23 - the Hob Nob - Alameda

1313 Park St,(between Alameda Ave & Encinal Ave), Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 769-1011

Last visit: January, 2009

the Hob Nob's website

The Hob Nob is a place where food, games, and drinks meet in Alameda. They actually have a server and a kitchen, and I found it interesting that they have daily specials. It's a dimly lit place that caters to who seem to be regulars there. They have one flat-screen that shows predominantly hockey for some reason. It's good that there's only one screen I guess, nowadays places are decked out with five or six at least. 

We get there early and the eating crowd is still there. I order their Blue Berry Mojito, which came with too much blue berry. My friends order their tequilla and Tecate combo and a pink cosmo-like drink. The drinks are pretty strong at the Hob Nob, so don't go crazy in ordering your cocktails. I try their Long Beach later and it has a bit of a kick to it. 

Our food comes in due time. I recommend the garlic fries. Quite a treat while watching the games on TV. They have the usual sports bar menu with daily specials. I have to try the burgers next time. 

Board games are in the back, and so are some in the front of the bar. We check out the scrabble and began our night of word banter and stories over drinks. I would like to go there again. 

19 - Zen Restaurant - Alameda

2315 Santa Clara ave, Alameda, CA. 94501, (510) 521 - 7070

Last Visit - December 2008

Zen is a small Japanese restaurant in Alameda off Park Avenue. The decor is actually something to talk about. Most things are red and black, and there seems to be some effort made in the setting and utensils of the restaurant. In some ways it's fusion because of the cocktail menu and their small alotment of wines. The theme is Zen, which is in some ways "non-traditional" in this sense. The places are not completely round or the glasses not in orthodox shape. 

I went there for the second time with some friends last week. We ordered the yam fries and a salad as an apetizer. The lamb came next and my friends ordered some of the wasabi shu-mai. I ordered the mentaiko spaghetti, one of my favorite dishes. All was well. I had a cranberry cosmo and my friends had some mohitos. The drinks are not too strong, which is usually the Japanese way. Desserts are pretty good, but I haven't tried many. 

I don't think this place is much of a bar, but for a small snack and conversation it's not bad. For Alameda, it's definitely a place to try some day. 

Yelp's Review

16 - Ole's Waffle House - Alameda

1507 Park St., Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 522-8108

Last visit: October 11, 2008

I went to Ole's Waffle house Saturday morning ready to wait in a long line. We drove past the bridge into Alameda on Park Street and found parts of it blocked off. There was a car show apparently, covering three blocks. The outlook for prompt seating was out of the realms of the question. But after a quick turn on Alameda Ave we found a nice spot a few steps away from La Pinata. We walked to Ole's and stood in line. To our amazement, they opened up a table for two right there, and we leapfrogged ahead of all the folks that were waiting with bigger parties.

We sat down to a loud and cheerful room of breakfast lovers. It seemed like Ole's would always be crowded. I have been going there occasionally for two years and I realized that they lacked one thing: an Ole-cam. Yes, that would tell people how many minutes they'd be waiting before going there. Every time we went there before this time, we had to wait; and the waits were up to 45 minutes. The food is good, and the service is accommodating, but the waits, that's the only thing that makes you not want to go.

So we sat down and ordered. I had eggs, a waffle, and a side of ham. The ham there was generously cut. Actually, I couldn't finish that slab of ham. Coffee is pretty good and eggs are usually done well. My girlfriend had strawberries with her waffle. It's no secret, the waffles there are great! I think you'll have a good time trying out all their different toppings.

We left after a morning of random banter. Nothing like starting the day out with a good hearty meal.

Yelp's two cents

01 - Jim's Coffee Shop - Alameda

Jim’s Coffee Shop, 2333 Lincoln Ave., Alameda, CA., (510) 523-5368

Date of visit: June 14th, 2008

One of the things me and my girlfriend like to do is find breakfast diners on Saturdays and Sundays. It's odd, but there's not too many if you think about the bay area. We really like Ole's Waffle house, but it's always packed. This Saturday we went to Jim's Coffee Shop in Alameda. We had spotted it before with a line out the door the week before ~ what does that mean? good food.

We arrived through the back entrance. It's pretty shady in the back, it reminded me of diners along freeways between So-Cal and Arizona. But when you go inside, the place is booming. The clientele ranged from seniors enjoying the paper to punk-rockers eating pancakes, and of course there were families. This was around 1pm. The decor is retro stuff from San Francisco before the 50's. Old newspaper clippings from 1942 and old black and white photos from the 1907 earthquake can be found lining their walls. There's also a fervor about racing there, probably the owners sponsor cars for Laguna Seca raceway.

The food is good. I had the linguisa and eggs (x3) and was stuffed. Their portions are large, and quite cheap for what it is. The coffee is nothing to rave about, but service for it is spectacular. I think it's a great place for a morning conversation. She had a waffle, eggs, and bacon. She said the bacon was crispy and tasty, which made the trip worthwhile, "Good Breakfast find" was what she called it. And that's what it is.

Yelp's two cents