{"id":923045,"date":"2017-12-17T00:22:05","date_gmt":"2017-12-16T21:22:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=923045"},"modified":"2017-12-17T00:22:05","modified_gmt":"2017-12-16T21:22:05","slug":"an-insiders-guide-to-berkeleys-best-food-coffee-lunch-dinner-and-ice-cream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=923045","title":{"rendered":"An Insider’s Guide to Berkeley’s Best Food: Coffee, Lunch, Dinner, and Ice Cream"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Food<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Why the Berkeley Food Tour Is My Favorite Holiday Tradition<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
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By <\/span>Madeleine Luckel<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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Brunch, featuring caf\u00e9 au lait and pancakes, at the Elmwood Cafe<\/span>Photo: Courtesy of Madeleine Luckel<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n
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When it comes to food and the holidays, most people eagerly anticipate the chance to have some home-cooked meals. Maybe it\u2019s all tied to your grandmother\u2019s famous lamb roast, which she only makes once a year. Or maybe, it\u2019s simply the opportunity to have someone else cook for you.<\/p>\n

Regardless, not many people associate the holidays with dining out. But every year, when I go home to Berkeley, California, I\u2019m laser-focused on going on my own self-guided food tour.<\/p>\n

Let me explain. It\u2019s not that my family members are bad cooks or that I don\u2019t appreciate it when they nicely make me a meal. But ever since I moved to the East Coast, there are just certain foods that I can\u2019t help but crave. In college, it was worse. But even in New York, I can\u2019t seem to find a really good burrito.<\/p>\n

By now, \u201cthe Berkeley Food Tour,\u201d as I like to call it, has snowballed into a tradition of its own. Relatives know it\u2019s a top priority. Friends on the East Coast ask once I\u2019m back how many of my favorites I got in. And as for my fellow Californians who I went to high school with? Let\u2019s just say that many of them are co-creators of the tour and that more often than not they\u2019re along for the ride.<\/p>\n

But beyond finally getting some authentic Mexican food, this so-called tour is really about visiting the city that I call home. It doesn\u2019t feel nostalgic when I stop in at one of my former haunts. Instead, going to these coffee shops and restaurants establishes that at least in some sense, these places still belong to me. This year, my boyfriend is visiting Berkeley for the first time. He\u2019s been warned (for a while) that the Food Tour is the main item on our itinerary. But whether or not I\u2019ll gain a new convert, at least we\u2019ll end up more than well-fed.<\/p>\n

Below, the official Berkeley Food Tour\u2014in case you are ever in town.<\/p>\n

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A Mint Mojito from Philz\u2019s Shattuck Avenue location.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Photo: Courtesy of Madeleine Luckel<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Coffee:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Philz Coffee<\/p>\n

Philz coffee shops may be cropping up all over the Bay Area, but the Shattuck Avenue location will nicely position you for the rest of any food-focused day. This laid-back business specializes in brewing individual cups of coffee that are tailor-made to fit each customer\u2019s needs. It may not be the place to go if you\u2019re craving a latte, but their iced coffee \u201cmint mojito\u201d can\u2019t be beat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Peet\u2019s Coffee<\/p>\n

By now, Peet\u2019s Coffee has spread all the way to Logan International Airport. But when they first opened their doors in 1966, their dark-brewed cups of joe were revolutionary for the U.S. Visit the original location on Vine Street for truly great espresso, and be sure to check out the small historical \u201cgallery\u201d in the back.<\/p>\n

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The backyard at La Note.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Photo: Courtesy of La Note Restaurant<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Brunch:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Elmwood Cafe<\/p>\n

In 2012, the closing of Cafe Fanny left a hole in Berkeley dwellers\u2019 hearts. And while Alice Waters\u2019s cafe is irreplaceable, the Elmwood Cafe comes pretty close. For brunch, be sure to order a caf\u00e9 au lait<\/em> and the seasonal pancakes. As an added bonus, this sunny corner restaurant, which features a yellow-striped awning and marble-topped tables, is attached to Mrs. Dalloway\u2019s, a bookstore that specializes in the gardening arts.<\/p>\n

La Note<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve likely been to a French restaurant for brunch. But at many such restaurants today, a true sense of regionalism is lost. La Note is different, thanks to its focus on Proven\u00e7al cuisine. And from its charming interior to its sunny backyard, you\u2019ll really feel like you\u2019re in the South of France. What\u2019s more, the items on the menu go well beyond your standard eggs-any-style and toast. Consider ordering a glass of strawberry milk and the Cote Est with the raspberry coulis.<\/p>\n

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Pizza at The Cheese Board Collective.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Photo: Courtesy of The Cheese Board Collective<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Lunch:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Cheese Board Collective<\/p>\n

If you go to any one place while you are in town, make sure that it is The Cheese Board. This collective bakery, cheese shop, and pizzeria has been run by its workers since 1971. As the heart of the so-called \u201cGourmet Ghetto\u201d (where you\u2019ll also find Philz, Peet\u2019s Coffee, Gr\u00e9goire, and the famed Chez Panisse), this establishment pulls people in. At the bakery and cheese shop, order a cheese roll. Then, get in line for a slice of pizza as a live jazz band plays just inside. Unlike your typical pizzeria, The Cheese Board\u2019s pizza branch makes only one\u2014vegetarian and sauce-less\u2014type of pie each day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Bakesale Betty<\/p>\n

Technically located in the Temescal neighborhood of Oakland, Bakesale Betty is another place where you can expect a virtual one-item menu and a really long line. The specialty here is the fried chicken sandwich, which many people credit with our current fried chicken craze. Added bonus: Bakesale Betty also makes a mean, not very lean, strawberry shortcake.<\/p>\n

Iyasare<\/p>\n

If you are looking for a somewhat nice sit-down lunch, try Fourth Street\u2019s Iyasare. The relatively new restaurant is at the heart of a bustling shopping district and is located in a beautiful building previously occupied by the now-closed restaurant O Cham\u00e9. Like its predecessor, Iyasare is a sushi-less, modern take on Japanese food. And while the ramen bowls are great, so are the sashimi salads and tempura wedges.<\/p>\n

To-Go Restaurants:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gr\u00e9goire<\/p>\n

This hole-in-the-wall features French cuisine to go. And while its changing menu always includes lots of delicious surprises, its beloved potato puffs are something of an institution. Consider grabbing just one order of those. With its seasonal aioli and adorable hexagonal paper box packaging, they look as good as they taste.<\/p>\n

Market Hall Foods (formerly The Pasta Shop)<\/p>\n

Market Hall Foods is a gourmet delicatessen, something like a non-chain version of Dean & DeLuca. During the holidays, it\u2019s a wonderland of specialty and beautifully wrapped chocolates. As for the prepared food offerings, its creamy polenta and chocolate pudding take the cake.<\/p>\n

Mexican Food:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cancun<\/p>\n

Northern California Mexican food is a category all its own. Case in point are the burritos, which typically come in \u201cregular\u201d and \u201csuper\u201d sizes. In Berkeley, many people swear by Gordo Taqueria, the place that inspired Dos Toros Taqueria. But Cancun\u2019s super burrito gets the same point across and does it with more flare. When you go, make sure to stop by the extensive salsa bar and get the pumpkin salsa.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Picante<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re in the mood for tacos, a plated dish, or just a great margarita, Picante is the place for you. Located in western Berkeley, this restaurant makes its own corn tortillas in-house and features great outdoor seating as well. The inside dining area can get a bit children\u2019s-sports-teams-heavy, but it\u2019s great for a casual birthday gathering or any other festive occasion.<\/p>\n

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Ice cream at Ici.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Photo: Courtesy of Ici Ice Cream<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Ice Cream:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ici<\/p>\n

Located down the block from the Elmwood Cafe, Ici was opened by an ice cream\u2013loving alum of Chez Panisse\u2019s pastry kitchen. While this is another spot where you can almost always count on a line, it\u2019s well worth the wait. Inside, you\u2019ll find some of the most unique, and constantly changing, flavors around. And what\u2019s more, the interior is a charming compilation of pastel colors and pre-packaged handmade sweets.<\/p>\n

Yogurt Park<\/p>\n

An oldie but goodie, this frozen yogurt joint opened near the UC Berkeley campus in the late 1970s. Meaning, it far predates the current frozen yogurt age we\u2019re living in. When you go, try all the flavors, and make sure to get a good topping. Cookie dough is a favorite, and will be incredibly filling even if you order a size \u201cmini.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dinner:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Corso<\/p>\n

For a special occasion, consider going to Corso, a modern Italian restaurant that is the opposite of stuffy. The menu features traditional \u201cprimi\u201d and \u201csecondi\u201d courses, as well as its fair share of pasta. Order the house chicken and consider a side of polenta.<\/p>\n

Chez Panisse<\/p>\n

For every vaguely American restaurant you\u2019ve ever been to that focuses on farm-to-table greens, you can thank Chez Panisse. Alice Waters\u2019s revolutionary restaurant is not only delicious, but it is also part of food history. The building itself, a two-story Craftsman-style tree house, is Berkeley at its best. And while technically there are two restaurants inside (one upstairs and one downstairs), at either place, you can\u2019t go wrong.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

Source URL: https:\/\/www.vogue.com\/article\/berkeley-california-food-tour-holiday-tradition<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Food Why the Berkeley Food Tour Is My Favorite Holiday Tradition By Madeleine Luckel December 16, 2017 Brunch, featuring caf\u00e9 au lait and pancakes, at the Elmwood CafePhoto: Courtesy of Madeleine Luckel When it comes to food and the holidays, most people eagerly anticipate the chance to have some home-cooked meals. Maybe it\u2019s all tied […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":923046,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[50],"class_list":["post-923045","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","tag-vogue-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/923045","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=923045"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/923045\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/923046"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=923045"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=923045"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=923045"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}