Featured

KINGSTON’S 11 SERVING UP FINE JAMAICAN AND CALIFORNIA CUISINE

Kingston 11 has become both an electric and eclectic venue, using local and organic ingredients in its environmentally-friendly, and community-oriented restaurant. Its delicacies, as well as other dishes Nigel call ‘street foods,’ come from different cultures.

Published

3 years ago

July 2, 2021

Christy Price

Jerk Chicken/Bethanie Hines

Taste Jamaica! That’s the theme chef and owner Nigel Jones, who along with business partner Adrian Henderson, used when they opened their Kingston 11 Jamaican restaurant on 2270 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, in 2013 after working as a pop-up diner spot at other cafes and community-kitchens throughout the East Bay.

A native of Jamaica, Nigel was born in Kingston 11, next to Bob Marley’s neighboring district of Kingston 12. His mother gave birth to him at age 15; although he was raised by his grandparents after his mother moved to the U.S., and his father went to England where many Jamaicans migrated at the time.

“I migrated to the U.S. in 1973 to be with my mother for the first time,” said Nigel. “When I came to California in 1989, I worked for Levi Strauss in San Francisco where I was Director of Operations for the Docker’s brand. I came to realize that San Francisco was labeled as one of the highest-rated cities per capita for restaurants in the U.S. However there were very few Jamaican restaurants in the City.”

“Although I was making good money at Strauss, I yearned to do something that would reflect my own community back to me. That’s when I decided to open a Jamaican restaurant.”

“With my Jamaican background, as it relates to food, and from what I learned from my grandmother who was a strong influence on me, it was time to gather my recipes, marry them together with French-cooking technical skills. That was the basic foundation of me becoming a self-taught chef. So I went to cooking camps to get some technical background in terms of culinary arts,” added Nigel.

“During my tenure at Strauss, it was fruitful and lucrative, but it really wasn’t my passion, and because of that, I needed to do something different. When you have passion, you have an opportunity to succeed no matter what you do in life. It’s hard to succeed if you don’t have passion which will help you to get through tough times and bumps in the road.”

The restaurant’s signature dishes include its infamous jerk chicken and oxtails. The oxtails are served with Jasmine brown rice, coconut milk and red beans, resulting in a very healthy dish. Nigel takes a healthy approach in preparing meals, while taking into consideration the health issues of people of color who have compromised health conditions.

Throughout the pandemic, Kingston continued to operate, along with other food establishments to help feed people of color in the community. When schools closed down, Kingston teamed up with other restaurants to feed those kids who normally relied on school lunch programs.

“We have partnered with Ayesha and Steph Curry with their Eat, Learn and Play Foundation,” said Nigel. “Their foundation helps to ensure that kids and families are provided balance nutritional foods, as well as a good learning and playful environment.”

“Our association with the foundation has resulted in us providing meals every week to low-income families, and here it is a year later, and we are still providing meals for them. Instead of focusing on ourselves to survive the pandemic, we’ve focused on our community to help it survive.”

The Eat, Learn and Play Foundation produce 3,000 meals per week for children and low-income families. Kingston, along with other local restaurants, provides at least 1,000 of those meals.

“As we transition further in our reopening, we will continue to provide takeout service as well as dine-in,” said Nigel. “We have tables outside in front of the restaurant and a rear patio for dining as well. The middle section of the restaurant will remain closed until we are able to maintain control of the flow of people, while also keeping them safe.”

Kingston will continue to follow health and CDC guidelines as it begins to receive customers for indoor dining again. Staff is required to wear masks but patrons have the option to wear a mask or not based on their comfort level.

“Kingston offers opportunities for people of color, as well as white folks, to use our facilities for gathering such as graduations, private parties and special events so they can have access to Uptown Oakland, which sometimes can be very expensive.”

“Kingston reverberates with gaiety and laughter,” said Nigel. “It’s a major contribution to Oakland’s huge entertainment community and for us. We have space available for the artist community to share their arts and creativity.”

“On Thursday nights, we pay local bands come in and perform, but we don’t charge our customers to enjoy the music. We are creating a network for local artists to be in front of the community so they can showcase their talents and afford them the opportunity to help get bookings at other locations.”

Kingston II is “One Love,” as noted on its south interior wall. It’s a prominent community-oriented restaurant that serves people of all nationalities and cultures. For more information on Kingston 11, visit www.kingston11eats.com and Taste Jamaica!

Christy Price

Posts by Christy Price

Up Next

State Budget Revision Boosts City’s Funding For Community Responders

Don't Miss

El Cerrito Poet Laureate Eevelyn Mitchell

Christy Price

Click to comment

Activism

S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System

Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Third Baptist Church.

By Carla Thomas

San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.

“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”

According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.

“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”

Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.

SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.

Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.

Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.

Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.

“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Bay Area

Mayor London Breed: State Awards San Francisco Over $37M for Affordable Housing

On April 30, Mayor London N. Breed announced San Francisco has been awarded more than $37.9 million in funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as part of the State’s Multifamily Housing Program (MHP). The HCD loan will provide the final funding necessary for development of Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness, a 168-unit affordable housing project located in San Francisco’s Mission District.

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed (File Photo)

By Oakland Post Staff

The HCD loan will provide the final funding necessary for development of Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness, a 168-unit affordable housing project located in San Francisco’s Mission District.

The new development at 1515 South Van Ness Ave. will provide 168 affordable homes to low-income families, formerly homeless families, and persons living with HIV earning between 25-80% of the San Francisco Area Median Income (AMI).

In addition, the project is anticipated to provide family-friendly amenities and ground floor community-serving commercial spaces that preserve the prevailing neighborhood character of the Calle 24 Latino Cultural District.

“This funding unlocks our ability to move on building affordable housing units for families in San Francisco at a crucial time. We understand the level of need for more housing that is accessible, and like the state, the city continues to face a challenging budget cycle,” said Breed. “1515 South Van Ness is a good example of what can be achieved in San Francisco when you have strong community partnerships and an unwavering commitment to deliver on critical needs for our residents.”

“From the beginning of my term as Supervisor, I have fought to bring affordable housing to 1515 South Van Ness” said Supervisor Hillary Ronen. “In the interim, the site has been utilized for homeless services and shelter, and I am thrilled that HCD has recognized the value of this development, and we are finally ready to break ground and bring 168 affordable homes to low income and formerly homeless families in the Mission.”

Owned and occupied by McMillan Electric Company until 2015, the City and County of San Francisco purchased 1515 South Van Ness Avenue in June 2019 with the intent of developing new affordable housing.

In November 2020, the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) released a Multi-site Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking qualified developers to build affordable housing on the site, and subsequently selected Chinatown Community Development Corporation (CCDC) and Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) in May 2021 to develop the site.

The project is expected to begin construction in winter 2025.

“A strong, long-term push by Mission advocates to make this site 100% affordable is now paying off, with 168 family units that include services and childcare. People of color communities know what they need, and we are excited to be in partnership with a team, consisting of MEDA, CCDC, and MOHCD, that listens,” said Malcolm Yeung, Executive Director at CCDC.

“We are excited to be in partnership with CCDC, yet again, and for the opportunity to develop intergenerational affordable housing in the City’s Mission District,” said Luis Granados, executive director at MEDA.

Increasing housing affordable to lower-income and vulnerable residents is a key priority in the City’s Housing Element which calls for additional funding for affordable housing production and preservation, as well as Mayor Breed’s Housing for All Executive Directive that sets out the steps the City will take to meet the bold goal of allowing for 82,000 new homes to be built over the next eight years.

Tuesday’s funding announcement emphasizes the importance of regional and state collaboration in order to reach our housing and climate goals.

“We are thrilled—not just to bring a project of this size to a community with great need — but to do so with community-based developers and their partners who understand the neighborhood and sensitivities around cultural preservation,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Community

Opening Soon: Vibe Bistro Is Richmond’s New Hub for Coffee, Cuisine, Community and Culture

Vibe Bistro, located at 1503 MacDonald Ave., Suite B, Richmond, CA, is announcing its grand opening week, May 21-26, 2024. The café will be a hub where people can come together to enjoy coffee, cuisine, community, and culture, according to the establishment’s owner, Free Brown.

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Vibe Bistro Logo

By Y’Anad Burrell

Vibe Bistro, located at 1503 MacDonald Ave., Suite B, Richmond, CA, is announcing its grand opening week, May 21-26, 2024.

The café will be a hub where people can come together to enjoy coffee, cuisine, community, and culture, according to the establishment’s owner, Free Brown.

“Vibe Bistro is Richmond’s neighborhood haven for soulful coffee, delicious food, and vibrant experiences. Vibe Bistro is not just a coffee shop; it’s a place where ‘coffee meets community” says Brown.

It occupies the space formerly known as the Richmond Food Hall, which was also the former location of OakStop Richmond.

During the grand opening week, folks are invited to join in celebrating the spirit of community. From Tuesday, May 21, Vibe Bistro will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, serving specialty coffees, convenient grab-n-go options, and delicious breakfast and lunch selections.

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 23, from noon to 2 p.m., followed by surprise festivities that the owners say you will need to experience in-person to fully enjoy.

Vibe Bistro’s art exhibition opens May 23, through Sunday, May 26. It features a special artist talk led by renowned curator Jowhari Trahan, a story on glass, and a mural unveiling by Richmond’s own Nakari Syon.

Additionally, the community is invited to immerse themselves in artistic expression throughout the week with art and craft classes.

Get ready for ‘Feature Fridays’ at Vibe Bistro, where they will showcase the culinary creations of local food businesses. This initiative is not just about food, it’s about fostering a spirit of collaboration and community.

All local businesses are invited to be part of this exciting journey, says Brown.

For more information, visit www.VibeBistro.com, sign up for the newsletter to stay connected, and follow all social media platforms at @TheVibeBistro.