Agave Uptown

The Diaz family first opened Agave in Healdsburg and also runs Casa del Mole, a market and taqueria. The Oakland spot sits on the ground floor of the Kapor Center for Social Impact, whose founders encouraged Diaz to open there. The room has big open windows, an open kitchen, a full bar, a private dining room and a mural by Diaz's uncle showing agave plants, textiles and a jackrabbit.

The mole negro follows a recipe from the chef's grandmother. Mezcal comes the traditional way, as a shot with orange wedges and agave worm salt, or in house cocktails, next to Mexican craft beers, Sonoma County wines and house-made ginger beer.