The Oaklandside

13 hours ago | oaklandside.org | Cecilia Seiter

Editor’s note: Nosh covers food and restaurant news across the East Bay, and each week we publish one article covering all the restaurant openings and one article covering closings. Have a tip for Nosh? Submit it here. SanDai, a popular purveyor of cuisine spanning the Malay archipelago, has closed its doors for good.

2 days ago | oaklandside.org | Roselyn Romero

Crime and chronic underinvestment in public safety have weakened Oakland’s economy, according to a recent report from the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, a San Francisco-based think tank. The 57-page study, published earlier this month, argues that Oakland’s high crime rate relative to similar-sized cities, persistent police understaffing, and erosion of public trust in government have made residents and visitors less willing to patronize Oakland businesses.

2 days ago | oaklandside.org | Cecilia Seiter

There is little to say about the martini that hasn’t been said already, though perhaps it’s a drink that transcends language altogether. Generations of writers before me have tried to capture the essence of this perfect cocktail in print, but I’m still not entirely sure it’s possible. Regardless, the clearest description of the martini might come from LA Times restaurant critic Bill Addison: “A martini is a martini, and a martini is more than a martini.”So true.

3 days ago | oaklandside.org | Cecilia Seiter

Editor’s note: Nosh covers food and restaurant news across the East Bay, and each week we publish one article covering all the restaurant openings and one article covering closings. Have a tip for Nosh? Submit it here. A tropical-inspired, family-owned cafe has landed in Walnut Creek. Ananas offers specialty coffee, matcha, kombucha, tea, and a wholesome menu with options like acai bowls, fruit bowls, banana pudding, smoothies, juices, salads, and gluten-and sugar-free snacks.

1 week ago | oaklandside.org | Natalie Orenstein

One year ago today, Oakland woke up to an extraordinary sight: images plastered across the news of FBI agents carrying large bins out of Mayor Sheng Thao’s house. As the day continued, the images came into focus. The feds had also raided two other homes — those of curbside recycling executives David and Andy Duong. For days, Thao herself was nowhere to be found, eventually resurfacing to adamantly declare her innocence. A lot has happened since.