The Pleasure Principle

11/19/2024

New Fall/Winter 2024 - 2025 menu item! ⚠️ 📢 🚨

Scallop crudo with blood orange-passionfruit coconut levhe de tigre, blood orange segments + onion sprouts.

It is so good.

11/19/2024

New Fall/Winter 2024 - 2025 menu item! ⚠️ 📢 🚨

Chocolate Coconut Tres Leches Cake. 🍫 🥥

It is so good!

11/19/2024

New Fall Winter 2024 - 2025 menu item! ⚠️ 📢 🚨

House made smoked duck sausage with hazelnuts, and juniper served over berry shrub compote + herby raita.

It is so good.

10/11/2024

Join us in supporting local farms and thriving communities at Sunday Supper: A Farm to City Feast at the on October 20! 🥂✨ Enjoy an abundant walkaround reception and elegant four-course dinner, featuring 30 top restaurants and the freshest fall produce.

I am delighted to number among so many talented Bay Area chefs and CANNOT BELIEVE I get to prepare a meal with Geoff from and Kristina from !! Excuse me??!! When I'm lucky, I scream it, and I'M LUCKY!!!

In addition to this being an absolutely fabulous meal, proceeds provide vital funds for Foodwise farmers markets, food access initiatives, and education programs, and also support our restaurant community.

🎟️ Check out the lineup and reserve your seat today: foodwise.org/supper

10/01/2024

It's International Coffee Day (Oct 1)! 

What better way to honor everyone's favorite drink than with a fresh cup of coffee from 's selection of premium roasts sourced from around the globe?

Which brew will you be enjoying?

Here are some easy headlines to grab:

    •    King’s Prize (Ethiopia): A regal medium roast sourced from the birthplace of coffee. Feature flavors of white peach, honeysuckle, and melon.
    •    Motherland (Burundi): A medium roast with hints of clementine, hibiscus, and candied ginger. 
    •    Carver’s Dream (Burundi & Guatemala): Perfectly roasted for a smooth, strong espresso with chocolatey notes.
    •    Congo Limited Release (Democratic Republic of the Congo): Our newest single-origin, medium-light roast with nectarine, pink lady apple, and black tea notes.
    •    Canned Cold Brews: Take this coffee on the go! Available in a non-dairy oat milk option and in delicious flavors like Cold Black Coffee, Vanilla,  and Mocha.
    •    Or, stop by one of the  Red Bay Coffee Cafes to enjoy freshly brewed coffee, along with seasonal favorites like the Candied Yam Latte 🍠 😋 ☕️

09/19/2024

Bring a friend or 10 to one of our favorite places in The Bay!

We're serving some classics with Hammerling's DELICIOUS wines!

Apparently it's Fall. Or, Fall is coming. So, as with fashion, it's time to let the season shine through our food. So, we're doing POLENTA BOWLS y MAS! And because we're in denial about the conclusion of our favorite season, expect to see some continued celebration of the late-summer's harvest; corn, tomatoes, stonefruit, etc;

Check out the menu we've curated to celebrate the coming Autumn Equinox:

• Polenta Bowls
add braised oxtails, braised jerk chicken or curry chana-kale + delicious herbs, roasted tomatoes, charred corn & accoutrements

• Quesadillas
see above for protein and veg options - vegan options available too!

• Oxtail Yakamein
our version of a NOLA classic made with rich roasted oxtail broth + oxtail demi, lots of bright herbs + chow mein noodles. Add an egg to it!

• As always our savory Caribbean pastries will be available for your on-site or to-go DELIGHT including Oxtail Philly and Curry Beef & Lamb, Vegan Caribbean, our new Sweet Plantain, and the continued run of our sweet, summer Peach Cobbler!

Now you've got weekend plans! Come through and vibe out with us for a spell, for a while, for the whole afternoon - Hammerling's gorgeous space is perfect for families, friend hangs, dates, awkward reunions - ALL ARE WELCOME and we'd love to see your faces!

We hope to see you there!

Other Upcoming Events by The Pleasure Principle:
We're back on September 28th with the good folks at Foodwise (https://foodwise.org/) with their Popups on The Plaza Series (https://foodwise.org/events/pop-ups-on-the-plaza-fall-kickoff/) . Joins us and other fabulous Bay-based makers at the SF Ferry Building from 9 am - 2 pm!

And, exciting news is on the horizon! Keep an eye out around mid-October (I know, we've pushed it back) for a special announcement that will leave you craving more of The Pleasure Principle.

AND... we've got Ox Broth for sale!

You should grab a quart or two - it is SO GOOD!

Book your Autumnal Private Dining Event with us!

Can't make our events but still want some PLEASURE in your life?

Order something from our to-go menu!

Pickups are every Wednesday from
5pm - 7pm.

Caribbean pastries, punches and pepper sauces? Sounds like a PATTY PARTY!

We're still here because of YOU!

THANK YOU.

With love,
Chef Christina

Click here for an update from The Pleasure Principle Supperclub & Dining Events!

09/03/2024

Waiting to Oxtail , our '90s RNBrunch is this Sunday, September 8th at Red Bay HQ and, you guessed it - it's a celebration of oxtail - cue the YESSSSSSSSSSS!

"Friends are the people who let you be yourself... and never let you forget it".

That's a very cutesy, very mindful quote from the movie and we'd like to add:
friends are also the people you eat the most delicious foods with. Bring them and join us for a truly yummy brunch menu set to a '90s playlist that'll have you crooning aloud: 🎵 No, I'm not gon cry, I'm not gon cry, I'm not gon shed ONE TEAR 🎶

Check out the menu we've curated to celebrate this inaugural brunch, this Sunday, September 8th, from 11am - 3pm at Red Bay HQ, 3136 International Blvd. in Oakland, CA. And yes, we will have vegan and vegetarian options for our non-meat eaters!

• Oxtail Cook-up Croquettes
Patties made with coconut rice, braised oxtail, bell peppers and onions served with a creole remoulade. Add an egg to it!

• Oxtail Alcapurrias
Sweet plantain fritters spiked with braised oxtail meat. Served with a spicy avocado dipping sauce. Add an egg to it!

• Oxtail Polenta
Rich, creamy smoked provolone polenta with braised oxtail + crispy alliums and herb bounty. Add an egg to it!

• Oxtail Yakamein
our version of a NOLA classic made with rich roasted oxtail gravy, lots of bright herbs + chow mein noodles. Add an egg to it!

• As always our savory Caribbean pastries will be available for your on-site or to-go DELIGHT including Oxtail Philly and Curry Beef & Lamb, Vegan Caribbean, our new Sweet Plantain, and the continued run of our sweet, summer Peach Cobbler!

• We'll also have mimosa, beer and wine ticket sales available!

Now you've got weekend plans! Come through and vibe out with us for a spell, for a while, for the whole afternoon - Red Bay HQ's gorgeous space is perfect for families, friend hangs, dates, awkward reunions - ALL ARE WELCOME and we'd love to see your faces!

RSVP here (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1008020545587?aff=oddtdtcreator) , so we know you're coming!

We hope to see you there!

Other Upcoming Events by The Pleasure Principle:
We're back on September 28th with the good folks at Foodwise (https://foodwise.org/) with their Popups on The Plaza Series (https://foodwise.org/events/pop-ups-on-the-plaza-fall-kickoff/) . Joins us and other fabulous Bay-based makers at the SF Ferry Building from 9 am - 2 pm!

And, exciting news is on the horizon! Keep an eye out around mid-September for a special announcement that will leave you craving more of The Pleasure Principle.

Other Upcoming Events by Friends of The Pleasure Principle:
The amazing people at the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center are hosting a Bloom Ball (https://www.gala.btwcsc.org/) to fundraise for their fantastic organization! All tickets sales and proceeds directly benefit their food justice, community wellness and stabilization programs for SF's most vulnerable residents; primarily elderly, Black residents. It also happens to be an absolutely FABULOUS event so if you can support, please do and come party with us! Let's wear ball gowns, tuxes and sneakers and DANCE OUR BUTTS OFF while celebrating and supporting our communities. Purchase tix here (https://www.gala.btwcsc.org/) .

Can't make our events but still want some PLEASURE in your life?

Order something from our to-go menu!

Pickups are every Wednesday from
5pm - 7pm.

Caribbean pastries, punches and pepper sauces? Sounds like a PATTY PARTY!

We're still here because of YOU!

THANK YOU.

With love,
Chef Christina

Click here for an update from The Pleasure Principle Supperclub & Dining Events!

08/30/2024

Our final pop-up of the month falls on the last day of the month! Join us at Hammerling this Saturday for Alcapurrias y mas!

We're back at Hammerling this Saturday - with the new release of our new signature menu item: ALCAPURRIAS!!!

We're back at Hammerling again this Saturday, August 31st from 2pm - 7pm!

And we're back with the debut of our new signature menu item: ALCAPURRIAS! Where my Boriquas at?!
Alcapurrias are a delicious, slightly sweet, savory meat (and veggie) filled plantain fritter (GF, by the way) that hail in origin from Puerto Rico but proliferate the burroughs of New York and Paseo Boriqua in Chicago. We're serving ours with our signature aged jerk sauce and if you've never had one - you gotta try ours! As is to be expected with flavor profiles by The Pleasure Principle, expect an explosively bright, savory and indulgent snacking experience. We're also bringing along some our other signature menu items so stop by for a glass of wine and bite or grab a bottle and order to-go; however you can show up, we're grateful if you do!

Check out the rest of the menu available this Saturday, August 31st, from 2pm - 7pm at Hammerling Wines in Berkeley:

• Dirty Rice Arancini with dill raita
Garlic rice with CreamCo beef, truffle chicken liver mousse, smoked provolone and mozzerella cheese. Deep fried crispy deliciousness.

• As always our savory Caribbean pastries will be available for your on-site or to-go DELIGHT including Oxtail Philly and Curry Beef & Lamb, Vegan Caribbean, our new Sweet Plantain, and the continued run of our sweet, summer Peach Cobbler!

Now you've got weekend plans! Come through and vibe out with us for a spell, for a while, for the whole afternoon - Hammerling's gorgeous space is perfect for families, friend hangs, dates, awkward reunions - ALL ARE WELCOME and we'd love to see your faces!

We hope to see you there!

Other Upcoming Events by The Pleasure Principle:
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds one last time tomorrow at our pop-up event! Join us for a culinary experience to remember before we take a brief break from pop-ups. But fear not, we're back on September 28th with the good folks at Foodwise (https://foodwise.org/) with their Popups on The Plaza Series (https://foodwise.org/events/pop-ups-on-the-plaza-fall-kickoff/) . Joins us and other fabulous Bay-based makers at the SF Ferry Building from 9 am - 2 pm!

And, exciting news is on the horizon! Keep an eye out around mid-September for a special announcement that will leave you craving more of The Pleasure Principle.

Other Upcoming Events by Friends of The Pleasure Principle:
The amazing people at the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center are hosting a Bloom Ball (https://www.gala.btwcsc.org/) to fundraise for their fantastic organization! All tickets sales and proceeds directly benefit their food justice, community wellness and stabilization programs for SF's most vulnerable residents; primarily elderly, Black residents. It also happens to be an absolutely FABULOUS event so if you can support, please do and come party with us! Let's wear ball gowns, tuxes and sneakers and DANCE OUR BUTTS OFF while celebrating and supporting our communities. Purchase tix here (https://www.gala.btwcsc.org/) .

Can't make our events but still want some PLEASURE in your life?

Order something from our to-go menu!

Pickups are every Wednesday from
5pm - 7pm.

Caribbean pastries, punches and pepper sauces? Sounds like a PATTY PARTY!

We're still here because of YOU!

THANK YOU.

With love,
Chef Christina

Click here for an update from The Pleasure Principle Supperclub & Dining Events!

08/21/2024

August pop-ups continue! Join us at Hammerling this Saturday for Wine and Tings!

We're back at Hammerling this Saturday - with the summer release of our peach & nectarine cobbler hand pies and other delicious treats!

We're back at Hammerling again this Saturday, August 24th from 2pm - 8pm!

We're honoring some truly perfect midsummer produce this month; including PEACHES. We kept it simple and did as my late Grandma Doris would: made a cobbler filling and put it in our vegan puff pastry so you can enjoy a handheld peach cobbler experience! We've even made a delicious coconut whipped cream to make the experience that much yummier. They're available this Saturday at our pop-up at Hammerling and then after that until the season ends on our to-go menu!

Check out the rest of the menu available this Saturday, August 24th, from 2pm - 8pm at Hammerling Wines in Berkeley (in our previous email, this date mistakenly read August 14th):

• Dirty Rice Arancini with dill raita
Garlic rice with CreamCo beef, truffle chicken liver mousse, smoked provolone and mozzerella cheese. Deep fried crispy delciousness.

• Summer Veg Latkes with dill raita + pikliz
Summer squash, carrots and herbs in a crispy patty served with creamy yogurt sauce and spicy Haitian-style pickled cabbage.

• As always our savory Caribbean pastries will be available for your on-site or to-go DELIGHT including Oxtail Philly and Curry Beef & Lamb, Vegan Caribbean and the debut of our sweet, summer Peach Cobbler!

Now you've got weekend plans! Come through and vibe out with us for a spell, for a while, for the whole afternoon - Hammerling's gorgeous space is perfect for families, friend hangs, dates, awkward reunions - ALL ARE WELCOME and we'd love to see your faces.

We hope to see you there!

Mark your calendars for the rest of our upcoming Summer Events:

• Resident pop-ups at Hammerling WInes in Berkeley; August 24th & August 31st

Can't make our events but still want some PLEASURE in your life?

Order something from our to-go menu!

Pickups are every Wednesday from
5pm - 7pm.

Caribbean pastries, punches and pepper sauces? Sounds like a PATTY PARTY!

We're still here because of YOU!

THANK YOU.

With love,
Chef Christina

Click here for an update from The Pleasure Principle Supperclub & Dining Events!

08/21/2024

August pop-ups continue! Join us at Hammerling this Saturday for Wine and Tings!

We're back at Hammerling this Saturday - with the summer release of our peach & nectarine cobbler hand pies and other delicious treats!

We're back at Hammerling again this Saturday, August 24th from 2pm - 8pm!

We're honoring some truly perfect midsummer produce this month; including PEACHES. We kept it simple and did as my late Grandma Doris would: made a cobbler filling and put it in our vegan puff pastry so you can enjoy a handheld peach cobbler experience! We've even made a delicious coconut whipped cream to make the experience that much yummier. They're available this Saturday at our pop-up at Hammerling and then after that until the season ends on our to-go menu!

Check out the rest of the menu available this Saturday, August 14th, from 2pm - 8pm at Hammerling Wines in Berkeley.

• Dirty Rice Arancini with dill raita
Garlic rice with CreamCo beef, truffle chicken liver mousse, smoked provolone and mozzerella cheese. Deep fried crispy delciousness.

• Summer Veg Latkes with dill raita + pikliz
Summer squash, carrots and herbs in a crispy patty served with creamy yogurt sauce and spicy Haitian-style pickled cabbage.

• As always our savory Caribbean pastries will be available for your on-site or to-go DELIGHT including Oxtail Philly and Curry Beef & Lamb, Vegan Caribbean and the debut of our sweet, summer Peach Cobbler!

Now you've got weekend plans! Come through and vibe out with us for a spell, for a while, for the whole afternoon - Hammerling's gorgeous space is perfect for families, friend hangs, dates, awkward reunions - ALL ARE WELCOME and we'd love to see your faces.

We hope to see you there!

Mark your calendars for the rest of our upcoming Summer Events:

• Resident pop-ups at Hammerling WInes in Berkeley; August 24th & August 31st

Can't make our events but still want some PLEASURE in your life?

Order something from our to-go menu!

Pickups are every Wednesday from
5pm - 7pm.

Caribbean pastries, punches and pepper sauces? Sounds like a PATTY PARTY!

We're still here because of YOU!

THANK YOU.

With love,
Chef Christina

Click here for an update from The Pleasure Principle Supperclub & Dining Events!

08/01/2024

Our Summer Pop-up Series continues this weekend and for the rest of August! We hope we get to see you!

We're back at Hammerling this Saturday - with the summer release of our peach & nectarine cobbler hand pies! Turn down for what?!

You read that right! We're just going to keep turning up the SUMMER FLAVORS on our menus because with the bounty so graciously available to us here in California, why would we ever turn them down?

As some of you may know, your dear Chef Christina is not originally from the Bay. While it is the only other place I've ever lived long enough to actually call home, I'm originally from Chicago - the good ol' Midwest. And while the Midwest has seasonal treats to be proud of, let's be honest, California is a seasonally focused chef's DREAM COME TRUE. The sheer biodiversity of the terroir here yields so many delights that we as chefs get to honor and that we all get to enjoy.

We're honoring some truly perfect midsummer produce this month; including PEACHES. We kept it simple and did as my late Grandma Doris would: made a cobbler filling and put it in our vegan puff pastry so you can enjoy a handheld peach cobbler experience! They're available this Saturday at our pop-up at Hammerling and then after that until the season ends on our to-go menu!

Check out the rest of the menu available this Saturday, August 3rd, from 2pm - 6pm at Hammerling Wines in Berkeley.

• Jerk Elotes with roasted tomato-jerk aioli, queso añejo, lime + smoked chili (GF, Vegetarian)

• Curry Tofu & Jerk Mushroom bowls over garlic rice with roasted tomatoes + pikliz (Vegan)

• As always our savory Caribbean pastries will be available for your on-site or to-go DELIGHT including Oxtail Philly and Jerk Chicken and the debut of our sweet, summer Peach Cobbler!

Now you've got weekend plans! Come through and vibe out with us for a spell, for a while, for the whole afternoon - Hammerling's gorgeous space is perfect for families, friend hangs, dates, awkward reunions - ALL ARE WELCOME and we'd love to see your faces.

We hope to see you there!

Mark your calendars for the rest of our upcoming Summer Events:

• Anniversary Party Pop-up at Out of the Barrel Brewery in San Carlos, August 17th, from 12pm - 6pm

• Resident pop-ups at Hammerling WInes in Berkeley; August 24th & August 31st

Can't make our events but still want some PLEASURE in your life?

Order something from our to-go menu!

Pickups are every Wednesday from
5pm - 7pm.

Caribbean pastries, punches and pepper sauces? Sounds like a PATTY PARTY!

We're still here because of YOU!

THANK YOU.

With love,
Chef Christina

Click here for an update from The Pleasure Principle Supperclub & Dining Events!

07/27/2024

Support local always.

Support your local pop-up chefs and businesses when you can. Setting up shop/a kitchen and/or prep stations in the wild is, well, WILD.

You're left to the mercy of the elements and infrastructure, all while trying to positively promote to deliver an experience you can't necessarily count on being able to deliver. But, we leap - hoping there will be a familiar or supportive face(s) to make the leap (and work) just a little easier and very much worth it.

We love y'all and will not stop participating in the culture that makes The Bay, specifically the East Bay, as fu***ng cool as it is. 🫶🏽✨️📈😘

07/27/2024

This is a pepper sauce appreciation post. 🌶 🫑 🥭

Have you tried any of our pepper sauces? Lots of you know about our Signature Aged Jerk Hot Sauce - it's such a sultry, complex, explosively bright, and frankly, addictive sauce. But that's not the only one in our arsenal. Here's the full line-up;

🌶 Signature Aged Jerk Hot Sauce
🌶 Passionfruit-Aji Amarillo Hot Sauce
🌶 Champagne Mango-Passionfruit Hot Sauce
🌿 Chermoula Chimichurri

Did you also know that all of the above can be ordered via our to-go ? 🔥 🔥 🔥

Well, now you know ✌🏽

07/27/2024

The Pleasure Principle is bringing Summer Tings to Hammerling tomorrow - join us!

We're back at one of our favorite Summer hangs this weekend!

We hope you'll join us at Hammerling Wines tomorrow (Saturday, July 27th)! We'll be there from 12pm - 6pm/sellout with our EXPLOSIVELY delicious Afro-Caribbean food, celebrating the summer bounty in California. Here's the drool-worthy menu:

• Jerk Elotes (GF) with roasted tomato-jerk aioli, queso añejo, lime + smoked chili

• Oxtail Phillys with braised oxtail, house-made whiz, smoked provolone + mozzarella cheese, bell peppers, onions and herbs on Acme herb roll served with a side of pikliz

• Curry Tofu & Jerk Mushroom bowls over garlic rice with pikliz (Vegan)

• As always our savory Caribbean pastries will be available for your on-site or to-go DELIGHT!

Now you've got weekend plans! Come through and vibe out with us for a spell, for a while, for the whole afternoon - Hammerling's gorgeous space is perfect for families, friend hangs, dates, awkward reunions - ALL ARE WELCOME and we'd love to see your faces.

We hope to see you there!

Mark your calendars for the rest of our upcoming Summer Events:

STAY TUNED FOR OUR AUGUST LINE-UP OF EVENTS AS WELL AS THE RETURN OF OUR BWS SUPPERCLUB DINNER SERIES (you won't want to miss the next one, titled 'CAKEWALK').

Can't make our events but still want some PLEASURE in your life?

Order something from our to-go menu!

Pickups are every Wednesday from
5pm - 7pm.

Caribbean pastries, punches and pepper sauces? Sounds like a PATTY PARTY!

We're still here because of YOU!

THANK YOU.

With love,
Chef Christina

Click here for an update from The Pleasure Principle Supperclub & Dining Events!

07/25/2024

Jerk Elotes!
Oxtail Phillys!
Curry Bowls!
Caribbean Pastries!

This Saturday, July 27th, come thru for Summer Tings at Hammerling at in from 12p - 6/ sellout!

Join us!

07/10/2024

Get Settled into Summer with The Pleasure Principle and our ROBUST line-up of sunny weather events!

We're back at one of our favorite Summer hangs this weekend!

We hope you found some liberation this past Juneteenth and ALWAYS.

As promised, our offerings of liberation come in the form of creating great space for us all. YOU bring the vibes, WE"LL bring the tasty tings to eat!

This Saturday, July 13th, we're back at HAMMERLING WINES in Berkeley! From noon - 6pm (or sellout), we'll be vending our delicious Afro-Caribbean food, with touches from the bounty of the beautiful Californian summer harvest! Expect bright, bold and dynamic flavors in our pop-up menu below. If you've tried us, you know. If you haven't yet - what are you waiting for?!

We hope to see you there!

Mark your calendars for the rest of our upcoming Summer Events:

• We're delighted to partner with Humble Sea (https://humblesea.com/) in Alameda this month! On Sunday, July 21st, from 12pm - 6pm, we'll be popping up at this super cute and fun brewery in Alameda (come through, island tings)! Our Caribbean flavors pair perfectly with their fabulous beers that give us coastal & island vibes every time we drink it. What, with beers with names like Socks and Sandals, TPP x Humble Sea just makes sense.

• And, because we LOVE IT THERE SO MUCH, we're back at Hammerling Wines for a second time in July! Saturday, July 27th from 12pm - 6pm (or sellout). The Pleasure Principle will be vending our signature Caribbean flavors. Stay tuned for the menu announcement and preordering options (we sellout fast at these events)!

STAY TUNED FOR OUR AUGUST LINE-UP OF EVENTS AS WELL AS THE RETURN OF OUR BWS SUPPERCLUB DINNER SERIES (you won't want to miss the next one, titled 'CAKEWALK').

Can't make our events but still want some PLEASURE in your life?

Order something from our to-go menu!

Pickups are every Wednesday from
5pm - 7pm.

Caribbean pastries, punches and pepper sauces? Sounds like a PATTY PARTY!

We're still here because of YOU!

THANK YOU.

With love,
Chef Christina

Click here for an update from The Pleasure Principle Supperclub & Dining Events!

06/20/2024

This Sunday we're serving
BLUE 💙🔵 PLATE 🍽 SPECIALS!!! ✨️
• Jerk Chicken
• Jerk Shrimp
• Jerk Mushroom (maitake, oyster, and trumpet)

All plates come with coconut rice and peas, pickled peach salad , yogurt raita, and herb bounty!

We'll also have rice with oxtail gravy and, of course, a variety of our signature, savory, Caribbean pastries!

We hope you'll join us for 's very cute, very vibey SIP & SWAP event from 12pm-6pm. In addition to our delicious food, Hammerling's wines are fabulous, and did we mention there's going to be a SPRITZ BAR??!! We'll be 1 day into the SUMMER ☀️ SOLSTICE and 23 days into PRIDE MONTH 🌈 🏳️‍🌈 and we can't wait to celebrate with you all. 🥂