Baba's House — Restaurant in Oakland

SF Chronicle, by Elena Kadvany: This new Oakland restaurant taps into Asian American nostalgia: snacks, mah-jongg and all.

A small restaurant section downstairs serves gyoza, salted egg Caesar salads and other Asian-inspired food crafted by A.C Boral, a Filipino chef from Southern Califoria. On the second floor, black and blue UV lights create a club-like vibe. Shelves are stocked with a curated selection of Asian snacks, from crab chips and White Rabbit candy to chili crisp. In addition, there’s a mini art gallery, mah-jongg, a DJ booth and a live-streaming room. Customers can grab a drink and snack to eat downstairs or take it to go.

Take giniling, a Filipino beef stew; here, it’s made vegan with plant-based Impossible meat and local vegetables. The gyoza are served with a house-made XO sauce and a chimichurri made from carrot tops. A chilled tofu salad is dressed with Boral’s spin on Thousand Island dressing, punched up with Korean gochujang and strawberries. The menu echoes local Asian American bakeries’ love affair with White Rabbit candy and Oakland bar Viridian’s nostalgic food,...

A special and unique space. Mahjong tables are GOING, the space is filled with unique touches and Asian snacks, the space has so many unique events that are inclusive for everyone. One of the workers helped me order drinks then came up to DJ afterward - dope.

Also the Filipino food pop up smacks - you may think you can only pork but you'll be pleasantly surprised - just don't go in thinking it's supposed to taste like...

The best!!! Feels like home. Downstairs restaurant meets upstairs Asian snack shop, mahjong Speakeasy den, and karaoke lounge all in one. Delicious local winemakers and drink vendors featured. Run by some of the kindest people...