Matt Horn's Oakland City Guide
"Minnie Bell's Soul Movement has some delicious, authentic food. Chef Fernay McPherson's menu isn't expansive, and that's what I like about it. My go-to order is the signature rosemary fried chicken, braised collard greens, and mac and cheese."
"For a fancy night out, I start at chef Nelson German's seafood spot, alaMar Kitchen & Bar. I order the garlic udon noodles, served with a fried egg on top, and head-on Cajun shrimp."
"After dinner, I would head over to Bar Shiru in Uptown Oakland. They have a cool musical vibe, playing only hi-fi vinyl records, and a top-notch drink selection. I recommend the Kurayoshi 18 whiskey; it's super smooth and pairs perfectly with the overall ambience of the space."
"My wife, Nina, and I love the Vietnamese coffee from Orbit Coffee."
"Firebrand Artisan Breads uses simple but high-quality ingredients, and the loaves have that perfect crunchy, scored crust and soft, slightly tangy interior."
"Ordinaire is my favorite wine shop. They have a large selection of California wines, and it's a great spot to discover small, local winemakers."
"My family and I like to walk around Grand Lake Farmers Market at Lake Merritt to pick up fresh, high-quality produce and picnic on the lake. It's the place to be on the weekend."
"I like a good brunch on the weekend, and it doesn't get much better than the smoked salmon soft scramble at Limewood Bar & Restaurant [located inside the Claremont Club & Spa]."
"When I need to buy a gift, I head over to Alkali Rye and grab a bottle of small-batch bourbon or whiskey. They have a great selection of top-quality, limited-run spirits."