San Francisco - August 07, 2006

Hail Cesar

César Opens in Oakland

Remember that conversational Spanish class you planned to take before jetting off to the Costa del Sol? The brochure got buried under piles of junk mail.

Never fear — there’s still an opportunity to brush up on your vocab. You can practice words like tapas, olivos, and gazpacho at César, Oakland’s brand new boite.

With a French name and Italian cork floors, the second site of the Berkeley favorite is truly a European experience. Feast on comida like fried marcona almonds, ribs with fig and cinnamon glaze, and bread pudding with orange-caramel sauce.

Also on site is a mercado where you can shop for homemade sauces and other gourmet Spanish-style delights for entertaining at home.

Make a date with pallies for some made-to-order sangria, an Andalusian sidecar, or the house special mojito (salut!).

You’ll be saying que bueno in no time.

César, 4039 Piedmont Avenue, between 40th and 41st Streets, Oakland (510-883-0222 or barcesar.com).