Where Oakland's Uptown neighborhood meets Pill Hill, you'll find a low-key, friendly hangout that's perfect for meeting friends, enjoying a reasonably priced casual meal or cup of coffee or savoring a pint of Strongbow or Guinness drawn in British style.

It's the CommonWealth Cafe and Public House, at 2882 Telegraph. Here's why it's one of my favorite places to chill out in Oakland.

Since the CommonWealth opened in May 2010, it's attracted a growing stream of regular patrons from the surrounding neighborhood. This place is more about day life than nightlife.

The popular pub and eatery is open from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner from a short but hearty menu. The sound level is always fine for conversation - except maybe during a major international soccer (excuse me, "football") tournament.

Right now, the best way to find out what's happening or being served at the pub is the CommonWealth Facebook page. Its new website, CmonOakland, is due to launch soon.

The pub's flavor is definitely British. One of the three co-owners, chef Ross Adair, learned to prepare traditional foods of the British Isles while growing up in Scotland. A few years ago, Adair and his wife Ahna relocated to Oakland from Grand Junction, Colorado (where they ran the Kannah Creek Brewing Co.), so Ahna could attend the California College of the Arts.

Pete Jeffryes (the pub's third co-owner and Ahna's brother) said that after his sister earned her degree, he got a call in Taiwan, where he was living at the time.

"Ross said, 'It's time to do it.' So I came right out," Jeffryes said.

According to Jeffryes, "The CommonWealth is becoming exactly what we wanted. It's a 'public house' in the true sense - a place for locals, travelers, friends and colleagues to hang out. I know half the people who come here by first name, and our prices are low. It's not an 'occasion' stop - it's an 'anytime' place."

Among the pub's most popular meals are:

• Breakfast sandwich: eggs, bacon and cheddar on whole grain bread
• Homemade scones with Devonshire cream (all day)
• Curried split pea soup with bacon
• Ham and cheese toasty (toasted sandwich) with homemade onion marmalade
• Shepherd's pie
• Beef and ale stew

Many dishes are served with British HP sauce.

"It's like A1, but even better," Jeffreys explained. The CommonWealth also features coffee by Emeryville's Roast Coffee Co.

Many musicians and artists who live along Telegraph frequent this pub, as well as doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals from the nearby hospitals. The appeal of the CommonWealth also crosses generational lines: dinnertime often draws families with kids, as well as seniors. Free WiFi attracts digital nomads of all ages all day.

So far the CommonWealth has not focused much on events, but has had well-attended gatherings to watch football. It also hosted a "listening party" where staff and patrons listened to and discussed a newly-released album by the Akron Family.

"That band has a lot of friends in the local music community, so it was a lot of fun especially for people into the music scene here," Jeffreys said.

Also, during last year's World Cup, the CommonWealth was packed from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. with sports fans watching and cheering the games. Similarly, the World Series brought out lots of baseball fans.

But for me, what does it is the Strongbow Cider - served on tap and glowing warm amber. I got hooked on this tart drink while studying in London many years ago, and it's a great alternative to beer. That, and the dependable WiFi. And the friendly staff and clientele. And the ample bike parking on the side of the pub ...