMA OAKLAND
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IPPUKU
KIRALA
IYASARE
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JOODOOBOO
JONG GA HOUSE
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BOMBERA
EL MONO
PARCHE
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WHITE HORSE INN
FRIENDS AND FAMILY
TALLBOY
BEST LOCAL CAFE/ COFFEEHOUSE
HAL'S OFFICE
CATAHOULA COFFEE COMPANY
COLE COFFEE CAF E
BEST LOCAL COFFEE ROASTER
CATAHOULA COFFEE COMPANY
MCLAUGHLIN COFFEE ROASTING COMPANY
BICYCLE COFFEE
BEST LOCAL GROCERY
BERKELEY BOWL WEST
MONTEREY MARKET
BERKELEY BOWL MARKETPLACE, OREGON STREET
BEST LOCAL WINERY
HAMMERLING WINES
DONKEY & GOAT
WINDCHASER WINE CO.
BEST LOCALLY MADE
FOOD PRODUCT
HAM AND CHEESE TURNOVER, ACME BAKERY
HERB BREAD, SEMIFREDDI'S
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VIKS CHAAT
CHOLITA LINDA
PICNIC
BEST MARGARITA
NIDO'S BACKYARD
DO N A
THE FACTORY BAR
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RESTAURANT
ZAYTOON MEDITERRANEAN
RESTAURANT & BAR
LA MEDITERRANEE
WALLY'S CAFE
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PICANTE
COMAL
BOMBERA
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EAST BROTHER BEER CO
GHOST TOWN BREWING, WEST OAKLAND
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DRAKE'S DEALERSHIP
GHOST TOWN BREWING, LAUREL
TRIPLE ROCK BREWING
TRUMER PILS
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ZAYTOON MEDITERRANEAN
RESTAURANT & BAR
LULU
LA MEDITERRANEE
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THE NATURAL GROCERY COMPANY, EL CERRITO
THREE STONE HEARTH
THE FOOD MILL
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TALLBOY
ROSES ON ADELINE BAR & KITCHEN
MISSOURI LOUNGE
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
ROSES ON ADELINE BAR & KITCHEN
JAJI
SUN MOON STUDIO
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FOOD ´ DRINK
DRAKE'S DEALERSHIP
JUPITER
CAFE LEILA
BEST PEARL TEAS
ASHA TEA HOUSE
MR. GREEN BUBBLE, OAKLAND
BOBA GUYS
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MONSTER PHO
PHO AO SEN
PHOSHO DOUGH
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THE CHEESE BOARD COLLECTIVE PIZZERIA
ZACHARY'S CHICAGO PIZZA
LITTLE STAR SOLANO
BEST PLACE TO DINE SOLO
PICNIC
LA MARCHA TAPAS BAR
ITANI RAMEN
BEST PUB
THE STARRY PLOUGH
SL A INTE
MCNALLY'S IRISH PUB
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RAMEN SHOP
MARUFUKU RAMEN
MENSHO
BEST RESTAURANT
CHEZ PANISSE
JUANITA & MAUDE
WOOD TAVERN
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SAILING GOAT RESTAURANT
SKATES ON THE BAY
THE LAKE CHALET
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COMMIS
GREAT CHINA
MAMA OAKLAND
BEST SALADS
MEZZO
PICNIC
MARKET HALL FOODS
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OK'S DELI
SAUL'S RESTAURANT & DELICATESSEN
PICNIC
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THE DEAD FISH
THE SALTY PEARL
SCOTT'S SEAFOOD BAR & GRILL
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BURDELL
ANGELINE'S LOUISIANA KITCHEN
BRENDA'S OAKLAND
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KINGFISH PUB & CAFE
MAD OAK
THE ATHLETIC CLUB OAKLAND
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GR E GOIRE RESTAURANT
PICANTE
BURMA SUPERSTAR
BEST TAQUERIA
TACOS OSCAR
EL TUCA N
CACTUS TAQUERIA
BEST TEA SHOP
BLUE WILLOW TEA
ASHA TEA HOUSE
JULIE'S COFFEE & TEA GARDEN
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CHAMPA GARDEN
FARMHOUSE KITCHEN THAI CUISINE, BERKELEY
DAUGHTER THAI KITCHEN
BEST VEGAN MENU
MILLENNIUM
THE BUTCHER’S SON VEGAN DELICATESSEN & BAKERY
TALLBOY
BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT
MILLENNIUM
CHA YA BERKELEY
THE BUTCHER’S SON VEGAN DELICATESSEN & BAKERY
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HUONG TRA
VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT
KIM'S CAFE & SANDWICHES
ALBANY AO SEN
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KERMIT LYNCH WINE MERCHANT
BANTER WINE
VINTAGE BERKELEY
BEST WINE TASTING ROOM
BANTER WINE
SOLANO CELLARS
DONKEY & GOAT
CHEERS El Cerrito’s Little Hill Lounge earns readers’ votes for Best Bar (bronze) and Best Dive Bar (silver).
My favorite Azerbaijani restaurant is ______. It’s much easier to fill in that blank when the restaurant in question is Mexican, Vietnamese or French.
Before sitting down to eat at Anar Usubov’s Bistro 4293, I’d read his website’s headline, “Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar.” That made me think of Mica Talmor’s Pomella, at the other end of Piedmont Avenue, which sadly closed in May. When describing her cuisine, Talmor included Levantine, Maghrebi, North African, Eastern European and Middle Eastern food as relevant influences.
In a similar fashion, Usubov is using the term “Mediterranean” as a point of entry for diners who are unfamiliar with his home country’s cooking. Bistro 4293 serves a hummus trio ($17)—plain, basil and grilled red peppers—but the texture is entirely different from Pomella’s. Talmor whipped her chickpeas into a smooth frenzy. Chef Teymur Piriyev, and his sous chef and wife, Gunay, prefer to make a chunkier version. The dip made with basil is particularly well-suited to the blank flavor canvas that is a naked chickpea. Fresh, herby basil spices it up and changes its neutral beige color to a pleasant and pale shade of green.
In a phone interview, Usubov explained that Azerbaijani food is informed by centuries of cultural traditions. “You can actually get similar tastes by trying Iranian, Afghani or Armenian cuisine,” he said. Azerbaijan shares its borders with Georgia, Armenia, Iran and the Caspian Sea. But each country, he noted, adds their own ingredients and creative takes on many of the same dishes.
In chef Piriyev’s saffron flame chicken ($30), I recognized flavors adjacent to that of a Persian joojeh kabob, or grilled chicken skewers. The flame chicken is cooked on the bone and, like its Persian equivalent, served with a confit tomato. Pairing the slowly blistered tomato with a seasoned piece of chicken is an absolutely succulent combination.
Usubov, who grew up on a farm, said that Bistro 4293 embraces farm-to-table cooking. He notes that the Piriyevs are also not taking short cuts in the kitchen
The word “Mediterranean” recurred on the menu for the preparation of lamb chops ($44) and sea bass ($36). Again, the Middle Eastern influences are just as prevalent, and, in both cases, just as delicious. I remember momentarily turning my head away from the plate of fish, bathed in a lemon butter sauce and served with mashed potatoes, only to find it, upon a second glance, wiped completely clean.
Bistro 4293 is located in Dopo’s old space at the top of the bustling avenue. After spending three years readying the place, Usubov opened the restaurant in June. He tried out a few chefs before finding the Piriyevs on the messaging site Telegram. The couple posted that they were moving to California from Atlanta and looking for an opportunity to cook. “We talked on the phone, and I told him my vision and he told me his,” Usubov recalled. “That’s how we came up with the concept of the restaurant.”
Usubov believes there are more Azerbaijani restaurants on the East Coast than here on the West Coast. But in addition to introducing more Bay Area diners to the cuisine, the restaurant is a poignant reminder of the food he grew up eating. Usubov writes about his journey to San Francisco on the “About Us” tab on the restaurant’s website: “In 1992, everything changed. The military occupation and massacre forced my family to flee, and we spent nearly a decade in a refugee tent camp. Those years shaped who I am in every way.”
when it comes to making all the dishes. Citing dolmas as an example, he said, “We buy grape leaves from Turkey. It’s a specific tender grape leaf, which is not supposed to be thick.” The chefs wrap them all by hand. “It’s a lot of labor; can you imagine like four to five hundred pieces [a day]?”
They take the same approach with their eggplant rolls ($15). Thin slices of grilled eggplant wrap a walnut and onion mixture that’s made as thick as the hummus. The vegetarian at our table initially thought the rolls were filled with ground meat, but our server confirmed it was merely the texture of the ground walnuts.
He and his family fled during an early phase of a conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. After the Soviet Union dissolved, the former satellites entered into a territorial dispute that displaced hundreds of thousands of citizens on both sides of their shared borders. In the refugee camps, Usubov had to contend with starvation, malnutrition and not having “good, sanitized water.” Living under those conditions, he said, has affected him to this day. He revealed, “Even now, if I don’t eat bread whenever I eat a meal, I feel like I’m not full, which comes from that poverty, right?”
Bistro 4293, open Tue to Sun 11:30am-2:30pm and 5-10pm. 4293 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. 510.775.5039. bistro4293.com.
AZERBAIJANI CELEBRATION Middle Eastern influences are prevalent in dishes like (top to bottom) Mediterranean sea bass, Med-style lamb chops and eggplant rolls.
GOODS ´ SERVICES
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
Vintage love
The Wardrobe Project is a hub for Bay Area creatives
As one steps inside
The Wardrobe Project in Oakland, they’ll likely find themself shoulder to shoulder with fellow vintage lovers, thumbing through racks of handpicked denim, silk blouses and buttery leather jackets.
The space is small, but that intimacy is part of its magic. Conversations spark easily between strangers, and regulars carefully browse while vibing to a carefully curated playlist.
BY Panashe Matemba-Mutasa
We honor the shop as our editorial pick for its singular blend of style, sustainability and community.
More than just a store, The Wardrobe Project has become a hub for Bay Area creatives. That ethos extends beyond its walls with The Wardrobe Project Flea, a monthly outdoor market hosted just outside Rockridge BART. What started as an extension of the store has grown into a full-fledged street-style celebration: a rotating lineup of local vendors, live music
sets from Oakland talent and an open invitation for anyone to join the scene.
In a retail world that often prioritizes scale over soul, The Wardrobe Project keeps things personal. Every piece is thoughtfully selected. Every event is rooted in connection. And for shoppers across the East Bay, it’s more than just a place to find a great fit—it’s a place to feel at home.
The Wardrobe Project, 5461 College Ave., Oakland, 510.817.4079. thewardrobeproject.com. Open daily 11:30am to 6pm.
The Wardrobe Project is a small vintage and consignment store that hosts a monthly outdoor market outside Rockridge BART.
• New construction and ADUs
• Additions and basement expansions • Complete remodels and restorations
Best Landscape Design Company
SERVICES WE
PROVIDE
• Landscape Design
• Landscape Construction
• Construction Plan Sets
• Retaining Walls
• Patios
• Outdoor Kitchens
• Decks
• Pergolas
• Custom Wood Work
• Stone Masonry
• Drainag
• Irrigation
• Soil Restoration
• Habitat Planting
• Horticultural Knowledge
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• Planting
• Lighting Design and Installation
Full service from concept, to construction to future maintenance. artgardendesign.net /contact
GOODS ´ SERVICES
BEST ACCOUNTING OR BOOKKEEPING PRACTICE
NEW INSIGHT ACCOUNTING
COUCH & ASSOCIATES
GOLDSTEINENRIGHT ACCOUNTANCY CORPORATION
BEST ART SUPPLY STORE
BLICK ART MATERIALS
FLAX ART AND DESIGN
EAST BAY DEPOT FOR CREATIVE REUSE
BEST ATTORNEY-BUSINESS
LAW OFFICE OF GINA M. MARIANI
BRIAN A. RIPLEY
HARPER & ARMSTRONG
BEST AUTO BODY REPAIR
UPTOWN BODY & FENDER
BERKELEY AUTO BODY
DIAMOND AUTO CENTER
BEST AUTO DEALER
ALBANY SUBARU
ONE TOYOTA OF OAKLAND
DOWNTOWN SUBARU OF OAKLAND
BEST AUTO REPAIR
ART'S AUTOMOTIVE
DANA MEYER AUTO CARE
OCEANWORKS BERKELEY
BEST BARBER SHOP
SLICK & DAPPER, GRAND AVENUE
IT’LL DO
AMPLIFY BARBER SHOP
FADED LINES BARBERSHOP
BEST BIKE SHOP
BLUE HERON BIKES
MIKE'S BIKES, UNIVERSITY AVE, BERKELEY
ALAMEDA BICYCLE
BEST BOOKSTORE-NEW
WALDEN POND BOOKS
RS. DALLOWAY'S
PEGASUS BOOKS ON SOLANO
BEST BOOKSTORE-USED
MOE'S BOOKS
WALDEN POND BOOKS
PEGASUS BOOKS ON SOLANO
BEST CAREER/LIFE COACH
MAE CHAN
BUSINESS COACH
ANNA SCOTT, WISDOM
BUSINESS COACHING
MADELYN MACKIE
MINEA HERWITZ
BEST CLOTHING STORE-MEN'S
STANDARD & STRANGE, BERKELEY
THE KATZ MEOW
OAKLAND'S OWN
BEST CLOTHING STORE-WOMEN'S
OUTBACK IN THE TEMPLE OF VENUS
BERKELEY HUMANE THRIFT SHOP
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TEMESCAL WORKS
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PORT WORKSPACES
BEST COMICS STORE
DR. COMICS & MR. GAMES
CAPE & COWL COMICS
THE ESCAPIST
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1ST UNITED CREDIT UNION, SAN LEANDRO
PATELCO CREDIT UNION, CLAY STREET
1ST UNITED CREDIT UNION, BERKELEY
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SUR LA TABLE
EAST BAY RESTAURANT SUPPLY
THE SPANISH TABLE
BEST FABRIC STORE
STONEMOUNTAIN & DAUGHTER FABRICS
NEW PIECES QUILT STORE & GALLERY
PIEDMONT FABRIC
BEST FLOWER SHOP
FLOWERLAND
WILDFLOWER & FERN
MOMO'S FLOWERS & MORE
BEST GAME STORE
GAMES OF BERKELEY
IT'S YOUR MOVE
DARK CARNIVAL
BEST GARDEN CENTER
EAST BAY NURSERY
FLOWERLAND
BERKELEY HORTICULTURAL NURSERY
BEST GIFT SHOP
THE GARDENER
GAMES OF BERKELEY
FLOWERLAND
BEST HARDWARE STORE
PASTIME HARDWARE
GRAND LAKE ACE HARDWARE
COLE HARDWARE
BEST HOLISTIC HERBAL SHOP
LHASA KARNAK
HERB COMPANY, SHATTUCK AVENUE
LAKESHORE NATURAL FOODS
TWISTED THISTLE APOTHECARY
BEST INSURANCE AGENT
FREEMAN INSURANCE SERVICES
LEAH NISHI, FARMERS INSURANCE
SCOT KUNSELMAN, AAA
BEST JEWELRY REPAIR
OAKS JEWELERS
THE 14 KARATS
ASTER JEWELERS
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THE 14 KARATS
SHIBUMI GALLERY
ASTER JEWELERS
BEST LOCAL BANK—BUSINESS
MECHANICS BANK, ALBANY BRANCH
MECHANICS BANK, BERKELEY BRANCH
COMMUNITY BANK OF THE BAY
BEST LOCAL BANK—CONSUMER
MECHANICS BANK, ALBANY BRANCH
MECHANICS BANK, BERKELEY BRANCH
BEST MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO
STUDIO NAGA INDOAMERICAN MARTIAL ARTS
BERKELEY MUAY THAI & FITNESS
SUPREME MMA ACADEMIA
UC BERKELEY MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM
BEST MORTGAGE BROKER
EVELYN FREITAS, RATE
KELLY O'SULLIVAN, CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE
HELENA JONESKIM, RATE
BEST MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS SHOP
THE STARVING MUSICIAN
IFSHIN VIOLINS
LARK IN THE MORNING
BEST NEW RETAIL BUSINESS
THE FILLING STATION
PARK ST. VINTAGE
BEAKER'S RECORDS
BEST NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
ALAMEDA COUNTY
COMMUNITY FOOD BANK
BERKELEY HUMANE
EAST BAY SPCA OAKLAND ADOPTION CENTER
BEST OPTICAL STORE
SOLANO EYECARE
RIMS & GOGGLES
FOCAL POINT
BEST PIERCING STUDIO
ZEBRA TATTOO & PIERCING
INDUSTRIAL TATTOO AND PIERCING
MONSTERS INK
BEST PRINT SHOP
MINUTEMAN PRESS, OAKLAND
ELMWOOD COPY + PRINT
COPY CENTRAL TELEGRAPH
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY
DIMAGGIO BETTA GROUP, CORCORAN ICON PROPERTIES
KAI REAL ESTATE
RED OAK REALTY
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DECLAN SPRING, THE HOME FACTOR
JODI NISHIMURA, KAI REAL ESTATE
ANDY READ, CORCORAN ICON PROPERTIES
BEST RESALE STORE
URBAN ORE
THE EAST BAY DEPOT FOR CREATIVE REUSE
THE KATZ MEOW
BEST SHOE REPAIR
MODEL SHOE RENEW
IKE’S SHOE REPAIR
ROCKRIDGE SHOE REPAIR
BEST SHOE STORE
THE WALK SHOP
SOLE TERRA SHOES (FORMERLY SHOES ON SOLANO)
ROAD RUNNER SPORTS
BEST SHOPPING DISTRICT
FOURTH STREET BERKELEY
SOLANO AVENUE
PIEDMONT AVENUE
BEST SMOKE SHOP (INCLUDES E-CIG/VAPE/GLASS)
EMPIRE SMOKE SHOP
HI FIDELITY
GOLDEN BEAR SMOKE SHOP
BEST TATTOO STUDIO
SACRED ROSE TATTOO
DIVING SWALLOW
INDUSTRIAL TATTOO AND PIERCING
BEST THRIFT SHOP
BERKELEY HUMANE THRIFT SHOP
OUT OF THE CLOSET, BERKELEY
URBAN ORE
BEST TIRE SHOP
DON'S TIRE SERVICE
OROZCO'S TIRES, CARLETON STREET
CASTRO VALLEY TIRE PROS
BEST VINTAGE CLOTHING STORE
BERKELEY HUMANE THRIFT SHOP
THE KATZ MEOW
MERCY VINTAGE
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Clean, Polish, Trim, Illuminate
Refinishing floors, caring for trees and installing solar panels uplift a home’s environment
BY Janis Hashe
Refinishing hardwood floors makes a big impact on interior
It can be something as simple as finding a house cleaning service that will use the products preferred, to remodeling the kitchen or bath, or adding a room to the house. All of these services fall under the category of “home improvement,” and all of them, and many more, were voted on by the readers of East Bay Magazine and East Bay Express, helping other readers discover the professionals doing outstanding work. One improvement falling somewhere on the minor-to-major scale is refinishing hardwood, or, in some cases, softwood floors. The restored beauty of these floors uplifts and enhances a home’s environment. Albini Wood Flooring
has a meticulous process, involving an exploratory home visit to view and evaluate floors, then a test period, usually involving three possible finishes, to allow the householder to see what the final results will be before making a choice. And even if back and front yards are small, if they contain trees, the guidance of a pro tree trimmer keeps the trees healthier and more beautiful year-round. Calling Dan’s Tree Service, a one-man shop based in El Sobrante, results in a visit from Dan Cooley, who’s been caring for trees and plants locally for decades. The benefits of yearly or semi-yearly trimming and pruning, especially of flowering plants, such as roses, and fruit
trees, such as figs and pomegranates, is easily visible in their flourishing production as the seasons change.
If solar panels have been under consideration, now would be the time to turn the key before subsidies disappear. Not only are the panels a way to combat climate change, but it can be shocking how much they reduce monthly bills. Multiple installers in the East Bay provide estimates and prior customer references for this important upgrade.
GALAXY HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, SOLAR, ELECTRICAL
BEST HOME CONTRACTOR
INTEGRITY REMODELING INC.
BLUE DOG CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION
MCCUTCHEON CONSTRUCTION INC.
BEST HOUSE CLEANING
CASA AZUL JANITORIAL AND CLEANING SERVICES
ECOMAIDS OF LAMORINDA, NORTH OAKLAND, BERKELEY
THE COOPERATIVE CLEANING COMPANY
BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER
LINCOLN PARK DESIGN STUDIO
HEATHER CLEVELAND DESIGN STUDIO
YUMI INTERIORS
BEST KITCHEN/BATH REMODELER
INTEGRITY REMODELING INC.
ECOBUILD ARCHITECTS
STONEWOOD KITCHEN AND BATH
PALAZZO KITCHENS AND BATHS
BEST LANDSCAPE DESIGN COMPANY
SUE ODA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
FOUR DIMENSIONS LANDSCAPE COOPERATIVE
ART. GARDEN. DESIGN.
BEST PLUMBING COMPANY
TEAM NO LEAKS PLUMBING
HARRY CLARK PLUMBING
GOOD FIT PLUMBING
BEST SOLAR INSTALLER
A1 SUN
SUNRUN SOLAR
SAVE A LOT SOLAR
BEST TREE SERVICE
BRENDE & LAMB TREE & SHRUB CARE
BIG CHIEF TREE SERVICE
THE PROFESSIONAL TREE CARE COMPANY
PATIO PERFECTION Sue Oda Landscape Architect won readers’ vote for Best Landscape Design Company.
RECREATION
Island living
Alameda is the East Bay’s one-stop destination for recreational activities
BY Lou Fancher
The East Bay o ers bountiful opportunities for indoor and outdoor recreation, including readers’ favorites such as top-tier hiking and biking trails, accessible parks, design-savvy swimming pools, and accommodations and gear for stylish staycations or travel afar.
One place sometimes overlooked requires island hopping. For a superlative daycation, one may check out Alameda, the city and tiny archipelago of islands floating o Oakland’s shoreline. Exploring the history and terrain of this East Bay gem once inhabited by Ohlone tribes for thousands of years is a magnificent way to expand on mainland recreation.
On Alameda, golf and nature-lovers might visit Corica Park to re-discover the newly renovated public golf course recently named one of the top 15 municipal courses in the country by
Golf Magazine. Reimagined and reopened in March 2025, the challenging 18-hole course is a scenic oasis, with rolling hills and gorgeous views. It’s the perfect setting for the course’s wide fairways, stunning greens and Scottish-style pot bunkers.
For golfers of all ages and abilities, there are exceptional practice facilities, a 9-hole, par-3 course (currently under renovation), year-round youth programs, free walk-up play for juniors after 4pm, discounted or free opportunities for school and nonprofit groups, and women’s clinics.
Restored to highlight the area’s vibrant ecosystem with natural habitats for birds, butterflies, plankton and fish, the design emphasizes operational sustainability via comprehensive water capture and recycle systems, and biochar applications, resulting in a largely drought-tolerant, pesticide-free course.
After or instead of a round of golf,
one may kick back in the sand at Robert Crown Memorial State Beach, check out the nostalgic vibe at the Pacific Pinball Museum, explore the historic downtown and pop into the Alameda Museum or Alameda Free Library for information about not-to-miss sites.
All of this trekking requires fuel, right? Here again, Alameda serves up plenty, with eating emporiums o ering a terrific range of cuisine: Asian, American, Mediterranean, Mexican, African and more. Bakeries, ice cream shops, burger and pizza joints, and co ee shops provide great eat-in or picnic fare.
To lube up with adult libations before heading home, one may tour distilleries like St. George Spirits, sample craft beers at Faction Brewing Company and others, and support the island’s burgeoning wine movement with a bottle of vino to enjoy in the days to come.
PHOTO BY AJ PANGELINAN, COURTESY OF CORICA PARK
GOOD GREEN Corica Park o ers a wide range of opportunities for golfers of all ages in a scenic oasis.
Garbage is a manufactured product, created when otherwise recoverable resources are mixed and mashed together. Most rooms in every building in the whole country have a basket where this begins. Discarded resources are put in one by one, then dumped into a larger bin, and then into a truck with a more modern body based on this one. A hydraulic piston smashes everything together. The objective is to pack in more cargo before the truck has to be driven to where it can dump onto the land, to be in a “sanitary“ way. Liquids leach out and make their way into the planet's
water eventually. These “sanitary” methods of filling the land (hence “sanitary landfills”) also provide for anaerobic decomposition of organic materials – which makes
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day from February 12, 2002, colored the methane in the Earth's atmosphere green, and an animation showed how it spins to the poles. NASA said, “Methane (CH4) is second only to carbon dioxide (CO2) in creating a warming greenhouse effect The largest abundance released by the US … is created when bacteria break down carbon-based in landfills.” [Emphasis added.]
Urban Ore has been salvaging for reuse in Berkeley since 1981. We have 3 acres of secondhand goods, open 360 days a year until 5:00PM, 900 Murray St. near 7th x Ashby. Come shop.
