Duende in Oakland. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Duende in Oakland: Arroz negro with bomba rice, Petrale sole, scallops and more (two-person pan: $38). Photo: Emilie Raguso

Come along with Nosh as we explore the East Bay food scene in photographs. This week we focus on Duende in Uptown Oakland.

Ever since Duende opened in January 2013, the restaurant has drawn crowds and won acclaim for its stylish digs, creative menu and professional service. Paul Canales, husband of Ici Ice Cream-owner Mary Canales, has created an impressive menu featuring small plates and Spanish food. Next door, diners can enjoy coffee, churros and a more limited menu during the day at a small, but beautifully appointed, bodega, which also features a selection of olive oils for purchase. (The bodega recently added lunch to its offerings.) Paul Caneles’ name is likely familiar to many East Bay diners for his 15 years at Oliveto restaurant on College Avenue, where he started as an intern and ended as executive chef. Upstairs at Duende, Canales has teamed up with Rocco Somazzi to bring an eclectic mix of musicians to an intimate performance space. Read more about Duende on Nosh.

Duende Restaurant & Bodega is located at 468 19th St. in Oakland. If you’ve sampled the spots we feature, please let us know about your experience in the comments below. (Photographs by Emilie Raguso.)

Duende in Oakland. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Piquillos rellenos: Piquillos, dungeness crab and pea shoots ($15).
Duende in Oakland. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Ensalada de col with savoy cabbage, mahón, green olives and pistachios ($9.50).
Duende in Oakland. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Asparagus with smoked beets, blood oranges and Moroccan black olives ($13).
Duende in Oakland. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Brussels sprouts with sunchokes and idiazabal ($7), left, and patatas bravas ($6), right.
Duende in Oakland. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Fideua: toasted fideos, duck, wild nettles, medjool dates, olives and balsamico (2-portion pan, $38).
Duende in Oakland. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Duende takes its coffee program very seriously. The restaurant serves Verve. Read more here.
Duende in Oakland. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Ice cream via College Avenue’s Ici is the perfect end to the evening. Duende owner Paul Caneles’ wife, Mary Caneles, owns Ici.
Ice cream via College Avenue’s Ici is the perfect end to the evening. Duende owner Paul Caneles’ wife, Mary Caneles, owns Ici.

See more restaurants featured on Nosh on the Town.

Related:
Nosh on the town: Centouno in Jack London Square (03.12.14)
Nosh on the town: Vientian in Oakland (02.20.14)
Nosh on the town: Bourbon & Beef on College Ave. (01.09.14)
Hot East Bay restaurants, food news of 2013 (01.02.14)
Nosh on the town: Barkada Bakery in Oakland (12.31.13)
Nosh on the town: Bleecker Bistro in Berkeley (12.24.13)
Nosh on the town: FuseBOX launches Sunday brunch (12.10.13)
Nosh on the town: Desco in Old Oakland (12.03.13)
With Duende, chef Paul Canales breaks free (01.24.13)

Hail all foodies! Nosh will soon launch Nosh Weekly, a free weekly email that will keep you bang up-to-date on all the delicious food, drink and restaurant news in the East Bay. Want to be one of the first to receive it? Simply sign up here.

"*" indicates required fields

See an error that needs correcting? Have a tip, question or suggestion? Drop us a line.
Hidden

Emilie Raguso (former senior editor, news) joined Berkeleyside in 2012 and covered politics, public safety and development until her departure in 2022. In 2017, Emilie was named Journalist of the Year...