I had the pleasure of meeting Chef Erick to discuss his management approach and culinary…read morephilosophy. We also discussed his upbringing in NYC and his long history in the Bay Area's challenging culinary scene. This conversation happened before I had the opportunity to taste the succulent Puerto Rican dishes on his menu. Chef Erick is a truly humble and professional culinary artist. He lets his cooking do the talking, allowing his ingredients and timely combinations to showcase his superb culinary skills. From our conversation, I learned that he genuinely cares about the quality of his ingredients. While we talked about his experiences cooking for all kinds of tables in the Bay Area, from VIPs and celebrities to daily blue-collar San Franciscans seeking standout meals, Chef Erick answered at least five phone calls. He diligently coordinated with his local suppliers to ensure he, and in turn his customers, would have access to nothing but the best ingredients during the upcoming weekend rush. Most Puerto Ricans, including those adopted (see Chef Anthony Bourdain's memoirs), know a Puerto Rican restaurant is truly judged by the quality and flavor of its Pernil. This slow-roasted pork shoulder or leg is marinated in a robust herb paste. Many Puerto Rican families guard their herb paste recipes as closely as The Coca-Cola Company guards its Coca-Cola recipe. Pernil is the centerpiece of holiday feasts and family celebrations. That's why I chose this menu to celebrate meeting Chef Erick. Without hesitation, he prepared for me--someone born and raised in Puerto Rico--his masterfully concocted pernil with arroz con gandules and a side of maduros fritos. I have to say, this was the best Puerto Rican food I have tasted in all of California, from Santa Rosa to San Diego. I have visited all the restaurants in the Bay Area: El Coqui, both Sol Foods locations, Parada 22, and Lola's Lounge in Sacramento. I admit, this is the best and most authentic plate of Puerto Rican cuisine I have enjoyed in 16 years exploring Latin Cuisine Restaurants in Northern California. If you like Puerto Rican cuisine and have not tried Puerto Rican Street Cuisine, you must add this restaurant to your "must-visit" places in California. Thank you to Ceci, all the cooks, and Chef Erick for helping me relive the experience of proper, authentic pernil y arroz con gandules like my abuelita used to make for us on "la lomita" in Hormigueros, Puerto Rico!

This has the best Puerto Rican food I have had- including in Puerto Rico! The carne was wonderfully…read morespiced, perfectly medium, and full grain meat through each chunk. The amazingly sweet and ripe plantains finish out a very generously portioned meal.

I had such a great experience here at Bocanova. The food was delicious and beautifully presented,…read morethe service was kind and attentive, and the whole atmosphere felt welcoming! Definitely a spot I'd come back to and recommend!

Our team hosted a private event at Bocanova and had an wonderful experience! Martin and the team…read morewere incredibly accommodating from the planning stage all the way through the evening. The food was delicious! (The empanadas and vegetable tostadas were a hit with our group) The service was warm and attentive throughout. Bocanova helped make a special evening even more memorable. Highly recommend for groups and events!

Fresh and delicious…read more Wonderful combination of food between both cultures. I will be back soon and will update this with specifics! Until then, enjoy.

ASÚKAR! What a…read moreunique name for the Palestinian Cuban restaurant in East Bay. I only get to visit its vendor during Tuesday Farmer's Market. Nicole, the one and only owner of the Palestinian Cuban Fusion, was absolutely chill. The last thing I purchased from her was the rose petal cinnamon roll, just as good as the manakeesh. I would love to take home one of her pair of virgin olive oil bottles. Until then, I be more than glad to support her business.

The photos show the chicken molé and the enchiladas with red sauce, and both dishes were…read moreoutstanding! The chicken was incredibly tender and fell right off the bone. The cocktails were just as impressive - absolutely delicious. Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Thank you, Obelisco! We'll definitely be back.

I was walking along Lakeshore when I had the urge to get tacos. I came across Obelisco restaurant…read morefor a night out and it was a great experience. I was solo and was offered a seat by the windows which they opened at my request. The bar is beautiful and the entire restaurant is very spacious. I enjoyed shrimp tacos, rice, and the El Gitano cocktail. The service was pretty good as was the food and drinks. This is a more elevated restaurant that I'd go to for a treat or maybe before a concert or another event. See more: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTSwMu8Uf/

Taqueria El Zocalo opened awhile ago where Quickly's once was. Interior totally renovated with new…read moremurals & pictorials. Music playing from boombox in corner. Street parking iffy. Parking available in Bank of America parking lot in back. Menus on counter. Many Traditional Oaxacan not familiar with. Ordered tacos which I understood. Food ready in 14ish minutes. Self service utensils. Offerings (Oaxaca, Mexico): botanas (appetizers), classics, salads, drinks, vegetarian, Sazon de Casa(home style entrees)... Sips: Pineapple Aqua Fresca (5) -slightly sweet, not overwhelming. Subtle pineapple taste. Bites: Two Tacos Del Mar (17) sea bass, shrimp -had refried rice & black beans which tasted house made, fresh, not previously refrigerated. -3 fried medium sized semi-juicy shrimps mixed with the usual toppings. -street sized tacos had a small piece of tasty fried fish (sea bass?) on bottom of taco. -both tacos has the usual toppings: cabbage, cilantro, onions, mango, avocado sauce. All the flavors merged tastefully, couldn't distinguish them separately. 4.5 stars semi-worthy. quantity: not a lot of food, felt full. Quality: fresh ingredients. Good flava. Don't eat Oaxacan food often. No issues.

An amazing gem (not so hidden) in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland, CA…read more With SO MUCH great Latin cuisine in the Fruitvale area it was hard to choose. Taqueria Zocalo was recommended to me by a co-worker while on-site so I gave it a shot. I'm glad I did! Upon entering, the business is bright and clean with colorful murals and other artistic pieces strategically placed. They have their menu on a screen if you're waiting in line as well as the traditional written menus. Their menu has all the classics so I went for the tried and proven to see how their flavors compare with some of my other favorites places. I ordered a taco plate with 1 Al Pastor and 1 Carne Asada. It can with rice and black beans. Every dimension of this plate had great flavor, texture and looked super appetizing! Lastly, when I got to order the manager greeted me warmly and confirmed all my order (since I was bringing some stuff back to the shop). She also brought the order out and followed up too. I didn't expect that. In closing I HIGHLY recommend Taqueria Zocalo and will bring friends and family there when I'm the area. Pro tip: it's next to a high school so keep that in mind if going Monday - Friday.

We just used Too Good Go for the 1st time and we are so disappointed. We barely got 2.5 meatballs…read morein sauce and hardly any beans. Definitely not worth coming back again! Beware!!

This place is really amazing and delicious. I wish I would've taken pictures of the plates we…read moreordered. We had the chicken mole, and scrambled eggs with cactus, chicken enchiladas with red sauce, one chicken huarache with mole, and a tlacoyo filled with fava bean (my choice of filling). The last two were made with blue corn masa. It's nearly impossible to find restaurants that make tlacoyos and huaraches, let alone mole-- all staples of Mexico City cooking. Everything was delicious, fresh, and piping hot. The chicken mole, enchiladas, and scrambled eggs, came with rice and black beans (our choice of beans). I'm definitely coming back. The service is prompt and friendly, and the inside of the restaurant is warm and clean, decorated with azteca/maya paintings. They will have their 25th anniversary celebration on May 23 at 2 PM, and I'll definitely be there to celebrate with them and enjoy more of their delicious food. I highly recommend this Mexican restaurant for delicious and authentic food!

Don't come eat here. The owner is bitter and rude. She has a crazy rule that everyone that dines in…read morehas to order a minimum of 2 pupusas even toddlers. Ridiculous Save your money and go where you are appreciated

Best pupusas I have ever had personally. I am not Salvadoran but had my fair amount of pupusas. I…read morethink the size of the pupusas are big and I get full with two. They taste really good and not greasy or anything like that and they taste fresh.

Good tacos, helpful service, clean dining room, tasty selection of self-serve salsas with chips,…read moreand inclusive menu (they even have vegan options?). We went for a late lunch and they were playing music but it wasn't so loud you can't have a conversation. Would def go again.

I think I just found my new go-to taco spot near my place. Prices are actually reasonable (which is…read morerare lately), and everything I've tried has been packed with flavor. They've got a ton of options too, so it's easy to mix it up every time. On top of that, the service is quick and genuinely friendly. Definitely one of those spots you end up going back to way more than you planned.