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The Oaklandside

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The Oaklandside. Journalism for Oakland.

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Oakland Police Commission leadership conflict | The cost of free eggs | How should the county address the opioid crisis? | Rift in local NAACP

Author Archives: Anna Mindess

Anna Mindess has two professions. She is a freelance journalist who focuses on food, culture, immigrants and travel. Her work has appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, AFAR, Lonely Planet, Oakland Magazine, Edible East Bay, and Berkeleyside. In 2018, her essay about 1951 Coffee Company was awarded First Place by the Association of Food Journalists. Anna also works as an American Sign Language interpreter and is the author of Reading Between the Signs, a book used to train sign language interpreters around the world.

Man sits at table holding chopsticks about to eat bowl of soup/noodles
Posted inNosh

In new graphic memoir, Oakland artist tells riveting story of immigration through food

by Anna Mindess July 10, 2023July 10, 2023

Thien Pham ate different noodle dishes for 95 days straight ahead of publishing Family Style, the story of his family’s journey to the U.S.

Black man sits looking at camera with arm on table
Posted inNosh

Geoff Davis says nostalgia will be firmly on the menu at his new Oakland restaurant, Burdell

by Anna Mindess June 15, 2023June 16, 2023

The veteran chef hopes to honor his family’s recipes at his Temescal restaurant, while ‘nourishing people with comfort and belonging.’

Posted inNosh Features

Wok expert dedicates grant to help Oakland Chinatown restaurants, seniors

by Anna Mindess January 6, 2023January 4, 2023

Bay Area-raised cookbook author Grace Young has directed $10,000 toward two Oakland restaurants — and hundreds of seniors — as part of her campaign to save U.S. Chinatowns.

Posted inNosh Features

Is celebrating Thanksgiving disrespectful to Indigenous people?

by Anna Mindess November 16, 2022November 17, 2022

Indigenous East Bay residents share how they acknowledge and commemorate Thanksgiving.

Posted inNosh

Inside the East Bay’s flourishing mocktail scene

by Anna Mindess November 9, 2022November 9, 2022

Thoughtfully constructed alcohol-free drinks are coming into their own in the East Bay.

Posted inNosh Features

One of Oakland’s oldest Ethiopian spots is expanding into a huge new space

by Anna Mindess August 15, 2022August 15, 2022

Cafe Colucci will serve up breakfast, lunch and dinner inside an expansive space — there’ll also be cocktails, live music and even cooking classes.

Posted inNosh Features

Can a rooftop farm in Oakland change the world?

by Anna Mindess May 18, 2022May 19, 2022

The group behind a farm on top an Oakland Whole Foods aims to decolonize the land, pay farmers and provide nutritious food for people who have been marginalized.

Posted inNosh

Monster Pho’s new restaurant is packed with positivity and robots

by Anna Mindess January 27, 2022January 27, 2022

Tee Tran’s popular restaurant has a fresh new space that speaks to kids of all ages.

Posted inNosh Features

How a mother and daughter reinvented Oakland’s 65-year-old Fortune Factory

by Anna Mindess January 24, 2022January 31, 2022

Jiamin and Alicia Wong are changing people’s assumptions of what a fortune cookie looks and tastes like.

Posted inNosh

Wahpepah’s Kitchen brings a new wave of Indigenous food to Oakland

by Anna Mindess October 7, 2021October 18, 2021

Crystal Wahpepah says her restaurant is a place to eat, learn and heal.

Posted inNosh

Oakland soup company Purpose and Hope wants to comfort and nourish the East Bay

by Anna Mindess September 7, 2021September 7, 2021

One of Alameda County’s first MEHKOs seeks to deliver healthful soups to those who need nutritional support.

A dancer captivates attendees at the Indigenous Red Market at the Native American Health Center parking lot in Fruitvale, on May 2, 2021.
Posted inArts & Community

Oakland’s Indigenous Red Market returns to celebrate Native culture and connection

by Anna Mindess May 14, 2021June 27, 2021

The popular outdoor gathering in Fruitvale is happening again in-person, on the first Sunday of every month.

Posted inNosh

This Russian food truck keeps rolling along, even in the hardest times

by Anna Mindess March 16, 2021March 17, 2021

When the pandemic closed offices and breweries, Kolobok started serving its “Russian soul food” to apartment complexes and offering delivered holiday meals.

Posted inNosh

Immigrant chefs pursue their culinary dreams at Oakland Bloom

by Anna Mindess January 4, 2021January 4, 2021

Immigrants often face disadvantages in the food industry. This nonprofit is working to change that.

Posted inNosh

‘There is a void in my heart’: Chinatown’s beloved Peony restaurant in danger of closing

by Anna Mindess November 16, 2020December 1, 2020

Renowned for its fresh dim sum and seafood, the eatery is also a social hub for Oakland’s Chinese community.

Posted inArts & Community

Crystal Wahpepah is clearing a path for Indigenous chefs

by Anna Mindess August 19, 2020September 12, 2020

The celebrated Oakland chef was the first Native contestant to appear on the Food Network’s ‘Chopped.’

Local artist and dancer Antoine Hunter in West Oakland.
Posted inArts & Community

Dance saved Antoine Hunter’s life. Now he’s opening the door for other Deaf dancers

by Anna Mindess July 22, 2020July 24, 2020

The Oakland native and founder of the Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival is finding opportunity in the pandemic.

Posted inArts & Community

What do you do when your job requires personal contact? These Oaklanders got creative

by Anna Mindess May 22, 2020June 25, 2020

A therapist, photographer and hairstylist have innovated to continue their practice in quarantine.

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