Heathly Alternative

Done from a long week in school :). It feels good to be done and free. Today, a friend of mine brought me a Vietnamese sandwich, which for some reason I was craving. As a kid, I always thought having cilantro and shredded carrots were odd in a sandwich, but now I just seem to love it. The sandwich from Le Cheval can be a bit pricy and dry, but it's a nice healthy alternative when one has been sitting around for days. If I had to recommend a place, I'd say to check out Milpitas or Oakland's Chinatown. Sandwiches there cost a dollar or two less and they're very flavorful.


Le Cheval is known for their item selection as opposed to pho, sandwiches, and entrees. Although the food isn't the best Vietnamese food around, the food is still cooked well and taste fine. The place is spacious and pristine and seating is not an issue. So if you want a simple meal and wouldn't mind eating anything, Le Cheval is probably a reasonable place to head to. Be warned though, the place is cash only so be prepared.

2600 Bancroft Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
Yelp Review

Treat with Sweets: Speciality Ice Cream Shops

As a girl, it's very typical that I have developed a love for sweets, whether it is chocolate, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, candy, or any other form of sweets. Being a student at Berkeley, I am fortunate enough to have local specialty ice cream shops to get me through some tough days. After a long day at school and completing an exam, I'd normally like to go home and relax. However, this is one of those weeks where things just keep going on and on, and as much as I'd like to stop doing work I can't. I mean, I just got back from the library and it's already 12 in the morning. Being on campus since 9 AM, I'm am taking my break by sharing my favorite food to eat while I'm busy and stressed.


Back home near San Francisco, the Mission district is known to have some unique foods that is hard to compete with in creativity. Bi-rite Creamery in SF is one of them, with its handcrafted flavors made from organic ingredients with biodegradable materials. What I love about this place, as with many other ice cream shops is the original flavors that come with it. Bi-rite Creamery features flavors that cannot be found elsewhere, including orange cardamom, honey lavender, salted caramel, brown sugar with caramel ginger swirl, and many others. The taste is fresh and scrumptious. The price for a single (one or two flavors) on a cone or cup is fairly priced (at $3.25) and fulfills a wonderful afternoon snack by Dolores park or dessert.

3692 18th St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
Yelp Review

Another noteworthy ice cream shop has already been featured in Pixar's Up when Russell tells Mr. Fredrickson about this ice cream shop his father would take him to. As a Berkeley student, almost everyone has heard of Fenton's Creamery. They are known for "the Challenge," indulging in 3 lbs of ice cream (of your choice) under 20 minutes to win a t-shirt as well as for the sake of pride. Many student groups like to come here to take on the challenge or just enjoy their gigantic serving of sundaes, whether it is petite or monstrous. Prices range from $6-$11, but the portions are grand and easily shared between two or three people. The type of ice cream that is served is more typically found in grocery stores, but the creaminess and taste makes this little cute shop with its 50's style layout a must-try place.


4226 Piedmont Ave
Oakland, CA 94611
Yelp Review






A bit farther from campus, in Alameda, where many Berkeley alumni seem to bum around after graduation, another creamy ice cream shop is situated a block away from the shore. Tucker's ice cream shop is a charming, old-fashioned ice cream shop that serves super creamy ice cream, around the degree of creaminess of Fenton's Creamery. The type of flavors that are found in this shop are comparable to Fenton's but a slightly different. Example of flavors include pralines n cream, burgandy cherry, toasted almond, rainbow sorbet, marble black raspberry, and many typical creamy and fruity ice cream flavors. In my opinion, the best item to order is their sundae with your choice of flavors served with several toppings in a goblet cup. Prices are only slightly cheaper than Fenton's, but the quality is just as good. If you're ever in the area, such as eating at the Sushi House a block away near the shorce, you should definitely come and check this place out if you're a lover of creamy ice cream.


1349 Park St
Alameda, CA 94501
Yelp Review

Lastly, the closest place to which I live and one of the first speciality ice cream shops I've been to has always had a special place in my heart. Ici, located on College Ave in Berkeley, is a tiny ice cream shop that tends to attract a large number of customers. The shop is adorned with cute little signs in cursive script text with a simple classy feeling. Ici serves gourmet style ice cream with much smaller portions in comparison to the previous three ice cream shops. However, the place is always booming with business even on cold and uncommon ice cream days. The handicraft work of this prviately-owned creamery has quite a reputation, with the former Chez Panisse. The menu is different everyday with flavors freshly made the day of sale. Many people come here to try not only the ice cream, but also the unique treats they sell at the counter, which include their own cones, orange candies, brittles, and marshmallows (including an green tea flavor). So, if you can't afford a $100 meal at Chez Panisse, you can always come here and spend $3-$4 for a dessert that is at par to the owner's former workplace.

2948 College Ave
Berkeley, CA 94705
Yelp Review

Pho Me Now! at the Door

At this moment, I should probably go to bed soon, considering I have an exam tomorrow morning. However, I felt like today is the perfect time to post an alternative take-out meal during times of desperate need of food while studying on a cold rainy day.

During these kinds of weather, I have a tendency of wanting to have warm soup, and as a kid I loved eating a variety of asian noodle soups and hot pot with my family. Pho tends to satisfy this need whenever I have a craving, but I haven't found a good place for pho around Berkeley, only mediocre places (Pho Hua, Le Cheval, etc.). While looking at campusfoods.com, my friend and I decided to get pho at Pho Me Now because we've heard some good things about the place and the idea of pho delivered at your day was very appealing.

Pho Me Now is a great alternative to late night eats. Delivery is free if the total price for food exceeds $15 dollars, which is do-able for two people, although I admit the price of pho can be expensive. They keep the noodles fresh in plastic baggies, like in Asia, which is what I loved about doing noodle soup take-out. I love my beef in pho, so I chose the variety combination, which includes rare steak, well-done flank, tripe, and beef balls.


The portions were fair, in huge plastic containers (enough to fill me for two meals), but it's not the best pho I've had (go down to the South Bay for more authentic dishes :]). The flavor was good and acceptable, and it did satisfy my pho craving as well as made up for a very wet and cold day while waiting for the 51 AC Transit bus twice today.

Pho Me Now does the job in satisfying late-night cravings (delivery up to 4 AM), relatively prompt and good service, and decent quality food. Since I love the concept of having pho delivered to my door, I'd definitely consider it again if I ever have a late night study session.

1725 University Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94703
Yelp Review

New China: Delish in the South Bay

Growing up in the neighborhood near San Francisco, I've always felt like I had the ability to at least differentiate between relatively authentic and poorly represented Chinese food. You can usually find a decent restaurant in the residential areas of the Richmond and Sunset district of San Francisco, such as Geary Blvd., Irving St., Noriega St., Taraval Ave., Clement Ave., and the more popular streets bustling with asians for produce and meals.

Ironically, one of my favorite Chinese restaurants I've grown to love is situated in the South Bay --Union City. New China may not appear impressive at first glance, being that it's a tiny store in the middle of an asian shopping center, but once you enter the shop the tables are usually fully occupied and people are waiting in line either for seats or for their to-go meals. This place is one of those litte hole-in-a-wall restaurants, but it's actually quite amazing and well-maintained. Even though this place is hectic, once you sit down get ready for good quality Chinese food.

The menu consist of typical dishes seen in many Mandarin cuisine style restaurants. Typical dishes include the hand-wavy stinky tofu, beef noodle soup (variety such as braised, tendon, stewed), pan fried noodles, ho fun, clay pots, fish fillets, spare ribs, 3 cup chicken, sizzling meats, as well as szechuan dishes. In addition, customers have a choice between free soup in a family-sized bowl or milk tea with tapioca as well as free refills.

The price range falls between $3.99 (mostly appetizers) to $6.99 (generally beef, lamb, and seafood). What I love about this place is not only do they have a reasonable lunch special, but their dinner a la carte does not exceed $6.99 a plate. The menu is generally set at prices of $5.99, $6.49, and $6.99. With these kinds of prices, one may think the portions are small, but in fact they are relatively huge. For 7 people, my family ordered 7 dishes and the total came out to $65 including tax and tip.

A noteworthy dish to mention is one of the many popular dishes customers seem to order while eating here, the string bean with dry bean curd. The flavor of this dish was just right and is a great vegeterian alternative for those who are conscious of meat. The red bell peppers make the dish more savory in comparison to other restaurants with a similar dish.


Another unique dish is the 6 gigantic meatballs with vegetables. These meatful joys have an extremely tasteful sauce that can be used to marinade your rice and give a great juicy beef flavor. The dish also includes several pieces of black mushrooms and bamboo shoots. A good alternative to this dish is their beef stew, which also has a great effect in rice.

Walnut prawns is a guilty pleasure that I've always loved to devour at traditional wedding and Chinese banquets, which is why I was thoroughly excited to order this dish at New China. The portions of the prawns are ample, with a mountain full of shrimp just waiting to be eaten with the creamy mayonnaise sauce. It is the one time I would not feel guilty about shoving a spoonful of mayonnaise into my mouth because I know it's worth it, and at New China it definitely is. For the number of prawns you get for the price ($6.99), it makes me wonder if there is an excess of shrimp roaming the sea.


So if you're ever in Union City or Fremont, I highly recommend stopping by here and trying out their dishes. They have a huge selection in their menu waiting to be discovered and to satisfy your needs. I know I will whenever I'm around the area and feel like having some good Chinese food. :)

1743 Decoto Rd
Union City, CA 94587
Yelp Review

The Sunny Side Cafe: Smile in the Morning

Brunch is my favorite meal of the day, and the concept of having breakfast for lunch has always made me smile. I guess I'm just a lover of breakfast foods and thought it was a genius idea to serve breakfast all day. I mean, I love cereal and milk, and can practically eat it anytime in the day. This also goes for flapjacks, omelettes, hash browns, waffles, and more.

Maybe that's why I adore the Sunny Side Cafe, a quaint little shop a block away from the UC Berkeley campus. The idea of serving breakfast all day is not the only thing that is attractive about this restaurant, the quality of the food is also something worth waking up early for. The cafe has an assortment of breakfast food that is promising enough for anyone to be satisfied with his/her selection.


The infamous Alameda can be seen as a gigantic mess, but at least it's tasty and enjoyable (photo seen above). This meal includes pretty much many favorite breakfast foods in one ensemble, including 2 slices of french toast, 2 eggs over easy, canadian bacon (ham), garlic-roasted tomatoes, and some unique hollandaise sauce and balsamic vinegar. This meal is a mouthful to eat and be ready to grab a box and take some home with you unless you're a beast. :)


If you're not a big fan of messy and massive breakfast cakes like the Alameda, then wraps can also be quite satisfying and tasty at this little cafe. This gigantic breakfast burrito, filled with scrambled eggs, homefries, black beans in a tomato tortilla topped with salsa, not only is easy to eat, but also is a healthy alternative. (photo shown on right)

Most brunch places have one or two eggs benedict; the Sunny Side Cafe has four types of benedicts, including the classic grilled ham. The wildcat, solano, and tilden benedicts (photo shown below) all feature two distinct ingredients that are not normally found in eggs benedict, including sauteed mushrooms, garlic-roasted tomatoes, baby spinach, and herbs. All egg dishes, unless noted, include a choice of toast (whole-wheat, sourdough, rye), English muffin, or freshly baked muffin and a choice of homefries, garlic-roasted tomatoes, or fruit cup.

Other dishes that can be found in the cafe include pancakes, parfaits and granola, scrambles, pigs-in-a-blanket with a chicken apple sausage substitute, and many more typical breakfast foods.

Like many of the restaurants I've been to in Berkeley, the Sunny Side Cafe has much character. They have their own unique ingredient -- the garlic roasted tomatoes. The flavor of the tomatoes enhance the taste of most dishes; however, in comparison to the tomatoes I've tasted at La Note (a French brunch place in Downtown Berkeley), it doesn't seem as special. Seating may be an issue, but fortunately most people come and go quickly enough that the wait tends to not be long. Nevertheless, the portions at this place are fair and filling for the price. It's a charming little shop that is great for dates and small gatherings.

Locations:

1499 Solano Avenue, Albany, CA Yelp Review

2136 Oxford Street, Berkeley, CA Yelp Review

Little Lucca: the Deli in the Fog

I grew up in a city with some amazing mom and pop deli shops. I suppose that's why when I moved to Berkeley, I felt right at home with some of the unique and clever restaurants. However, no other sammie place has ever compared to this little trailer shop. Little Lucca has been serving my hometown since 1980, and it has never failed to disappoint customers even people who do not find the place appealing admit the sandwiches taste great. Whenever I go home, Little Lucca is one of those little treasures that I must go to for old times sake. For me, it's a taste of home.


What makes these sandwiches so lucious and tasty is their famous concoction--the original garlic sauce and hot pepper sauce. All sanwiches feature the basic condiments, including the famous sauce at no extra cost. No matter what sandwich a person gets, the sauce makes all the difference. Besides the famous sauce, the bread selection, especially the dutch crunch which sells out quickly, helps the sandwich become even more hearty and filling.

The sandwiches come in exceedingly satisfying portions at a mere 5-9 dollar price range. Be warned though, lines can take up to an hour even during off peak hours. Nevertheless, the love for these sandwiches never prevent customers from coming back and waiting in line in order to get another bite. If you're not a big fan of waiting, the shop takes phone and fax orders, just order half an hour to an hour ahead of the time you want to pick up. For the price you pay, not only do people get their money's worth, but also potentially two meals.

724 El Camino Real
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Yelp Review

Love at First Bite - Cupcake Shop

As a lover of sweets and gourmet baked goods, Love at First Bite is one of my favorite places to go and devour cupcakes. What I found most attractive of this little bake shop tucked away in a small alleyway of shops in Gourmet Ghetto (East Bay - North Berkeley) was their Matcha Green Tea Cupcake.

Other noteworthy cupcakes include the well-loved red velvet, pretty in pink (a pure strawberry cupcake with the actual strawberry seeds embedded into the batter), mudd pie (chocolate lover's heaven) and classic vanilla with richness in Madagascar vanilla. Not only are the cupcakes sweet, but also the sassy sweet cookie, infused with a gingery sweetness is to die for.

The service is great and the cupcakes are of affordable prices, typical to a gourmet cupcake shop. So look for the sign of this shop because their cupcakes are made with love. <3

1510 Walnut St
Berkeley, CA 94709
Yelp Review