a week of anniversary treats at oakland's the caffe
a visit to oakland's the caffe by mr. espresso, is always a pleasure, but even more so as their third anniversary approaches june 1-6.
at oakland's the caffe by mr. espresso. photo credit berkeley eats.
on any given monday-saturday, a seat at the italian caffe's back bar (so civilized) offers a view onto the action – the clutch of baristas at work, including owner luigi di ruocco, son of mr. espresso founder carlo di ruocco. the team greets a steady stream of oaklanders (neighborhood locals, office workers, local firemen, artsy types) all looking for expert coffee drinks, pastries and warm, professional service.
a single, classic espresso from the caffe (with sidecar, and maybe, say, a kouign amann from starter bakery) is enough to wake up the senses, quite literally, including and especially the taste buds.
details, including a classic espresso at the caffe by mr. espresso. photo credit berkeley eats.
next week the caffe turns three, and has a week-long birthday roster of local celebrity chef collabs bolstering its already appealing menu of offerings.
we might return specifically for one of these guest treats [mamma mia], featured monday and tuesday, from chef giovanni liguoro of san francisco's poesia cafe:
below is the complete schedule of the caffe's week of guest collaborators this coming monday-saturday, june 1-6. (pick a date, a specialty drink, a treat, and go!):
monday, june 1: maritozzi from poesia cafe (above); 'supernova' double espresso with piloncillo syrup, cold foam and toasted spices from bocanova pastry chef charles lozano.
tuesday, june 2: maritozzi from poesia cafe (above); 'purple reign' double espresso with coconut and ube cold foam from the ube baking book author henry awayan.
wednesday, june 3: carolina buttermilk biscuits and cinnamon butter from town biscuits ; 'banana royale' espresso with milk, banana cream and nilla wafer garnish from lucy blue and town fare chef michele mcqueen.
thursday, june 4: tarts de feybesse double feature – kaya brioche buns from tarts de feybesse; filipino-inspired espresso with rice milk, toasted rice foam and chocolate rice krispies from chef monique feybesse of tarts de feybesse.
friday, june 5: kaya brioche buns from tarts de feybesse; 'dulce de meski' east african-inspired espresso with white chocolate, guava chamoy cold foam and lime zest from chef and cookbook author nelson german of sf's meski (also sobre mesa and alamar).
saturday, june 6 (12-3pm): gelato from chef patrizia pasqualetti, to enjoy on its own, or in a mr. espresso affogato, or both.
also: giveaways, prizes, $1 espresso shots, whisk cake creations confetti cake, cookbook signings, and more. auguri a tutti!
the caffe by mr. espresso is at 1120 broadway in oakland.
may 30, 2026 (tips always welcome, more local news, anniversaries and events.)