Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/348155
B M & T ••• May/June 2014 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 36 and for good reason. It's delicious, flavorful and crisp. The BBQ Shrimp and Grits is unbelievable! The waffles are to die for. Holland was one of the first hosts on the Food Network's Melting Pot. She also owns B-Side BBQ in Oakland. Her cookbook 'Brown Sugar Kitchen' is set for release September 2014. Open for breakfast and lunch. www.brownsugarkitchen.com "I opened my businesses because there wasn't a good example of food matching the room," said Holland. "There weren't any businesses reflecting us. I took cooking class- es in New York. I had a New York aesthetic of what I wanted to do. I moved to this area and it was desolate and not welcoming. That's changed. People come here from all over because they know they are welcomed here." On Friday nights, for a local food experience, check out OFF THE GRID (food trucks) at the Oakland Mus eum. www.museumca.org • WHERE TO STAY • For sure there are any number of places to stay in Oakland from small bed and breakfasts to five star hotels. There are more than 4,000 hotel rooms. A sure bet is the nautical-themed Waterfront Hotel (JDVHotels- .com), located in the heart of Jack London Square, just steps from a number of restaurants, shopping, 20-minute ferry service from the hotel to San Francisco's Ferry Plaza Gondola cruises on Lake Merritt, Numi Tea Garden and the popular, legendary Yosh i's Jazz Club. The hotel, less than 10 miles from Oakland International Airport and three minutes to BART service and ferry service to San Francisco, looks out onto the bay. There are 145 individually appointed, over-sized guestrooms with incredible San Francisco and harbor views. Some have courtyard views and some have private bal- conies. Many of the rooms have balconies and fireplaces, complimentary wireless internet access, iPod docking stations, waterside heat- ed outdoor pool, waterfront boardwalk, busi- ness center, fitness center, sauna and spa serv- ices, a complimentary shuttle to downtown Oakland, BART, City Center and Marina Village (Alameda). The Italian-inspired Lungomare is locat- ed inside The Waterfront by the water and offers a blend of Tuscan and Ligurian special- ties — a mix of seafood, house-cured meats, rustic pizza and fresh pasta, with dishes local- ly sourced whenever possible. http://www.- lungomareoakland.com Meeting at the hotel is easy. Whether the need is for a fine dining experience for two or holding an important meeting for 300, The Waterfront can accommodate. There is state- of-the-art audiovisual equipment and high speed Internet access. There are 13 banquet rooms (in various dimensions), several with waterfront views and windows, accommo- dating 10 – 300 people (there is wireless internet access in the meeting rooms). The Oakland Marriott City Center, locat- ed in downtown Oakland, is also a first rate hotel consideration. There are 481 rooms and eight suites. Guest rooms are wireless. The rooms and suites boast ergonomic work areas and state of the art technology. Views of the San Francisco Bay and Lake Merritt are available in each room. • TIME TO MEET • Located in the heart of Oaktown is the Oakland Convention Center with 64,000 sq. ft. of convention, exhibit, meeting room and social gathering. The Center is a world-class exhibition hall within walking distance of Jack London Square, Chinatown, Oakland Museum of California, Preservation Park and Oakland City Center. The Oakland Marriott City Center offers views of Jack London Square, Berkeley Marina, Lake Merritt, the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, and the San Francisco skyline. Connected to the Oakland Convention Center, the Oakland Marriott City Center features additional event space. There are 36 meeting rooms, 89,000 sq. ft. of total meeting space. The meeting space with highest maxi- mum capacity is Exhibit Hall & Grand Ballroom with a capacity of 7,900. There is a maximum of 30 breakout meeting rooms. www.oaklandconvention- center.com With a lake front location, the unique and behemoth Oakland Scottish Rite Center, a stunning facility, is an excellent venue for meetings. There is a world-class historic Grand Auditorium with a capacity of 1,350. There is also a Ballroom (10,400 sq. ft.) with a capacity for 1,500' seating capac- ity is 800. The 3,500 sq. ft. Banquet Hall's capacity is 400 with seating capacity for 200. On the first floor is the grand lobby, which can accommodate 300 and is 3,400 sq. ft. On the th ird floor is the Blue Room, which is 2,400 sq. ft. with a capacity for 200 with seating for 120. The fourth floor reception area is 2,000 sq. ft. with a capacity for 150 and seating for 80. There is also a fourth floor Green Room and Red Room. The media theater can hold 28. There is also a fourth floor bal- cony. There is also a member's lounge and a member's library. • GETTING THERE • There are three airports from which to choose: Oakland International Airport, Norman Y Mineta San Jose International Airport and San Francisco International Airport. Visit Oakland, an organization dedicated to marketing the city of Oakland, offers a wide variety of complimentary services and mate- rials for travelers, meeting planners, and busi- nesses. For more information, call (510) 839- 9000 or go to visitoakland.org. Oakland Convention Center