Celebrating the Green in Oakland

Green beer, Guinness, corned beef and cabbage means only one thing - St. Patrick's Day is here. Local brew pubs such as Beer Revolution will  be hot spots to celebrate the holiday, as well as McNally's Irish Pub and Barclay's Pub on College Ave. The green beer will be flowing at Cato's Ale House and sister restaurant Ben & Nick's Bar and Grill - a slew of Irish beers will be served all day long at both locations. Pacific Coast Brewing Co. in Old Oakland will include the full spectrum of Irish goods, including corned beef, Irish lamb stew, Harp and Guinness on draft, Luck of the Irish Stout and a special Emerald Ale. Put on your green and get ready for the festivities!

Succulent Seafood Options

Oakland has many diverse cuisines to enjoy, including fresh seafood delicacies. Marica Seafood Restaurant on College Ave. specializes in seasonal seafood dishes, including Iced Oysters, Tuna Tartar, and Oven Roasted Chili Crab. In Jack London Square, Kincaid's Bayhouse serves Chili-Smoked Tiger Prawns as well as Maine Lobster served three different ways. Close by,  Il Pescatore offers calamari, either fried or marinated, crab and shrimp pasta concoctions, Blue Point oysters and more.

Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill  on Lake Merritt is the perfect spot to catch some rays in the outdoor dining area while tasting the Grilled Prawn Cocktails, Dungeness Crab Cakes, and Beer Battered Fish & Chips. Find lobster tail, Cioppino and Deep Fried Prawns on the menu at Oyster Reef Seafood Restaurant, also a great place for live entertainment. For more fresh seafood options, visit www.visitoakland.org.

First Day of Spring- Hit the Farmer's Market!

March 20th marks the first day of spring, meaning a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables will be introducted at the Farmers Markets in Oakland. Some seasonal treats to look out for include arugula,  artichokes, lemons and nettles - cherries and mushrooms are right around the corner in late spring. Begin your shopping at the Fruitvale Market, held bi-weekly on Thursdays from 2- 7 p.m. Every Friday, you'll find markets in Old Oakland, which serves as a perfect stop for a lunchtime break, as well as the East Oakland Farmer's Market, a smaller market with smoledering BBQ grills and blow-up houses for the kids. The Kaiser Hospital Farmer's Market is another great option on Fridays in the Piedmont area, promoting health education and organic produce. On Saturday, stop by the Grand Lake Farmer's Market, voted as the top market in the East Bay in 2010, serving tasty treats just adjascent to Lake Merritt.  On Sundays, stop by the Jack London Square Market on the waterfront, the Fruitvale market at the Fruitvale BART Station, the Montclair market near the Oakland Hills, or the Temescal market nestled between the Temescal/Rockridge districts. For more on Farmer's Markets in Oakland, visit our website at www.visitoakland.org.

The Terrace Room's Apple Cranberry Cobbler

Warm up with The Terrace Room's delicious Apple Cranberry Cobbler this month  - a quick and easy recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth! 

Ingredients:

- 4 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced 

- 1 cup fresh cranberries

- 2 tbsp. butter

- 1 tsp. cinnamon

- 1/4 cup brown sugar

- 1 tsp. vanilla

Crumb Topping:

- 1/4 cup butter

- 1/4 cup sugar

- 1/4 cup flour

- 1/4 cup oats

- 1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

Melt butter and add brown sugar, vanilla and apples, cook until apples are tender, remove from heat and add fresh cranberries.

To make the crumb topping, combine flour, sugar and oats, then cut in butter and add vanilla. Bake in oven at 325 degrees until light brown. Let cool and crumble.

Divide equally into 4oz. ramekins, top with crumb topping. Once ready to serve, heat in oven at 350 degrees until bubbling and hot. Serving size is 4 - 4oz. servings.

Enjoy!