Located in Oakland’s uptown neighborhood, Hopscotch serves upscale Californian cuisine with a Japanese twist. The food is decadent, but not too pretentious for the average diner. Menu items include girdled beef tongue on top of the house-ground burger with sesame aioli, soba pappardelle with leeks, spinach, mascarpone and a jidori egg, or black cod marinated in sake lees and served with pickled turnips and broccolini tempura.

It seems like this once ignored neighborhood gets all of the attention these days, and why not?. It’s got a handy BART stop, a tight cluster of some of Oakland’s best new bars and restaurants, and the beautifully restored Fox Theater. Hopscotch is a standout among the Uptown growth, a tiny little diner with one of Oakland’s most delightfully unusual menus (think creative, Japanese-tinged seasonal American cuisine).

I know that a lot of people will not be a fan of this recommendation, but I would say, “don’t knock it till you try it.” I already love oysters, so it was an easy win for me, but my wife doesn’t, and when she had them here she was equally impressed. If you have never had Sea Urchin, I’d describe it as the Foie Gras of the sea; in that, you don’t want to order it at a cheap place, and when it is good, it is magnificent. This is a small one-bite dish, but it will leave you wanting more after you see how well each element of the dish compliments the others.

One of Uptown Oakland’s most beloved restaurants is Hopscotch, which has a menu of local ingredients combined in surprising ways that always work, often with a Japanese bent. While I excluded karaage from this list, Hopscotch certainly makes the cut because the concept is classic American-fried. You don’t know there’s anything else going on until you take a bite and sense a hint of ginger in the batter, and the sides of baked beans and pickled purple cabbage don’t give away the secret.

I love Hopscotch’s brunch for a few reasons, mainly for their diverse brunch menu. Their menu features a range of Asian and American fused dishes such as Kimchee Fried Rice & Shoyu Eggs, Smoked Salmon Benedict and my personal favorite, the Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Biscuits (without the pork sausage gravy and with scramble eggs, cast iron skillet potatoes and mixed salad.)

Hopscotch is a stylish, retro-inspired restaurant offering a creative menu that blends American and Japanese influences. The relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere makes it a great spot for a leisurely lunch. Must-Try: The First Base Burger – a juicy patty topped with griddled beef tongue, pickled onions, and house-made teriyaki sauce, served with a side of hand-cut fries.

// The OG Uptown Japanese-inflected diner Hopscotch (1915 San Pablo Ave.) churns out unexpected riffs on more traditional menu items. An uni topped oyster and a burger with griddled beef tongue remain among the can't-miss options. // Chef Kyle Itani’s third Uptown venture, Yonsei Handrolls (1738 Telegraph Ave.), crafts approachable sushi, no chopsticks required.

Each weekend in December, Hopscotch Restaurant and Bar—at 19th Street and San Pablo Avenue in Uptown—will feature special meals, with pork for two ($58) available this Thursday through Saturday. It’s goose ($28 for one) on December 15-17 (Tiny Tim would be proud) and cioppino on December 22 and 23 ($36). Note the cioppino will also be available for takeout.

For my second day of exploring the Oakland food scene, I started with brunch at Hopscotch in the Uptown neighborhood, serving American food with a Japanese flair. We shared some lovely beignets, split a few lunch entrees, and discussed what made Oakland food so incredible. We agreed that the influence of such an array of cultures is what makes it so great.

For some of the best fried chicken, amazing cocktails, and a beyond retro hip atmosphere check out Oakland’s Hopscotch. I have been here a few times and every time I enjoy it even more than the last time. And it’s owned by The Chef and his business partner and I love supporting other small business owners like these great guys!

At this energetic bistro, veteran chef Kyle Itani has created a sharp Cal-Med menu with Japanese accents, flanking duck-fat fries with yuzu aioli, and underpinning fried chicken with shishito peppers. Wash it all down with a maple-tinged Old Fashioned or a spiced-up jalapeno-scotch. 1915 San Pablo Ave.; hopscotchoakland.com.

Legendary Eats at Hopscotch: This lively gastropub is a haven for comfort food with a twist. Their juicy burgers are legendary, and their rotating selection of local craft beers will quench your thirst. Be sure to check out their happy hour for some truly budget-friendly bites and drinks.

If you're simply looking for trays for home or office or would like to cater larger events, the New Lenape Valley Diner has many options available. (201) 337-8777176 Ramapo Valley Rd, Oakland, NJ 07436. MONDAY - SATURDAY 7:00AM - 10:00PM ​ ​SUNDAY 7:00AM - 9:30PM​

An upscale diner serving seasonally inspired cocktails and regional. We serve American regional classics influenced by Japanese flavors and techniques. Our menu is always seasonal, always sustainably sourced and changes often.

Nouveau diner Hopscotch (think swivel stools and Japanese ingredients) serves the Bay Area’s juiciest fried chicken, marinated in buttermilk and soy sauce, dredged in potato starch, and served atop chrysanthemum salad.

For a fresh take on brunch, try Hopscotch for its Asian fusion cuisine. It’s hard to choose from all of the deliciously uncommon offerings on the menu. You’ll want to try something new each time you visit.

Hopscotch is an upscale diner right in the heart of Oakland. It is know for its fusion of American and Japanese cuisine as well as their mixology program featuring seasonal-inspired cocktails.

Hopscotch serves party packs for 2-4 people with fried chicken, biscuits, shungiku slaw, and more add-ons available.Location: 1915 San Pablo Ave., OaklandPhone: (510) 788-6217 Order online >