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The Rooster at Midnight
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Tina "Tamale" Ramos
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Last Updated on August, 01 2008 at 11:35 AM
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Should you find yourself in search of nosh and a nightcap as the Art
Murmur winds down Friday night, consider an Old Oakland fixture with
new, late hours on the weekends. Along with a 1:30 a.m. closing time,
Cock-A-Doodle Café has a menu that reads like a midnight journey
through Latin America, the continent that never sleeps, or at least
doesn’t have dinner until North America is tucked in bed.
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Should you find yourself in search of nosh and a nightcap as the Art Murmur winds down Friday night, consider an Old Oakland fixture with new, late hours on the weekends. Along with a 1:30 a.m. closing time, Cock-A-Doodle Café has a menu that reads like a midnight journey through Latin America, the continent that never sleeps, or at least doesn’t have dinner until North America is tucked in bed.
You may know her for her delicious breakfasts, but chef Blanca Arechiga’s background is rooted in fine dining. So how did she wind up running a breakfast and lunch spot in Old Oakland? Chef Arechiga and her business/life partner, Ana Trujillo, lost a best friend in an auto accident. The friend was also a chef, who at one point ran the original Cock-A-Doodle Café in San Juan Bautista in Southern California. After she died, the couple wanted to keep her memory alive by naming their new restaurant after hers. The hand carved Cock-a-doodle sign that now hangs over the door in Old Oakland used to hang over the restaurant in San Juan Batista.
At first, a daytime joint was just what Chef Arechiga wanted. She’d seen the personal lives of one too many chefs pulverized under the stress of 24/7 cooking. Until now, Ms.Trujillo was generally the only one who had the pleasure of eating Chef Arechiga’s “nice” food. That formerly private cuisine is now on an evening menu that offers bright flavors, playful presentations and full portions for small plates. Whatever you do, just don’t call it tapas. She prefers to call this menu botanas, or even better, “boracho food,” meaning tasty snacks that go great with booze.
The botanas are a cross section of all her Latin American favorites with a Mexican twist. Corn and bananas are all over the menu. You will find Salvadoran Pupusas filled with chorizo and cheese, Cuban Tostones with guacamole and do not miss the Empanadas de Camarones with chipotle aioli. Round out your meal with the Mexican Taquiza plate of three mini soft tacos stuffed with different meats and salsas.
Try the Latino antipasto along with some luscious fruit infused sangrias and tangy mojitos for a smooth transition into your weekend. DJ and live music will soon be added to the mix in the outdoor patio, promising many nights of food, drinks and maybe even some dancing.
Cock-A-Doodle Cafe, 719 Washington Street, 510-465-5400 |
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OAKLAND
FOOD & BOOZE
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