Uptown girl (she's been dancing in an uptown world)!

I'd never been to The Uptown night club in Oakland before last Friday, but I had expected it to be a little divey and waaaaay smaller than it actually is. Yes, the venue is, in fact, kind of swanky.


There is a huge bar when you first walk in, with a live feed of what's happening in the adjoining room, playing on a big screen. I found this to be useful in the sense that you can see when the band is setting up, and how near they are to starting the show, and thusly time the purchasing of your cocktail accordingly.

The main room where the bands perform is long and narrow-ish, but with more than enough room to dance, or spectate. There is also an upstairs floor with seating and a view of the stage, as well as a back patio where you can cool down, or puff-puff-puff that cigarette.

As much as San Francisco folk complain about crossing the bridge to Oaktown (me included), it was easy peasy, with BART karma on our side, and the venue being a 30 second walk from 19th St station. That being said, it's still a royal pain in the ass to get back to the city if you're not the sort who turns into a pumpkin and you haven't got a ride.

So I went along to shake my tail feather to two of my favourite local bands, The B-Stars (this was also their CD release party) and Red Meat. I thought the sound was great, and in particular, The B-Stars were spot on with their precision and togetherness. I was not too sure about their 'wet t-shirt contest' (well, actually, I wanted that damn t-shirt!) but they get me dancing every time they play Ink Free Baby of Mine - I just cannot get enough of that song!!!


I think one of the things that I enjoy about their shows, aside from their jingle-jangle harmonies, is that they always have the perfect balance of being laid-back whilst really enjoying themselves onstage. That, and their sharp outfits.

Red Meat were equally entertaining, with not only their music, but their talk of 'National Testicular Awareness Month'. I'm not sure if it actually is (nor do I have the inclination to google it), but the slew of predictable jokes that followed amused me nonetheless.


It was also interesting to see the bass player out of the huge Hairspray style wig and coat that she was wearing the first time I saw them play at El Rio...I hardly recognised her!


Their set was great, and offered me the opportunity to dance (read: blag my way through) a polka and a 2-step! Once I had accomplished this, I felt like my work was done, which was a good thing actually, as it was time to go home and get some sleep before the England vs. USA football match the next morning...

Time is flea-ting...

Team Brunch (which is now turning in to Team Eat, due to the rapidly expanding amount of meals we have been consuming together) converged upon Maverick last Sunday, for a classy (did I hear the words 'duck confit'?) dining experience.

Not only were we lucky with the gorgeous sunshine that morning, but we also lucked out with acquiring a table. Apparently, the whole restaurant was fully booked, because this is the type of popular joint where it's advised to reserve a table in advance dontchaknow (we didn't). However, there was one table available - on the condition that we would be able to eat and leave within 45 minutes. "Do you think you can do that?" the naive waitress asked. I had to stifle a condescending laugh - clearly, she was oblivious to the fact that we are not a bunch of amateurs, and are, in fact, champions in the breakfast food world.


The menu at this place is exciting, and the Duck Hash (duck confit, russet potatoes, medjool dates, sunny side up eggs, mustard sauce, fresh picked herbs) won my vote. It was delicious, BUT, I kind of wish I would have gone for the Andouille Sausage Benedict (grilled andouille sausage, poached eggs, crawfish and jalapeno hollandaise, English muffin, home fries), because having had a few bites of this, I am in no doubt that this was the most delicious breakfast option.


So, onwards and upwards, Team Brunch (sans one) took our full bellies across the bay to the Alameda Flea Market to walk off some of those mid-morning calories.

Well, huge is not the word! This flea market is ginormous. The sheer volume of cars alone, means that if you are unlucky you will have quite a walk from your vehicle to get through the car park and into the market itself. We got there around noon, so many of the hardcore bargain hunters had already left, and we were able to park fairly close. Once inside (or, outside, as it were) you will have to use all of your will power to stop yourself from buying....well.....crap. There is an abundance of broken, limbless dolls, creepy figurines, tatty old furniture....and trolls.






If you manage to stay strong and hold onto your dollars, forsaking the luck of the troll, then there is a lot of good booty. For instance, if you are in the market for furniture, then there are a number of items to choose from, although much of it seems a bit overpriced, so get your haggling hat on.


There is also tons of jewellery (both cheap and pricey), clothes, bags and Native American feather headdresses, if you want to revamp your wardrobe. The trip alone was worth it for the awesome leopard print box bag that was bought for me on the day! It's soooo me, and the ultimate accessory for an Incendiary Blonde...




Taking place the first Sunday of every month, you are bound to run into some people you know....or not, given the span of the area. In any case, there are bound to be friends and acquaintances milling around, whether your paths cross or not, is another matter entirely. If you are prone to wandering off or dawdling then you might want to go alone, so that you can do your own thing without being hurried.


Even if you don't want to buy anything, this is a great setting, with views of the bay bridge, the San Francisco skyline, and those Port of Oakland container cranes. The combination of a beautiful backdrop and a plethora of weird and wonderful stuff, means the Alameda Flea Market provides some great photo opportunities.




We were lucky that the combination of blazing sunshine and our fascination for junk made for a super dooper fun day out. Just remember to wear sunscreen....*cough* farmer's tan *cough*....

Sx3 (San Francisco, Santa Cruz & Sacramento).

It's been a little while since my last blog, due to an extreme lethargy and sleepiness that enveloped me last week. I am thinking that I might have a vitamin deficiency, despite taking a multi-vitamin tablet every day...either that, or I just got really lazy.

So let me rewind a week and start at Memorial Weekend. I love long weekends, and this one coincided with bank holiday in England, so most people I know had an extra day of fun in the sun. Yippeeee!

Saturday was perfect beach weather, so with a Mr Pickle's sandwich in hand, and Journey playing on the radio, we hit the road and headed to Santa Cruz.


As well as being home to The Lost Boys, Santa Cruz is also the place to go for a mean fish & chips. So after skipping the boardwalk in favour of laying on the beach all day (and listening to the insignificant ramblings of a gaggle of girls sat nearby) we had worked up enough of an appetite to walk to the end of the pier and pick up a delicious dindins in honour of my homeland. It was yummy, and I liked how the batter was spicey and the fish was sliced into bite-sized pieces.

No trip to SC would be complete without the dipping of one's toes in the ocean either...


My desire to spend a whole day laying in the sand, soaking up the sunshine was satisfied, and we left happy, and with a set of photobooth pics to remember the day...


Sunday we were up bright and early for another trip, this time up to the capital of California for 'Sacramento Swing Time'.

Of course, we could not start our Sunday without a meeting of Team Brunch. This time we went to Pork Store in the Mission, and feasted on eggs and waffles so as to keep us all going on our journey to Sac-Town.


The event was held at an automotive museum, filled with classic cars. There was also a classic car show outside, where it was hot, hot, HOT! I was grateful for the 29c weather, as it finally provided me with the opportunity to get some use out of my play suit!


The musical highlights for me, were: Big Sandy and his Fly Rite Boys, Stompy Jones and Andy Santana. A whole day of fast-paced dancing in the heat made it feel hotter than hell and helped me on my way to looking like a drowned rat...but, it was FUN!

There was also a pin-up contest, which I have to say, was disappointing. Apart from the fact that none of the girls really looked or dressed like pin-ups (er, sorry...) the way the actual competition was conducted, was disorganised to say the least, with some girls getting more opportunity to chat-up the crowd, and others only getting a brief introduction. It all went horribly wrong though, when the third prize went to the most obnoxious, loud-mouthed trollop, who had an ego the size of a small continent. Bad move, judges, bad move - you should have picked the nice girl with the Jackie O. gloves and hat.

Obviously, I can't go without mentioning the food at the event - $1 tacos (score!) and ice cream. I don't think a cone of mint-choc-chip has ever tasted so delicious, than after a day spent working up a sweat on the dance floor. Oh, and then, of course, on the drive home...



Monday brunch was possibly one of the most frustrating brunch experiences ever, with a super long wait for a table, followed by slow service and mediocre (at best) food. St Francis Fountain, I used to love you, but honestly, based on my last two visits, you have gone down in my estimation (although your milkshakes would still bring me to the yard). Sigh.

El Rio hosted a day of music and mayhem on their back patio, with headliners Red Meat making a lasting impression on me. They. Were. Awesome. Their rendition of Wanda Jackson's Funnel of Love was particularly enjoyable to me.


The only other comments I could make about this day of bands and bbq is: dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun.

At the star wash (at the star wash, yeah)!

Launderettes (that's 'laundromats' to my American counterparts) have always seemed incredibly depressing to me, filled with miserable people, disillusioned with their (dirty clothes-filled) lives.

Having always lived in places fitted with washing machines, I have never had to use a launderette - until now that is. Fortunately, my current abode is situated right next door to Star Wash, so I didn't have to air my dirty laundry, as it were, across town. Instead, I set out to spare myself from having to wear the same undies two days running, whilst my mind conjured up images of bad news being revealed to a nation of soap-lovers....and Dot Cotton.

So, you can imagine my surprise when I set foot in the haus of detergent, and found that, actually, it wasn't misery-inducing, and was in fact, pretty quirky, and a nice quiet spot to sit down and read a book!

Now, to be fair, my aversion is kind of deep-rooted by the mental image of deserted rooms, painted in hideous, muted browns and oranges, lit by fluorescent, flickering bulbs. Star Wash is anything but...




A plethora of movie stars array the walls, whilst cosmic stars scatter the ceiling. Star Wash, your collages could keep me amused for hours...or well, they could keep me amused for the duration of my delicates cycle.

Whilst my threads were in the tumble dryer I noticed that they also do alterations at this place, so I popped home to pick up a dress I bought in Thrift Town a couple of days ago and showed the lady to see if she could take it in for me. She can, and she will! All for a fraction of the price that other places have quoted me too! Now to see if her sewing skillz can cut the mustard...


Well for now it's time for me to enjoy (clean) knickers and Netflicks, because this post has given me the urge to revisit the John Waters movie Pecker, which I would highly recommend, if you haven't seen it already.

Febreeze, you can stay firmly on the shelf, I'm not afraid of launderettes anymore...especially this launderette...

Sunday Funday!

Despite a tickle in my throat, and the threat of a cold looming over me, Sunday was fun times!

Members of Team Brunch (sans one) decided to grace Dottie's True Blue Cafe with our presence, and so after an hour of waiting in line, we were seated, and this is what I have to report:


After much deliberation, I went for the omelette with smoked whisky fennel sausage, mushrooms and spinach, with corn bread and jalapeño jelly and home fries.


This was the gruyère and caramelised onion tart with eggs, biscuits and fruit.


And finally, the banana and chocolate chip french toast, which, in my opinion, was the most delicious.

Dottie's is a fun little place, with a relaxed vibe, and quirky little details that can be noticed when you look closely - such as lamps made out of tea and coffee pots, with the lightbulbs fitted into cups and saucers. I also like the collection of various salt & pepper shakers, with each table having a different kind.


Unfortunately, the wait is pretty long, no matter when you come here, due to both the small size of the place, and also it's popularity (there are 1000+ reviews on Yelp) but it's definitely worth checking out, for the grilled cornbread with jalapeño jelly alone.

I gotta say, my meal was good, but cornbread aside, it was nothing spectacular, and I was far more excited about the dish that I chose last time (black bean cake with salsa and sour cream, eggs and cornbread). That said, I thought the french toast was delicious. A point to consider though, restauranteurs - is french toast or pancakes, alone, an adequate meal? I feel like there needs to be a little somethin' somethin' extra going on there....perhaps a side bowl of fruit or eggs should be included with these choices? Just a thought.

And so, with our tummies full, we bid farewell to Dottie's...


Now, I am starting to feel like I'm part groupie/part stalker of the ever-smiling Dimestore Dandy, but well, frankly, it's not my fault that he plays so many shows, in so many bands!

Armed with a delicious, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (I love the fact that Club Deluxe has a fruit press), I was taught a couple of chords on the ukelele before the show began. There is a uke in the living room of my new sublet, so I think I am going to have to practise...


We were treated to an afternoon of music, banter and sing-alongs and it was a jolly good time indeed! What could put you in a better mood, than a room full of people singing 'You Are My Sunshine'?


Continuing my 'number 1 fan' duties, I headed over to my local Mission bar, Amnesia in the evening, where the Royal Deuces were playing a show.

Not only was it a super fun night, with great music and banter, but I also had lots of great dances (I love the speed of the floor in this venue) and...the TAMALE LADY showed up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Words cannot express the happiness I feel when the Tamale Lady appears at night, like a beacon of hope, saving the world, one delicious tamale at a time.

I ♥ Tamale Lady SF.

The Royal Deuces even succumbed to the lure of the corn-leaf, making a purchase mid-song, before singing an impromptu ditty about the woman of legend and her chicken tamales. This was highly amusing to me!


As usual, they played a played a super dooper set of fun and catchy, danceable songs, which kept me on my toes all night.

Funemployed feast!

The unemployed joined forces again to take advantage of having a free morning, by making brunch.

I went across the bridge to Oakland this time, and the location was simply beautiful! It has been a particularly gorgeous day today, and everything in the surrounding area looked so green and fresh and summery.


Delicious brunchiness consisted of: homemade breakfast pizza, maple syrup covered bacon, sausages, shrimp dumplings, latkes & crème fraiche, and a fruit platter with maple whipped cream - all washed down with peach nectar and orange juice! Delicious!


Yum.


Yum.


Yum.


Yum.


Yum.


Today I faced some fierce competition in the 'inappropriate conversation' stakes, with chit-chat venturing into sex dungeon and unicorn porn territory, to name but a few topics. I will be sure to refresh my memory by browsing the Channel 4 documentary back catalogue, as there will always be a trump card in there somewhere...

On the move.

Today I moved into my new sublet at 17th and Dolores. What a great location! I am loving my new place - the room is all wooden and makes me feel like I am living in a cabin. It is so cozy and looks out onto the garden. I also have tonnes of drawer space and wardrobe space (I guess the person who usually lives here took all of his stuff with him...) so hooray for not having to live out of a suitcase!

Although this is exciting news, it is kind of overshadowed by two things at the moment. Firstly, I have had a headache all day and it is simply, not going away. Secondly, I have discovered this amazing cheese:


That's right, your eyes are not deceiving you - cheddar cheese with oat granola, raisins and apples. Go.And.Buy.Some.Now.

Make mine a Monkeypod.

The perfect weekend was rounded off with a perfect Sunday, starting with a delicious brunch at Zazie. I am loving my new Sunday Brunch Crew (go team brunch!), and the combination of great company, plus a mango mimosa and scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and cream cheese made for a happy Mel.

What made for an even happier Mel was receiving flowers...what a lucky girl I am!


A late afternoon trip across the bridge transformed Team Brunch into Team Tiki at Forbidden Island in Alameda. A luau was in full swing upon arrival, with live music, djs, fire dancers, limbo and hawaiian bbq.

Can I just say, wowzer, coconut shrimp may be my new crush. Hawaiian bbq chicken ain't half bad either. YumYumYumYum.


Now, this bar has an extensive selection of cocktails, and you get all manner of crazy items poking out of them, such as tiki stirrers and back scratchers. The bar tenders are quick and efficient with their cocktail making techniques and the drinks pack a punch. I tried two cocktails, I cannot remember what the first one was called, but it was made with tequila and cilantro - it pales in comparison to what was to follow....the Monkeypod. This drink was almost too tasty. It consists of light rum, dark rum, coconut, lime and tamarind, and despite my suspicions that it may be too sweet, it was perfect. Again, Yum.Yum.Yum.Yum.


I popped outside to watch some fire dancing, which was ok, but not particularly captivating to me, so instead I went inside and did a bit of dancing myself. Sans fire, but equally hot...




Having imbibed a couple of cocktails, it was time to lead the conversation down some interesting paths. Did I mention Fat Girls and Feeders? Of course I did. Luckily, before we could dwell on it for too long, they cracked out the limbo bar, and although I didn't join in, it gave me great pleasure to watch others and see how low they could go.


By the way, they got pretty low...

Breakfast of champions...

It's a good thing I walk and dance a lot, because otherwise....

Country Breakfast at St. Francis Fountain...


Blueberry pancakes with banana at Breakfast at Tiffany's...


New York Scramble at Zazie...


Ginger pancakes with poached pear and lemon curd at Zazie...