ISO: Good eats in Berkeley, Sebastopol

[KValley]

Work sees me off to the Bay Area and Davis next week for two weeks- I'll be staying several days in Berkeley and in Sebastopol and I get a free weekend to play- FINALLY going to see a bit of Napa/Sonoma. My bro and SIL just moved from Oakland to Sausalito (hello! that's quite a change- they are ministers and the church moved them on), so I can't wait to see their new digs.

I'm ISO for inexpensive, healthy, interesting places to eat in Berkeley and Sebastopol (or thereabouts- Rohnert Park, Petaluma, etc). I am not a picky eater, but I'd prefer Asian, Indian, or places with great soups and salads or seafood. Mexican, Italian- huh-uh- too heavy. I know Berkeley will have a TON of such places, being a college town, so I'm hoping to narrow down my choices.

TIA- Julie

[kima]

Just wanted to say that sounds like an awesome trip Julie! I have been to that area a few times and loved it. I actually lived in San Leandro as a child. Sorry no restaurants to recommend (I did go to Chez Panisse once- wonderful!!). Please don't go two weeks without checking in here- that would make me sad!:(

[KValley]

Originally posted by kima
Please don't go two weeks without checking in here- that would make me sad!:(

Gosh no, Maureen! That's why God made laptops :D How else could I get through those lonely evenings alone in a hotel!!

[Jessica]

Small world. My aunt lives in Sebastopol and I went there last year for her wedding. We ate at a wonderful sushi place--I don't recall the name but it was the only one in town (small town) and it was right in the center of the little downtown area, near a pizza place.

We also went to a brew pub (again, the only one) that had good beer and decent food, including a good chili.

[KValley]

Mmm, sushi- now we're talkin'! Thanks, Jessica- I'm sure I won't miss it (I didn't realize Sebastopol was so small!)

[Beth]

There is a pretty good Thai restaurant in Cotati (southern Rohnert Park). I can't remeber the name of it, but it is on Cotati Ave. about a mile or a little more east of 101 in a strip shopping center on the right. The barbeque place in front of it is pretty good for CA.

The best Thai north of San Francisco (that I found) was Anita's in San Rafeal. I think it's on 3rd or 4th Street about 2 blocks east of 101 (there is a Trader Joe's in Montecito Plaza on 2nd street just a block or two further east).

If you're a beer fan, Dempsey's Ale house at Petaluma Blvd and Washington (it's actually at the back of a strip shopping center and hard to see from the street -- enter the parking lot from Washington and go straight back -- it's along the river). It's a microbrewery with very popular brews and good food.

For Italian, there is a place next to Yardbirds on 116 less than a mile off 101 (east again). I can't remeber the name, but it was always good. There are some other restaurants along Petaluma Blvd in town, some back to the river. If you want to pig out on deep dish pizza, Old Chicago Pizza (2 locations, eat-in on Petaluma Blvd and a carry out or sit on the bench at the SE corner of Washington and McDowell ) is good, but nowhere near light. Check out Deaf Dog Coffee too (locations on Petaluma Blvd, Washington at McDowell and several drive thru spots in the morning).

If you like dim sum, there is a restaurant in front of the Lucky grocery store and behind the McD's at 116 on the west side of 101. I haven't eaten there, but they are very big on dim sum. We used to eat Chinese a lot at Ming Yen in Novato on Grant at 7th and a place in Petaluma I don't remember the name of (off Mc Dowell in the front of the Kmart parking lot - but don't hold that against them)

Hope that gives you a start on the Sebastapol end (I used to live in Peataluma and have been to Sebastapol many times, but can't remember any restaurant names there except chains).

DH says you should try Chez Panize in Berkley -- that's ALice Water's restaurant. I can't help you much in the East Bay.

[beccathebaker]

How exciting Julie-
I am actually moving from Boston to Berkeley today! Please send me an e-mail and perhaps we can have a cup of coffee or a meal when you are in town if you have a free second!
I am not an expert (yet) on dining in the bay area, except that when I have been there before, there were two places that nearly made me pass out-
The Cheese Board- a collective bakery/cheese shop with literally the best sourdough bread I have ever had (and that's coming from a baker!) They also have an incredible cheese selection.
The Berkeley Bowl- a market that is filled with exotic, beautiful produce (unlike any I've seen in my life), ethnic foods, organic meats, fresh baked bread, natural foods,- it reminds me of trader joes, whole foods, china town and a farmers market all in one. You really should try to see it.
Good luck and please e-mail if you'd like!
-Becca

[KValley]

Thanks Beth and Becca! I think half the fun will be trying to find these places- a great way to get to know the area. As long as I have a vague idea, I don't mind wandering around, half-lost!

Becca- you must be going nuts with moving chaos! A cross-country move is no easy thing (I know, I've done a few!). How wonderful that you are coming to our side of the world!

As a disciple of cheese, the Cheese Board sounds like my Mecca! Oh boy, can't wait! And the Berkeley Bowl is a must, eh? I'd love to get together- I'll send you an e-mail with details....Good luck with the move!

[kathyk]

hi julie,

i mostly lurk on the board, but i can definitely help you out. for indian, vik's chaat house is quite good and inexpensive. i couldn't tell you how to get there because i don't remember the side street it's on. it's very close to the fourth street shopping area off of university. just north of berkeley in albany on san pablo avenue is a fairly new thai restaurant called ruen pair. it's some of the best thai i've had in the east bay. the best thing about ruen pair is it's close proximity to one of the best wine shops in the area, oddlots. morgan, the proprietor, has a monthly sampler of six bottles for less than $40. lots o'french, spanish, italian wines. it's right up your alley, tastewise. another wine shop a mile or so south on san pablo is kermit lynch's wine store. he also has great wines and is very well known in the business as an importer. however, his wines tend to be a bit more expensive.

someone already mentioned the cheese board. the pizza is vegetarian, varies from day to day, and a slice is $2. how can it not be the best pizza with all those fantabulous cheeses?

you probably already know that downtown oakland has a plethora of inexpensive asian restaurants and a chinatown. it's not very far from berkeley. feel free to email me for more info and if you'd like someone to pal around with, i'm available!

kathy
piedmont, ca (just minutes from berkeley)

[aggie94]

Originally posted by beccathebaker
The Cheese Board- a collective bakery/cheese shop with literally the best sourdough bread I have ever had (and that's coming from a baker!) They also have an incredible cheese selection.

I HATE sourdough bread, but our friends made a trip down to Berkeley a few weeks ago and brought back a loaf of sourdough from the Cheese Board and some cheeses (fresh mozzarella and some cheddar dippy-stuff). The bread was EXCELLENT. Oh, and the cheese was great too!