Diamond Dining Truck Stop Organizer: SF Gift Center &…read moreJewelry Mart Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm (Closed on all holidays and during street closures) 1-2 trucks Cool name! obviously derived from the jewelry stores inside the Gift Center. The food trucks park in front of the main entrance (8th and Brannan streets). http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/diamond-dining-truck-stop-san-francisco-2?select=nfZzX87suYszHpAfVMUT-w#nfZzX87suYszHpAfVMUT-w I've been here several times. This food truck stop started one year ago as a 2-day per week event (Tue & Thu). Later expanded to 3 days, and finally 5 days a week in January 2012. I'm posting this now, since it was missing from Yelp. Those who use FourSquare already know about this event. Food trucks this week: M - 10/1: Hiyaaa T - 10/2: The Southern Sandwich Company W - 10/3: Adam's Grub Truck, Sunrise Deli T - 10/4: The Rib Whip, Phat Thai F - 10/5: Sam's Chowdermobile, Sanguchon SF Check the monthly schedule link for current updates: http://www.sfgcjm.com/calendar/ And remember to bring cash, only some trucks accept credit cards (Square app).

After coming across Linda's Catering for the very first time, I'd be lying if I said they got me…read moreall that excited. Not that appearances are everything (and not to be mean), but if I ran into these guys at an Off The Grid event or Spark Social, I'd probably walk right by without even giving them a second thought. However, after passing by them numerous times at the same spot by 4th on Townsend? Sure, I was willing to give them a shot! If there was ever a mom-and-pop food truck, Linda's Catering would definitely be it. While not as old school as those OG taco trucks and "roach coaches", these guys certainly aren't as modern or fancy as the likes of KoJa Kitchen with their LCD menu screens. However, their menu of sushi burritos, ramen, and rice plates (along with some random sides) is still interesting enough, even if they don't look all that great in the photo print outs. -- CHICKEN KAZU (KATSU) CURRY RICE...$9 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lindas-catering-san-francisco?select=tdjyzFVsUhuHIY2OVW86xg) While it may have looked the part, this was actually pretty underwhelming overall. As generous as they were with the katsu, it was both overcooked and not hot, amazingly enough (cooked ahead of time?). What's more, the curry was very "meh" - okay consistency, bland in flavor. -- CHICKEN KAZU (KATSU) SUSHI BURRITO...$10 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lindas-catering-san-francisco?select=JzbFHZyewfTOh7mxzNP2Yw) I returned one more time to try this on my buddy's recommendation and, aside from its poor assembly, this wasn't too shabby! Not only was the roll pretty hefty, but the katsu was much better in this case (steamed in the roll?) and the spicy aioli sauce they used added a nice kick. Even though their kazu/katsu burrito is actually pretty good, I'd be hard pressed to give Linda's Catering anything more than three stars. Along with my disappointing curry rice dish, service here isn't all that quick (unlike most other food trucks). Despite ordering the exact same thing, it took an extra 5-10 mins for our second burrito to come out, on top of the 10-15 mins the first one took. Not a big deal for something as good as a Senor Sisig burrito, but much less so in this case.

We wanted something a little different for our wedding reception so we went looking for some…read moreinteresting food truck options to cater. Stumbled across Linda's Catering when looking online for asian options and went to go try out her ramen. Straight off the truck, the miso ramen was really amazing and a decent portion for lunch or dinner. I also tried her spicy tuna burrito, which came highly recommended and that was tasty too. Basically it's a ginormous maki roll. After deciding to have Linda be one of our caters for the wedding reception, it was extremely pleasant and easy to work with her. She runs a small business and was more than willing to accommodate us anyway she could help out. Her prices were very reasonable and for what our guests got, it was definitely worth it! Our guests loved the ramen and thought it was very fun and it provided just the right thing on a cooler outdoor evening reception. We ended up getting half portions to not overwhelm everyone with all our different food truck foods and it worked out great. I cannot say how nice Linda was or how hard she worked to make our wedding special. She was always all smiles and it was so kind that she was really happy to be part of the whole wedding and wished us well. If you're around Townsend St. or are looking to add something fun to your event, drop on by Linda's Catering truck and have some ramen!

the fourth Annual West Oakland Artisan Festival was held @2311A Magnolia organized by O2 Artisans…read moreAggregates. 9/7. 12-5. (free) highlights -local food vendors + guests sake, wine, japanese/filipino/korean/tacos/shaved ice eats, tea roastery... -architectural designers -woodwooders -craft vendors -music by DJ.Mizu, East Bay Collective, International Cappoeira Angola Food leftovers: -very festive gathering, eclective. annual event, -difficult to find parking. -more info, see Nosh, sept. 6 article.

This Greek festival is so well planned and organized, really! Love how the indoor area has hot food…read moreall in one line so you just have to line up once instead of going to many different booths. It's so streamlined wifh three cashiers ready to help you at the end. You can see the food as you pick and put it on your tray or someone will scoop for you and they're so friendly! Welcoming atmosphere , really appreciate the free entrance, no fee, to really encourage anyone to drop in and learn about Greek culture

The Taste of Greece Greek Festival has been around for decades in San Francisco. Delicious Greek…read morefood and pastries. The Greek beer was also a treat. The music dancing , and performances makes this one of the best festivals in San Francisco. Great experience.

I usually go to the Mission District for the big procession on 24th street on November 1. This year…read moreI decided to go to the Dia de Los Muertos in Little Saigon in San Francisco Tenderloin District on Golden Gate avenue for the first ever Dia De Los Muertos celebration on November 1. Honoring the dead in my life includes ancestors , family, friends, ex coworkers , schoolmates, teachers, and every one in between and around the world it's a day for remembrance. On the first day of November on an Autumn stroll in Little Saigon in the city of San Francisco I enjoyed the city energy in honor of Dia De Los Muertos ( Day of the Dead) which included a dancing, drinks, food,wrestling and a zoo ( a petting zoo with ducks and horses). They also had people playing the Latin American version of bingo on the street of Golden Gate Avenue called Loteria . A fun new event in San Francisco. I look forward to it next year. RIP to the Central YMCA on Golden Gate Avenue where the song " YMCA " was inspired by the Village People and where I taught basketball. Lots of history on Golden Gate Avenue . Dia de Los Muertos the "Day of the Dead" when people remember the deceased who died indoors and some died in their "bed"and some died for being outside on the street while they "bled "the Dia de Los Muertos is symbolized by with a "Skull Head" Day of the Dead is paying respects to those who are dead and "gone "but there memory still lives "on "this year it was celebrated in San Francisco not only in the Mission but also in "Little Saigon" and you can celebrate Dia Los Muertos from Dusk till "Dawn"

Chahrshanbeh Souri @ The Persian Center in Berkeley…read more NARRATIVE A few years ago before sleepover with Houman, Michelle and I pestered him about No Rooz and all the festivities that went along with the celebration of the Persian New Year. As members of a multi-culti friendship tribe we begin the New Years season on December 31st and then continue on through March until New Years has exhausted itself into Springtime. Houman mentioned fire jumping. I was intrigued and since I hadn't been to Burning Man in a few years, I was called to the fires! CONTACT INFORMATION The Persian Center 2029 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 http://www.persiancenter.org/ Phone: (510) 848-0264 HOURS Tuesday before Vernal Equinox, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. PRICE RANGE Inexpensive. Traditional Persian cuisine is sold to support the event and the center. SUMMARY This Zorastrian custom dates back to 1300 B.C. It celebrates one of the last evenings of the year and is symbolized by fire so that people can see their way into the new year. Bonfires are lit because they are purifying and can light our way into the new year. In Berkeley Durant is lined with people of all ages talking, laughing, dancing, wishing greetings upon each other, doing the traditional Persian double-cheeked kisses hello and good-bye. Downtown Berkeley is a great venue for the event. Behind Barnes and Noble what is normally a quiet side-street is blocked off and filled with Persian music and flooded with lights. Two sets of bonfires are lit to keep the celebration moving. The DJ and MC are pounding out Persian favourites and new remixes. Parents jump with their young ones who look wary of going near the flames. Sweethearts jump in tandem. Frat boys try to outleap one another in side-by-side races. As the spring crisp air fills your lungs, you look up past the buildings into the deep blue night sky. The moon is lit and the stars begin to speckle the sky. All the while you're bundled in your coat, talking with your friends, and rehearsing the Persian phrase while waiting your turn to jump the bonfires: (Sorkhi-e to az man) Give me your beautiful red colour (Zardi-e man az to) And take back my sickly pallor! Houman wrote it down for us the first year we went. Last year he sent us a reminder and the group of us split between pronouncing it in English and pronouncing it in Persian. Afterwards we all met up at a Chinese restaurant to finish out the evening's festivities. More laughter, more stories. More good times. Don't let the year slip without celebrating another new beginning. Jump the fires on Tuesday night to ring in No Rooz! SERVICE Volunteers are very helpful with guiding newbies to the fire-jumping lines. The atmosphere is FESTIVE! Party down, Persian-stylie! REST ROOMS Port-o-potties by the fire-jumping area or local eateries and bars if you plan ahead. SUGGESTION? Pronunciation guides for the Persian-challenged.

We finally got to check out Chahar Shanbeh Souri to celebrate Persian New Year. I found out about…read moreit on chowhound last year and made sure to put it on my calendar for this year. It was Tues. 3/18/08. We took Bart to Downtown Berkeley and walked down about 3-4 blocks to Durant Ave. The place was crazy busy with DJ Aykut & DJ Dr. T spinning very loud music. There was a flyer saying 4 Shanbeh Soori After Party 9:30p-Close the DJs were going to be at Pasand Lounge, 2280 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley a 5 min. walk from the Persian Center. People line up around the Persian Center to buy food. There were Kabob sandwiches: chicken or beef wrapped like a burrito w/ rice inside & a small half tomato & water or soda for $10. Chicken was dry and boring to eat. You could also get a noodle soup for $5-very minty w/ a sauce another table had & even some sumac you could add or some chopped onions. Soup was ok, hubby liked it more. For dessert Golnazar Persian ice cream sandwiches were $3. It's Saffron ice cream w/ pistachio. Just ok w/ thin crispy wafer like cookie to sandwich the ice cream. Pre-packaged. They also had a 1-pint tub of Faloudeh for $3. It was frozen solid when A. tried to eat it, he had to wait about 15 min to finally try it, he finished it so it must have been ok. The best part was the jumping over the small fires. The line was Crazy long, but it moved fast, near the fires the line finally breaks into 2 lines and you can jump over 3 small flames. Almost anyone can jump over the fire..we did and it was FUN. Then we left, still Recommended at least once.

6th Annual Matsuri Festival is a celebration of 6 years of Umami Mart…read morelocale: Old Oakland Parking Lot(back of Umami Mart) time: July 28, 12-4p.m. entry free, cost of foods/eats set by vendors. vendors: offerings Trappist-japanese beers/sakes Umami Mart-Suntory Free(Gluten) beer Shiba Ramen-Hiyashi Chuka J Shack-savory & sweet dessert crepes Stonemill Mart-Kakigori(shaved ice with matcha flavoring) sparkling matchal matcha white chocolate chip cookie. entertainment: Emeryville Daiko, dj set by Jody Stillwater temaki: -local access to Japanese culture/eats without making going far. staying local. -venue area small. -parking slightly difficult. not imparted by nearby Soul festival.

My chica Erin is the brainchild behind the whole Oakland Unwrapped/Indie Award concept. I met her a…read morefew years ago when all of this was only a beautiful idea and just her business card. The ironic part is she wasn't born here but has hella love for the place she now calls home. Oakland Unwrapped recently merged with OneCalifornia Foundation which also provides local community banking. The future is truly bright for this organization and ongoing event! I'm happy that the first to review named tons of the vendors present since I didn't get a chance to really roam the event. Not complaining, just that I was drawn to the aroma of my own tamales and wound up working the La Borinquena table while checking on the community information table with the groups I volunteer for: oldoaklandneighbors.org, 10000stepsoakland.org and the Oakland Merchant Leadership Forum omlf.org. I have to say first that the renovations at Sweet's Ballroom are coming along on a scale that is impressive to say the least. Steve S. and co are close to completion of the major work and I know as the word spreads there will be more events that I will need to attend there! I also need to give a massive shout out to the chicas de Yelp who all volunteered to work the event including Berna Diva, Pookie W, Jill K (who worked my food table with me) and Lupe M. I gotta give mad props to Consuelo J. for being the food coordinator for this too. There was also a Yelp table and I had the pleasure of meeting Cathrine O. and Natalie G. The event after it's initial rocky start, was an amazing snapshot of what Oakland has to offer. A diverse crowd of people, delicious food (there was an egg roll I'm still thinking about), drinks including Laotian beer from Champa Garden, lager from Linden Street Brewery and raspberry vodka sodas from Hanger One. Apparently, my dinner was mostly liquid that night, no wonder I had so much fun! The award presentation was an eye opener to how many different types of indie businesses are adding to the mix of commerce here. The night ended with a tight band that got folks moving and a chance for those of us working/volunteering to make Oakland an even BIGGER and more shiny jewel to chat about what's next. The positivity about Oakland is swelling and contagious. If you haven't caught it already... WATCH OUT, Oakland Pride is gonna to get you next!

I am a little late to write this review but I had to back track for a moment in time and commend…read morethe Oaklad Indie Awards. They really know how to throw an event. Between the free drinks and food, to the great goodies different companies were handing out, everything was well organized and people were excited to be there. By far the highlights: tamales from Tina Tamale, Numi tea, and Champa Garden with there yummy sausages and beer. I would make the trip back to Oaklnad just to go to Champa Garden! My favorite above all was the band. It was called the BCO Band and they covered a ton of older songs. People were up out of there seats dancing and it really was a great finale to a fun night!