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Op-ed: Why Oakland?
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Joey Altman
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Last Updated on August, 26 2008 at 11:54 AM
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Joey Altman talks about why he decided to re-open Miss Pearl's Jam House in Oakland.
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| Oakland has long enjoyed a reputation for great music. Stars like John
Lee Hooker, Sly and The Family Stone, Pete Escovedo, M.C, Hammer and
Tower of Power have made it a magnet for “scene-sters” and, more than
anything else, drawn the across-the-Bay crowd. But when it comes to
great restaurants, the city has been mostly off the food media’s radar. |
Photo by Jacob Fenston
Oakland has long enjoyed a reputation for great music. Stars like John Lee Hooker, Sly and The Family Stone, Pete Escovedo, M.C, Hammer and Tower of Power have made it a magnet for “scene-sters” and, more than anything else, drawn the across-the-Bay crowd. But when it comes to great restaurants, the city has been mostly off the food media’s radar.
While those in the know could always find something good to eat here, the dearth of eateries comparable to the quality level of San Francisco or neighboring Berkeley has kept it from being recognized as a foodie’s destination city. Well, “The times they are a changin’.”
Aside from the high cost of doing business in San Francisco - a strong motivator for East Bay ventures - it is not the only one. There is a great “lifestyle” equation here- a vibrant and truly diverse town that not only inspires artistic and creative endeavors, but supports them.
Oakland’s demographics, too, are ideal for a restaurant, not only from a customer standpoint but from an employer’s as well. When people can afford to live close to where they work, they become part of the community they serve, and this creates a synergy that goes a long way in establishing a new venture and sustaining an older one, as well.
Miss Pearl’s Jam House has opened in the heart of Jack London Square. In close proximity to many of Oakland’s residential neighborhoods, the location allows us to be not just a destination restaurant, but a local’s haunt as well.
The weekend Farmer’s Market, right outside our door, presents us with the opportunity to be connected to our supply side community. We look forward to supporting these farmers with our market driven menu, giving our customers the best of the season’s produce fresh from the source.
And Miss Pearl’s could not have found a better spot to be reborn. Did I mention our killer view? We’re right on the Bay, so you can enjoy the stunning panorama and the newly planted Palm Tree grove from our umbrella covered patio and feel transported to a vacation paradise.
A personal note: Life rarely allows you a do-over. But when it does, you’d be foolish not to try to do it better. And so I seized on the opportunity to make a “labor of love”- my original Miss Pearl’s Jam House- even more exciting the second time around. I want to turn my new customers on to my classic recipes of Jerk Chicken, Black Eyed Pea Fritters with Ajilimojili and Catfish Fingers with Trinidadian Pepper Sauce and see my old fans come out and experience the new digs and enjoy my updated menu featuring new dishes such as BBQ Glazed Sugar Cane Shrimp with Andouille Corn Cakes and Grilled Skirt Steak with Fresh Horseradish - Parsley Mojo.
Welcome to our House, Oakland.
Celebrity chef Joey Altman, author of "Without Reservations," opened the original Miss Pearl's Jam House in San Francisco in 1989. The new avataar of the restaurant opens in Oakland Wednesday evening. It is still a mansion on a tropical island serving island food.
Related Story: Joie de Vivre in Oakland |
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