Business

Oakland’s New ‘Roasted And Raw’ Restaurant Offers Delectable Healthy Delights

Those with salivating vegan appetites can email R&R@roastedraw2021@gmail.com or call ahead with orders to 415-658-5609. Roasted and Raw is open Thursday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for take-out orders and curbside pick-up only, due to current safety and health conditions.

Published

5 years ago

September 24, 2021

Isabelle Price

Chef Imani Greer at his restaurant near Jack London Square. Photo Credit: Imani Greer

Chef Imani Greer, a culinary entrepreneur, has created quite a stir — and menu — for the Bay Area’s vegan-loving community with the opening of his new Roasted and Raw (R&R) restaurant near Oakland’s Jack London Square.

Neighboring Bed, Bath & Beyond and across from Cost-Plus World Market at 550 2nd St., R&R offers clean, rustic and robust flavors in its vegan cuisine, and is already giving notable competition to some of Oakland’s best vegan-based restaurants.

Greer pondered on how he could make good, healthy food for customers without them focusing on the fact that it’s vegan, and he encourages people to make healthy choices including adding much more plant-based ingredients in foods on a daily basis.

“We sometimes get caught up in titles, positions, and using buzz words rather than actually focusing on being healthy,” said Greer. “If calling yourself vegan to hold you accountable to be healthy, then by all means, go vegan. For me, it’s not so much of a philosophy but a lifestyle change, that’s important.”

R&R’s most popular dish is its chiro empanadas by far, according to Greer, and black bean burgers come in as a close second, as well as the chipotle peppers and spices. “Thirty to 40% of our business is foods that are Latino-inspired which makes our Taco Tuesdays a popular event,” noted Greer.

“All of our dishes and bowls are healthy and flavorful whether they are plant-based or not. It is our goal to provide perfect food and perfect service.”

Eating processed foods, fried foods and heavy meats on a daily, meal-to-meal basis is a choice that can impact your health. “I encourage people to look for foods that will help improve your body and lifestyle, and to incorporate it pretty aggressively.”

Greer also pointed out how eating and dietary habits handed down by elders can be re-examined in light of nutrition and modern medicine. “We, as a people, need to look back at our culture in terms of what is good and not good for us. We are prone to high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity, and in the past, we haven’t always had the opportunity to concentrate on eating healthy. In the beginning, our ancestors did because they farmed their own food and it was always fresh, from sweet potatoes, black-eyed peas, greens, cabbage, and other foods from the earth.”

“We have to look at the way we process food today, and look at where it comes from, and how it’s made, and the amount we eat,” said Greer. “Meat, for instance, wasn’t meant to be served in 12 or 24 ounces, and your stomach can only process four ounces or less of protein during a daily meal. And when you go to other countries and cultures, it’s like; you don’t sit down and have a T-bone steak added to the other things on your plate. You can only do that in America.”

Greer already has plans for future expansion. “On average, it takes about three to five years to expand from a pop-up concept to brick-and-mortar,” said Greer. “My No. 1 goal is to expand this business. We are fast-fracking and look to grow our restaurant within a year from now. By 2022, we hope to open up in the Uptown area. Our goal is to stay in Oakland, offering Oakland healthy plant-based bowls, along with burgers, empanadas, pastas made from scratch that we can be proud of.”

Isabelle Price

Posts by Isabelle Price

Up Next

Barbara Lee Celebrates Local Entrepreneurs, Vows to Continue Fighting for Recovery during National Small Business Week

Don't Miss

Mayor Breed, S.F. Airport Announce Vaccination Requirement for All Airport Workers

Isabelle Price

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

Published

3 days ago

July 5, 2026

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Arts and Culture

Prescott Circus Theatre Presents Free Summer Performance Series

Now in its 41st year, the Prescott Circus Theatre is a nationally recognized performing arts education program for Oakland youth. The circus offers safe environments that challenge Oakland youth, through circus arts training, to develop the skills and confidence to thrive on stage, in school, and in life.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Prescott Circus showcase pathways pyramid. Photo courtesy of Prescott Circus.

By Post Staff

The Prescott Circus, Oakland’s longest-running youth circus, is returning this summer with its free shows. Join the Prescott Circus’s young stars as they share their joys and talents through stilt-dancing, tumbling, juggling, and more.

At the heart of this one-hour show, which demonstrates teamwork, pride, and joy, are Oakland Unified School District students ages 8 – 17 from more than 10 different schools

This is accomplished through no-cost school and community programs for more than 300 Oakland youth each year. Performing company members from Prescott, where the program began, perform and make appearances at as many as 40 Bay Area events each year.

The summer program is funded in part by Oakland Fund for Children and Youth, California Arts Council, Port of Oakland, and the West Davis & Bergard Foundation.

Performances will be held Tuesday, July 14, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (ASL interpreted) and Wednesday, July 15, 11 a.m., at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. For free reservations go to

https://PrescottCircusSummerShows.eventbrite.com

For group reservations for camps, childcare centers, senior centers, go to www.prescottcircus.org

A community show will be held Saturday, July 18, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., at DeFremery Park,1651 Adeline St., Oakland.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

NPRC Joins National Grand Jury Proceedings Seeking Accountability, Constitutional Restoration

Organizers state that testimony will explore historical and political developments that they believe have contributed to the expansion of corporate influence over public institutions and governmental decision-making. Participants are expected to discuss concerns regarding constitutional governance, individual liberties, property rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations, including seniors and persons with disabilities.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Photo by Billie Powers.

Special to The Post

The National Probate Reform Coalition (NPRC) has joined Toll and Roll and a growing coalition of advocacy organizations, victims, whistleblowers, and citizen groups in support of a nationally broadcast People’s Grand Jury proceeding scheduled for July 1 and July 7.

Organizers describe the event as a public forum designed to examine allegations of government abuse, judicial misconduct, legislative failures, and the erosion of constitutional protections affecting millions of Americans.

The proceedings will feature testimony from victims, families, advocates, and organizations from across the country who contend they have experienced harm through government actions, institutional neglect, and failures of oversight.

According to organizers, the People’s Grand Jury will focus on concerns involving probate courts, guardianships, conservatorships, child welfare systems, property rights, civil liberties, and what participants view as a growing disconnect between government institutions and the constitutional rights of the people they are sworn to serve.

NPRC is participating because many of the issues being examined mirror the concerns raised by advocates, victims, and families who have participated in its monthly town halls. For years, families have reported cases involving exploitation of elders, questionable guardianships, estate depletion, denial of due process, and a lack of meaningful oversight within probate court systems.

“This proceeding gives victims and advocates an opportunity to place their experiences on the public record,” said Tanya Dennis, lead facilitator of NPRC. “For too long, families have struggled to have their voices heard regarding elder abuse, probate exploitation, and government inaction. This forum allows those stories to be shared before a national audience.”

In keeping with principles of transparency and fairness, invitations have been extended to legislators, members of the judiciary, law enforcement representatives, and other public officials who may wish to respond to concerns raised during the proceedings or defend actions taken by their respective institutions.

One of the primary outcomes sought by organizers is public consideration and support for the People’s Remedy and Restoration Act, a proposed legislative framework that advocates believe would strengthen oversight, increase accountability, provide remedies for victims of governmental abuse, and restore constitutional protections.

The proceedings are expected to be broadcast nationally, providing citizens throughout the United States an opportunity to observe testimony, review evidence presented, and participate in an ongoing conversation regarding government accountability and the protection of individual rights.

Advocates hope the hearings will encourage meaningful dialogue, legislative reform, and renewed public engagement in the democratic process.

Individuals, organizations, public officials, and members of the media interested in attending or obtaining access information may contact the organizers at tollandroll2025@gmail.com.

As Americans continue to debate the future of constitutional governance, judicial accountability, and the protection of vulnerable citizens, the July proceedings are expected to serve as a significant forum for public testimony and civic engagement. For more information, go to https://tollandroll.com