Bakesale Betty's

There is a place in Oakland. It is called Bakesale Betty's. And it is hands down the most amazing place of its kind. It has a pretty limited menu, but I have a strong appreciation for places like that because it generally means that what they do, they do very well. If for instance, you want sugar crusted scones with such unique flavors as pear-ginger, or apricot-almond - Betty's is your place. Or chunky chocolate cookies to die for and strawberry shortcake that brings a tear to your eye - again, go to Betty's. I have had all of these and appreciated each and every one for the work of baking art that they are.

However, what I was still missing out on was Betty's famous fried chicken sandwich. A sandwich so good that on any given weekend, come noon, there is a 30 minute line out the door which people willingly and cheerfully endure because the reward is so magnificent. Fortunately, this weekend my deprivation ended when Marin and her brother and I found ourselves at the Temescal Street Fair on Telegraph, and in convenient proximity to Bakesale Betty's. Naturally there was a line of gigantic proportions but we joined its ranks regardless and in surprisingly little time were the proud owners of a paper wrapped bundle of joy. We found a spot at one of the ironing board tables and plank benches that constitute the outdoor dining furniture for Betty's and dove in. Naturally the fried chicken is what makes the sandwich great, but what makes it Betty's is the coleslaw that is piled in with it. Fresh, crunchy, tangy and slightly spicy (due to the sneaky little sliced jalapenos sprinkled throughout) it is the perfect compliment to the crisply fried and juicy sweet chicken. In a word, it is epic, and something I see myself becoming lamentably addicted to.

Lake Merritt Farmers Market and The Case of the Red Velvet Cake

The second encounter I had with the city that I have begun courting was at the Saturday morning Lake Merritt Farmers Market. It is the best that I have been to thus far in the Bay and has everything from fresh produce and delicious food to a petting zoo and horsey rides.

We began by working our way through all the fruit vendors, taking full advantage of the thoughtful little samples they set out. The peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums and pluots were all ripe and sweet. Marin got her favorite fresh orange juice from the guy who makes its fresh squeezed every morning and we both bought bottles of scrumptious dipping oils and vinegars from a couple who concocts and bottles them in their own home. The fresh strawberry and fig vinaigrette is killer - as is the sweet and spicy cherry-strawberry chipotle.

However, we found Bliss in cake form at the Charlie Frank's Pie booth whose motto - aptly enough - is " It tastes so good it makes you selfish." This San Leandro bakery is best known for two things: sweet potato peach pie and red velvet cake. Both of which are pretty fan-fricken-tastic. However, since red velvet cake is pretty much my favorite cake in the whole wide world (and Marin kinda likes it too) we decided to buy it and split a piece. Or rather we did until we saw the red velvet CUPcakes and pounced on those. One was as big as a piece of cake and so richly filling that not even the two of us could finish it. We had to call in reinforcements in the form of our coworker Karen who showed up at precisely the right time.

Now, I was formerly a big fan of the red velvet cupcakes from the shi-shi Beverly Hills cupcakery called Sprinkles which my roommate and I haunted nearly every weekend when I was living down there. But blessedly I have now found not only a replacement but an upgrade in Charlie Frank's. Sprinkles has nothing on this! The cake is so light and moist it melts in your mouth. And the frosting! The frosting is ooey, gooey, cream-cheesy, good. It gets everywhere and makes the cupcake's consumption a bit unsightly, but is so worth licking every last bit up!

Lesson to be learned - if you live in the East Bay and haven't been to the Lake Merritt Farmers Market GO. If you go, get a cupcake from Charlie Frank's. You shan't regret it.

Vegan Donuts, Anyone? Anyone?

I know I have been a bit lax about posting lately but I have recently discovered (through my manager Marin) the joys of a little town called Oakland, and would like to share my experiences with you (namely those culinary). While considered irredeemably ghetto by some, Oakland is in fact one of the coolest places I have had the pleasure of exploring. It offers endlessly varied and diverse delights to those who simply take the time to get to know it.

This past weekend I took quite a bit of time to make its acquaintance and the next few posts shall address that burgeoning relationship. It all began with the festive event called Art Murmur, which takes place the first Friday of every month. Their mission statement is to be " a coalition of art and cultural venues dedicated to increasing popular awareness of and participation in the arts in Oakland." It also has the nice side benefit of getting a lot of cool and interesting people milling around in the same place which provides for endless people watching opportunities. My manager and her friends go pretty much every month and this time I finally accepted the invitation to tag along.

Along with the obvious attraction of checking out the various art installations and galleries - all of which were amazing in their own special ways (even the vomiting mannequin...) - there were plenty of enterprising individuals selling food, which we naturally took full advantage of. Marin's brother chose to sample some tamales that a dude (wearing the loudest shirt I have ever seen) was selling out of a ice chest. But Marin and I were much more interested in satisfying our sweet teeth. We milled around for a bit in search of something delicious but amidst all the crowded chaos, the only thing we could find was a guy selling vegan donuts. We looked at each other, shrugged, and went for it. $5 and 2 donuts later we were converts. They were the best donuts I have ever had! Forget Dunkin Donuts and all their heavy, sugary, fat soaked pastries. Vegan donuts are where its at. You can see Marin proudly displaying our selection above - a basic plain donut with sugar glaze and sprinkles (delish!) but the other one was the clincher. It was a blueberry donut with blueberry frosting. Unique and scrumptious.

The company that makes them is called People's Donuts and while their main shop is on Telegraph in Berkeley (conveniently close to my office...) they sell their product to coffee shops and stores all over the Bay Area. To find the location nearest you check out this website:
http://www.peoplesdonuts.com/ and go get some! You shan't regret it = ).