Bay Area Om Nom Nom?
March 26, 2015 9:46 AM Subscribe
Awesome food in the Bay Area?
I know, I know, there are things to do besides eating, but that's for another question. We're going to be out there for a few days mid-June. We live in Philadelphia and get up to New York once in a while.
We're particularly looking for either:
1. One-of-a-kind stuff we couldn't get elsewhere?
2. Stuff that is available elsewhere, but is so much better in the Bay Area. I've seen this older thread, and this thread, and California always miss good burritos when they move out here, but anything since those threads? Anything new?
In particular, recommendations for truly top-notch dimsum would be especially appreciated. We used to have family out in the Bay Area, and the gold standard from 20 years ago was the har gow at Hong Kong East Ocean, and we were up in Toronto recently, where Mr. Machine got his first taste of truly good dim sum and now recognizes just how bad the stuff in Philly is. So yeah, any ideas? Especially for places that are old school enough to serve serve white tripe?
I know, I know, there are things to do besides eating, but that's for another question. We're going to be out there for a few days mid-June. We live in Philadelphia and get up to New York once in a while.
We're particularly looking for either:
1. One-of-a-kind stuff we couldn't get elsewhere?
2. Stuff that is available elsewhere, but is so much better in the Bay Area. I've seen this older thread, and this thread, and California always miss good burritos when they move out here, but anything since those threads? Anything new?
In particular, recommendations for truly top-notch dimsum would be especially appreciated. We used to have family out in the Bay Area, and the gold standard from 20 years ago was the har gow at Hong Kong East Ocean, and we were up in Toronto recently, where Mr. Machine got his first taste of truly good dim sum and now recognizes just how bad the stuff in Philly is. So yeah, any ideas? Especially for places that are old school enough to serve serve white tripe?
Reddit's AskSF FAQ is a good resource for this kind of open-ended question.
posted by blob at 10:14 AM on March 26, 2015
posted by blob at 10:14 AM on March 26, 2015
On East Bay dim sum, Hong Kong East Ocean is very nice but my Taiwanese foodie friend prefers Saigon Seafood Harbor Restaurant in El Cerrito when she comes to visit (and we are much closer to HKEO, she goes out of her way for SSHR). (Dunno about white tripe.)
La Taqueria on Mission recently won a big nationwide burrito bracket (not without controversy). I tend to like it because their meat is particularly good (and salty), though I prefer tacos generally.
I know you're looking for more personal recs, but that 7x7 SF Big Eat thing does tend to give a good list of unique-to-SF things, and they recently added a 50-item list for Oakland as well. It's a fun peruse and you can zoom in on the stuff you're interested in and leave off the stuff you might not care about so much.
posted by vunder at 10:17 AM on March 26, 2015 [4 favorites]
La Taqueria on Mission recently won a big nationwide burrito bracket (not without controversy). I tend to like it because their meat is particularly good (and salty), though I prefer tacos generally.
I know you're looking for more personal recs, but that 7x7 SF Big Eat thing does tend to give a good list of unique-to-SF things, and they recently added a 50-item list for Oakland as well. It's a fun peruse and you can zoom in on the stuff you're interested in and leave off the stuff you might not care about so much.
posted by vunder at 10:17 AM on March 26, 2015 [4 favorites]
There is so much insanely good food here. The Dim Sum was a good guideline, but can you flesh out a few more specifics to help us give you suggestions?
Price range?
Where in the Bay (mostly SF?)
Ethnicities/food type?
Are you willing to stand in line?
Are you more excited about sit-down formal dining or grab-and-go?
posted by latkes at 10:18 AM on March 26, 2015
Price range?
Where in the Bay (mostly SF?)
Ethnicities/food type?
Are you willing to stand in line?
Are you more excited about sit-down formal dining or grab-and-go?
posted by latkes at 10:18 AM on March 26, 2015
I think it was on Chowhound that someone pointed out that what the Bay Area truly excels at is mid-priced restaurants focusing on quality ingredients. Not that we don't have some really inventive chefs working here, and not that you can't get good "ethnic" food, but that we have a ton of places like Camino or Boot and Shoe Service in Oakland or Serpentine or nopa in SF.
posted by asterix at 10:27 AM on March 26, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by asterix at 10:27 AM on March 26, 2015 [2 favorites]
For dim sum I prefer East Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Alameda to Hong Kong East Ocean in Emeryville -- though you can't beat Hong Kong East Ocean's view of the Bay and SF.
posted by crazy with stars at 10:40 AM on March 26, 2015
posted by crazy with stars at 10:40 AM on March 26, 2015
East Ocean in Alameda is great.
I would also recommend, for something more unusual, Shan Dong in Oakland Chinatown for dumplings and hand-rolled noodles. SO good, and quite reasonably-priced. It's northern Chinese cuisine, not the standard Cantonese food we get around here.
The best sushi I've ever had was at Kij on Guerrero in SF. So crazy good.
It's expensive and hard to get reservations, but Chez Panisse in Berkeley is famous for good reason, and the meals are always memorable.
One of the best meals I've had in the last few years was at Commonwealth in the Mission, and we just walked in around 7 on a Monday night and sat down.
I know the food truck craze is old-hat for many, but hitting Off the Grid (pods of food trucks) can be a lot of fun, and you get a lot of choices of creative fushion-type street food. Off the Grid moves around, so I'd check the website if you're interested. One of the best spots (IMO) is at the Oakland Museum on Friday nights, where you can also get half-price admission to one of the best regional museums in the country.
posted by suelac at 10:48 AM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
I would also recommend, for something more unusual, Shan Dong in Oakland Chinatown for dumplings and hand-rolled noodles. SO good, and quite reasonably-priced. It's northern Chinese cuisine, not the standard Cantonese food we get around here.
The best sushi I've ever had was at Kij on Guerrero in SF. So crazy good.
It's expensive and hard to get reservations, but Chez Panisse in Berkeley is famous for good reason, and the meals are always memorable.
One of the best meals I've had in the last few years was at Commonwealth in the Mission, and we just walked in around 7 on a Monday night and sat down.
I know the food truck craze is old-hat for many, but hitting Off the Grid (pods of food trucks) can be a lot of fun, and you get a lot of choices of creative fushion-type street food. Off the Grid moves around, so I'd check the website if you're interested. One of the best spots (IMO) is at the Oakland Museum on Friday nights, where you can also get half-price admission to one of the best regional museums in the country.
posted by suelac at 10:48 AM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
I never had Burmese food on the East Coast, so that might be something to seek out. The Burma Superstar empire just opened up a new place in the Mission, Burma Love, which I thought was pretty delicious (only been once, though); if you go to Burma Superstar, I'd go to the one in the Richmond (I've heard mixed reviews about the one in the East Bay for some reason).
posted by en forme de poire at 10:50 AM on March 26, 2015
posted by en forme de poire at 10:50 AM on March 26, 2015
Response by poster: Price range: We're down for anything and everything up to about the $200 per person number before liquor and tip.
Where in the Bay: Again, pretty much anything. We'll have access to a car, but would probably prefer to stick to mass transit as much as possible. I don't know if this is doable in SF.
Ethnicities/food type: Pretty much anything and everything. We're adventurous eaters. If we're talking fancy, one of our all-time great meals was at Restaurant Story in London, and Alinea is a life-long goal of mine, so I think inventive and unusual is probably the way to go over local ingredients done well in standard cooking techniques. Although if people tell me that Chez Panisse will blow my mind, we can try to get in there.
On the cheaper end of things, we're down for anything -- great dimsum, great ethnic food from a country or region that is less popular in the US but has a big immigrant presence in the Bay area, great ethnic food that is so much better than standard, burritos that will blow my mind and keep me from eating at Chipotle ever again.
Lines: We'll do it, but would probably prefer to go to the place that had a long-ass line six months or a year ago and has since piped down.
Sit-Down or Grab-and-Go: Fine with either.
posted by joyceanmachine at 10:59 AM on March 26, 2015
Where in the Bay: Again, pretty much anything. We'll have access to a car, but would probably prefer to stick to mass transit as much as possible. I don't know if this is doable in SF.
Ethnicities/food type: Pretty much anything and everything. We're adventurous eaters. If we're talking fancy, one of our all-time great meals was at Restaurant Story in London, and Alinea is a life-long goal of mine, so I think inventive and unusual is probably the way to go over local ingredients done well in standard cooking techniques. Although if people tell me that Chez Panisse will blow my mind, we can try to get in there.
On the cheaper end of things, we're down for anything -- great dimsum, great ethnic food from a country or region that is less popular in the US but has a big immigrant presence in the Bay area, great ethnic food that is so much better than standard, burritos that will blow my mind and keep me from eating at Chipotle ever again.
Lines: We'll do it, but would probably prefer to go to the place that had a long-ass line six months or a year ago and has since piped down.
Sit-Down or Grab-and-Go: Fine with either.
posted by joyceanmachine at 10:59 AM on March 26, 2015
Response by poster: Burmese Superstar sounds amazing.
And I'd totally forgotten about food trucks, probably because it's going to be winter forever on the East Coast. Any specific food trucks that are especially great?
Is Yank Sing worth it? A lot of the glowing reviews for them on Yelp mention soup dumplings, which makes me suspicious because they are Not Real Dim Sum.
posted by joyceanmachine at 11:07 AM on March 26, 2015
And I'd totally forgotten about food trucks, probably because it's going to be winter forever on the East Coast. Any specific food trucks that are especially great?
Is Yank Sing worth it? A lot of the glowing reviews for them on Yelp mention soup dumplings, which makes me suspicious because they are Not Real Dim Sum.
posted by joyceanmachine at 11:07 AM on March 26, 2015
I think inventive and unusual is probably the way to go over local ingredients done well in standard cooking techniques. Although if people tell me that Chez Panisse will blow my mind, we can try to get in there.
If you're really interested in inventive and unusual, I'd suggest Commis in Oakland and Coi or Atelier Crenn in SF. But, really, you should try to go to Chez Panisse (the prix-fixe downstairs, not the cafe upstairs).
posted by asterix at 11:08 AM on March 26, 2015 [2 favorites]
If you're really interested in inventive and unusual, I'd suggest Commis in Oakland and Coi or Atelier Crenn in SF. But, really, you should try to go to Chez Panisse (the prix-fixe downstairs, not the cafe upstairs).
posted by asterix at 11:08 AM on March 26, 2015 [2 favorites]
If you'll be in or near the Peninsula area I recommend Mingalaba on Burlingame Avenue. Delicious Burmese food. Particularly the Tea Leaf salad. It's super close to Caltrain station.
posted by moxiequz at 11:25 AM on March 26, 2015
posted by moxiequz at 11:25 AM on March 26, 2015
We used to live there. One of the things we miss the most is Zachary's Chicago Pizza. You should go if you're going to be in the East Bay. There is one near Rockridge BART if you're coming over from SF.
Get some bread from Semifreddi's and Acme Bread. Get the cinnamon twist from Semifreddi's and the sourdough, herb slab, and walnut levain from Acme if any of those is at all to your taste. I think the sourdough bread at Acme is better than most of the big-name San Francisco sourdough bakeries. You can get these breads at some grocery stores in the Bay Area. I wish I had some of the walnut levain right now.
Go to Slanted Door in San Francisco for Vietnamese food. You won't need reservations months in advance the way you would with someplace like Chez Panisse.
Go to Peet's Coffee.
posted by Anne Neville at 11:57 AM on March 26, 2015
Get some bread from Semifreddi's and Acme Bread. Get the cinnamon twist from Semifreddi's and the sourdough, herb slab, and walnut levain from Acme if any of those is at all to your taste. I think the sourdough bread at Acme is better than most of the big-name San Francisco sourdough bakeries. You can get these breads at some grocery stores in the Bay Area. I wish I had some of the walnut levain right now.
Go to Slanted Door in San Francisco for Vietnamese food. You won't need reservations months in advance the way you would with someplace like Chez Panisse.
Go to Peet's Coffee.
posted by Anne Neville at 11:57 AM on March 26, 2015
I would skip Yank Sing: it's nice, but it's expensive for dim sum you can get just as good elsewhere for less.
If you're willing to wait in line, State Bird Provisions is supposed to be amazing, but I've never been.
Hopscotch in Oakland (close to 19th St. BART) does Japanese-influenced fusion, with a long whiskey list, and the chef was on Knife Fight. It gets great reviews, but I haven't been there (yet!).
Just next door to it is a fabulous little taco/burrito place called Belly, which does great fusion tacos: shrimp tempura with avocado, or grilled chicken with kimchi. They also do huge ice cream sandwiches with house-made cookies. Really tasty.
One of Oakland's many obligatory foods is the fried chicken sandwich at Bakesale Betty's in Temescal. People line up to eat them on ironing boards. (Pity she's not open on Saturdays, I have only been there once.)
posted by suelac at 12:01 PM on March 26, 2015
If you're willing to wait in line, State Bird Provisions is supposed to be amazing, but I've never been.
Hopscotch in Oakland (close to 19th St. BART) does Japanese-influenced fusion, with a long whiskey list, and the chef was on Knife Fight. It gets great reviews, but I haven't been there (yet!).
Just next door to it is a fabulous little taco/burrito place called Belly, which does great fusion tacos: shrimp tempura with avocado, or grilled chicken with kimchi. They also do huge ice cream sandwiches with house-made cookies. Really tasty.
One of Oakland's many obligatory foods is the fried chicken sandwich at Bakesale Betty's in Temescal. People line up to eat them on ironing boards. (Pity she's not open on Saturdays, I have only been there once.)
posted by suelac at 12:01 PM on March 26, 2015
Some recs from last year, not sure if you saw them too.
posted by ferret branca at 12:07 PM on March 26, 2015
posted by ferret branca at 12:07 PM on March 26, 2015
I really like that Saigon Harbor restaurant mentioned above. (And now I'm validated!)
I'd skip Chez Panisse, personally. I usually find it a disappointment. It's nice to go the mothership just to say you've been there, but there are other restaurants doing what they do that DON'T have months long reservation lists and insanely high prices.
If you DO decide to go there, I have liked the upstairs lunches just as well as the downstairs, though I've only eaten at the (fancier) downstairs once. I have eaten upstairs probably a dozen times because my old office was on the same block.
posted by small_ruminant at 12:09 PM on March 26, 2015
I'd skip Chez Panisse, personally. I usually find it a disappointment. It's nice to go the mothership just to say you've been there, but there are other restaurants doing what they do that DON'T have months long reservation lists and insanely high prices.
If you DO decide to go there, I have liked the upstairs lunches just as well as the downstairs, though I've only eaten at the (fancier) downstairs once. I have eaten upstairs probably a dozen times because my old office was on the same block.
posted by small_ruminant at 12:09 PM on March 26, 2015
SF Eater does good review summaries of SF restaurants, including reviews of new and popular places.
Streat Food Park is a changing collection of food trucks in one place
posted by gingerbeer at 12:24 PM on March 26, 2015
Streat Food Park is a changing collection of food trucks in one place
posted by gingerbeer at 12:24 PM on March 26, 2015
Per above comments, Bakesale Betty is open on Saturdays, but it's not not open on Sundays. (I also think it's no longer worth going out of your way for.) It's just across from the East Bay location of Burma Superstar, which food I have found good, but it is punishingly loud. Enough so that I will never go at dinnertime.
Korean is getting bigger in the Bay these days, and may be newish to you. FuseBox in Oakland is an unusual Korean-American fusion, hipster spot in a not-fancy residential/industrial neighborhood. There are a handful of well respected traditional places on Telegraph or Broadway, I'm sure a bunch of good ones in the City too.
posted by vunder at 12:34 PM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Korean is getting bigger in the Bay these days, and may be newish to you. FuseBox in Oakland is an unusual Korean-American fusion, hipster spot in a not-fancy residential/industrial neighborhood. There are a handful of well respected traditional places on Telegraph or Broadway, I'm sure a bunch of good ones in the City too.
posted by vunder at 12:34 PM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
A couple of general tips:
Don't expect to drive to a restaurant and have a parking lot or an easy time finding street parking, especially not in San Francisco or parts of Berkeley. Take BART or Muni or expect to park a ways away and walk. You've been to New York, some areas are going to be similar in terms of parking. There aren't nearly as many taxis as NY, but there is public transit and the weather is usually such that walking isn't too unreasonable.
Don't drive over the Bay Bridge (from San Francisco to Oakland or vice versa) if you can help it. In the MacArthur Maze, 580 West and 80 East are the same road for one stretch (yes, really). It's not well signposted, so when the signs do come up for the various freeways that split off (80, 980, 580, and 880), you get people trying all of a sudden to get across three lanes of heavy traffic. It's confusing and frustrating, even for people who live there. If you feel you must drive over it as a tourist thing, do it in the middle of the work day on a weekday (this would also be the best time to drive over the Golden Gate bridge, if you wanted to do that).
If you go to San Francisco, be sure to wear... something other than shorts. That's how the locals know who the tourists are- they're the ones freezing their asses off in shorts in San Francisco in the summer. The same goes for anywhere near the coast or the Bay, really. You will see lots of shops in the tourist areas of SF selling fleece jackets or pullovers. If you're there at night or when it's foggy, you'll want one. If you're going inland (somewhere like Walnut Creek or Livermore), then you might be able to get away with wearing shorts. If you go to Livermore, you'll probably want shorts- it gets hot. Microclimates are a big thing in the Bay Area. Be sure to check a weather forecast for the actual town you are going to, not just one for a nearby city the way you can do on the East Coast. The ocean will probably be too cold to swim in, unless you're into swimming in cold water. The average ocean temperature at San Francisco in June is 58 degrees. You can get away with dressing very casually in the Bay Area, but do make sure you're dressed for the temperature where you're going.
posted by Anne Neville at 12:37 PM on March 26, 2015
Don't expect to drive to a restaurant and have a parking lot or an easy time finding street parking, especially not in San Francisco or parts of Berkeley. Take BART or Muni or expect to park a ways away and walk. You've been to New York, some areas are going to be similar in terms of parking. There aren't nearly as many taxis as NY, but there is public transit and the weather is usually such that walking isn't too unreasonable.
Don't drive over the Bay Bridge (from San Francisco to Oakland or vice versa) if you can help it. In the MacArthur Maze, 580 West and 80 East are the same road for one stretch (yes, really). It's not well signposted, so when the signs do come up for the various freeways that split off (80, 980, 580, and 880), you get people trying all of a sudden to get across three lanes of heavy traffic. It's confusing and frustrating, even for people who live there. If you feel you must drive over it as a tourist thing, do it in the middle of the work day on a weekday (this would also be the best time to drive over the Golden Gate bridge, if you wanted to do that).
If you go to San Francisco, be sure to wear... something other than shorts. That's how the locals know who the tourists are- they're the ones freezing their asses off in shorts in San Francisco in the summer. The same goes for anywhere near the coast or the Bay, really. You will see lots of shops in the tourist areas of SF selling fleece jackets or pullovers. If you're there at night or when it's foggy, you'll want one. If you're going inland (somewhere like Walnut Creek or Livermore), then you might be able to get away with wearing shorts. If you go to Livermore, you'll probably want shorts- it gets hot. Microclimates are a big thing in the Bay Area. Be sure to check a weather forecast for the actual town you are going to, not just one for a nearby city the way you can do on the East Coast. The ocean will probably be too cold to swim in, unless you're into swimming in cold water. The average ocean temperature at San Francisco in June is 58 degrees. You can get away with dressing very casually in the Bay Area, but do make sure you're dressed for the temperature where you're going.
posted by Anne Neville at 12:37 PM on March 26, 2015
Hopscotch is so so so good. Second that.
Korean food in Oakland is so much better than Korean in SF it's not even funny. There are only a couple of good places in the city and they're in inconvenient locations.
And personally I'd skip Peet's. Nostalgic as I am for what it used to be, these days it's not much different from Starbucks. Go to Highwire or Sub Rosa or Four Barrel or Sightglass or Ritual or... instead. (I could go on about coffee for ages.)
posted by asterix at 12:48 PM on March 26, 2015
Korean food in Oakland is so much better than Korean in SF it's not even funny. There are only a couple of good places in the city and they're in inconvenient locations.
And personally I'd skip Peet's. Nostalgic as I am for what it used to be, these days it's not much different from Starbucks. Go to Highwire or Sub Rosa or Four Barrel or Sightglass or Ritual or... instead. (I could go on about coffee for ages.)
posted by asterix at 12:48 PM on March 26, 2015
Dong Bei Mama in the Richmond is good (and cheap). I like the tacos at Taqueria Vallarta in the mission more than anywhere else around there I've been.
Bodega Bistro or Lers Ros in the Tenderloin for Vietnamese or Thai, respectively (there's also a Lers Ros in Hayes Valley). Bin Minh Quan in Oakland's chinatown, get the banh hoi.
posted by kenko at 12:49 PM on March 26, 2015
Bodega Bistro or Lers Ros in the Tenderloin for Vietnamese or Thai, respectively (there's also a Lers Ros in Hayes Valley). Bin Minh Quan in Oakland's chinatown, get the banh hoi.
posted by kenko at 12:49 PM on March 26, 2015
Oh, Casserole House (black goat stew!) and Pyeong Chang Tofu House in Oakland are v. good for Korean, IME. There used to be a really great Korean place in the Richmond, To Hyang, but it closed down a couple years ago.
posted by kenko at 12:50 PM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by kenko at 12:50 PM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Chez Panisse will blow your mind. Eat downstairs.
In SF: Quince. Frances.
posted by trip and a half at 3:54 PM on March 26, 2015
In SF: Quince. Frances.
posted by trip and a half at 3:54 PM on March 26, 2015
If I had to recommend just one place, I think you should check out State Bird Provisions, since you say you like inventive and unusual. Reservations are impossible, but they do take some walk-ins every night. (French Laundry is also well worth it, if you can find a way to get a reservation and are willing to foot the bill). I would skip Chez Panisse.
posted by three_red_balloons at 4:12 PM on March 26, 2015
posted by three_red_balloons at 4:12 PM on March 26, 2015
I really love flour + water in the Mission. Seconding Burma Superstar (or Mandalay for a shorter wait), both in the Richmond. A former chef from Burma Superstar now works at Rangoon Ruby in Palo Alto (their website lists several other locations, some under different names but with the same menu).
posted by serelliya at 5:09 PM on March 26, 2015
posted by serelliya at 5:09 PM on March 26, 2015
I like Cafe Rouge, though it's spotty. Some days are awesome, some are meh.
I disagree on the Starbucks vs Peets, but probably because I'm a tea drinker. Starbucks has crappy tea, imo.
If you're into Vietnamese, there's a hole in the wall place near me in Richmond called Huong Tra. I love it. (It's next to a Mongolian place, which I also like, but only in a nostalgic-for-the-Soviet-era way. I am not actually recommending it.)
Not too many people come to Richmond, and when they do, it's for the 23rd Ave Mexican restaurant corridor, but if you should find yourself here, that's a restaurant worth checking out.
posted by small_ruminant at 5:13 PM on March 26, 2015
I disagree on the Starbucks vs Peets, but probably because I'm a tea drinker. Starbucks has crappy tea, imo.
If you're into Vietnamese, there's a hole in the wall place near me in Richmond called Huong Tra. I love it. (It's next to a Mongolian place, which I also like, but only in a nostalgic-for-the-Soviet-era way. I am not actually recommending it.)
Not too many people come to Richmond, and when they do, it's for the 23rd Ave Mexican restaurant corridor, but if you should find yourself here, that's a restaurant worth checking out.
posted by small_ruminant at 5:13 PM on March 26, 2015
Atelier Crenn is crazy -- both in quality and expense. Two Michelin stars! And Chef Crenn goes out and chats to the diners. I had to bite my tongue and not say "OMG I SAW YOU ON NEXT IRON CHEF!"
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 6:10 PM on March 26, 2015
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 6:10 PM on March 26, 2015
I thought State Bird Provisions was overrated.
Thirding recommendation for Atelier Crenn. One of the most exceptionally memorable meals I've ever had.
posted by raw sugar at 10:07 PM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Thirding recommendation for Atelier Crenn. One of the most exceptionally memorable meals I've ever had.
posted by raw sugar at 10:07 PM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
For Burmese, Mandalay is miles above Burma Superstar IMHO. It is some of the best food ever and be sure to order the flower tea which opens like a psychedelic firework as you drink it. A nice outing is Mandalay, then walk up to Green Apple Books (one of the top secondhand bookstores here), then Golden Gate Park for the Japanese Tea Garden or the DeYoung art Museum or Academy of Science.
Mission Pie is a fun, delicious, very San Francisco location with money going to good local food justice work and adventurous, tasty pies and soups.
In Oakland I second Fuse Box which is my favorite restaurant – adventurous Korean fusion at very reasonable prices and a very cool vibe. In Berkeley Gather is a very Bay Area kind of place. It’s vegan but don’t be put off – really, really special and delicious.
In Oakland there are a number of Vietnamese sandwich places that are outstanding and cheap. Something you might not find anywhere that doesn’t have a large Vietnamese immigrant community. Cam Huong is a local favorite.
The Cheese Board is a rightfully famous Berkeley instution for California style pizza. One flavor only every day. Lines are long for weekend lunch. You can try one of their sister collectives, Arizemendi which are each independent but linked and can be found around the Bay Area.
Have fun, it would be great to hear a report back of what restaurants you loved back when you finish the trip!
posted by latkes at 10:15 AM on March 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
Mission Pie is a fun, delicious, very San Francisco location with money going to good local food justice work and adventurous, tasty pies and soups.
In Oakland I second Fuse Box which is my favorite restaurant – adventurous Korean fusion at very reasonable prices and a very cool vibe. In Berkeley Gather is a very Bay Area kind of place. It’s vegan but don’t be put off – really, really special and delicious.
In Oakland there are a number of Vietnamese sandwich places that are outstanding and cheap. Something you might not find anywhere that doesn’t have a large Vietnamese immigrant community. Cam Huong is a local favorite.
The Cheese Board is a rightfully famous Berkeley instution for California style pizza. One flavor only every day. Lines are long for weekend lunch. You can try one of their sister collectives, Arizemendi which are each independent but linked and can be found around the Bay Area.
Have fun, it would be great to hear a report back of what restaurants you loved back when you finish the trip!
posted by latkes at 10:15 AM on March 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
A helpful fellow-poster reminded me: Gather is not vegan. They have meat as well as vegan options. I went a few years ago so can't vouch for the most recent menus but I thought it was pretty special and unique compared to the many (albeit generally delightful) similar Mediterranean/California cuisine options in the East Bay.
Encuentro is vegetarian and pretty interesting and tasty to my palate. You can take a nice walk around Jack London Square after if you like waterfront walking.
posted by latkes at 12:44 PM on March 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Encuentro is vegetarian and pretty interesting and tasty to my palate. You can take a nice walk around Jack London Square after if you like waterfront walking.
posted by latkes at 12:44 PM on March 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm so glad latkes mentioned Mandalay! Head and shoulders above Burmese Superstar.
posted by trip and a half at 8:32 PM on March 27, 2015
posted by trip and a half at 8:32 PM on March 27, 2015
Seems like I was somewhat wrong about Mission Pie too, but they're progressive and their pie is good so... for our purposes here it's still a good idea to get some pie there!
posted by latkes at 9:44 PM on March 27, 2015
posted by latkes at 9:44 PM on March 27, 2015
Neighbor Bakehouse is very new and the blackberry pistachio croissant is very delicious.
posted by casarkos at 11:14 PM on March 29, 2015
posted by casarkos at 11:14 PM on March 29, 2015
If you end up North of the city, Bouchon Bistro and AdHoc are both fantastic, both owned by the same guy who owns the French Laundry, and both under $100/person.
posted by jander03 at 9:44 PM on March 31, 2015
posted by jander03 at 9:44 PM on March 31, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Gelatin at 10:08 AM on March 26, 2015