Tried this new restaurant in Oakland last week and was very impressed. Flora is in the former Oakland Floral Depot (1900 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA) at the corner of 19th and Telegraph across from the Old Fox Theater. This addition to the neighborhood is an island business right now, not much around this transitioning neighborhood. With Lukas Tap Room two blocks away the neighborhood is getting geared up for the thousands of new Condos and apartments that are being built in Downtown.
The dining room is very clean, the light jazz music is at the right level to carry a conversation and the staff was attentive. The menu has prosciutto wrapped swordfish and NY Steak that jump right out, but they have a pork dish, chicken and vegetarian dishes. The wife and I stuck to the Starters with a couple of cocktails. The red braised short ribs, pan gravy, crispy potatoes, cheddar cheese béchamel was fantastic. By the way I had to look up béchamel (Béchamel sauce also known as white sauce) thank to Wikipedia once again with the soup and a salad was just right for the late evening fare. The wine by the glass and beer list is very good. But take a gander at the cocktail list.
If you are looking for an inexpensive evening this is not it, the prices were a bit on the high side, $16-$25 for an entrée. If you are going to show at the Paramount Theater or looking for a casual but chic place to have a drink and some food, it is well worth the stop.
The San Francisco Chronicle did a small write up of the restaurant.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgibin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2007/11/14/FD9NT9P3K.DTL
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Flora
