Restaurant owners voiced concerns that if the quota were relaxed, other restaurants would enter an already competitive environment, which would hurt their businesses. Multiple restaurant owners, including those of Gypsy’s Trattoria Italiana and Pappy’s Grill and Sports Bar, spoke at the meeting in opposition to removing the system.

“I strongly disagree with the proposal,” said Jahanshah Jowharchi, owner of Gypsy’s. “Our restaurant has suffered tremendously in the last two years … Many of us are going out of business due to overpopulation of restaurants.”

Currently, the city has quotas limiting the number of businesses, such as restaurants, barber shops and gift shops, that operate in the Telegraph commercial area. The proposal, if approved, would relax the restaurant quota system for the next three years.

Alex Popov, manager of Pappy’s, initiated a petition against removing the quota system. He also created the Telegraph Restaurant Association last week to voice the sentiments of local restaurant owners.

Thai Basil, CREAM and La Burrita are among 34 local restaurants that have signed the petition in favor of keeping the quotas.

“When I explained to (business owners) the issue, especially to those who are mom and pops, they said, ‘How are we going to survive if this passes?’” Popov said. “(Even) talking to nonfood businesses — they are concerned.”

Yet other business owners, such as Craig Becker of Caffe Mediterraneum — who is also president of the Telegraph Business Improvement District — think the quotas have done more harm than good.

“I think the government has a big role in making any commercial district successful, but I just don’t think that the quotas are the right way to go about it,” Becker said.

Due to time constraints, the council did not debate the restaurant quota matter and decided not to approve it at this time.

“If they would have taken a vote last night, we would have prevailed,” Popov said. “The fact that we didn’t get everything done in one meeting is not that big of a deal, but as long as we’re continuing to have Telegraph in the spotlight … It might take a long time, but as long as we’re looking at ways to improve the business district.”

The City Council voted, in one motion, to adopt of a number of the other items pertaining to Telegraph, such as looking into the financial impact of converting Bancroft Way and Durant Avenue into two-way streets and of creating parklets.

Gladys Rosario covers academics and administration. Contact her at grosario@dailycal.org and follow her on Twitter @gladysrosario93.

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The post The most important meal of the day appeared first on The Daily Californian.

Best Brunch:

1. La Note

I’m a big brunch person, and La Note is one of the best brunch places. It has the cute and quaint ambience, friendly wait staff and that delectable Frenchness to it. It’s the only place in Berkeley where I feel delighted to bring my girlfriends, dates and parents. La Note provides the regular brunch-goer a wide variety of options: lemon gingerbread pancakes with poached pears, hot chocolate in big bowls topped with whipped cream, fresh baked pastry baskets. This is not just brunch; it’s an event.

— Cecilia Wong

2. The Sunny Side Cafe

While walking on the western side of campus the other day, an unruly craving for breakfast food came over me. It was 2 p.m. and fatefully, I saw The Sunny Side Cafe. Feeling adventurous, and gluttonous, The Alameda was my choice. It is essentially country ham, tomatoes, and mushrooms sandwiched by two pieces of French toast — complemented with eggs and hollandaise sauce. When the server brought me the dish  I was hooked at the first bite. For those on the adventurous side this is a great dish that requires an appetite.

— Sybil Lewis

3. Venus

Named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty, the Downtown Berkeley restaurant Venus lives up to its affectionate name.
This warm and cozy restaurant is filled with bustling staff and plates of Harajuku scrambles, farmer omelets and French toasts galore passing every second. I ordered a plate of Luxury Flapjacks, complete with Scharffen Berger chocolates and fresh raspberries. With a menu to delight, an atmosphere of yummy smells and plates to fulfill all, I advise any brunch-goers to experience the delights of  Venus.

— Alex Berryhill

Best Lunch Under $5

1. Heavenly Foods

While virtually any type of sandwich is available within a few blocks of campus — deli, panini, hoagie and more — only one place offers banh mi, Vietnamese sandwiches that feature a choice of meat or tofu topped with pickled vegetables, cilantro and jalapeno. Students seeking a quick and tasty lunch need only travel to the intersection of Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue, where the Heavenly Foods cart can be found on weekdays. The sandwiches, packed with fresh grilled chicken, beef, pork or tofu, are a steal at $3 each.

— Christopher Yee

2. Top Dog

No list of inexpensive lunches is complete without Berkeley institution Top Dog. Regardless of how good other hot dogs are, nothing ever seems to live up to any of Top Dog’s tasty offerings served up in pretzel buns for $3 apiece. The people who work the grills are master multitaskers, remembering countless orders at a time and serving them up when they’re perfectly grilled. While there are options for every taste, including vegetarians, the namesake dog is still my favorite, dressed perfectly with mustard and sauerkraut.

— Christopher Yee

Best Dinner Under $10

1. Crepevine

Just a short walk down to the corner of Cedar Street and Shattuck Avenue, Crepevine boasts a far-reaching selection extending well beyond its namesake, including pastas and sandwiches. My favorite is the Sante Fe, $9.50, a savory crepe bursting with grilled chicken apple sausage, scrambled eggs, green onions and provolone, topped with salsa fresca.

— Andrew Steinsapir

2. Vinnie’s

Having visited Philadelphia and had the pleasure of chowing down on an authentic Philly cheesesteak, I know the standards of quality. Vinnie’s cheesesteaks are the best west coast sister to those fabulous hoagies in the east. Buns are grilled, with steak, mixed with peppers and onions topped with melted cheese. Hearty and full of flavor, you can’t go wrong with a $6.03 cheesesteak, tax included.

— Shanna Holako

Best On-the-Go Meal

1. Yali’s

From Oxford Street to Stanley Hall, to the Valley Life Sciences Building, you can find Yali’s all over campus. For a meal on the go, their Greek salad is my favorite. With cucumbers, tomato, kalamata olives and feta cheese, it’s light and filled with great texture. It is definitely one of those meals that make you feel wholesome and satisfied from every bite. The salad is $5.75, and if you have the extra cash, their fruit smoothies are to die for. Topped with whipped crème, they offer mango, strawberry banana, peach, pear and apricot, for $3.50.

— Shanna Holako

2. Crepes-a-Go-Go

Fast foods were invented because the average person has become busier and busier. As a student, a sit-down meal is no longer a viable daily option. However, just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you have to forego taste and nutrition. Crepes-A-Go-Go takes the conventional, somewhat tedious-to-eat crepe and turns it into a eat-and-walk commodity. Sweet and savory crepes filled with fresh fruits, vegetables and meats are freshly hand-made right in front of you and prepared within a few minutes

— Cecilia Wong

3. SF Soup Co.

Need a quick meal between your late afternoon lectures? Stuck in studio and craving a bite to eat? Heading up to Greek row from the gym? Here’s your go-to on-the-go restaurant: the SF Soup Company. First, it’s cheap. For about $5 you can get a warm bowl of freshly made soups and a perfect hunk of sourdough bread. Second, it’s quick. With their secured soup bowl lids, sturdy paper bags and pre-prepared soup all day, Soup Co. employees ensure you can be in and out in a second. Lastly, SF Soup Co. is just plain good.

— Alex Berryhill

Best Date Restaurant

1. Filippo’s

Filippo’s also receives an A-plus for romantic setting. The first thing you want to ensure when taking out the crush across from you in Demography 220 is that you will feel comfortable enough to eventually make a move. Filippo’s ensures just this (well, not that you can make a move, but you at least can’t blame the atmosphere). Secondly, the fact that Filippo’s is approximately 5 seconds away from Ici Ice Cream, along with an array of other cute boutiques, art collections, and bookstores allows your dinner date to extend into a romantic stroll around the neighborhood. Sound like a picture-perfect evening yet?

— Alex Berryhill

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