Check, Please! You Gotta Try This!

We're celebrating Oakland's vibrant, diverse community with three longtime Oakland residents - and the Bay Area dishes you have to try! First, singer-songwriter Fantastic Negrito finds inspiration at Oakland's own Dela Curo, where Chef Chikara Ono delights with his Omu Curry, a dreamy, savory jet-black curry served atop omurice. Next, award-winning director and Blindspotting actor Margo Hall samples the iconic Chicken Milanese at Presidio mainstay Garibaldis Restaurant in San Francisco. Finally, Oakland Roots soccer player Max Ornstil satisfies our sweet tooth with the indulgent, creamy Chocolate & Vanilla Frozen Yogurt at Yogurt Park, which has charmed Berkeley students and families for nearly 50 years.

We start off in downtown San Jose at Paper Plane, where the bar bites pair perfectly with the innovative cocktails. The fan-favorite Brussels Sprout Tacos deliver a flavor and texture that will almost satisfy your palate’s carnivorous cravings, with crispy Brussels sprouts, garam masala-spiced pepitas, yogurt dressing and more. Next, San Mateo’s Ravioli House, an old-school delicatessen that’s one of the last spots in the Bay still making their pasta in-house, whips up homey Italian comfort food with its Asiago Roasted Zucchini Ravioli. Finally, small batch brews join killer burgers at neighborhood gastropub Pacifica Brewery, where the PB Burger marries beer onions and sharp cheddar on a handmade pretzel bun.

In the scenic town of Occidental, the Altamont General Store rolls out its Beef Hot Dog, with Hawaiian flair, topped with grilled pineapple relish, pickled mustard seeds, spicy ketchup, yuzu aioli and crispy shallots on a brioche bun. Then, Zante Pizza and Indian Cuisine in Bernal Heights blends Indian and Italian cuisine to create a mouthwatering fusion of spinach, eggplant, cauliflower and more, aptly called “The Best Indian Pizza - Vegetarian.” Finally, Oakland’s Taiwan Bento cooks up the ultimate Taiwanese comfort food with its Fried Pork Chop Bento, a nostalgic dish with crispy marinated pork, tea egg, and pickled veggies.

We begin our quest through the Bay Area’s unmissable meals at San Francisco’s famed Arsicault Bakery, once crowned Bakery of the Year by Bon Appetit. We join the early birds to sink our teeth into the Kouign Amann, a sweet, flaky French pastry with a crispy, caramelized shell. Then, we devour the mouth-watering Crispy La Calaca Loca Especial Grilled Pescado Tacos at Oakland’s La Calaca Loca Taqueria, where fresh-caught crispy fish tacos meet guacamole and melted cheese. Finally, we head to wine country and order off-menu at Saint Helena’s Brasswood Bar + Kitchen, where the Hand-Pulled Mozzarella has garnered quite a following with Napa Valley locals in-the-know.

Fresh, fragrant and flavorful — this week’s special teen guests’ picks are all about melt-in-your-mouth delights! First, Mints & Honey in San Carlos whips up a colorful Rose and Strawberry Waffle. Then Milohas crafts a traditional Colombian Beef Empanada in San Jose. Finally, Union City's Din Ding Dumpling House shares the secrets to making handmade Xiao Long Bao, delicate, steamed soup dumplings.

Cruise down to Daly City for Filipino Sisigsilog, a sizzling platter of savory chicken, a fried egg and garlic rice, at Tselogs. Then head to San Francisco’s Mission District for Beef Tartare at Ernest, a twist on the steakhouse staple that’s topped with ikura and served with sushi rice and nori. Finally, stop in Pacific Heights for Jajangmyeon, Korean black bean noodles, at Zazang Korean Noodles.

Novato’s Bacon sizzles with breakfast delights, like the Pacifica Pan-Fried Frittata with smoked salmon. Due West Tavern at Olema House serves up its signature Steak Frites, a tender New York Strip topped with Point Reyes blue cheese butter. Finally, Al Pastor Papi's eye-catching hot pink food truck is the go-to spot for spit-roasted pork, the centerpiece of its Al Pastor Burrito.

Start things off at the family-owned Millbrae Pancake House with their thin, delicate Swedish Pancakes with lingonberry butter. Next, it’s off to San Francisco’s Japantown for Kalbijjim, slow-cooked braised beef short ribs topped with melted cheese at Daeho. Finally, dig into the fresh hummus and savory, flame-roasted meat that fill the signature Lamb & Beef Shawarma Bowl at Oakland's Falafel Boy.