East Bay

04 Feb 2012

First Look at the New Parkway Theater in Oakland

In 2009, Oakland mourned the closing of The Parkway Theater, a beloved Oakland mainstay that helped revitalize a neighborhood. The Parkway was a film lovers dream- cult films, film festivals, pizza and beer served to at your seat. Struggles over leases and landlords forced the original owners to close. Enter

Robin Hardwick - Cost-Conscious Connoisseur 0
28 Jan 2012

Maoz: Not Just For Vegetarians

Maoz is (sort of) a chain, but there’s only one in the Bay Area. I love the simple concept: they only sell pitas, falafel, and fries. And sure, I wouldn’t call it “authentic” Mediterranean food, but it is damn tasty. So why even mention Maoz? The best thing about it

Robin Hardwick - Cost-Conscious Connoisseur 0
03 Dec 2011

Uncle Dougie’s is the Real New York Deal

One evening when I was out in Downtown Oakland, the hunger set in at about midnight. A friendly fellow bar patron directed me to a place called “Uncle Dougie’s New York-style Italian Heroes” on 17th Street. A short walk from The Layover Bar and we arrived at a late-night diner’s

Robin Hardwick - Cost-Conscious Connoisseur 0
01 Sep 2011

Pan Theater: Cheap Improv Comedy

“Can I get a suggestion for an occupation? Dentist, thank you, I heard dentist.” and thus starts an improv show. However, Pan Theater doesn’t put on the typical improv show. Absent are the corny, Whose Line Is It Anyway? games. Pan Theater specializes in long -form improv; narrative stories that

Robin Hardwick - Cost-Conscious Connoisseur 0
17 Jul 2011

Life Is Simple At Phil’s Sliders

Phil’s serves sliders.  Little burger, little prices.  They look small at first glance, but these little things are so effing tasty!  At two bucks each, even a broke-ass can double up.  Phil keeps his slider simple:  one hefty grass-fed, beef medallion, fire-grilled to medium-rare perfection, a fresh piece of iceberg

Christy Jovanelly - Cheapskate Commentator 0
03 Jul 2011

4th of July Fireworks and Stuff, East Bay Style

Hey, I’m a grown-ass woman, and I still love watching a good fireworks show on the 4th of July. Unfortunately, our options in the East Bay are limited. For reasons unbeknownst to me, Jack London Square is not hosting a display this year. And Alameda supposedly has a huge parade

Mia Di Pasquale - Scroungy Scribbler 0
03 Mar 2011

East Bay Unwrapped: What Does Your Garden Grow?

1. Tomatoes: The tomato selection at your local horticultural center can be overwhelming. There are Romas, San Marzanos, Killer Tomatoes, etc. Here’s where my advice comes in handy. Cherry tomatoes, specifically the Super Sweet 100 variety, proved to be an unstoppable force in my garden. I only had one plant,

Mia Di Pasquale - Scroungy Scribbler 0