Festive Pizza

Metropolis Pizzeria in the old town is currently decked out with this fabulous upside down christmas tree as its centre-piece.

Monday Mural: Taquería Vallarta

Walking around the Fruitvale District today, I spied several murals.  This one seems to match the recent warm weather we've had.  Can you feel the ocean breeze and taste the margaritas?

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the murals posted this week.  Once you start looking, it's amazing how many you can find.

Weekend Reflections: Lake Chalet

The Lake Chalet, a relatively new restaurant, sits in a beautiful spot on the shore of Lake Merritt.  On a morning walk around the lake, we popped into the bar just to have a look.  The silver balls immediately caught my eye et voilà.  Then I noticed all the other reflections at the bar!  I hear it's a lively spot during happy hour.  It would be a pleasure to sit on their dock at sunset as the Necklace of Lights begins to shine.

Monday Mural: Oakland Grill

This mural decorates the Oakland Grill which is located in the old warehouse produce district.  This work contains all the local references an Oaklander values.  In the far left is native son Jack London with the husky from Call of the Wild.  Behind him are the cranes at the Port of Oakland.  The next panel references our local pro sports teams, Lake Merritt, City Hall, and the Grand Lake Theater.  At the near table are Jerry Brown and Ron Dellums, previous mayors (Jerry is now our governor).  Having coffee with them is, I believe, Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You get to decide what constitutes a mural.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.  I will be out of town for several days but will do my best to leave comments.

Weekend Reflection: restaurant lights

These yellow paper lanterns really spoke to me.  Their reflections is the window was a bonus.  Shimizu Restaurant on Piedmont Avenue.  For more reflections visit James's meme Weekend Reflections.  Also linked to City Daily Photo's Theme Day, electricity.  Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

ABC Wednesday: F is for Flora

This week we're visiting Flora at 19th and Telegraph Avenue in Uptown.  It is housed in a stunning art deco building faced in cobalt and silver terra cotta tile previously featured here.  Flora opened in 2007 and was an anchor business in the revival of Uptown.  The old neon sign that marked the flower mart was restored by the restaurant.  This is a popular and welcoming restaurant that is best visited with reservations.  A sidewalk peek into Flora shows it's busy even at the early dinner hour.

The entry reveals its deco roots are undeniable.

The inside is noisy and convivial with simple but pleasing decor.

It's on the pricey side but the food is very good.  The new cocktail generation kept the bartenders busy the entire time we were there.  I had a New York strip, which was probably the tastiest steak I've ever had.  No exaggeration.  So, thumbs up.  For other takes on the letter "F", visit ABC Wednesday.

ABC Wednesday: D is for Dopo

Dopo is a small Italian restaurant on Piedmont Avenue.  It is often touted as having authentic Italian food, which I'm not sure is literally true.  Nonetheless, the food is very good and reasonably price, especially if you go for lunch.  Most people go for the thin crust pizza but you shouldn't overlook the risotto and their fish dishes.  They don't take reservations, so lines begin to form before they open for dinner.  Up the street is their sister restaurant Adesso, which focuses on house-made salume.  On any given night both places are usually packed.

Sometimes time flies at warp speed and consequently I wasn't ready for my Wednesday post; so once again I caged photos from Google.  Bad me.  But honest, I've been to Dopo several times.  No doubt as punishment for not using my own photos, I can't get this second picture to center.  Grrr.  Be sure to visit ABC Wednesday for more takes on the letter "D".

ABC Wednesday: C is for Can't Fail Café

(Rudy's) Can't Fail Cafe is located in Uptown on Telegraph Avenue next to the renovated Fox Theater.  It is easily distinguished by its blue neon sign and giant palm tree in front.  Even just ordering a coffee guarantees you a warm welcome and friendly chit-chat.  The decor is kitschy and fun.  Along one wall is a 20 foot case filled with Barbie and Ken dolls wearing a blue and black uniform and a button saying "I am Rudy."  Closer inspection reveals that many of the dolls have been "modified" to include masks, C3PO heads, Wonder Woman lariats, feathers, and other amusing details.

The tables on the other side of the cafe are essentially shadow boxes with themes including Star Wars, rock and roll, and children's game pieces.  In the rear of the cafe is the back end of an Air Stream trailer that has been hollowed out to house a private booth.

I didn't order anything to eat, but in the brief time I was there several more parties came in for a late lunch.  So the food must be good and the Yelp crowd generally approves.  I hear it's a hipster scene at night which is both bad and good depending on your point of view.

 For more takes on the letter "C" be sure and visit ABC Wednesday.

ABC Wednesday: X is for xyclo

Xyclo is a local Vietnamese restaurant named after the pedaled rickshaw of VietNam.  It's a popular place that features an innovative menu.  This picture was taken during the annual Halloween parade and trick o' treat fest on Piedmont Avenue.  For more takes on "X" visit ABC Wednesday.

Pizza with a dash of Rome!

The popular pizzeria Metropolis has opened a brand new restaurant in ul. Łazienna, right in the heart of the old town. It's long, bright and trendy...with the centre piece being a large colour picture of the city of Rome. A worthy addition to Toruń's endless list of pizzerias.

Italian food - British style!

The owners of this Italian restaurant have clearly spent some time in the UK. The "Eat-all-you-want" concept is something which has been going on for years in Britain...yet virtually unknown here in Poland. For 15 złoty you can eat as much pizza, salad and pasta as you can. Let's hope it catches on among the Poles.

New Bistro in Town

Just two doors away from the new Italian restaurant you can find this new bistro. Looks small inside but am sure the food tastes good!

The Peirogi Mural

Pierogarnia Stary Toruń is a popular eatery in town. It specialises in pierogis...or dumplings. To be honest, the word dumpling doesn't give it justice. The oven-baked pierogis can be best described as a cornish pasty!!

As you can see the restaurant has decorated its exterior with this eye-catching mural.

New Restaurant part 2

Here's another shot of the new Italian restaurant which we posted yesterday. The actual building is historical and featured in a TDP post four years ago: http://torundailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/03/typical-tenement.html.

Yes it really did take 4 years to open up a new restaurant in this building!!!

New Restaurant and New Bear

In the past few weeks a number of new cafes and restaurants have popped up. This new Italian restaurant is in Ul. Szczytna. Nice bear!!

Polish Papadums!

This is about as far from Poland as you can get. Freshly cooked papadums by authentic Indian chefs in the heart of Toruń! Can't get any better than that! Though, of course Polish food is very good as well!

Indian Art

One of the best places to eat in Toruń (for us expats anyway) is The Royal India restaurant. Delicious, spicy cuisine and beautiful exotic decor. As you can see from this ornately carved decorative piece.

The Plate Clock

This beautifully decorated clock/plate can be found hanging on a wall in a local restaurant north of Toruń.

An Angel by Candlelight

Everyone loves an angel...and the Poles are no exception. They can be bought as ornaments, decorated on top of your Christmas tree and in the likes of Toruń can be the symbol of a city! Here just for you...is a rather fetching angel beautifully lit by candlelight.

Rustic, Festive Pub

This karczma (traditional pub/restaurant) is looking rather festive at the moment!

HAPPY 2011 TO ALL OUR READERS!