My favorite desserts typically have French or Italian influences. Pot de crème, crème brulee, chocolate souffle, and a berry crisp topped with ice cream are a few of my favorites. Although I love all types of Asian food, I don’t like very many Asian desserts. Mango Sticky Rice is a Thai dessert and an exception. ...
Fentons Creamery is an Oakland tradition, making handcrafted ice creams and sauces since 1894. Fentons moved to their current storefront on Piedmont Avenue in 1961. Although ownership has changed, it continues to be a family business bringing joy to ice cream lovers of any age including myself. As a child, I had fond memories of...
Where are all the food trucks? Food trucks are turning away from Oakland to cities like Emeryville and Alameda because Oakland doesn’t have its SH*T together. The Liba Falafel Truck got booted out of Oakland because of a complaint from a restaurant. The permit process is not very clear for food trucks in Oakland. I...
My BFF had her b-day celebration partially catered by Summer Kitchen + Bake Shop located on College Avenue in the Elmwood District of Berkeley. The idea of Summer Kitchen is offering local, sustainable, and seasonal foods for take out. Unlike what you think of as normal take out – Fast Food, Chinese food, picking up...
This tale is an ode to bacon. I remember when bacon was just something you had as a side for breakfast. These days it is more than just a complementary food. Bacon is now king! Bacon is so popular that you can even purchase a subscription to the Bacon of the Month Club. Dynamo Donuts...
It is Memorial Day weekend and many Americans are barbecuing. Corn is in season and made me recall a memory I had many years ago. I was on International Blvd. in Oakland at a food stand. At the time, I don’t even think it was called International Blvd., just E14th Street. The name changed in 1996. ...
I heart Santana Row in San Jose. It’s like Disneyland for those that love to shop and eat. The weather is generally great and reminds you that you are definitely in sunny California. I’ve enjoyed dining in this area throughout the years – From Pinkberry, Pluto’s, and Pizza Antica to Village California Bistro, Blowfish Sushi...
A visit to my friend who recently moved to Sausalito meant a visit to Fish. This restaurant overlooks the marina. The restaurant is casual where you go to the counter, order your food, pay by cash, get a placard with a number, pick up your own silverware, find a seat, and someone delivers your food. ...
Today is Mother’s Day and I wanted to write about Dim Sum. Dim Sum is a Cantonese cuisine that is typically eaten as weekend brunch. There are countless varieties of bite sized food that are either sweet or savory and steamed or fried. Another way to say dim sum in Chinese is “yum cha” which...
This past week I attended Taste of the Nation in San Francisco. This event travels nationwide to raise money for Share Our Strength, an organization to end childhood hunger. A ticket costs $85 or $140 and gives you access to unlimited tastings of food and drinks from local restaurants, wineries, and mixologists. Although I find...
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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