English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Oakland, CA

One of the Bay Area’s rare Puerto Rican restaurants is closing in Oakland. But it’s not goodbye for good. La Perla will move to a new location in an East Bay suburb: Castro Valley.

La Perla will cook customer favorites like roasted pork shoulder and arroz con gandules for the last time at 3409 Fruitvale Ave., in Oakland’s lower Dimond District, on Nov. 30. The restaurant had previously teased a move to Castro Valley, but had not made public plans to close in Oakland. Chef-owner Jose “Cheo” Ortiz told the Chronicle in 2021 he wanted to expand and franchise the restaurant throughout California. The new space will be in Castro Valley Marketplace (3295 Castro Valley Blvd.), a food hall anchored by a grocery store.

Ortiz, 65, says the relocation was not motivated by public safety concerns or tanking business. He simply wants to make his day-to-day management of the restaurant easier. He is recovering from cancer; spending long hours at the restaurant plus commuting from his home in Castro Valley, where he moved to just under two years ago, has become more difficult. “I’ll be able to walk to the restaurant,” he said.

La Perla began as a small operation inside a liquor store around the corner from the Fruitvale Avenue space the restaurant has called home for the past three and a half years. Items like fried empanadillas and mofongo — fried green plantains topped with shrimp or fried chicken — made the dining room, formerly a Subway, come alive.

Ortiz says he had a solid neighborhood base as well as several recurring customers coming from as far as San Jose, Sacramento and Santa Rosa. During his tenure in Oakland, he also catered for the Golden State Warriors and several visiting Major League Baseball teams with Puerto Rican coaching staff and players. Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora and merengue superstar singer Elvis Crespo, best known for his anthem “Suavemente,” are among his most memorable catering customers.

Leaving Oakland is bittersweet for Ortiz. He has called the Town home for 48 years and was formerly a city employee.

“We had a great opportunity to serve our community,” he said.

Ortiz plans to keep the menu mostly the same in Castro Valley, although he is considering limiting his popular mofongo to weekends. The price of green plantains has recently jumped from $45 to $65 for a 40-pound box. The dish is also very labor intensive to make, as the plantains must be mashed fresh for the best texture and flavor. There are plans to offer Puerto Rican dishes for brunch. Expect the same playlist, with shoulder-shaking bops from salsa icons like Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe, Ray Baretto and the Fania All Stars. “I grew up listening to them,” Ortiz said.

The new location will have space for 49 seated diners and a few chairs outside the second-level space, which overlooks a grocery store and a bottle shop. Diners queued for a table during a rush will be able to wait at a separate lounge at the marketplace downstairs. “It’s better than waiting in a parking lot like we did in Oakland,” he said.

Ortiz is optimistic about the move into the Castro Valley Marketplace, where La Perla will join fellow newcomer Pho 510 and a recently opened Tony Gemignani Slice House location. He hopes to open in the coming months but after a long overdue trip to his native Puerto Rico for the holidays.

Reach Mario Cortez: mario.cortez@sfchronicle.com

Celebrity look-alike contests have become a social media phenomenon and the Bay Area is certainly getting in on the action.

Celebrity look-alike contests have become a social media phenomenon and California's Bay Area is certainly getting in on the action.

On Wednesday, the spotlight was on a contest for those who think they're a ringer for one of Oakland’s favorite daughters, movie star Zendaya.

“I got a lot that I looked like Zendaya when I was younger. So I just felt like, you know, it was my chance,” said Zainab Bansfield, a Zendaya look-alike contestant.

A look-alike contest for Zendaya drew a crowd of fans and doppelgangers despite the wind and rain.

“She's having a moment right now, firstly, like, doom, challengers, she's been cooking. But also just, like, her being from here and, like, i think it's just, like, cool,” said Oakland resident Nikki Lee.

San Francisco Nov 11

From strutting the catwalk to a dance, Zendaya look-alikes competed in Wilma Chan Park. When the smoke cleared, Zainab Bansfield took home a $40 prize, hair care products and bragging rights.

“I’m not as good of a dancer as her, but I definitely got some moves,” she said.

Celebrity look-alike contests are the latest craze taking off on social media. A lot of the buzz started last month in New York after hundreds of people showed up for a Timothee Chalamet contest. Even the actor himself made an appearance.

Cal State East Bay communications professor Nolan Higdon said the trend's popularity is a sign of the times.

“We have become a very celebrity-obsessed culture especially within the last 30 or so years. Fame has been a goal of a lot of the public and that’s coupled closely with social media that can make a lot of people feel famous,” he said. “It can make people go viral.”

The trend traveled from London to San Francisco. Recently in San Francisco, dozens of Dev Patel look-alikes showed up at Dolores Park.

But this was the first time a female celebrity was the focus of the contest.

“I think women should also be able to have fun and have a space,” said Cassi Simms, organizer of the event. “Zendaya has portrayed a lot of different characters in her lifetime, and if you fall into one of those categories, you don't exactly have to look like her in the mirror. It's about also how you represent and how you carry yourself.”

But not everyone is cheering the trend. Some commenters have criticized the events for promoting misogyny and unattainable beauty standards.

But Simms told NBC Bay Area that Wednesday’s event focused more on whether a contestant matched the actresses vibe and not just her physical appearance.

“As a black woman, I definitely consider the way that Black women may feel about being these spaces, and online can be a very toxic place, but I wanted to generate a place for people to come together, have fun, not feel like there's any pressure to outdo anybody else, and just have a space where it's comedic,” she said.

While there were no real Zendaya sightings, it’s an event Simms hopes will offer joy and connection to fans worldwide..

Oakland’s popular, fermentation-focused “party restaurant,” Daytrip, is closing after just three years, as first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle (the Chronicle and SFGATE are both owned by Hearst but have separate newsrooms). Despite accolades like being named one of Bon Appetit’s 10 best new restaurants in America in 2022 and chef/co-owner Finn Stern being recognized by the James Beard Awards, the restaurant’s business model wasn’t working, co-owner Stella Dennig told SFGATE.

Dennig and Stern, who are married, plan to open a new concept in the same Temescal space in mid-January.

“It’s hard to swallow, because I really think if we could plop what we’ve all accomplished right now at this point in time into different, pre-pandemic times, or honestly into a different city at this point in time, I think we’d be looking at a different landscape,” Dennig said. “But from the restaurant community that we’re in in Oakland, it’s clear that things are really hard right now.”

In the past year, multiple well-known, buzzy Oakland restaurants, including Lion Dance Cafe, Duende, Bartavelle and Calavera, have closed, while many others struggle to stay afloat. Daytrip itself saw a 20% decline in revenue from July to November 2024 when compared to last year.

“The frequency with which regulars come in is more spread out, and that is a product of inflation and prices going up everywhere, and income decreasing, and all of that combined means that it’s harder to go out at a place like Daytrip as often,” Dennig said.

One of Daytrip’s core values is promoting pay equity in the restaurant industry, so the restaurant charges a 20% service fee that is split evenly among all non-managing staff. Due to how labor-intensive many of its dishes are, like a miso butter pasta that takes a day and a half to make, Daytrip was spending more on labor than most restaurants (it was 55% to 60% of their budget this year, the owners told the Chronicle). But Stern clarified to SFGATE that they’re not blaming their closure on these costs.

“I want to clear up that’s not at all what we’re saying,” he said. “We still fundamentally believe that in order for restaurants to be functional in society, people that work in restaurants need to be paid well, and make a liveable wage in an incredibly expensive city. So that was something we were never able or willing to compromise on.”

That said, Dennig and Stern’s upcoming new restaurant in the Daytrip space will be one that “requires fewer people to operate and be more volume-based instead of special-occasion based,” Stern said. It will be a casual, counter-service eatery offering both lunch and dinner as well as takeout and delivery.

“One thing that we’ve had to grapple with for a long time is that our food was always more expensive than we wanted it to be,” he said.

The couple also became parents recently and are looking forward to shifting to a more family-friendly model. The distinctive Daytrip space with its bright colors and disco ball will be undergoing an aesthetic shift, but they promise the new restaurant will still be “vibey.”

Daytrip’s final day of service is planned for Dec. 15. But the owners recommend customers hoping to come in for one last meal book a reservation as soon as possible, as they may need to close sooner, depending on staffing.

“We’re super sad to see Daytrip close, and we’re also really proud of what we’ve done over the last couple years,” Stern said. “That said, we’re really excited for what comes next and think it’s not only something that fits in our life more, but something that we think Oakland wants more.”

More Food News

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Nov 20, 2024

Senior Food Reporter

Madeline Wells is a senior food reporter at SFGATE, where she has covered the Bay Area restaurant scene since 2019. Her column "Eat Like a Tourist" won a San Francisco Press Club award in 2023. She's a graduate of UC Berkeley and previously worked at Oakland alt-weekly East Bay Express. You can email her at madeline.wells@sfgate.com.

Oakland, CA –An atmospheric river will bring heavy rain and strong winds to the Bay Area throughout this week and weekend, according to the National Weather Service. The City of Oakland encourages residents to review the storm readiness information and resources available here https://www.oaklandca.gov/topics/winter-storms and take steps now to prepare for potential weather impacts.

Oakland Public Works and the City of Oakland Department of Transportation have been conducting their regular pre-storm activities to help mitigate weather impacts and enable crews to respond as effectively as possible to any requests for services. City crews are in the process of:

Volunteer with Adopt-a-Drain to Help Minimize FloodingResidents and businesses can help minimize flooding in their neighborhood by volunteering with the City’s Adopt-A-Drain program to keep a storm drain near their home or business free of debris. More than 1,750 drains have been adopted by Oaklanders, but many thousands more remain. Volunteers receive notification emails before large storm events and are eligible to borrow rakes, brooms, dust pans, bags, and other supplies from the City. Remember: “Clear the drain before the rain.” To sign up, visit https://www.oaklandca.gov/services/sign-up-for-adopt-a-drain or call (510) 238-7630.

Preparedness Tips for Residents and BusinessesSimple preparation steps taken now can go a long way toward lessening the impact of weather-related and other emergencies. Members of the public should review their emergency plans and prepare their families, homes, and vehicles. Here are some suggested steps:

In the event of flood conditions, use caution when walking near high flowing creek channels and avoid walking, riding, or driving into standing water or around a barricade. Water may be deeper than it appears and can hide hazards such as sharp objects, washed out road surfaces, or electrical wires. Additional flood safety tips and resources are available on the National Weather Service website here: https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Emergency Sandbags and Plastic SheetingWhen heavy rains are forecast, Public Works will provide emergency sandbags (up to 10) and plastic sheeting (up to 20 feet) to Oakland residents and business owners while supplies last, to help divert runoff away from buildings and to help prevent flooding and mudslides. Bring your ID to prove residency. Be prepared to fill your own bags if needed.

Locations and hours:Municipal Service Center, 7101 Edgewater DriveMonday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.Drainage Services Facility, 5921 Shepherd Canyon RoadMonday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

How to Report Flood-Related or Storm-Related Problems

For storm-related emergencies on public property and in the public right-of-way (such as flooding, mudslides, landslides, downed trees or tree limbs, and manholes overflowing onto streets and sidewalks), contact OAK 311. Dial 311 from any phone within Oakland or call 510-615-5566.

For non-emergencies, you can contact OAK311 in other ways:

For downed power lines or if you smell natural gas, leave the area immediately and then call 9-1-1 or PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.

For power outage alerts go online to pge.com/outage.

For water service emergencies (e.g., no water service, broken hydrants, broken water main pipes), contact EBMUD at 1-866-403-2683.

For life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1 from a land line or (510) 777-3211 from a cell phone.

For non-emergency community resource referrals, call 211 anytime or text 898211 Monday through Friday between 9am and 4pm for assistance.Please keep these numbers handy for emergencies and share them with neighbors.

Stay up to Date on Emergencies and Public SafetyThe public is encouraged to subscribe to AC Alert, a unified emergency notification system for Alameda County residents, businesses, and visitors. The system allows subscribers to provide up to five locations (such as a school, home, work, or an elder dependent’s address) and receive email or text message updates when an emergency alert impacts one of their self-identified locations. Visit www.acalert.org to sign up.

For more information on winter storm preparedness, visit https://www.oaklandca.gov/topics/winter-storms

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Tagged with: Public Works, Preparing for Oakland Winter Storms

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Shabnam Sahandy Program Analyst II

ssahandy@oaklandca.gov

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Last Updated: November 20th, 2024 10:22 AM

Earlier this year when the Athletics didn't know where they'd be playing games in 2025, they came to the table with Oakland to negotiate a lease extension. Yet, after years of charging the A's a sweetheart rate of around $1 million per season, the city was not ready to play nice given that the team was headed out the door. They wanted terms that favored the city, and also included a slight dig.

Among other requirements, Oakland asked for $97 million in rent to be paid on a five-year contract which included the ability to opt-out after three years, when the A's are hoping their proposed ballpark in Las Vegas will be built. That $97 million figure was no accident, as that was the reported difference between the A's and Oakland to finalize a deal at Howard Terminal and keep the A's in The Town.

Given that the A's may not be ready to open their ballpark in Vegas by 2028, if at all, those extra years would have come in handy if any obstacles were to arise, and they would have also made the per season rate go down on that rent. Over the span of a five year commitment, that $97 million would have been $19.4 million per year.

That's where the agreement that the Tampa Bay Rays made with the New York Yankees comes into play. The Rays will be using the Yankees spring home at Steinbrenner Field during the regular season in 2025, due to the impact of Hurricane Milton on their home ballpark, Tropicana Field, being unplayable for the upcoming season and needing repairs made to the roof.

The Rays came to terms with the Yankees to use Steinbrenner Field for next season, and are giving the Yankees $15 million as payment to use the facilities. Steinbrenner Field is also home of the Yankees Single-A affiliate, the Tampa Tarpons.

Just so we're clear, while the Oakland asking price was certainly also meant as a dig given the specific figure they chose, it was also a fairly reasonable rate if we use this deal between the Rays and Yankees to judge the market price. Tampa Bay is paying $15 million to play in a Single-A minor-league park. The A's were being offered a Major League facility for $19.4 million per year.

The biggest difference between these two situations is that the A's is more of a long-term ask that would span multiple years, while the Rays figure to be out of there after the 2025 season. There is also the fact that A's owner John Fisher has bumbled his way so poorly through this relocation, that fans have been protesting him for the past two years in Oakland, and he likely figured that picking up and leaving would help quiet some of that extra noise.

In the meantime, he called up a buddy up north and will have his team crash on the River Cats' couch in Sacramento for three years, and he won't have to pay anything in rent to make that one happen. That is obviously the better deal in a business sense, though it does cap ticket sales at about 14,000 for big games. But it should also be known that Oakland's asking price wasn't too gaudy, either.

It should also be noted that Oakland came back with an offer that didn't have a flat $97 million attached to it, given that the team could theoretically be ready to dip before the five years were up, and according to the San Francisco Chronicle, they presented a three-year, $60 million offer, which is right in that same per year wheelhouse.

This is just one of those things that seemed worth taking a look back at, given the new data of an agreed upon deal out east, and that so many people were saying Oakland was asking for too much and shooting themselves in the foot. The rent ask sure seems fair now.