LGL's first happy hour was such a rousing success that we had to split up our party, since a ton more people than had RSVP'd showed up, and there was an intimidatingly huge after-work group hogging 75 percent of the tables outside. We sampled all sorts of appetizers and Chad and I split a plate of the night's special, the most divine melt-in-your-mouth tender tri-tip topped with gravy, mushrooms, and sprinklings of bleu cheese, with sides of delicately whipped mashed potatoes and fresh peas.
We were out on the patio with
James finally brought me a whole big ziploc bag of some of those famous cookies of his (and they were well worth the wait; there are currently two left, and I am trying to restrain myself so Chad and I can enjoy them for dessert tonight).
Jhames and Robyn yukked it up as Jhames regaled us with tales of the trend-bashing outfits with which he plans to shock the corporate types (I am particularly awaiting photos of the Beadazzled beaded shredded T-shirt paired with the Daisy Dukes) (and please make note of the latest, hippest buzzphrase and use accordingly: Blackbox it!).
Resident photographer Bob left the really big lens home, which is just as well. No one needs to see me in macro.
Xian brought his camera, too, and sat down at the end of the table with Gareth and Peter, who is the roommate who lasted longest and now lives downstairs, underneath our living room.
My little freshman friend Eva and I discussed the latest in her never-ending parade of cute accessories and made plans to swing by friend Jen's SF boutique next week, because we haven't been shopping together in forever, and Sugarpuss definitely hits that sweet spot. (And one more small-biz plug: if you're looking for a to-die-for zero-emissions scooter, Eva's guy sells them right here in Oakland.)
The other half sat at the inside table
Maggot maven Katie.
Prolific Oakland Taco Truck expert and recent two-time Mills alumna Leah, who reports discussions on "the use of bio-diesel as an alternative fuel, paddle boating on the Lake, pop spirituality of the Matrix, and pirate history of the Bay Area."
Code magi August
Bloody Mary connoisseurs Melissa and Sherry (and I have been thinking about Melissa's stated goal of hitting up every bar in Oakland: I'm not sure this life is long enough, but it certainly doesn't hurt to try)
A very cool girl named Sarah who I spent a little quality time with on the patio after most everyone had left.
And Susan, Jacqueline, and Julie, who I didn't get to meet.
The next lunch
Mark your calendars for a lunch or happy hour on Tuesday, June 17, or maybe Monday, June 16. Vote in the comments if you have a preference.
Other fun things in Oakland to keep you busy until then
This Friday at 8 p.m.: Gene Wilder at his absolutely most charming in Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on the big screen at the oh-so luxuriously decadent Paramount Theater. Hold on to your ticket stub in case they call your number when they spin the big Dec-O-Win wheel.
Bloody Mary Sunday this Sunday at Quinn's Lighthouse, which is an utterly delightful venue and one of the best places in the world for sitting out on the peanut shell-strewn deck and sipping a tall frosty one while watching the boats chug up and down the estuary. (And, I've just heard from Katie, who heard from Leah, it's built on the site of an old pirate's den!) Word on the street is it's at 5 p.m., but they're still hashing out the fine details, so be sure to check the site before you head over.
The Nonchalance Picnic on Saturday/15 at Joaquin Miller Park (map), something the Summer of Fun would be fun nor summer without. Bring the frisbees, stuff for fillin' grillin', and some coconut-scented suntan oil.
And Oaktown Underground always has an up-to-the-minute complete list of everything that's going on around town.