Reviewed: Zut! in Berkeley

A year later, and Zut! on Berkeley's Fourth Street isn't as polished as the month-old Apple store a few doors down. While the locally sourced, organic, sustainable Mediterranean fare is admirable, the service and experience is uneven.

To begin, we were seated in one of the worst parts of the restaurant - the sparsely decorated, loud alleyway near the restrooms. Essentially, I think of it as the kid's section - or where the wait staff train. While the bar and parts of the restaurant visible from the street are beautiful, beware the tables near the restroom, as there is nothing remotely interesting to see - unless you count peering at fellow diners in the decorative mirrors. But they can easily catch you glancing at them - awkward. Not only can you see fellow diners, you can probably eavesdrop, but only when you're not distracted by the Amtrak train horn every half hour.

Once seated, we were given an awkward pitch for that night's "awesome" family night $30 3-course prix fixe. Being our first time at Zut!, we left the family meal for another time and ordered off the regular menu - hoping to try some Zut! staples. We started with the roasted beet and citrus salad that was nicely balanced and perfect for a warm evening. Then came the best dish of the night: fried brussel sprouts with bacon, parmesan and lemon. We could hear the table next to us dismissing the sprouts, and we snickered knowing what they were missing.



The entrees were let downs after the starters. The Pt. Reyes Blue pizza was disappointing - too doughy and blue cheesy. The rotisserie half chicken with potatos and green beans was ordinary - definitely not in my top 3. With the dim lighting, it was hard to tell if the chicken was slightly uncooked or if it was dark meat. I didn't want to guess, so I stopped eating.

Service was friendly and a bit green, something I didn't expect among the poshness of Fourth Street, which leaves me wondering what type of restaurant Zut! wants to be. On the one hand, I can see family-friendly, neighborhood, casual dining for families and older couples. But, the decor and ambience are trying to create a hip spot on Fourth Street, much like O Chame. Regardless, I'd go back for bar bites and to try the Tuesday night family-style dinner, which varies in price based on seasonality. You can expect a 3-course meal (salad, meat entree and dessert) shared family style for about $30 a person. For an extra $15, get wine pairings.

Zut!
1820 4th St., Berkeley
(510) 644-0444

Reviewed: Phil's Sliders in Berkeley

Before I tried Phil's Sliders, I never understood why sliders existed. It was essentially a mini hamburger - a kid's or dieter's portion. But Phil's Sliders proved me wrong. Each slider has so much flavor and tastiness in the one bite that the deliciousness would get lost in a full-size burger. After the sticker shock of $2.50* for a bite wears off, you can bask in the perfect balance of Marin Sun Farms grass-fed beef, lettuce, cheddar cheese and special sauce.

Phil's Sliders opened a few weeks ago where New China Express used to be in downtown Berkeley. The narrow space is transformed with a decently-sized though minimalist dining section and an open kitchen. See the hanging posterboard menu and check the chalkboard wall for homemade dessert and shake specials. Once you know what you want, grab a mini-clipboard, write your order and hand to the cashier.


The portabella sliders pale in comparison, so I would avoid them unless you're a vegetarian. The poppyseed coleslaw ($2) was average and something I could find at any potluck, but the potato tots ($2.50) were fantastically starchy, creamy and crispy. Unlike butter-heavy croquettes, we ate these tots with our fingers without much need for napkins.

While the homemade shake sauces (chocolate and dulce de leche when we went) are delicious themselves, the shake ($2.50) disappoints. I like my shakes milky and rich, and Phil's are not that. The base looks and tastes like soft serve, melts too quickly, and is a bit grainy. We skipped the dessert, but an assortment of homemade cookies and brownies are displayed nicely at the cashier.

Service, while pleasant, still needs work to catch up with demand. Our to-go order of 4 sliders, a side of slaw and tots and a shake took 15 minutes to ready. The one cashier also makes the shakes, which holds up the line to order. I'm not sure what two of the three cooks do, as only one of them is assembling the sliders. I give the slider maker props, though, as ours were packed neatly and precisely while they could easily have been slopped together.

Overall, I'm glad to see Phil's in town. I definitely will continue to visit. I can afford the sliders and tots, but I'm not sure if the limited, pricey menu can sustain downtown where college students probably won't splurge for $2 sliders when there's a $6.99 buffet nearby.

*Posted prices say $2, but our bill total broke down to $2.50.

Phil's Sliders
2024 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
(510) 845-5060

Locanda da Eva in Berkeley

Opened by a former SF Weekly restaurant critic, Locanda da Eva sits on a nearly deserted stretch of Telegraph Avenue. Unheard of in Berkeley, street parking is easy to find, as I had no trouble pulling up to a metered spot (free after 6 p.m.) steps from the front door. As I parked, I questioned the quiet streets and wondered whether the place was even open. It was. Despite the lackluster location, however, Locanda da Eva holds a lot of promise.

From the outside, the restaurant looks small but actually is comfortably spacious even if it has two contrasting seating areas. One room holds a dimly lit, sleek bar and lounge area that doesn't seem out of place in the Elmwood or Fourt Street districts. The dining room is more family friendly with brighter lighting but uncoordinated decor. The odd booth dividers look cheap, and the artwork, while notable, doesn't add much to the restaurant. It's diffcult to figure out what the ambiance of the dining room is suppose to be, so it may be a good sign that the restaurant will be closed November 7 to 9 for redecoration.

While the decor misses the mark, the food is reliable. The well-rounded menu includes salads and appetizers, pizzas, pastas, meat dishes, sides of vegetables and dessert. For not being a vegetarian restaurant, the menu is the most vegetarian and vegan friendly I have seen. Almost every dish except for those in the fish, fowl and meat category can be prepared vegan or vegetarian on request.

With a menu focusing on local and sustainable sources, Locanda da Eva is like many restaurants in Berkeley. What sets it apart are the delicious wood-fired pizzas and focus on Italian red wines.

The four pizzas, about 12 inches in diameter, on the menu, don't disappoint. The braised pork with roasted gypsy peppers, Grana Padano, chiles and mozzarella ($14) was well balanced and generous on the toppings, if a bit too generous as the thin crust pizza was a bit floppy.



The strozzapreti (tubular pasta) with roasted eggplant, lamb sausage, chiles, tomato, herbs, and ricotta salata ($16) was the opposite: a disappointment with mouthfuls of pasta but very little toppings. The pasta and herbs came through, while the eggplant and lamb sausage were either finely chopped or weren't there at all.

To combat the carbs, the menu offers sides of vegetables like fried cauliflower with mustard greens and braised fennel ($5). As an appetizer, the pork trotter fritters with roasted Poblano vinaigrette and radishes ($9 for 2) felt overpriced, and though fried perfectly lacked flavor.

Along with menu suggestions, the staff was helpful with wine pairings. Featuring a lot of Italian reds, the wine list can be difficult to navigate. But the payoff is a good sampling of Italian reds from a knowledgeable staff that I have yet to find at other Italian restaurants.

Locanda da Eva is a great neighborhood addition, especially since it stays open til midnight on Friday and Saturday for late night happy hour with $10 pizzas, $2 off specialty cocktails, $4 selected wines by the glass, and $2 Racer 5 IPA or Full Sail Session Lager. Regular happy hour runs from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday without $10 pizzas.

Locanda da Eva
2826 Telegraph Ave. Berkeley
(between Stuart St & Oregon St)
(510) 665-9601
locandadaeva.com

Weekend Eats and Drinks

Whatever your epicurean vice, there’s probably an East Bay event for you this weekend.

On Saturday, start the day at noon in Old Oakland for Pacific Coast Brewery’s festival. Admission is free, and $20 gets you a commemorative glass and 5 beer tasting tickets. Separately, the glass is $5 and extra beer tastings are 6 for $20. The usual suspects are on tap, all California craft brews pouring anniversary ales: Bear Republic, Drake’s, Speakeasy, Lost Coast, Stone, Rubicon, Port, Sudwerks, Sierra Nevada and Pacific Coast. The event runs until 7 p.m. and is billed as family-friendly with live music and food from local restaurants.

If beer’s not your thing, head to JC Cellars a mile away at Jack London Square to see the winery in full production. The harvest is here and the winery has two free tours at 1 and 2:30 P.M. Afterward, head to the tasting room to try some Syrah, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir, to name a few, for $5. The fee is refundable with any purchase.

The gluttony continues early Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in Berkeley for Pyramid Ale House’s $10 all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet with NFL ticket. The buffet ends at 11:30, but you can catch all the games on one of the 6 HD TVs all day.

If you’re a late riser, Blue Bottle Coffee’s free Sunday cupping will wake you up. A must for coffee connoisseurs, the noon cupping is a way to evaluate Blue Bottle’s coffee aromas and flavor profiles side-by-side. See whether you notice the difference between a washed and natural Amaro Gayo. One caveat: Everyone dips their spoons in the same cups, so it’s not for germaphobes.

Afterward, head to North Berkeley’s Spice of Life festival, a celebration of food and art, running until 6 p.m. Catch cooking demos and samples by local eateries alongside open yoga studios and art exhibits. Stop by the wine garden on Vine Street, featuring local winemakers and importers, and listen to live music from the JazzSchol and Freight and Salvage, or get fresh, organic produce from the farmer’s market.

Running the same time is Spenger’s annual Crabby Chef Seafood Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Benefitting the Berkeley Cal Recreational Sports Development Fund’s camp scholarship program, the event includes a 2 p.m. Iron Chef cooking competition with a crowning of a Crabby Chef. Food booths offer the gamut of seafood from crab cakes to clam chowder.

Saturday
Old Oakland Beer Festival
Noon-7 p.m.
906 Washington Ave., Oakland

JC Cellars harvest tour
1 and 2:30 p.m.
55 4th St., Oakland

Sunday
Pyramid NFL breakfast buffet
901 Gilman St., Berkeley

Blue Bottle Coffee cupping
Noon
300 Webster St., Oakland

North Berkeley Spice of Life
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Shattuck Avenue from Rose to Virginia, Berkeley
http://www.gourmetghetto.org/2010%20spice%20of%20life%20info.htm

Spenger’s Crabby Chef seafood festival
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
1919 4th St., Berkeley
http://www.yelp.com/events/berkeley-spenger-and-39-s-to-host-10th-annual-crabby-chefs-seafood-festival-on-october-17-2010

SF Chefs expands to the East Bay

As part of SF Chefs food and wine activities next week, select restaurants will offer prix fixe menus ranging from $35 to $50. While the main festivities occur in the city, a few East Bay eateries are participating in the weeklong fest beginning Monday and ending Sunday, Aug. 15.

In Berkeley, try the Meritage at the Claremont and Five in Hotel Shattuck. In Oakland, catch the special menus at Miss Pearl's Jam House and Lake Chalet Seafood Bar and Grill. Of the four, Five looks the most promising with two options for each course at $35, or add the wine pairing for an extra $15. The smoked duck salad sounds delicious with goat cheese, candied kumquats, pistachios and melon. The "Five" spiced lamb loin seems traditional and hearty, while the blueberry dessert lassi with white corn ice cream has me curious.

The menus for all but the Meritage can be found at the SF Chefs website, and reservations can be made at Opentable or by calling the restaurant.

Photo: SFChefsfoodwine.com

$3 for a $25 credit to Digs Bistro in Berkeley

A few months ago, I scanned Restaurant.com and found a place that I had always wanted to try, Digs Bistro in Berkeley. The Yelp reviews are good, and it is walking distance from my home. I had hopes it could be my neighborhood joint, and after my visit, I wasn't disappointed.

We walked in around 7:30 p.m. on a Thursday without a reservation and had no difficulty being seated. The space is tiny and quaint, decorated like a European cottage, which makes sense since Digs started as an underground supper club in an Oakland home. The dining room is intimate and small enough that only one waiter was working when we went. The clientele skews older, forties and up, which reflects Digs sensibility of comfort over trend.

I started with the fried stuffed squash blossoms, which were tempura-like puffs of batter filled with goat cheese, arugula, mango chutney and almonds. The dish was rich but nonetheless delicious.

Next was the roasted Rocky Jr. chicken, which I was hesitant to get because chicken is something I can easily make at home. I ultimately ordered it because nothing else sounded as appetizing. Once I saw the waiter bringing a plate with a thin layer of chicken juices, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. The roasted chicken was amazing, juicy, tender and piping hot. It came with a side of couscous and vegetables that were only made the better by the excess liquid rolling around the plate. Digs probably serves one of the best roast chickens I've had in the Bay Area.

The boyfriend had the flatbread appetizer and the steak (pictured). He said both were good, which I believe since he didn't share.

We skipped dessert because we were stuffed and it was closing time, though our waiter did not rush us out the door. We lingered 20 minutes or so finishing our bottle of wine, which is half-off on Thursdays, and the staff did not mind.

My only caveat is that the menu is limited with about five appetizers and five entrees, but everything is probably delicious. If you want to give Digs a try, use the code TASTY, good til July 22, to get 70% off, which brings a $25 credit down to $3. The price can get lower if you link through from cashback sites like Fatwallet or Ebates.

Tacubaya in Berkeley

Tucked in a corner behind Sur La Table, Tacubaya is easy to miss, as I apparently have for the past seven years. What drew me to the sister restaurant of Oakland's upscale Mexican eatery Don Tomas was the $8.50 weekday siesta deal that included 2 tacos of your choice and a bottled beer. It was a great way to try what otherwise would have cost $3.50 a pop.

I never expect anything authentic on Fourth Street, and Tacubaya was good for what it was, a quick bite in between shopping. The pork in the taco al pastor was what I'd expect from a street taco, with just the right amount of oil dripping off with each bite, but the avocado salsa was disappointingly bland. The taco de pollo was simply underwhelming. The first few bites were decent until I got past the cheese and salsa topping to realize the chicken was dry. At that point, I wished there were a free salsa bar to add some flavor. But, chips and salsa/guacamole must be purchased separately. The guacamole was delicious, but at over $5 it had to be.

The setting is casual, as you pay at the counter, get a number, grab a seat and wait for your food to be delivered. Before seating, grab utensils, napkins and chili sauce near the registers.

Lacking any real ambiance, the atmosphere is like a cafeteria as you sit at heavy wooden tables and listen to the echoing chatter of the bus boys hanging out near the kitchen. Tacubaya is definitely not a date place, unless you just want to be friends.

Technically you can also dine al fresco, but I wouldn't recommend it. Instead of an enclosed patio, tables are situated on the sides of a major walkway, so regular foot traffic is passing within a foot of your dining experience. That may work in Europe where the scenery makes up for everything, but not in a shopping mall where unruly dogs, strollers and children run rampant.

I would be hard pressed to return without the weekday promotion since the food is overpriced for a Mexican taqueria, but not for Fourth Street. I appreciate the use of local and natural ingredients, but other establishments like Cactus Taqueria in Oakland also aim for sustainability and freshness and are able to do it at lower prices.

Photo: Kris G.

Berkeley Dining Passport

The Berkeley Dining Passport sounds like a great way to try local restaurants and support the Berkeley Food and Housing Project. For $20 a person, you get a dining card good for special offers and discounts at select restaurants until May 31, 2011. You can use the card as many times as you want at each location, but each restaurant may have certain restrictions, such as not valid for drinks or prix fixe menus.

The BDP is a non-profit organization created to help local business and the community by donating to the Berkeley Food and Housing Project, which helps alleviate homelessness and hunger.

Like any dining program, there are some hits and misses. Anh Hong and Dig's Bistro are on Restaurant.com, which has better deals when you use the promo code SUMMER, good until June 24. Instead of $5 off a bottle of wine at Anh Hong, go to Restaurant.com for a $10 gift certificate for $2. Bypass the free dessert with your entree from BDP and go to Restaurant.com for a $25 Dig's dining credit for $3.

The dining passport site says offers can change throughout the year and more restaurants may be added, but below are my highlights.

The much talked about and well-reviewed eVe: 50% off a third course with purchase of $25 2-course prix fixe

The equally buzz-worth FIVE: 10% off lunch or breakfast (drinks not included)

The charming if not kitschy Caffe Venezia: Free dessert with the purchase of an entree.

Classic French fare at Bistro Liasion: 10% off (drinks not included)

Family-style Chinese food at King Tsin: 20% off (drinks not included)

Average Italian fare at Filippos but maybe worth the $1 bottomless glass of wine with entree

Hidden Italian gem Riva Cucina: $1 glass of wine or free dessert with entree

The only drawback is that each dining card is good for one person, so everyone in the party needs the passport to get the special. It's not quite clear how it works at restaurants where you get a percentage off the bill, but I imagine it works on the whole tab.

For $20 and a year of use, I think it's a bargain for people who dine at least once a month. Purchase yours online, at the visitors bureau or at any participating restaurant.

Photo: www.berkeleydiningpassport.com

Anchalee in Berkeley

With enough Thai restaurants in Berkeley as there are Priuses, it can be difficult to spot the good ones like Anchalee. Located in the same building as Caffé Trieste on the corner of Dwight Way and San Pablo Avenue, Anchalee offers Thai cuisine in a contemporary setting. This isn’t a hole-in-the-wall for college students to get early morning grub, but a proper restaurant where you can afford to treat your parents.

The menu is small, fitting on one side of an 8”X11”, but you get a good variety of soups, salads, appetizers, curries, rice and noodle dishes and daily specials. Entrees range from $8 to $10, and you can substitute brown rice for $0.75. Even more affordable is happy hour with $5 appetizers and $3 bottled beers, 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

On a recent weekend, we stopped for a couple appetizers and entrees. The goong grabog of shrimp fried with fresh herbs in a wonton skin fried made shrimp tempura look like an ugly step child. Paired with a housemade sweet plum sauce, the dish was inspirational as it’s on my test kitchen list. The vegetables were also lightly fried and paired perfectly with the cold beers.

I never liked the gelatinous, spongy texture of radish cakes but decided to try the kanom pak kard, or steamed radish cakes. As expected, they were dense cubes with the consistency of a baked potato, but the crunch from the fresh bean sprouts and the tang from the sweet and sour sauce almost made me a fan.

After the fried treats, the sweet aroma of Thai basil wafting from my pad ke-mao was a welcome change. The stir-fried rice noodle, green bean, tomato, prawn and bell pepper dish was excellent but could have used a tad more prawns as I found only four. The dish was correctly marked mild, so the spiciness ratings are not too conservative.

Against my better judgment, we also ordered the beef skewers. I have always been disappointed by restaurant skewers because the meat is usually overcooked, dry and tough. My dining partner insisted on the skewers, and it was just as described. I don’t fault Anchalee because I have never been anywhere where this wasn’t the case. Avoid the skewers and you'll be content.

What makes Anchalee stand out from other Thai eateries is the presentation and freshness. This isn’t oily, greasy food thrown haphazardly onto a plate with sauce everywhere. Dishes come out clean and organized, and make you want to eat. Anchalee was an excellent neighborhood surprise and I have a feeling I’ll be a regular at weekend happy hour.

Anchalee
1094 Dwight Way, Berkeley

Photo: Anchalee.com

Maoz in Berkeley

Every friend who has traveled through Europe fondly recalls late night, cheap eats at Maoz, an all-vegetarian falafel chain new to Berkeley. Located on Telegraph and Channing, Maoz is a few blocks from the UC Berkeley campus. With a simple menu of pita sandwiches, salads and fries, the European chain is perfect for the student on the go.

Until the end of May, visit Yelp for a coupon for a pita sandwich and drink for $5 after 8 p.m. Otherwise, your best bargains are the combo meals that start at $7.20 and include a sandwich, fries, drink and unlimited salad bar. However, the idea of an unlimited salad bar isn't what we're familiar with at Souplantation or Sizzler. Rather, the salad bar is meant as toppings for your falafel, so that when you run out of pita, you can't get more because you don't have anywhere to put it. If combo meals and unlimited toppings don't appeal to you, you can order everything a la carte.

The food is standard, and nothing you couldn't make on your own. Sandwiches come with a choice of wheat or white pita that's filled halfway with mixed greens and a few falafels. You then accessorize at the salad bar, loading up on Mediterranean staples like olives, lentils and roasted vegetables. Falafels can be dry, so I recommend lots of yogurt and tahini sauce. Maoz also offers freshly squeezed orange, apple or carrot juice for an extra $1 when you order a meal deal.

The only drawback about Maoz is also one of its best features: the unlimited salad bar. Germaphobes rightly can complain as everyone uses the same spoons to refill their pita, meaning someone can go back with a half-eaten pita and ruin it for the rest of us if they don't have steady hands.

If you don't mind germs, Maoz is worth a try if you are vegetarian or health-conscious or you want to relive Euro trip memories. Don't expect anything grand as this is a college fast-food joint where you'll find inebriated students chowing down at 2 a.m. on the weekends. But, when you are in a hurry or don't want to cook, Maoz meets the requirement.

Maoz Vegetarian
2395 Telegraph, Berkeley

Photo: JAM

Vik's Chaat Corner, Berkeley

I never knew how good VIK's Chaat Corner could be until I visited after the recent move to a brighter and bigger spot on 4th and Channing, two blocks south of the original location. The Indian specialties remain the same, but you get to enjoy your meal in a freshly painted, eco-friendly location that's better organized and less hectic.

VIK's is known for chaat, or Indian street food, but serves weekday and weekend specials like vegetable and meat curries. The menu is a mix of the familiar (samosas) and the unfamiliar (dahi papdi), so it can be difficult to order wisely. My advice is to visit the updated Web site, which includes photos and descriptions of each dish, and write down what you want.

Upon entering the new warehouse space, the smell of oil, coriander, tumeric and other spices arouses my senses. One of my first impressions is based on smell. Too much bleach in the air tells me the restaurant is hiding something; the smell of fresh herbs and spices means the meals are freshly homemade.

On a recent visit, the lamb curry was deliciously light, juicy and fragrant. Served in a compostable bento tray, lunch specials range from $6 to $8 and come with various carbs in basmati rice, roti, dal, raita and papad, and achaar, a pickled salad. Chaats start at $4.75. I am still amazed at the quality and authenticity of the food with reasonable prices.

While the food has not changed with the move in March, the atmosphere has. Instead of fighting for grungy seats and tables in a pale, depressing warehouse, diners now enjoy bright yellow, purple and orange painted walls and shiny new tables and chairs. Getting your food has also gotten more organized, with the cash registers far from the food pickup. Orders are still announced on the speaker, but there's enough space that people are not waiting shoulder to shoulder.

It also wouldn't be Berkeley if the business wasn't green. Along with using compostable dinnerware, VIK's also divides trash into three barrels for compost, recycle and trash.

Overall, the move is a major improvement and only makes me want to visit VIK's more often. Let's just hnpe the newfound makeover doesn't mean an increase in prices.

VIK's Chaat Corner
2390 4th St., Berkeley

Photo: Nicole L.

12% off to-go orders at Amanda's Berkeley

Monday's the last day to get 12% off all phone orders at Amanda's in downtown Berkeley. In celebration of the two 12-minute metered parking spots in front, the all-natural burger joint is offering the 12% discount.

While some people complain of the portion sizes, Amamda's is one of my go-to spots downtown for inexpensive, quick meals. Whenever I have a show at the Berkeley Rep, I stop by Amanda's for a quick bite and am out the door in 20 minutes or less. The naturally raised beef burgers ($3.75) are comparable to In-N-Out more than McDonald's, and the baked fries ($1.50) are deliciously crispy. For a healthier option, try the sweet potato ($1.75) or raw apple fries ($1.50).

In line with a restaurant that serves sustainable, organic food in biodegradable packing, Amanda's makes its own sodas ($1.75), from cola to ginger ale and raspberry. If all the above sounds good, grab a combo ($6.75) that includes a burger, regular fries and a soda.

Amanda's
2122 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley

Photo: Wilhelm Y.

Happy hour at T-Rex Barbeque, Berkeley

My favorite happy hour place in Berkeley is T-Rex Barbeque off Gilman and San Pablo Blvd. While dinner is mediocre and better barbeque can be held elsewhere, happy hour is fantastic. Every day from 3 to 6 p.m., get $4 beers, $2 PBRs $5 well cocktails, $2 off wine, $1 tacos, $1.25 oysters and other delicious finger foods.

The beer options are all craft brews, with my favorite being the Stone Pale Ale. My absolute favorite dish is the nachos with pulled pork and salsa ($6). Oven-warmed chips with tangy pulled pork go well with the refreshing coolness of the salsa. Also try the bar riblets with spicy cayenne BBQ sauce ($5). I could, and would, eat the two every day. The brisket Banh Mi sounded interesting, but didn't deliver considering I could get something twice as big and flavorful for half the price in Chinatown. Deviled eggs ($2) and the fries with chipotle ketchup ($3) are average.

Happy hour has also expanded to include whole meals. Get a 1/2 pint of PBR and a burger for $5, or to share try the full rack of baby back ribs and a pitcher of PBR for $25.

Unlike most places that have happy hour at the bar only, T-Rex opens up the whole space. Whether you sit at a table or one of the couches upstairs, the atmosphere is very chill, especially Monday through Wednesday when there aren't many people. If you sit at a table, you get waiter service, which I appreciate for happy hour. Happy hour is a must when in Berkeley.

T-Rex Barbeque
1300 10th St., Berkeley

Photo: Earl G.

Tuesdays at Pyramid Brewery, Berkeley

If I were unemployed, I would spend every Tuesday at Pyramid Brewery and Alehouse. Not only is there alcohol, but there are plenty of activities to keep me busy for an evening.

I would start my day at 4 p.m. with a free, daily tour of the brewery. The 45-minute guided tour covers the brewing process and the history of Pyramid, as ends with three samples. For those under 21, there is Thomas Kemper soda.

After the tour, I would mosey down to the restaurant for happy hour, which runs from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Pints are $3.50, pitchers $10.50 except for Brewer's Handle Selection and appetizers 30% off. The blue cheese potato chips go perfectly with a cold brew.

After happy hour, I'd hang around until 7:30 p.m. for the start of Brainstormer's Pub Quiz. Trivia winners usually get free beer, with a six-pack for third, 12-pack for second, and a case for the winners to share.

Tuesday is also pint night, so you get to keep the pint if you purchase one of the seasonal glasses. Limit one glass a person.

Pyramid is one of my favorite breweries in Berkeley because of the daily events and promotions they have. The food is average, but Pyramid is a nice, easy place to relax and unwind with friends. Major bonus: they have their own parking lot!

Pyramid Brewery and Alehouse
901 Gilman St., Berkeley

Photo: Beerlabels.com

Specials at Guerilla Cafe, Berkeley

Among the upscale dining options and boutique businesses in North Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto is a revolutionary-inspired cafe. Established in 2006 by artist friends, Guerilla Cafe is an urban burst in an otherwise suburban stretch of Shattuck Avenue.

The well decorated cafe, which doubles as an art gallery, specializes in breakfast, brunch and lunch with Blue Bottle Coffee and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Hours have recently extended to 10 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, with Thursday $2 Red Stripe happy hour and games of dominoes every night. Also, the cafe runs occasional Twitter deals: Until Saturday, say the password "mama say mama sa mamakusa" to get a buy one, get one free waffleito promo.

The afterhours menu starts at 5 p.m. and includes about five small plates, including salumi, cheese and fruit, and beet salads, for less than $10.

The staff is friendly and hospitable, even helping us with the rules of dominoes last Thursday. Everyone is laid back and you feel like you can lounge around without anyone minding.

Guerilla Cafe
1620 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley

Photo Credit: Scott B.

East Bay Urban Wine Tastings

For fans of urban wineries, there are a few events this week and next celebrating local makers from the East Bay.

Today from 6-9 p.m., Nirvano.com is hosting a tasting of San Francisco, Treasure Island and Oakland wineries at SOM bar in the Mission. Tickets are $10 with RSVP and $20 at the door. East Bay wineries include JC Cellars, Dashe Cellars, Donkey and Goat Winery, and Periscope Cellars. Nirvano.com is a wine rating guide for iPhones.

On Friday from 1 to 6 p.m., try a free tasting of Eden Canyon Vineyard’s just released 2007 “Estate” Cabernet Sauvignon and NV “Suerte” at Periscope Cellars in Emeryville. While there, also check out free tastings from Periscope Cellars and Urbano Cellars Winery. The two experiment with blends, especially Periscope Cellars, which hovers near the minimum percentage required for Syrahs, Cabernets and Zins.

Lastly, the third annual Passport to the East Bay Wine Trail will be held next Saturday, April 10 from noon to 5 p.m. Twenty East Bay wineries, including many not open to the public, will take over seven locations in Oakland, Emeryville and Alameda to offer everything from Barbera to Zinfandel. Tickets are $30 in advance, $45 at the door, and include a souvenir Riedel glass. Check out the East Bay Vintner’s Alliance page for participating wineries, which include big names like Rosemblum Cellars in Alameda and smaller ones like Two Mile Wines on San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley.

Photo: Sweetmemorybaskets.com

Happy hour at Bobby G's Pizzeria, Berkeley

One of the few places that has happy hour daily is Bobby G's Pizzeria in downtown Berkeley. From 4 to 7 p.m. daily, get $1 off all beers, $2 off pitchers, $2 off glasses of wine, 25% off bottles of wine, $2 cheese slices, $15 18" cheese pizzas, and $5 Caesar salads.

Being Berkeley, Bobby G's serves up gourmet, organic Neopolitan pizzas and craft brews, such as Pliny the Younger. Pizzas are varied enough to cater to omnivores, vegetarians and vegans, and include standards like Meat Lovers Pie with gourmet combos like clam and garlic. My favorite is the triple mushroom with sautéed shiitake, baby Portobello and button mushrooms on top of fresh tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, garlic, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of truffle oil. Pizzas can be pricey with a small, good for two people at $15, and a large that can feed four for $23.75. In addition to pizzas, Bobby G's offers pastas, salad, paninis and appetizers like bruschetta, crostinis and chicken wings.

Bobby G's also has a bar area and three flatscreen TVs, so you won't have to miss March Madness.

Bobby G's Pizzeria
2072 University Ave., Berkeley

Photo: Chico F.

Skates on the Bay, Berkeley

If I wanted to be transported to the 1970s, I would go to Skates on the Bay on the Berkeley Marina. Skates looks very old fashioned, from the wooden plank façade to the chandeliers and the maroon lounge chairs. But, if you can look past the décor, you will find some great happy hour deals. They have two happy hours every weekday. The first is 4-6 p.m., and the second from 9-11 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 p.m. to 11:30 Fridays.

Deals are ½ off select appetizers and cocktails. Portions are generous and you can make dinner out of it. I enjoyed the Kobe meatloaf sliders, which are like sloppy joes. The oven roasted red king crab and artichoke dip was good for the first few bites, but too rich and creamy to eat more than that. The teriyaki tenderloin was a pleasant surprise, and could have been a meal by itself. The roasted garlic prawns were seasoned well but overcooked. Vegetarian options are limited to slightly upscale pub food like sweet potato fries (crispy and delicious), beer battered onion rings, and cheese plates.

While the food makes it worth a try, the $4 drinks could be better. The pomegranate margarita and green apple drop were so watered down that I would have preferred a wine cooler. Service can also be haphazard since happy hour is in the lounge only

Skates on the Bay
100 Seawall Dr., Berkeley

Photo: Chad L.

A Taste of North Berkeley restaurant walk

One of the great food corridors in Berkeley is the Gourmet Ghetto, home of the famed Chez Panisse, the upscale food mall Epicurious Garden and local favorites like Café Gratitude and Gregoire. If you’ve never been, I recommend tomorrow's Taste of North Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto restaurant walk. Twenty-seven restaurants, galleries and shops will offer food and wine tastings from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 a person and proceeds benefit the Lions Club Community Fund.

Participating businesses include Bistro Liaison, Cioccolata Di Vino, Fertile Grounds Café, Firehouse North Gallery, Trattoria Corso, Party Sushi, Café Gratitude, Sala Berkeley Boutique, Thai Delight Cuisine, Taste of the Himalayas, Poulet, Crepevine, Chick-O-Pea’s / Barney’s, Gregoire, Andronico’s Market, Cha-Am Thai, M. Lowe & Co. Jewelers, Mint Leaf, Alegio Chocolaté, Imperial Tea Court, Picoso Taqueria, SOOP, Kirala 2, Vintage Berkeley Wines, Chester’s Restaurant and Bar, Saul’s Deli, & Lo Coco's Restaurant.

Tickets can be purchased at the following locations or at the event at 1495 Shattuck Ave.

ACCI Gallery – 1652 Shattuck Ave.
M. Lowe & Co. – 1519 Shattuck Ave.
Holistic Hound – 1510 Walnut St.
Darling Flower Shop - 2004 University Ave.

A few of the highlights from the sample menu:

Café Gratitude: Live coconut curry soup
Bistro Liaison: Quenelle soufflé, salmon and scallop mousse with shrimp and cream sauce
Trattoria Corso: Pork belly sandwich
Kirala 2: Choice of sushi rolls and vegetable croquette

Gregoire in Berkeley

One of my go-to spots to take out-of-towners is Gregoire in Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto. It's a tiny, cute, cozy French take-out spot that is delicious, affordable and completely Berkeley. The menu changes monthly and ingredients are seasonal, organic and local. The best time to go is lunch, when sandwiches cost between $7 and $8 and come with a sample size of the day's pasta salad.

On Sunday, I made my monthly visit and tried the smoked duck breast with clementine chutney and daikon salad on a Semifreddis sweet roll for $7.75. I wasn't sure how the duck would taste since it's usually fatty and heavy, but the breast was sliced like deli meat and completely tender and juicy. The daikon added a nice crispy texture and the bread was toasted to a perfect crunch.

While sandwiches are a bargain at under $8, you should splurge for the potato puffs. Deep fried balls of goodness, the potato puffs are creamy like mashed potatoes on the inside and crispy on the outside. A $4.50 order, pictured, includes about 10 balls with a mayo-based dipping sauce and can easily be shared.

I have been going to Gregoire at least once a month for the past three years and have never been disappointed. The quality is always amazing and so much better than any sandwich you can find nearby. Seating is limited since this is a take-out place, with only three bar stools inside and two benches outside. Finding a seat is hit or miss, so I recommend ordering to-go just in case you don't get a spot.

Gregoire is tiny, and that adds to the charm. Grab a paper menu outside, then go inside to place your order with the cashier. The kitchen is located right of the entrance, so people sitting at the bar can feel the heat coming from the stoves and grill. The kitchen window also opens out to the two benches, so when orders are ready, they are yelled and passed through the window.
On sunny days, Gregoire is an ideal way to unwind and enjoy great food and weather.

Gregoire
2109 Cedar St., Berkeley

A second location opened in Piedmont.
4001 B Piedmont Ave., Oakland