I had a sample box from the Little Shop Artisan Box mailed to me via Shikhalamode's blog giveaway…read more I'm a big subscription box fan--in the past I've done Birchbox and Ipsy for monthly makeup packages mailed to my door. I like the convenience of having things sent directly to my house and it's like Christmas every month! For the Little Artisan Box, I like how there are different levels of subscriptions: 1) Monthly, 3 Months, 6 Months, 1 Year 2) Small or Large Boxes (approx. $25 or $50 per box) This makes it easy to customize how long you want to commit to this program and flexible with your budget. Other perks: + Local food + Seasonal flavors + Beautiful packaging I got a few goodies from local Oakland eateries (including Oaktown Jerk and Chunky Pig) in the Oaktown Pride sample box. I would definitely consider getting a subscription for a foodie friend's birthday and/or Christmas.

Little Shop Artisan Box is an amalgamator of artisan foodie items....got this info checking out the…read morewebsite. these items are usually found at popups/farmers markets/forgae sf events. food groups: -cured meats -pickled pleasures -jams & jellies -confections -spreads -teas & coffee drill: selling selected items months via subscription: 3 items (20ish +shipping), 5 items (40ish + ahipping) locale: swan's popup.(3/23) item purchased separate: jade bao zhong, sky tea, 14.2 g (5)organic oolong loose teaf -tea tasted pretty strong, kind of harsh -probably didn't follow directions on waiting for water to boil into bubbles -forgot to upgrade to x-ray vision to see thru aluminum boiling pot so i could see the tiny bubbles.

Bente makes delicious and gorgeous chocolates, with a rotation of really interesting flavors. Her…read morelittle shop is delightful. This is the perfect place for a little treat or a gift. Each box was perfectly packed and wrapped with beautiful ribbon. Don't miss this spot... and if you need a gift this is the perfect place to stop by.

Support local! The sweet smell of chocolate is overwhelming when you walk into this small shop on…read moreLincoln Ave. Each piece of chocolate looks like a true work of art. I love how every box will be customized, even down to the wrapping and your choice of ribbon. A small box (6 pieces) runs less than $15 and is a great just-because gift (or just a treat for yourself!) I highly recommend checking them out.

They started selling this New Cheesecake & it is my favorite cheesecake I've ever had!…read moreThe consistency of the flavor and the crust is just so good! If you're looking for a new dessert please try their cheesecake

No parking but lots of street parking I just park next door…read moreand crossed the sidewalk Small, tight, a bit messy but full of many new interesting items New brands new flavors and fresh produce and meats, but no price labels Tried their lamb, got lots of interesting new seasonings and tried some new crackers/snacks Came another time and got their rice so I can try it on their Shan brand pre prepped seasoning packages, got Biryani and Mandhi Service was helpful and friendly

Nice Market place with other vendors, community of locally-owned and independently operated family…read moreof businesses. Alameda Natural Grocery Bake Sum Beanery of Alameda Barons Quality meats and seafood East End Farmstead Cheeses and Wines Greens and Grains Feel Good Bakery Sushi King Tahina Tons of parking available in the back

Love this market in Alameda! They have so many gluten free products. Tons of small restaurants that…read moreyou can order from. Parking lot is always crowded but you will find a space. Appreciate the selection of items that you may not find elsewhere.

Clean, tidy, extremely dog friendly, local mom and pop store. Mostly European groceries, beer and…read morewine, as well as coffee, sweets and ice cream. We shop there occasionally (three-four times a year). Can't say much about owner(s) or employees as I never interacted much other than "in out, bing bang" and that's it. I didn't notice or experience any rude or "strange" behavior, neither from customers nor employees, otherwise it would've been one star just like all those other reviews (I rarely give five stars to businesses). Also I noticed during my brief shopping visits that other patrons at that moment were from different cultures, speaking different languages, and from different ethnic backgrounds. Truly a diverse and multicultural environment. Finally to Abigail C.: Maybe you should take your rowdy, sugar hopped-up kids to the park to play or spend more time teaching them good manners. Don't be shifting your shortcomings as a parent to others around you. *I am not related to this business owner(s) and am not an everyday/"regular" visitor but reviewers with low self-esteem and an inferiority complex should consider some kind of therapy or even learning a thing or two about different cultures, or perhaps learning a different language before labeling people as racist, bigots, homophobes or any kind of "phobes".

I decided to check it out since it was near the Alameda farmers market. There is a sign on the door…read moreadvertising their ample dessert selection, which includes gluten free chocolate caramel tartlet, gluten free matcha cake, and gluten free vegan chocolate raspberry cake, as well as cannoli, 3 inch key lime cheesecake, lava cake, and tiramisu. The pistachio cream cake and ricotta and pistachio cake sound good too, so many desserts. They also have Mitchell's ice cream. Although there is a sound effect that goes off when you step in the door so the owner or staff must've known when I came in, and they also looked up when a few other people went in and out of the store, I was standing at the counter for about 5 mins before they realized I was waiting to order, so that was awkward. I realized the register is set up for grocery store and not like a restaurant so there wasn't a way to enter a tip for the drink order when paying with credit card; they only have a jar for cash tips. It says minimum $5 for credit or debit or they will charge you $0.50. The owner/employee is pretty no nonsense in demeanor. I ordered a $5 hot mocha for 16 oz. The prices are pretty good for hot drinks. For some reason, for iced drinks, which have a smaller selection, the price jumps up significantly between the 12oz and 16oz size. You can get up to 20oz size for the hot drinks. The coffee itself was pretty good, though, and I liked the amount of chocolate in it. Not bad for drinks, you just might have to try to speak up to get the owner's attention if they are busy washing dishes or not looking your way / not at the register.

Never walked in till today - always thought it was a small spot from the exterior…read more It's quite big and well organized inside. A lot of sale items also. I got a full bag of groceries for under $50: - half a papaya - amazing color, flavor so-so - Italian sparkling water, sale $3.29 - Lesser Evil popcorn (2), sale $2.99 - organic peaches (2) - organic carrots - Bariani olive oil - yay they carry this! Will explore more in the future - they source a lot of their produce from small producers like Tomatero but the berries are Driscoll and Giant. Service was professional and straightforward - they all looked like they enjoyed working in the environment. A perfect mash up of a gourmet, natural and conventional store.

I've been to the Encinal Market quite a few times now. What I dig about this place is you know…read morethose hard to find items that you can't find say in Safeways or Nob Hill Market? I usually find them here! I was on this hunt to find this pasta called Cresti de gallo and no one on the island had this and lo and behold, Encinal Market did. Granted the prices here are a bit more than you would expect but for me it was well worth it.

This ain't no vegetarian market or vegan market....it's meat and seafood. The rest of yall'z can go…read moregrase outside on the lawn. Hey I like some veggies and fruit and shrooms also but most of my diet is meat and seafood, as mama God intended it to be. It is awesome to have such a nice family owned butcher shop in town that is all about quality. I have purchased oysters, chicken, salmon, bacon and different cuts of meat over the years and all fresh and fantastic. They also have duck which I haven't purchased yet be cause I don't have my brothers insane duck recipe. That will change soon. The other items I buy are bones and oxtails for bone broth. In the freezer section are meaty oxtails, lamb and beef neck bones and sometimes knuckle bones. In the meat counter they have cut up leg bones. My number one place for bones. Store bought bone broth pales in compareson to my recipe and even though a takes a hot minute to make, it's worth it. The staff is great and very knowledgeable.

I spent $170.00 On a center cut beef loin at Barons . I told the man who served me that I was a…read moremaking Beef Wellington . He cuts off the tip, cuts the center cut which is beautiful/ uniform, nice and red. He asks if I would like it trimmed ...yes please! He's trimming off the fat, I'm watching and admiring the cut,leaving a gorgeous 3+ Lb.center cut, just as I expect for $56.00 a pound. This is a memorial dinner to honor my husband who just passed. I get home, unwrap it, and it's the goddamn tip! UNTRIMMED with a big slice thru it on one side! ((Temper, Temper)). Needless to say you have lost a frequent customer. It will be worth the extra miles to return to my butcher in Berkeley. I trimmed 7.oz of thick fat and gristle off this, and now have to try and piece it together like a puzzle. I was a Chef! I know how to cut meat! I've added pictures of the Switcharoo cut he wrapped for me. I wanted this dinner to be a positive offering for family, closest friends and Vietnam Veterans my husband served with as we memorialized my husband.$170. 00 PSH! Way too much for this mess. Grand total of fat and gristle= 7.0 oz. What a heartbreaking scam cup and ball game

I absolutely love shopping at The Grocery Outlet it's right down the street from where I live and…read morethe staff is always so welcoming and helpful. Jojuan and Leanne especially are always going the extra mile to make sure I found everything I needed. After a long day of work and having to get errands done. A friendly smile and really goes a long way. Thank you Grocery outlet for always having what I need and at the best prices. Ps. Always fully stocked on the fresh fruit and veggies.

I really love stopping by this Alameda grocery store in the Marketplace on my way back to Oakland…read more They have produce, many dairy (and non-dairy) selections, healthy snacks, sauces, vitamins, beer, and beauty/ skincare products. It's also in the marketplace where you can find baked goods, meats, cheeses, and wine-- as well as to-go dining options like sushi, Mediterranean food, and salads/ sandwiches. Everyone is kind and helpful. There are plenty of parking options in the parking lot. It's organized and clean.

I've been shopping here for cinnamon sticks to make tea…read more Everytime I come in they ask me to try their hot foods. So on a Saturday, I decided to try their Curry Chicken w/ rice. We chatted about how I like Curry Chicken, and the gentleman offered me a taste of his Curry Chicken. OMG, the curry flavor was so mild, it lacked any flavor. I said no thank you, and didn't try their food. I then looked over their sesame and almond cookies, and found several with expired dates. The clerk thanked me for bringing the expired products to his attention. So if you buy anything here, check the expiration dates.

The samosa is really filling. I dipped it in my chicken tikka masala sauce. Yum! I didn't like the…read moresauce the samosa came with but that's just me personally. I really like how hot the samosa stayed - I love my food really hot temperature wise. The owner's wife (I think) gave me the lunch box special even though I came late (it is from 11am - 3pm). I was so hungry.. and desperate. LOL she was nice and made an exception for me. The chicken tikka masala flavor and sauce is so good! Veggie korma is good too. The lunch special came with rice and naan - and it pairs so gooooood with the sauce from the chicken tikka masala flavor. I am glad it came with a water bottle because I was thirsty from all the carbs lol I'll be back! Love it!! The price is great. Location is local to me. Owners are nice and friendly.

1505 High St Alameda, CA 94501…read more "Honey Bird Market" takes over the location of the old High St Market at High St x Santa Clara. Fresh new look, new name, and new staff. I've been here twice on the way home. The inside is completely different, all the old fixtures are gone. So far I have tried the pizza and tamales, and they taste good and are easy to heat up. The clerk at night is super friendly and helpful. They told me they want the old customers to come back and visit their new store. https://honeybird.market/ It's across the street from Lincoln Park on High St. Support Local Business!

What a lovely neighborhood store! Clean, great selection, and a super friendly staff! This place…read moreis a gem!