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).