I used to live in the Bay Area and I have to say that Oakland was a place I drove through to get elsewhere. Like many cities in America, it is full of contradictions, but at the edge of the good and the bad, we find some pretty cool stuff.
While doing research on the distinctiveness and brand stance of cities, I came across this piece on YouTube from Cool Hunting. It’s about Oakland and they call it a Word-of-Mouth Guide http://bit.ly/8gVWu7. The approach is to ask interesting and unique people for recommendations of their favorite things, places, people that make a place, well, a place and not some other place. My father taught me a long time ago to ask the locals and I still believe this is the best way to experience a place. This lovely video offers glimpses into parts of Oakland that you may not know about.
And if you want the recipe for that sandwich, go here: http://bit.ly/92qqUB. It seems “Betty” has some Chez Panisse in her.
Enjoy.
