Photo courtesy: Food GPS

The much awaited restaurant from Charlie Hallowell, a star among local chefs, is now open. It debuted in the Grand Lake neighborhood on Friday, December 11, in what used to be a shoe store – hence the name: Boot and Shoe Service.

It isn’t as big as Hallowell’s other, much-loved Temescal restaurant, Pizzaiolo, which means that it’s wise to make reservations in advance. It is open only for dinner, though that might change. It serves up, as you might expect, pizzas of many different kinds that come out of a wood-burning oven.

5.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday5.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
3308 Grand Avenue (half a block north east from the Grand Lake theater) 510-763-2668
The website is still not up and running, but when it is, it'll be at
Bootandshoeservice.com



And as you make your plans to check out Boot and Shoe Service, keep Friday evening aside for the holiday open house hosted by Oakland’s neighborhood shops. It’s the last weekend before Christmas and your local Oakland stores, boutiques and cafes are staying open late – until 8 p.m. You know that’s unusual in a town where places can shut as early as 5 p.m. Some vendors will have refreshments for you, others will have free gift wrapping, and then there are those who will be giving out hefty discounts. There's got to be something in the mix that works for you.

For a complete list of participating shops, go to shopoakland.com/events.html

Neighborhood Shops Host Holiday Open House
Friday, December 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.