Oakland | north light kitchen, bar and bookstore

I have been eyeing North Light for a while. It has been low on our date night list since Mr Sweetie is not into small neighborhood bars even if it is as cute as North Light.

In fairness to him, if I told him that there is a place that I really want to check out, he will go with me. When he asked me where and what I wanted to eat on my birthday, I told him that I just wanted a drink and tater tots. Yup, tater tots. Blame it on my girls’ birthday eve treat for me at Executive Order the evening before where my love affair for tater tots and cocktail has begun. (I discovered what a tasty pair they are!)

I also told Mr Sweetie that I wanted to go to North Light. (I am a firm believer that if it is your birthday, you should definitely eat whatever and wherever you want on your special day!) It was finally my chance to pick this place.

North Light is a cute neighborhood bar. Cute and edgy. It is a an all-day bar, kitchen slash bookstore slash record store. The space is probably what New Orleaneans would consider “shotgun” style. The place was deep and narrow with a cozy patio in the back. Ambiance was really laid back from people parked at a table while telecommuting, to office workers and young parents with a toddler in tow. Place was chill with Ike and Tina Turner’s music being played from an old vinyl.

Mr Sweetie and I sat at the bar. I ordered an El Diablo (tequila, ginger, lime, cassis, heat) as suggested by our server. Mr Sweetie, who rarely drinks alcohol, chose Lion’s Tail (bourbon, lime, allspice, demerara, bitters). My drink was good and paired well with cheesy tater tots. I do not think that he was too pleased with his drink but I really like it! I had a sip and it tasted like Christmas!

And I got my birthday food wish. Since it was my birthday, I went all out and got the Tater Tots Fast-Food Style with caramelized onions, not-so-secret sauce and cheddar! 🙂 Mr Sweetie ordered Chicken Wings.

I would say that I really enjoyed my birthday meal (which would turn out to be just one of many! It is already March and the birthday treats keep on coming!) I hope to return to North Light as I enjoyed the chill ambiance. It is in my hood. (I do live in a very cool hood!)

Another birthday drink and eats to come — next door to North Light. Stay Tuned!