power of the "Z"s

What I'm sippin' on: Bulleit Rye on the rocks with a splash of gingerale ... a classy variation of the standard whiskey/ginger, if you will
Fun fact o' the day: Texas state law prohibits taking more than three sips of beer at a time while standing.   Uhm, what?

Today's post is in homage to a great pride I have in having a name that starts (and ends, if you include my last name) with the letter Z. I tend to find myself a bit more connected to anything and anyone who can share this glorious Z-centered life, and therefore I found myself at Z Cafe and Bar. 

A mere block and a half outside the epicenter of Oakland's booming "uptown" neighborhood hosts site to a (somewhat) hidden gem by this name. Sharing a wall with Oakland Nissan, Z Cafe is an average sized restaurant/bar that specializes in having an extensive vodka selection (over 100 to choose from), and a specialty cocktail menu that takes up a jam-packed full page of their menu.

The most notable (and enjoyable) quality of Z Cafe is their Happy Hour, which is, in truth, many hours, and is honored every day of the week (excluding Sundays, because they are closed). Happy hour here offers all of their signature drinks at a rate of 30% less than the normal - which for most is extremely affordable. More importantly, the bartenders know what they're doing, and never skimp on their pours, which makes for a very happy bar patron, and ensures that I will be a repeat customer. 

A few stand-out drinks I feel the need to mention:

The Jeannie Martini - a spicy, sweet, strong vodka-based martini that goes down TOO easily, but gets the night going with a bang. The best part, in my opinion, is that it's finished with a grind or two of fresh black pepper - which in my book, you can never have too much of, or use in the wrong way. SOLD.
Corpse Reviver #2 - I guess it's a somewhat standard recipe, but not a drink your average twenty-something would order at the club. It's a combination of gin, lilet, cointreau, lemon, and a hint of absinthe, served up. The flavor is faint, yet powerful, and makes you think about each sip you take. Change is good.
Ginger Martini - Can't get much simpler than this one, but that doesn't take away from how good it is. It's simply a balance of ginger vodka and ginger liqueur, shaken and served in a frosty martini glass. Personally, I'm a sucker for anything ginger, so this one was made, seemingly, just for me. 
Espresso Martini - Again, this one is fairly simple, but the right ratios, delicious espresso, and the perfect amount of shaking make this martini an absolute winner. The reason I like this one so much is that typically coffee-type martinis and cocktails (in my experience) almost always contain some sort of cream ingredient, but this one doesn't - which makes it that much more enjoyable for me. Espresso, kahlua, and vodka are the only three ingredients that make up this perfect finisher to a night at Z Cafe.


Food here is also something not to overlook. I haven't had much yet, but what I have tasted has been 100% fresh and delicious. Z Cafe offers everything from crab cakes, salads, burgers, and steaks, to pastas, sweet potato fries, and array of desserts.

The servers and bartenders come across very knowledgeable and accommodating, and make for a very welcoming and enjoyable experience each time. 

The ambiance is casual yet hip, and there is an overall vibe of positivity that fills the space. Yet another great find in my new neighborhood. Thanks Oakland!

I'm alive!

What I'm sippin' on: Alo Appeal - pomelo, lemon, and pink grapefruit aloe drink
Fun fact o' the day: The phrase "mind your P's and Q's" has its roots in alcohol! In England, beers are served in pints and quarts, and if a customer became unruly, the bartender commonly would tell him to mind his pints and quarts, which soon became abbreviated "P's and Q's". I did always wonder where that originated.

So yes, it has been an inexcusably long time since my last post. A lot has been going on, but I wont burden you with the details of that! Long story short, I am an Oakland resident now, and am smack in the middle of one of the fastest growing and most exciting food, nightlife, craft cocktail, specialty tavern, hipster-friendly, honestly you name it, cities in the Bay Area. I've only been here a few weeks so far, but have already found a few local watering holes that I know I will be frequenting on a regular basis. For today's blog, I think I'll focus on a place that I have actually known about and hae been visiting for a while now, but for whatever reason have not yet shared with you all. Now that it's within stumbling distance of my doorstep, I feel obligated to do so.

Right on the southwest border of the beautiful Lake Merritt, sits a trendy bar/restaurant named Portal. Fittingly, the front door provides a true portal itself - setting the feel for what's to come as you venture inside. 

As you walk in, you'll find a few tall tables and a small, yet comfortably sized bar with about 15 beers on tap, and a beautiful display of all of their (not-to-be-missed!) house-made pickles. Most of the restaurant actually exists on their outside patio area, which has several long, family-style picnic tables that overlook Lakeshore Boulevard and of course, the lake itself. On warm, sunny days, the patio is constantly buzzing with locals and tourists alike, enjoying some refreshing beers and ciders, as well as some of the amazing food offered at Portal. 

For drinks, I almost always opt for the hoppiest beer I can find, which usually lands me with an IPA, a double IPA, or something similar. However, Portal offers a beverage for whatever your taste buds are craving. They even make bloody mary's and margaritas, though their license only allows them to use Soju, not real vodka or tequila. Delicious nonetheless.

What's on the food menu? This depends on when you come. Tuesday through Friday they offer lunch and dinner, but Saturday and Sunday they also have a brunch menu which is absolutely delicious. Of the items I've tried so far, their house pickle plate is a must-have. The dish is an elegant array of pickled goodies - always including a few slices of pickled egg, and finished off with a small drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. 

I would also highly recommend their "garbage bread", whose off-putting name does not at all reflect the yumminess that it actually is. The way I would best describe it is a pizza burrito. Doughy goodness stuffed with either an all veggie mix of things, or a meat and veggie combination. It is served with a pesto and a marinara dipping sauce, and is a very hearty, shareable portion size. 

The staff here is very down-to-earth, friendly, and make it clear that it's a pretty darn cool place to work. I have a whole lot more tasting to do on both the food and the beer menu, but I don't see this as an intimidating problem. I'm so happy that Portal is now so close to home, and I hope to run into some of your unknown faces there soon!