Eat in Portland: Saint Cupcake

The Salty Captain and Toasted Coconut Cream


French Toast and Lemon Sparkle

While in Portland a couple weeks ago, my mom and I visited Saint Cupcake on SW Morrison Street and SW 12th Avenue in Southwest Portland. Saint Cupcake is a beautifully decorated cupcake shop with three locations throughout the city. The location we visited has an sleek, airy atmosphere with a brilliant use of bright colors. The store is as adorable as the cupcakes for sale.

We tried four mini-cupcakes during our stay: the Salty Captain, the Toasted Coconut Cream, the French Toast, and the Lemon Sparkle. The Salty Captain is made with fudgy chocolate cake, caramel buttercream, caramel sauce, and sea salt. If you're a fan of salted caramel, this cupcake is for you. (Aye aye, Captain!). The Toasted Coconut Cream is made with vanilla cake baked with toffee pieces inside, vanilla cream cheese, and toasted coconut. This is a favorite of mine, possibly due to the 1:1 frosting to cake ratio. I'm not sure of the exact ingredients in either of the cupcakes my mom tried, but she seemed to enjoy them.

I would definitely stop by Saint Cupcake if I'm in Portland in the future. In addition to a wide selection of cupcakes, they also sell brownies, cookies, pies, ice cream, cookiewiches, and ice cream cupcakes. Make sure to check out the whisk bike rake outside the store.

If you've stopped by Saint Cupcake, what did you try?

Saint Cupcake

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1138 SW Morrison St., Portland, OR 97209

Open: Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm, Saturday 10am - 6pm, Sunday 11am - 5pm

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Eat in Portland: Mumbo Gumbo

Jambalaya with chicken, Andouille sausage, peppers, onions, celery, and a side of cornbread

Mumbo Gumbo is a food cart that specializes in Cajun and Creole style food in Southwest Portland. When my mom and I visited a couple weeks ago, she ordered the Jambalaya, which is made with chicken, Andouille sausage, peppers, onions, celery, and a side of cornbread. It's everything I want in jambalaya and then some. It comes with a good helping of Andouille sausage. Overall, it's a pretty spicy dish so make sure you've got some water nearby.

If you've stopped by Mumbo Gumbo, what did you try?

Mumbo Gumbo

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930 SW Washington St., Portland, OR 97205

Open: Monday - Saturday 11am - 6pm

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Eat in Portland: The Gaufre Gourmet

ABC Waffle with arugula, bacon, Camembert, and fig sauce

The Gaufre Gourmet is another one of the delicious food carts my mom and I patronized while in Portland a couple weeks ago. Located on SW 9th and Alder Street in Southwest Portland, The Gaufre Gourmet specializes in savory and sweet Belgian waffle dishes.

I ordered the ABC Waffle which comes with arugula, bacon, Camembert, and fig sauce. It is a foodie's dream. The liège style waffle was made from a "sweet brioche-style dough," according to their website, and provides the perfect base for whatever sweet or savory toppings you choose. The arugula was fresh and well-dressed, adding a tanginess to the dish. The bacon was the right amount of crispy, greasy goodness. The Camembert and fig sauce united the dynamic flavors well. This is truly a special dish. To enjoy the full experience, I'd highly recommend trying to get a bit of the waffle, arugula, bacon, cheese, and fig sauce in each bite.

If you've visited The Gaufre Gourmet, what did you try?

The Gaufre Gourmet

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SW 9th & Alder St., Portland, OR 97205

Open: Daily 10am - 3pm

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Eat in Portland: Salt & Straw

Honey Lavender and Stumptown Coffee & Burnside Bourbon ice cream


Honey Lavender and Cinnamon Snickerdoodle ice cream

A trip to Portland would not be complete without visiting Salt & Straw, a popular ice cream shop with three locations in the city. Apart from having a steady line out the door, they're known for mixing seemingly divergent flavors of ice cream to create something special. With choices like Goat Cheese Marionberry Habanero and Arbequina Olive Oil, their ice cream is dynamic and anything but boring.

When my mom and I stopped by their Northwest Portland location on NW 23rd Avenue and NW Kearny Street a couple weeks ago, we opted for the sweet over the savory. I ordered the Honey Lavender and the Stumptown Coffee & Burnside Bourbon, while my mom tried the Honey Lavender and the Cinnamon Snickerdoodle. Their Honey Lavender was one of the most flavorful I've tried and probably my favorite anywhere. The Stumptown Coffee & Burnside Bourbon was also far from subtle. It had the bold taste Stumptown is known for with a twist of bourbon. The Cinnamon Snickerdoodle was a favorite as well. It's made with chunks of the actual cookie and a sweet treat all around.

Outside of Portland, they have another popular location on Larchmont in Los Angeles. The next time I stop by I'd like to try the Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache or the Toasted Coconut with Candied Macadamia Nuts.

If you've visited Salt & Straw, what flavors did you try?

Salt & Straw

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838 NW 23rd Ave., Portland, OR 97210

Open: Daily 10am - 11pm

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Eat in Portland: Kelvin's Döner

Döner Salad with lamb and beef döner kebab, iceberg, romaine, red and green cabbage, tomatoes, onions, cucumber, carrots, feta, and tzatziki dressing

Kelvin's Döner is found in the same food pod as Nong's Khao Man Gai on SW 10th & Alder St. in Southwest Portland. I tried a bit of my mom's Döner Salad when we visited this food cart a couple weeks ago. The salad comes with delicious lamb and beef döner kebab, two types of lettuce and cabbage, tomatoes, onions, cucumber, carrots, feta, and tzatziki dressing. The ingredients are fresh and flavorful. The heaviness of the meat is balanced by the lightness of the salad. It's everything you want in the Turkish dish and an ideal lunch spot.

If you've visited Kelvin's Döner, what do you recommend trying?

Kelvin's Döner

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SW 10th & Alder St., Portland, OR 97205

Open: Monday - Friday 11am - 4pm, Saturday 11:30am - 3pm

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Eat in Portland: Nong’s Khao Man Gai

Chicken and Rice (Khao Man Gai) served with house-made sauce and a light soup


Khao Man Gai to go

When I was researching what to do in Portland, pretty much every site recommended visiting Nong’s Khao Man Gai, a food cart found in one of Southwest Portland's many food pods. According to my tour guide (whom I highly recommend), these clusters of food carts sprouted all over the city around 2009 when the economy was suffering. They feature a wide variety of food, including Georgian, Thai, Mexican, Polish, Ethiopian, and Middle Eastern cuisines to name a few. The food pods I saw in this part of the city are in groups of 15 or even a few dozen, making competition and turnover high. Nong’s Khao Man Gai has been around since the beginning and now has two carts and a restaurant. From what I can tell, they've been in business this long with good reason.

When I stopped by their cart on SW 10th and Alder St., I ordered their namesake dish: Khao Man Gai or simply chicken and rice. I was handed a brown bag adorned with illustrations of chickens of all sizes. Inside I found my meal wrapped in white butcher paper, the requisite utensils, and postcard-sized instructions on how to eat my food. My meal included perfectly poached Marys Organic Chicken, flavorful rice simmered in chicken stock and Thai herbs, a container of sauce made with fermented soybeans, ginger, garlic, Thai chilies, vinegar, house-made syrup, and soy sauce, a smaller container of sliced pepper, and a light soup on the side. The instructions on how to eat the Khao Man Gai have about six steps: open the butcher paper, pour the sauce on the chicken, make sure to take a bite with the chicken, rice, and sauce, try some of the cucumbers and cilantro on the side, try some soup, and repeat. They've even created a neat stop-motion video detailing the process.

In all, it was a pretty good meal. The chicken's juiciness was memorable. The ingredients were fresh and the flavors complemented each other well. They balanced the hotter aspects of the dish with cool cucumbers. There was no wait when I visited. However, it is hard to find a spot to eat. Many patrons eat their lunch in a public space nearby, but it would be easier to find a table for your Khao Man Gai.

If you've visited Nong’s Khao Man Gai, what do you recommend trying?

Nong’s Khao Man Gai

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SW 10th & Alder St., Portland, OR 97205

Open: Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm

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Coffee in Portland: Stumptown Coffee Roasters

Latte (8 oz.)

I've been obsessed with Stumptown Coffee Roasters ever since I tried a cappuccino made with their distinct blend at Alfred Coffee & Kitchen in Los Angeles last year. Given that Stumptown is based in Portland ("Stumptown" is a nickname for the city after all), I made sure to stop by while in town. I ordered a latte at their downtown location on SW 3rd Avenue, just a stone's throw away from Voodoo Doughnut. The latte had the bold flavor they're known for and was prepared perfectly.

The atmosphere of this store is similar to the hip coffee shops that line Valencia in San Francisco's Mission District (see exhibits A and B). Stumptown has a sleek wood interior, neon sign over an exposed brick wall, long bar down the length of the store where customers pick their poison, and trendy twenty-somethings behind the counter. Their prices are reasonable for such high quality: my 8 oz. latte was about $3 to its $4 Bay Area counterpart. If I lived in Portland, I would probably go out of my way to get my hands on a cup of Stumptown coffee daily. Although they haven't established a location in San Francisco yet, they do have a spot in the Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles. Road trip?

If you've visited Stumptown Coffee Roasters, what do you recommend trying?

Stumptown Coffee Roasters

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128 SW 3rd Ave., Portland, OR 97204

Open: Monday - Friday 6am - 7pm, Saturday - Sunday 7am - 7pm

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Eat in Portland: Voodoo Doughnut

Dirt doughnut doughnut: a raised yeast doughnut with vanilla frosting and Oreos


Chocolate coconut doughnut: a chocolate cake doughnut with chocolate frosting and shredded coconut

Last week I spent some time exploring Portland, Oregon with my mom. When I asked my friends what to see in Portland before leaving for my trip, Voodoo Doughnut was one of the most highly recommended places to visit. We stopped by their original location on SW 3rd Avenue near W Burnside Street in Southwest Portland. 

After waiting in line for about ten minutes, we ordered two donuts while we were there: the "dirt doughnut doughnut" and the chocolate coconut doughnut. The former is a raised yeast donut with vanilla frosting and Oreos. It was unlike any raised donut I've had before. Usually, I'm not a fan of raised donuts and I prefer cake donuts exclusively. I'll make a huge exception for Voodoo's; it's that good. Their raised yeast donut is an ideal base for the dozens of crazy toppings it will hold. The frosting and the Oreos were also not as overly sweet as expected. They've perfected the balance between too sweet and not sweet enough. The chocolate coconut donut was equally as good. They use Devil's food cake for the cake donut base and freshly shredded coconut on top. If you love chocolate and coconut, this donut is for you.

After visiting for myself, it's not surprising why Voodoo Doughnut is so popular. They have a wide selection of cleverly titled flavors at low prices. It's not uncommon to wait in a line around the block. Fortunately, they have another location aptly named Voodoo Doughnut Too that I've heard rarely has a line. Also remember to bring cash as that's all they accept.

If you've visited Voodoo Doughnut, what do you recommend trying?

Voodoo Doughnut

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22 SW 3rd Ave., Portland, OR 97204

Open: 24 hours

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Eat in Berkeley: Cupcakin’ Bake Shop

From left: Red Velvet, Double Chocolate, and Funfetti mini cupcakes

I've been on a bit of a cupcake kick since visiting Love At First Bite a couple weeks ago. I stopped by Cupcakin’ Bake Shop on Durant and Telegraph in Berkeley this weekend after it was recommended to me by the lady behind butter, sugar, flowers. Given the fact that this is one of my favorite local blogs and it features her insanely inventive dessert recipes, I knew I had to add Cupcakin' to my list.

I tried three mini cupcakes during my visit: Red Velvet, Double Chocolate, and Funfetti. They were all very good and incredibly moist. The Red Velvet has a creamy frosting that almost melted off the top. The Double Chocolate has just the right amount of chocolaty goodness. The Funfetti is topped with edible sprinkles I've never seen before.

The next time I come by I'd like to try the Grasshopper Pie, Bailey's Irish Cream, or S'mores cupcakes. (Pro-tip: They even have a schedule showing when each flavor is available.)

If you've visited Cupcakin’ Bake Shop, what do you recommend trying?

Cupcakin’ Bake Shop

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2435 Durant Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704

Open: Monday - Saturday 11am - 9pm, Sunday 11am - 6pm

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Eat in Berkeley: Smoke’s Poutinerie

Traditional Poutine with Smoke's Poutinerie Signature Gravy and Wisconsin cheese curd


Triple Pork Poutine with chipotle pulled pork, double-smoked bacon, and Italian sausage




Chicken Chili Poutine with grilled chicken, homemade chili, and cheese sauce




Veggie Rainbow Poutine with Smoke's Poutinerie Veggie Gravy, Sriracha, cheese sauce, guacamole, and sour cream

I remember first hearing about poutine a few years ago, not quite sure what it was. It sounded like a frou-frou French delicacy that hadn't quite made it to the States. I later learned that this dish hails from Quebec and is essentially fries covered in gravy and cheese curds. Since I've never tried poutine before, I was excited when Callie invited me to try a few varieties at Smoke's Poutinerie at their Berkeley location on Durant and Telegraph.

When I arrived, I was greeted by Danny and Kenneth, the franchise owners of this location. Danny provided me with a background about poutine, Smoke's, and their extensive menu. He even recommended watching Poutine Nation, a short documentary about the namesake dish. At Smoke's Poutinerie, all of their poutine start with the same base of hand-cut and custom seasoned fries, their signature gravy, and Wisconsin cheese curd. I tried four types of poutine during my visit: Traditional Poutine, Triple Pork Poutine, Chicken Chili Poutine, and Veggie Rainbow Poutine, with a bottle of Jones Crushed Melon Soda on the side.

The Traditional Poutine came with the base of their signature gravy and Wisconsin cheese curd. I've never had cheese curd before, but theirs was really good. The mild flavors of the gravy and the cheese curd blend well together. This dish is perfect for poutine neophytes such as myself. I then tried the Triple Pork Poutine, which comes with chipotle pulled pork, double-smoked bacon, and Italian sausage. It would not be an understatement to say that this is a meat-eater's dream. The pulled pork is tender, the bacon is crispy, and the sausage is tasty. The flavors of the different kinds of pork are complemented by the gravy and cheese curds well.

The third dish was the Chicken Chili Poutine, which comes with grilled chicken, homemade chili, and cheese sauce. The chicken is tender and the chili is flavorful. Like in the Triple Pork Poutine, the ingredients combine to create a flavorful dish. The Veggie Rainbow Poutine was also quite a treat. The fries were topped with their signature veggie gravy, cheese curds, Sriracha, cheese sauce, guacamole, and sour cream. The Veggie Rainbow includes every topping you'd want in one place.

Overall, I had a great experience at Smoke's Poutinerie. The staff is helpful and attentive. They have a fun atmosphere and the shop has a sleek, efficient design. It's the perfect spot for a late night snack, especially for college students looking for a break. I'd like to thank Callie, Danny, and Kenneth for giving me this wonderful opportunity to try Smoke's Poutinerie.

If you've visited Smoke's Poutinerie, what do you recommend trying?

Smoke’s Poutinerie

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2518 Durant Ave., Unit A, Berkeley, CA 94704

Open: Daily 11am - 4am

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Eat in Oakland: The Tearoom

Entiretea tea service: a choice of two sandwiches, a scone with preserves and Chantilly Cream, choice of four confections, and fresh fruit


Curried Chicken (left) and Cucumber sandwiches


Scone made with candied cranberries


Cucumber salad with heirloom tomatoes, candied walnuts, and lettuce


Fresh fruit including peaches, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, watermelon, and cantaloupe


Rocky Road Brownie (front) and Lemon Cheesecake Tart (behind)


Plum Crumble (left) and Strawberry Cream Puff (right)


The inside of the Strawberry Cream Puff


Cloudy Candy: cotton candy served over tea




French Super Blue Lavender tea

I've been dreaming of attending high tea for a while, so when Anny invited me to try tea service at The Tearoom this past Saturday it felt like destiny. The Tearoom is located on College Avenue between Claremont and Alcatraz Avenues in North Oakland. It fits in perfectly with the quaint stores Rockridge is known for. My guest and I were offered the Entiretea tea service, which is ideal for two. It comes with two sandwiches, a freshly baked scone with preserves and Chantilly Cream, four confections made by San Francisco's own Native Baking Company, fresh fruit, and a bottomless pot of Harney & Sons tea or Blue Bottle Coffee served in a French Presse.

We ordered the Cucumber and Curried Chicken sandwiches, both of which were very good. The Cucumber sandwich was made with butter, cucumber, chives, parsley, and lemon zest, all of which add dimension to an afternoon tea staple. The Curried Chicken sandwich was served open-faced with shredded coconut and toasted almonds. We were treated to a delicious salad of candied walnuts, cucumber, heirloom tomatoes, and different types of lettuce. The ingredients were fresh and the walnuts were a favorite of mine.

I believe the scone was made with candied cranberries and was served with a side of two types of fruit preserves and Chantilly Cream. It would not be an understatement to say that this was probably the best scone I've had. It was everything I want in a scone: warm, flaky, and buttery. I tried it with both types of preserves and the Chantilly Cream, and was in heaven with each bite. The flavors accentuated each other perfectly. (It's no wonder why their scones have received rave reviews on Yelp.)

As for the confections, we tried the Rocky Road Brownie, the Strawberry Cream Puff, the Plum Crumble, and the Lemon Cheesecake Tart, all of which were very tasty. The Rocky Road Brownie had a fudgy goodness and was topped with walnuts and even more chocolate. The Strawberry Cream Puff had a delicious creamy center and was the best cream puff I've ever had. The Plum Crumble was also very good and worth a try. The Lemon Cheesecake Tart was a dreamy treat that melted in your mouth. You can't go wrong with any of the confections they offer. The three-tiered stand was topped off with fresh fruit even a non-fruit eater would enjoy. It included sliced peaches, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cantaloupe, and watermelon.

We tried the French Super Blue Lavender tea with our meal, which had a great flavor that wasn't too overwhelming. The tea was served in glass teacups and saucers that complemented The Tearoom's modern take on tea service. We were given the option of trying the Cloudy Candy, which is where they fasten a stick of cotton candy to two clips over a cup of tea. The cotton candy melted into the tea, adding a subtle sweetness to the drink as well as a frosty effect on the side of the cup.

Overall, this was a wonder experience. The food and tea were delicious. This was everything I hoped for in a tea service. The service was excellent and the servers were very thoughtful, attentive, and helpful. I would recommend an afternoon of tea and treats at The Tearoom to anyone looking to try something different. Your visit will surely be a memorable one. I'd like to thank Anny for giving my guest and I this wonderful opportunity and a delightful afternoon.

I will definitely stop by in the future. The next time I might try the Blue Bottle Coffee served in a French Presse or one of the many other teas they offer, like Chai, English Breakfast, Jasmine, or Peppermint. I'd also like to try the Egg Salad or Ham, Brie, and Apple sandwiches. (Basically, the whole menu's up for grabs.)

If you've visited The Tearoom, what do you recommend trying?

The Tearoom
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6241 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
Open: Thursday - Monday 11am - 6pm

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Eat in Berkeley: Love At First Bite

Pretty in Pink made with blushing pink strawberry buttercream and strawberries


Red Velvet made with Guittard cocoa and cream cheese frosting


Butter Pecan and Bourbon

This past weekend I visited Love At First Bite, a bakery and "cupcakery" in North Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto. Between my friends and I, we tried three flavors of cupcakes: Pretty in Pink, Red Velvet, and Butter Pecan and Bourbon. They were all pretty good. I especially enjoyed the Red Velvet with its distinctly rich cream cheese frosting. The next time I visit, I want to try the Matcha Green Tea cupcake.

If you've visited Love At First Bite, what do you recommend?

Love At First Bite

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1510 Walnut St., Suite G, Berkeley, CA 94709

Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 6pm, Sunday 11am - 5pm

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Eat in San Francisco: Tartine Bakery & Cafe (Pt. 2)

Chocolate Hazelnut Tart made with Valrhona chocolate and toasted hazelnuts

The last time I visited Tartine, a fantastic bakery in San Francisco's Mission District, I tried the Croque Monsieur, which was very good. 

This time I had the Chocolate Hazelnut Tart made with Valrhona chocolate and toasted hazelnuts. It was quite a delight. The chocolate filling was very moist, while the hazelnuts maintained their freshness and crunch. The tart crust was also good. This is the perfect treat to split with a friend (along with other pastries) over a cappuccino. 

If you've visited Tartine, what did you try?

Tartine Bakery & Cafe
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600 Guerrero St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Open: Monday 8 - 7, Tuesday - Wednesday 7:30 - 7, Thursday - Friday 7:30 - 8, Saturday 8 - 8, Sunday 9 - 8

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Eat in San Francisco: The Ramen Bar

Tokyo-Style Ramen with shoyu tare, chashu, soy-cured egg, bamboo, scallion, mizuna, and nori

I've wanted to try The Ramen Bar since it opened about a year ago. This casual restaurant is the perfect lunch spot for those who work in San Francisco's Financial District. I had a couple days off this week for the holiday and I gladly celebrated with a warm bowl of Tokyo-Style Ramen.

The Tokyo-Style Ramen is made with thick slices of chashu pork, soy-cured eggs, shoyu tare, bamboo, scallion, mizuna, and nori. It comes with very generous portions of tender pork. The eggs are the highlight; their yolky center adds instant flavor to the broth and they're rather photogenic to boot. The remaining ingredients are fresh and complement each other well. In short, it's a pretty good bowl of ramen and was worth the year-long wait.

I would visit The Ramen Bar in the future. If you've visited The Ramen Bar, what did you try?

The Ramen Bar
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101 California St., San Francisco, CA 94111
Open: Monday - Friday 10:30am - 9pm

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Coffee in Oakland: The CRO Cafe

Decaf Latte

This past weekend I visited The CRO Cafe, a sleek little coffee shop located in the ultra-hip Temescal Alleys. I ordered a delicious decaf latte made with Sightglass Coffee. In addition to espresso drinks, they also serve two types of cold brews, drip coffee, and artisanal cookies made by local companies. It's a third wave coffee fan's dream spot and one I will definitely frequent in the future.

If you've visited The CRO Cafe, what did you try?

The CRO Cafe
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Temescal Alleys (49th at Telegraph), Oakland, CA 94609
Open: Daily 7am - 6pm

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Eat in Berkeley: Elmwood Cafe (Pt. 3)

Smoked Salmon Sandwich with cream cheese, cucumbers, pickled red onions, and lemon pepper on Acme Levain


Cinnamon Currant Toast with whipped cream cheese and blackberry apple jam  

This past weekend I visited a favorite cafe of mine, Elmwood Cafe on College. Previously I had the Poached Egg Sandwich and Curried Chicken Salad Sandwich, both of which were really good.

This time around I tried the Smoked Salmon Sandwich with the Cinnamon Currant Toast on the side. The open-faced sandwich was layered with cream cheese, smoked salmon, cucumbers, pickled red onions, and then sprinkled with pepper. The salty and sour flavors complemented each other nicely. 

The Cinnamon Currant Toast was a nice way to end the meal on a sweet note. The bread was soft and swirled with cinnamon. The cream cheese and blackberry apple jam joined together to make the toast even more special, but not too decadent. In short, I would definitely order these again. 

If you've visited Elmwood Cafe lately, what did you try?

Elmwood Cafe

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2900 College Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705

Open: Daily 7am - 9pm

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