From the people who brought you the sophisticated and succulent Dona Tomas in Temescal comes their scaled down, more casual restaurant Xolo, located in Uptown. The fare served up is your typical no fuss Mexican food, but with an always fresh and tasty twist, so expect mouthwatering tacos, burritos, and some specials including the ever-popular bacon wrapped hot dog, the Danger Dog. Xolo also has a selection of bottled Mexican beers.

Hibiscus is a stylish, sleek and airy restaurant located in Uptown Oakland. The decor evokes a kind of carefree and light Caribbean feel, which goes perfectly with the Caribbean menu, inspired by the Chef's childhood growing up in Barbados. While the base may be Caribbean, the menu takes influences from many different global cuisines. Menu items include dishes like Maroon Style Jerk Quail, Amerindian Oxtails and Chicken 'n' Dumplings, made with a Guinea Hen instead of Chicken. Hibiscus also hosts a Happy Hour from 4p to 7p, featuring special prices on special bar foods and cocktails.

Luka's Taproom & Lounge is an Uptown Oakland favorite. From a casual and delicious weekday lunch to a rowdy weekend night out, Luka's can accommodate just about anyone's idea of a good time. Luka's always has a definitively Oakland mixture of people inside, so its always a great option for a good time. Food is contemporary American, and make sure to sample their famous french fries with dipping sauces.

Flora, housed in a beautiful old art-deco building in Downtown Oakland is a wonderful mixture of casual comfort and elegance. A sort of upscale diner type theme, Flora conjures up "New American" cuisine, Bay Area style. With dishes on the changing menu like wild arugula and frisee with salt-cured duck liver and caramelized sugar plums, to more traditional diner items with a twist, like a House Ground Caramelized Onion and Chuck Burger with Fries and a Blue Cheese Salad, Flora is sure to twist your notions of what a diner ought to be. Don't miss out on cocktails either, Flora serves up serious, original drinks, and even does Absinthe the old fashioned way. There is also a comprehensive wine list.

This small Indian eatery offers up all your standard Indian classics. Service is quick, being mostly a take out and delivery spot. However, there is onsite seating available.

Located in the heart of the chic Rockridge area, Wood Tavern is arguably the East Bay' favorite new bar and restaurant. Saying that they have pretty good dishes is like suggesting that Michael Jordan had a better than average jump-shot. Off the lunch menu, treat yourself with a pastrami sandwich. As for dinner, you can't go wrong with the smoked duck breast or the pan roasted chicken. While the restaurant tends to crowd up, especially during peak hours, an airy breeze(when weather permits)and a friendly staff help to cultivate a casual atmosphere. Equipped with a full cocktail menu and over 70 wines,you can even stop in just for an after-work drink and leave satisfied.

Do you possess a palate for Mediterranean and French cuisine with a modern twist? If yes, A Cote is the perfect choice for you! Relax in a comfortable ambiance complete with seating on the patio. You can savor any dish out of the regularly changing menu, especially Pomme Frites with Aioli, which is one dish you will find here at all times. Finding parking space is usually a hassle, so be prepared to scout around if you want to relish the fine cuisine here.

Winner of several local newspapers' Best Of The Bay awards, Tachibana has been serving delicious and traditional Japanese cuisine and some of the freshest sushi to the Rockridge area for over 10 years. The authentic decor is like stepping into a little restaurant in Okinawa, with lots of rich lacquer accents and friendly greetings from the host. Enjoy a not too terribly expensive meal starting with Edamame and a fresh water eel roll. In addition to the typical sushi and sashimi menu, it offers complete Teriyaki and Tempura dinners.

It is big and airy inside, with lots of white walls and plants. Claustrophobics will feel at ease. Connoisseurs of good Hunan cuisine will be at ease as well with such specialties as Crispy Szechuan Beef, Tsing Tao Chicken, and a very delicious Prawns with Hot Garlic Sauce. Vegetarians will find plenty of bean curd and and veggies on the menu. The wait staff is friendly, and the food is reasonably priced for such large portions. Banquet services and space are available.

This eatery is a sleek creperie that appeals to locals, both yuppie and arty. It gets fairly crowded during peak hours, especially on the weekends for brunch, so be prepared for a wait. For the impatient, you can call ahead for pick-up. The savory crepes include creations like the Florentine, Greek, Pesto, Smoked Tofu and the San Francisco (smoked salmon, capers, spinach, provolone). You can also custom make your own. Sweet crepes include Riviera (lemon, butter, sugar), the Caribbean (bananas and cinnamon) and the Strawberry Blintz. The restaurant also offers great three-egg omelettes and scrambles, and a few salads, sandwiches and very good homemade pancakes.