When many people hear I am from Oakland, their body language and facial expression show sympathy. We Oaklanders know what that’s about.

But when I say I'm from Montclair the response is more along the lines of, “Oh, Montclair ... it must be nice up there in the hills.”

It's unfortunate because Montclair in many ways reflects what we all love about Oakland. Emblematic of some of the things we love is Crogan’s at the corner of Lasalle and Mountain in Montclair Village.

Crogan’s restaurant and bar is just that - a restaurant with both a dining room and a bar. The bar is partitioned away from the dining room which is a good thing. The fare aligns itself roughly along the lines of what you might serve at home if you were planning a nice dinner for friends. That being said, you can also feel pretty comfortable bringing your kids here. Though not immediately obvious, Crogan’s is truly a local's haunt.

Like any other spot, you have your regulars, your regular regulars and your not-so-regulars (I fall into the latter category). The thing is that the bar still has that touch of Oakland grit, which seasons the fact that while yes, folks in and around the village might have extra “enz” so to speak, those “enz” have come from across the spectrum. There are contractors, janitors, doctors, lawyers, landscapers, raconteurs and trust fund beneficiaries (yes, this class still exists as well), all of whom patronize the Crogan's bar.

Like most other small businesses, Crogan’s has not been immune to the economic turns of the last several years.  Joe Hannon, a Crogan’s employee of 26 years, said even though people (including regulars) were coming in less frequently, in general, the mood of folks coming through was good. Manager Francisco Cervantes said that compared to three or four years ago, business was down somewhat; but compared to last year, 2010 was up.

So, if you want a taste of what’s what in Montclair Village, Crogan’s is probably your best bet.