In this Plum Bar concoction: Hangar 1 mandarin vodka, Oro Italia pisco, vanilla, egg white and fresh mandarin orange juice. Another milestone in Oakland's ascent as a cocktail capital.

On the first Friday evening of every month, Art Murmur takes over the streets and galleries of downtown Oakland, from Old Oakland to Uptown. The epicenter is 25th Street, between Telegraph Avenue and Broadway, where this bubble man, viewed from the upstairs window of the Vessel Gallery, kept the kids reaching for the sky.

Boot and Shoe Service is the spinoff restaurant to Pizzaiolo, which has been my favorite spot in Oakland since it opened in 2006. Boot and Shoe, its slightly more casual little sister, serves the same pizza--a blistery and crisp crust topped with farm-y Bufala mozzarella and the lightest tomato sauce. Try the whiskey cocktail or the vin d'orange if you have to wait at the buzzy bar.

In addition to fantastic and relatively cheap food, this is where you'll find the best backstory of any restaurant in Oakland. In 2011, James Syhabout, Oakland's only Michelin-starred chef (for his Commis, on Piedmont Avenue, which is Oakland's premier fine-dining "molecular gastronomy" restaurant), opened Hawker Fare. His goal: to create a hip sit-down spot for people to enjoy food inspired by the street fare of his family's homeland, Vietnam. His location: the corner storefront where his mother ran a Vietnamese restaurant when he was a child. The food: mostly rice bowls--with amazing tofu curry, pork belly, poached chicken, Issan sausage, and more.

One of the recent additions to Oakland's Uptown neighborhood is Plum Bar, adjacent to Daniel Patterson's Plum Restaurant. The Bailout blends scotch, gin, carpano antico, and orange bitters. It complemented the creamy macaroni and cheese quite nicely.

Packed into this Vietnamese sandwich, or bánh mì (bAHn-me), are spiced, crushed pork meatballs and a runny fried egg that gushes at first bite. A slather of pâté and mayonnaise melts into the fresh-toasted french loaf...and to top this classic sandwich off, the folks at Banh Mi Ba Le in east Oakland shove fresh strips of cucumber, jalapeno and cilantro into this beauty. For the signature zing, they add shredded pickled daikon and carrots. Of the 24 or so sandwich variations, this is #13. Banh Mi Ba Le sits on the corner of International Boulevard and 19th Avenue, an area considered to be less than savory. But perhaps that's one of the reasons why this comes in at $3, including tax. Worth it and more. (CATCH--Delicious)

Looking a place to run while you're in Oakland? Lake Merritt offers a 3.4-mile circumference that takes you past downtown, through Lakeside Park, past the historic Grand Lake Theater, and along Lakeshore Avenue. If you need a challenge, jog up the Cleveland Cascade or continue your exercise by renting a kayak at the Boating Center. For the kids, there's Children's Fairyland, which Walt Disney visited for inspiration before he built the original Disneyland. For adult refreshment, there's Sidebar on Grand Avenue, as well as Zza's, the nearby Boot and Shoe Service, and the historic Alley (with Rod Dibble at the piano bar) among the Grand Lake district's many tippling and dining spots. Visit in the evening to ooh and ah over the "crown of lights" that begins twinkling at dusk around the entire lake.

stop by this breakfast and lunch place in lake merritt area of oakland. friendly staff and yummy simple organic americana menu. love the interior. after the meal, take a walk around the lake.

You definitely can’t miss this café. It’s become a food destination. I dream about their open-faced fried egg and bacon sandwich. They top it with provolone cheese and Anaheim peppers, and sometimes on Sundays they’ll throw on some portobello mushrooms. If someone reached into my brain and pulled out the best sandwich I could imagine, that would be it. 4001 Judah St., (415) 661-6140, outerlandssf.com. As told to Jen Murphy. See all of Danny Hess’s favorite places in San Francisco’s Sunset District. Photos by Erin Kunkel. This story appeared in the January/February 2012 issue.

accidentally found this place in old oakland...wow. really good creole cuisine at affordable price! Atmosphere is cool also :) Had their baked pork with plantain and rice. yum. go to this place.

10,000 Steps, a historic walking tour created in 2006, explores downtown Oakland’s historic parks. These parks—Jefferson Square, Lafayette Square, Madison Square, and Lincoln Square – each occupy only one city block. Walking this "Invisible City" is downtown Oakland’s first permanent self-guided walking tour. By following engraved sidewalk markers, walkers can explore this historic city. Oakland’s first city plan, drawn in 1853 by Julius Kellersberger, was framed by seven oak-filled squares. Today, five of these squares continue to support the diverse communities who live nearby. Walking the Invisible City will lead you to these historic parks and vibrant neighborhoods near Oakland's Chinatown.

Mama's has been a breakfast institution for decades, and this neighborhood joint--with old wooden booths ornamented with original (non-functioning) individual juke boxes, and vintage posters, embroidered apron, and customers' napkin art on the walls--balances greasy-spoon ambience with borderline-gourmet seasonal specialty omeletes, scrambles, and pancakes. You'll see lots of cutting-edge tattoos, too. Mama's sits between the upwardly trending Temescal and Piedmont Avenue neighborhoods.

Whenever chef Rob's Oaxacan mole shows up on the specials board at Mama's, order it. Here, it tops eggs Benedict--my order customized with sides of grilled tomatoes and sauteed spinach in place of potatoes and fruit. More than picture perfect!

a leg for sale. In the myriad of up to 800 booths, frequent treasures include mannequins (whole or frequently dismembered) and other objects d'art for the creative souvenirs.