Who doesn’t like potatoes, cream, and cheese? If you are willing to fork out some cash for some Cowgirl Creamery cheese, I promise that you can produce a delicious potato gratin. Cowgirl Creamery in Point Reyes, California makes some of my favorite cheeses. The Marin County artisan business started in the 1990’s and has...
Mama Papa Lithuania claims to be the only restaurant serving Lithuanian food on the West Coast. If this is true, I am feeling very fortunate that it happens to be located in the 510. Located on Park Street in Alameda, Mama Papa Lithuania is a destination to explore Northern European cuisine. I had lunch...
Dol Ho in San Francisco Chinatown is the epitome of a hole in the wall. Every table could potentially become a community table, as I watched customers squeeze themselves in. My friend sat next to me, but strangers sat across from us. Dol Ho is probably one of the last few dim sum restaurants that...
Last Sunday afternoon, I hung out with my two youngest nieces, ages 7 and 9. They wanted to bake. I was inspired to make cream puffs having recently eaten the Italian version, bigne alla crema from Ca’ momi in Napa. If you are in the area, you must visit Oxbow Market and pick up some...
When I first heard that La Borinquena Mex-icatessen was closing after 71 years of business in Oakland, I felt a kind of sadness. La Borinquena is a Mexican restaurant with a cafeteria style setting. Tucked in the back of the restaurant, they have a little shop selling supplies such as spices and tortillas. In...
I started my food blog about five and a half years ago and my very first post was a recipe for farro salad. It was influenced by a dish I had at the vegan/vegetarian restaurant, Encuentro in Jack London Square. A lot has changed since then, including the restaurant moving to a new location less...
Exactly one year ago today, I was invited to attend an Ottolenghi dinner party. At this party, attendees cooked recipes from Chef Yotam Ottolenghi. We have been meeting regularly ever since. For me, it has evolved into a type of exclusive club where I feel honored to be able to participate. I have met great...
The Growler’s Arm opened in October 2014 serving British fare in the Glenview neighborhood in Oakland. I have had two dinners at the Growler’s Arm in the past couple of months, getting a good sampling of the food from their daily changing menu. On one evening, my friends and I arrived early and previewed a...
I just got back from a four day backpacking trip on a segment of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) starting from Sonora Pass to Ebbetts Pass, which is roughly 31 miles. My fitbit tells me I hiked about 40 miles! This was a daunting experience as I am coming back super tired. This...
My first experience with Copper River Salmon was about three years ago at a sushi restaurant. This very seasonal salmon is filled with Omega 3’s and is very tasty. My understanding is that the adult Sockeye Salmon are ready to spawn and head to the fresh waters of the Copper River in Alaska and fatten...
Line at FYUB Yesterday was a momentous occasion. I was excited to witness the return of Chef Nora Haron to Oakland for a pop-up bakery. It’s been about a year since Chef Nora closed her cafe Drip Line in West Oakland and I’ve been sad ever since. She brought unique Singapore flavors to the food...
Ever since watching Crazy Rich Asians, I can’t stop wrapping potstickers! I have made these for family, friends, and coworkers, and they all love them. I don’t bother making the wrappers from scratch as it takes up too much time. Also, I grew up eating dumplings and I have never in my life seen anyone...
A friend of mine introduced me to a Filipino bun called “señorita bread.” She gave me a sampling of the rolls and my first reaction was “it’s alright.” It wasn’t very memorable. I didn’t understand her excitement about them. A couple of weeks ago, my friend and I were at a strip mall in Newark...
On 21st Avenue and Foothill Boulevard in East Oakland, you will find Cambodian Street Food. At this family run small kitchen, the community at large can pick up delicious, culturally diverse Cambodian or Khmer food at an affordable price. I visited Cambodian Street Food twice last week for lunch, each time with a different friend. ...
Are you afraid of the Covid-19 virus? Being a healthy individual in my forties, I am not afraid. I have been going about my business and eating out. I have also been promoting eating out to support local businesses including Chinatown. But after the new State regulations in California that Governor Gavin Newsom announced today...
When it comes to Thanksgiving leftovers, I always have turkey congee or turkey “jook” on my mind. Congee or “jook” is a Cantonese dish where rice is cooked down with liquid to form a thick porridge consistency. It is usually a breakfast or brunch item. Congee can take a few hours to make in a...
Cam Huong, the popular Vietnamese deli in Oakland Chinatown closed last Fall. I counted on this place for quick, inexpensive, and satisfying take out food. I know a lot of my friends were pretty sad when it closed its Chinatown deli, even though the larger Cam Huong, located about a mile away remained. Cam Anh...
Saté Kampar Last month I took a quick trip to Philadelphia. In addition to going back to Michael Solomonov’s restaurant Zahav, I looked forward to eating Malaysian food at Saté Kampar. Saté Kampar wasn’t even on the list to go until I noticed some well known Bay Area food people that I admire and follow...
Dennis Villafranca is the Jeepney Guy. He started his Filipino catering and pop-up business over seven years ago. Last August, Dennis made a permanent home for the Jeepney Guy inside 7th West, a bar and event space located in West Oakland. Although I have yet to check out the nightlife at 7th West for drinks,...
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About Me
Hello, my name is Lisa Lau. Welcome to my new website 510foodie.com. I was born and raised in the Bay Area. I am passionate about food and am here to share my food adventures with you.
I’ve been blogging about food for almost ten years. I am a contributing writer for localwise.com where my blog post Top Five Bowls of Noodle Soup in Oakland went viral. In 2018, I was a guest writer for Berkeleyside where I wrote the featured article A Filipino Food Movement is Sweeping the East Bay.
My friends and family enjoy my cooking so new to the site is “Recipe of the month.”
I hope you enjoy the site!
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