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Oaksterdam emerging as a tasty new tourist hot spot for the weekends, too PDF Print E-mail
Written by Tristin Coffman   
The cracks that run through the 1985 mural, Mitzvah, the Jewish Cultural Experience, are a silent reminder of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Situated at 14th and Franklin Streets, on the edge of Oaksterdam, the enamel painting by Dan Fontes, Keith Sklar and Brooke Fancher is featured on the front page of this issue of Oaksterdam News. It, measures a huge 97 by 150 feet and dominates the block.
    This is just one of many hidden treasures that beckon tourists and locals to come and explore the area known as Oaksterdam, or O’dam for short. The uptown zone’s nickname hearkens to the famously cannabis friendly city in Holland, and they share a number of qualities.
Grab a Quick Bite — Proprietor “Big Joe” brings Catfish Sundays to Oaksterdam and welcomes clients at the door of the ever popular Quick Bite restaurant, now open daily including weekends, at 1511 Franklin.
Grab a Quick Bite — Proprietor “Big Joe” brings Catfish Sundays to Oaksterdam and welcomes clients at the door of the ever popular Quick Bite restaurant, now open daily including weekends, at 1511 Franklin.

Mural on the Edge — The beautifully detailed mural Mitzvah, the Jewish Cultural Experience can be seen at 14th and Franklin, the edge of Oaksterdam.
Mural on the Edge — The beautifully detailed mural Mitzvah, the Jewish Cultural Experience can be seen at 14th and Franklin, the edge of Oaksterdam.
Home to the city’s four licensed medical marijuana dispensaries, the area is friendly and a walkable size. It runs from City Hall to Lake Merritt and from Chinatown to Grand Avenue and is punctuated with curious architecture, inviting shops and a variety of places to eat.

    Every issue of Oaksterdam News features a color map in our centerfold to help you navigate the area and find parking as you become familiar with the emerging Arts and Entertainment district. Drop by the Oaksterdam Giftshop at 405 - 15th St. to pick up your complimentary copy and maybe a few souvenirs of your visit.
    When you’re in the mood for a cappuccino or a soy chai, visit the Bulldog Coffeeshop, 1739 Broadway. Last month two of Jimmy Buffet’s backup singers came to town when the band was touring. Two Reeferettes, Tina and Heather, dropped by for a beverage with local author and activist Mikki Norris, who was showing them around when cotton mouth struck. You never know who you might bump into in O’dam, but every week you’ll get to hear cool jazz riffs by the Bulldog Band featuring Vince Wallace, who play in the summer on the sidewalk in front of Coffeeshop SR-71 on Sunday afternoons.
    Café Van Kleef Contemporary Art Gallery, 1621 Telegraph, offers drinks with the attitude and ambiance of a side street in Paris. Its nightlife musical fare includes jazz, blues and R&B. Bedecked with artifacts from around the world, its bar is as happening as anything in the San Francisco Mission District, but smaller and friendlier. This hangout is truly one of the landmarks of the area.
    Another weekend destination in O’dam is the Quick Bite restaurant at 1511 Franklin. Specializing in catfish, prawns and french fries, the restaurant does a hopping business seven days a week and draws its crowd downtown on Sunday afternoons.
    Another specialty food shop is Francois, 365 - 19th St., where you get a taste of Manila with rich, traditional Filipino foods plus ice cream.
    Take it Easy Thai food, 351 - 17th St., serves up large portions of its spicy Asian cuisine. Warms the heart, the taste buds and the palate, and has a newly remodeled interior, to boot.
    At Ichiro Japanese restaurant, 412 - 15th St., the address may not quite be 420, but it can still take care of your munchies and cotton mouth for you. If you’re downtown during the day, be sure to get their terrific plate lunch. It’s a good meal and a good value.
    The Fine Place, 376 - 17th St, is the place to find veggie dishes and be sure to try their zesty ginger lemonade. It is conveniently located right next to Coffeeshop SR-71, which has smoothies, those cold, blended concoctions of fruits and juices.
    Grab something to go from one of these eateries and head to Snow Park on a nice day or take the elevator to the top of Kaiser’s parking lot across from 1950 Franklin, where picnic tables, shaded canopies, and fragrant hanging vines await — along with a view up 19th Street to see the Fox Theater looming over the district.
    A new website hopes to bring people downtown with its listings of attractions, meetdowntownoak.com. If you get a chance, take a look and let us know what you think. It’s hosted by the City, along with Oakland magazine. Or simply come see us online at www.oaksterdamnews.com.
 
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