 Forget any hole-in-the-wall stereotypes of island cuisine. Miss Pearl’s---a reincarnation of the original San Francisco establishment---is elegant, greaseless, and way out in the open at the center of Oakland's Jack London Square. Luckily, all of this refinement comes without a hint of pretension. Service is friendly, with managers (including consulting chef Joey Altman) chatting casually with diners throughout an evening. The rambling dining rooms, punctuated with island tchotchkes, are homey and relaxed, inspiring both romantic moments and boisterous conversation. The food is equally comforting, with an especially strong menu of small plates. Refreshing "coco-bêche" plays the smoothness of coconut-marinated kampachi against crunchy cucumber slices; grilled spiced shrimp cap a tower of juicy grapefruit and cool avocado; and clam and sweet corn fritters are crispy-soft pillows of fried goodness. For entrées, bland pork shoulder from the jerk pit is a let-down, but a special of flaky halibut over rich coconut risotto makes up for it. The beverage list features playful tropical cocktails---including an old Miss Pearl’s standby, Jell-O shots---but it’s the sipping rums that really stand out. Aged dark rum goes particularly well with the molten chocolate cake, or a moist tres leches cake, and the lovely view of the channel and bay.
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Splurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in your area. Also, check out our picks for the Top 40 Cheap Eats in the U.S.
