Cafe Sketches: Sana'a Cafe, Oakland - 1/2026

HaPpY NeW YeaR!

Enjoy the new year with a pistachio latte and Dubai Chocolate cheesecake at Sana'a Cafe in Oakland. Inspired by Yemeni culture, Sana'a Cafe serves authentic Yemeni coffee, tea, sandwiches, and desserts. There are two Sana'a Cafe locations in Oakland; the Temescal location features comfy banquette seating with fluffy throw pillows that you can form into a cozy niche for yourself and your laptop. However, it's the cheesecakes that are calling me back...

Sana'a Cafe, Temescal Oakland, 1/2026

The Pistachio latte goes well with your cheesecake too.

CoWaBunGA!  

Cafe Sketches: Mensho Ramen, Oakland - 12/2025

Unfortunately, our local Chinese restaurant "Little Shin Shin" closed during the pandemic. In its place, Mensho, an award-winning ramen chain from Tokyo, opened up around 2023. We were reluctant to try Mensho because of its association with the loss of Little Shin Shin and the huge crowds waiting in line to get inside. But, we decided to give it a try this month and we were pleasantly surprised.

Mensho Ramen, Oakland, 12/2025

One delightful dish is the "corn ribs" - slices of roasted corn strips, manipulated to be eaten like BBQ ribs. It was fun and delicious. We added Mensho to our list of go-to ramen shops.

CoWaBunGA!    

Sketches: Art of Manga, DeYoung Museum - 12/2025

The DeYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, presents a survey of Manga art from the 1970's to recent works. The art of manga encompasses many genres, from sports to fine dining to historical mythology. One artist that caught my attention is Araki Hirohiko, whose manga "Jo Jo's Bizarre Adventure" is a mix of contemporary fashion and 1980's music with an action-adventure storyline. 

Jo Jo's Bizarre Adventure, Part 5 Golden Wind, Hirohiko - 12/2025

The characters of this manga are very flamboyant and are drawn as if posing on the catwalk or in Vogue. It's very compelling and different from other manga in the exhibit.   

CoWaBunGA!

Cafe Sketches: Jane on Third, 12/2025

A relatively new cafe opened in the SFMOMA, Jane on Third. The cafe is part of the Jane the Bakery chain of bakeries and cafes in San Francisco. Several iterations of restaurants occupied the space that Jane on Third is currently located, but I found Jane on Third to be the most welcoming and comfortable of the lot. The seating, decor, atmosphere, and food are very welcoming to visitors of SFMOMA and the public in general. 

Jane on Third, in the SFMOMA, 12/2025 

This is definitely a must-stop whenever I'm in downtown SF.

CoWaBunGA!

Sketches: TAKE, Kaws at SFMOMA, 12/2025

Revisiting KAWS Exhibit at the San Francisco MOMA, it was interesting to me how KAWS has his characters holding smaller versions of other characters. It's very human in how children hold small versions of themselves, as dolls.  

Take, KAWS at the SFMOMA, 12/2025

It reminds me that beings unlike ourselves can experience emotion and be very human. 

CoWaBunGA

Sketches: Eugene & Julie, Morisot, Legion of Honor - 12/2025

Looking closely at Berthe Morisot's paintings, they are very different than Manet's. She used color to define her compositions and there doesn't seem to be distinct outlines. The results are beautiful. 

Eugene & Julie, Morisot, Legion of Honor, 12/2025

Go see for yourself at the Manet & Morisot Exhibit, Legion of Honor, San Francisco.

CoWaBunGA
 

E14 Gallery Holiday Sip & Shop Pop-up, 12/13/25

Come out and visit us for E14 Gallery's Holiday pop-up shop, Sip & Shop. I will be there with my fellow artists Rheaven's Engravins and Star Shaped Gem. There will be drinks and activities to keep y'all warm and cozy while you look for that perfect gift.

Hope to see you Saturday, December 13, 5 PM to 8 PM, E14 Gallery at 461 Ninth Street, Old Oakland.

CoWaBunGA!