The neon sign for Jupiter lights up the night. 
Image by pfeyh under Creative Commons

Jupiter: more than just a simple beerhouse

Jupiter is the giant, red-brick building at 2181 Shattuck Ave. The beerhouse has been brewing and serving beer since 1992. A lively garden grows in its large back patio. The building itself was erected sometime between 1868 and 1911, according to fire insurance maps. Although little is known of the Read More…

venus

Lemon ricotta hotcakes for brunch at Venus

Walking down Shattuck Avenue, I’ve passed Venus many times, but it never stood out to me, because I was always in a rush to go elsewhere. It wasn’t until my roommate gushed about how delicious brunch there was that I made a point to go there. Having arrived early, I Read More…

Chicharron sandwich - seasoned pork with crunchy red onion and cabbage between hot, buttery buns.

Goodbye to Brasa, the Peruvian ‘joint’

As both a freshman and a foodie, one of the first things I set out to do upon my arrival at Cal was to survey Berkeley’s local food scene, which I discovered is not only thriving but also growing. After scouring the likes of Yelp and Open Table, Brasa caught my Read More…

Asian Pearl

A relaxing moment with dim sum at Asian Pearl

Intense dim sum cravings require a certain quality of the doughy delicacy to satisfy. Dim sum is not just a meal or just some more Chinese food. It is a part of a weekly routine, a form of slowing down and relaxing. I will always remember my dad’s longtime college Read More…

Meat sambussas - sautéed beef, garlic, onions, red bell peppers and savory spices, wrapped in a thin pastry and deep-fried to perfection

Ethiopian favorites at Cafe Colucci

To say that I know anything about Ethiopian food would be an overstatement. My knowledge of food from this highly populated African country is pretty much nonexistent. But since I came to Berkeley, it’s all I seem to be hearing about. A few recommendations later, I found myself at Café Read More…

5963470722_0ae57632de_z

Ippuku: take a smoke break

On Center Street, a block from campus, a cloth with Japanese writing hanging in the doorway marks the entrance to Ippuku. This cloth, a cedar table and possibly a bartender standing behind a counter are the only street-front features that flag Ippuku as a restaurant. Instead, the facade of Ippuku Read More…

Asha Tea House, 2086 University Ave,  Berkeley

Get your tea fix fast and fresh at Asha Tea House

It is a hot, humid afternoon, and you and your friends are walking around Shattuck aimlessly. Or maybe it’s a cold evening and either your GSI has just slashed your grade, or your lover, your heart. What you want now is some steaming matcha, as thick as they can make Read More…

Oscar's Hot Dogs

Craving In-N-Out? Try Oscar’s

What sucks the most about not having a car in the Berkeley area? Not being able to easily get to In-N-Out. Relying on public transportation to take you out to Oakland or Richmond merely increases the craving for that burger that’s too delicious for words. The experience is miserable. But Read More…

Mac and cheese for days at Oakland’s Homeroom

If you’re a mac and cheese enthusiast, your response to the picture above may or may not have included drooling and crying tears of joy, followed by an awkwardly erotic food-gasm from this top-notch food porn. None of that soft-core Kraft bullsh*t. If you reacted in any of these ways, Read More…