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Homestead - Fine Dining on Piedmont Avenue

Dining Detectives
By Carol & Joe Davis

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We love to hear that hard working ultra-talented chefs after honing their skills in great kitchens for many years finally get their chance to open their own restaurants. Homestead on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland was just opened by Co-Owners Elizabeth Sassen and Executive Chef Fred Sassen who both enhanced their culinary skills at fine restaurants including Farallon in San Francisco and Camino in Oakland. They have created a wonderful environment where you feel like you are surrounded by the warmth of home.

Homestead is located in a 1920's Julia Morgan building which has floor to ceiling windows and a high ceiling. The rustic interior features seating for 48, spot lighting, and an Exhibition Kitchen where you can watch the prepping, cooking and plating which creates a great show. There is also an Almond wood burning fire pit for cooking, roasting and smoking which adds to the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The upscale, farm to hearth to table, small focused menu features elegant comfort cuisine created using seasonal, locally sourced and mostly organic ingredients.

We were seated near the window directly across from the fire pit and ordered a large bottle of Hot Springs Arkansas Mountain Valley Sparkling Water and received warm homemade bread which was just perfect. We appreciated the lovely Vintage Silverware which was a unique touch.

Our Starters were unique just delicious! We loved both the Baked Ricotta with Warren Pears, Cured Lomo Charcuterie and Grilled Bread and the Squid Escabeche with Avocado, lime, Corn and Cumin Cracker. Our second course was also fantastic. The Shrimp Agnolotti with Cherry tomatoes and Basil Pesto and the Grilled Quail with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and apples were both just amazing! The flavors melded beautifully and the presentation was very appealing. Our main courses were equally fabulous! The Spiced Slow Roasted Pork with creamed corn and cherry tomatoes and the Grilled Rib Eye Steak with baby carrots, endive gratin and parsley were both reasonably priced and truly delicious! We also enjoyed a side of Marrow Roasted potatoes with parsley.

The International Wine list is also small and focused. We enjoyed the 2012 Matthiasson Linda Vista Vineyard Napa Chardonnay and the 2011 Roditis, Tetramythos, Patras, Peloponnese Greece with our starters and the 2011 Ransom, Jigsaw, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley which was bold and rich tasting and paired perfectly with our entrees.

The Desserts were delightful as well. We loved the Horchata Ice Cream and Churros which came with a small Hot Cocoa and the Cheddar Apple Pie which came topped with excellent Vanilla Ice Cream. Espressos and an Amoroso, El Maestro Sierra, 15 Anos Xeres, Spanish Sherry were the perfect finish to our relaxed, perfectly paced fabulous dinner.

We had a lovely dining experience at Homestead which is welcoming, charming and serves savory and superb cuisine! Best to make reservations as the word is out and the restaurant was packed on the Thursday night we were there. We get to dine at great restaurants and are so pleased that Homestead is in our neighborhood and would not be surprised to see them receive Michelin Stars in the near future.

Homestead
4029 Piedmont Avenue
Oakland, CA 94611
510-420-6962
www.HomesteadOakland.com
Dinner Tuesday-Saturday


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