OAKLAND ●Restaurants
Burma SuperStar 4721 Telegraph Ave./47th St.; Temesca. Though the exterior is nondescript, the interior decor here is in sophisticated shades of industrial grey and black. The hard surfaces make for a noisy backdrop to dining. Choice items on the menu include fried flat platha bread with chicken curry dipping sauce, samusa soup, fermented tea leaf salad, colorful rainbow salad with 22 ingredients including noodles, a variety of curries, coconut rice, and a coconutty black rice pudding dessert. This location also serves a celebrated handmade yellow bean tofu. I like the Burmese milk iced tea made with strong black tea and sweetened condensed milk; Thai iced tea is also available made with a orange-colored tea and half and half. The wait can be long, so call ahead and put your name on the list or add it when you arrive and then explore the area.
 image courtesy of venue

A few doors down, the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse sells an eclectic selection of sometimes bizarre donated items—you’ll see everything from colorful rayon sarongs to logo squishees--and is particularly popular with artists and teachers. When I visited, I dropped off a batch of well-received peach lugs and event badges. 4695 Telegraph Ave./47th St.

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