Celebrating the Super Bowl at Oakland Bars

The time has come for the annual football battle - a.k.a. the Super Bowl. If you're in Oakland, sport your favorite jersey and grab a seat at one of Oakland's best sports bars. Kimball's Carnival has big screen televisions, plenty of comfy couches to lounge in and pool tables for half-time break.  Arsimona Lounge in Old Oakland has 8 HD TVs and provides breakfast and brunch, and at Pacific Coast Brewing Company, you can find dozens of local draft beers to enjoy during the game. Get warmed up by the fire at George & Walts on College Ave., and enjoy the treats that the Grand Oaks Sports Bar has to offer, such as pizza and hamburgers. The Sports Edition Bar & Grill at the Hilton Oakland Aiport is one of the Bay's best sports bars, with a 10 foot TV screen and 12 flat screen monitors. You won't miss a thing! For more bars in Oakland, visit www.visitoakland.org.

Coffee Fiends, Rejoice

The modern day coffee shop has truly become a staple for urban environments, and Oakland definitely has no shortage of options. For downtown dwellers, Modern Coffee, located in the Tribune Tower, offers excellent cappuccinos and an array of breakfast treats. Just Uptown, grab your favorite magazine off the shelves and indulge in some coffee cake at Farley's East. Don't miss the local artwork on display -there are some interesting pieces for sale at reasonable costs. Cole Coffee near Rockridge is the perfect weekend remedy, offering fresh French press coffee and sidewalk seating. Stop by Actual Cafe on San Pablo Avenue and hang up your bike while you enjoy a cappuccino - the shop has indoor bike parking. Make sure to peruse the photography in the cafe, which can keep your attention for hours. Find out which neighborhood cafe suits you at www.visitoakland.org.

Camino's Fireplace Cooking Turns Heads

Oakland is home to many diverse cooking styles and cuisines, continuing to impress visitors with their flavors. Camino raises the bar with fireplace cooking, adding a delicious, smoky flavor to various foods. In fact, 90 percent of Camino's cooking is done in the hearth. Start your evening with a tasty appetizer, such as duck giblet confit and leek toast, paired with a Sazerac cocktail. Follow this with a smoked black cod and mussel salad with chervil, red daikon and artichokes. For an entree, endulge in a half a Dungeness crab grilled in the fireplace with farro, carrots and radicchio salad. Finish off your meal with some chocolate bark, candied blood oranges and salted caramels. Camino's menu changes daily, utilizing seasonal ingredients in their daily concoctions. To see what they are currently offering, visit their website at www.caminorestaurant.com, or better yet, go taste for yourself!

Bay Wolf's Fuyu Persimmon and Arugula Salad

Recreate this fresh and flavorful salad from Bay Wolf this month - a delightful and healthy treat to impress your friends and loved ones.

Ingredients: 

1 shallot, minced

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or  freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 thyme sprig

1/2 cup virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground  black pepper

1 cup pecans

2 tablespoons sugar

Ground cayenne pepper

3 Fuyu persimmons, peeled with a knife

and sliced

2 small handfuls of arugula

2 small handfuls of red oak leaf lettuce

Seeds of 1 pomegranate

8 ounces fresh goat cheese

Directions: Soak the shallot in the vinegar with the thyme for 25 minutes, and then whisk in the olive oil. Season well with salt and pepper. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Blanch the pecans in boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain and toss with the sugar and cayenne pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until crunchy. Cool the nuts and chop coarsely.

Toss the persimmons and pecans in a bowl with some of the vinaigrette, salt and pepper. Add the lettuces and gently toss again, adding more vinaigrette if necessary. Arrange on plates and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and crumbled goat cheese. Serves 4.