Work It, Berk: April 2025

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Eat in Mexico City: Mini Marsella

Croque Madame

Enchiladas Suizas

Right: Flat White and Latte

On the hunt for breakfast, my dining companion and I were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful meal we had at Mini, a small cafe and bakery on the corner of Marsella and Nápoles in Juárez.

We tried the Croque Madame and Enchiladas Suizas, which I remember being as tasty as they were photogenic. We enjoyed our expertly made espresso drinks, a flat white and a latte, too.

Next time we're in the area, I would stop by for coffee and one of the many pastries they have on offer.

Mini Marsella

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Calle Marsella 57, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Monday - Saturday 9am - 4pm

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Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Eat in Mexico City: Clara y Ema

(Both) Clara sandwich made with smoked bacon, scrambled eggs, cheddar, and chipotle mayo

Left: Latte

Right: Cappuccino

We stopped by Clara y Ema, a cute breakfast spot located on Calle Marsella and Berlin in Juárez, a couple times during our Mexico City trip last March.

Given that they're mostly known for their breakfast sandwiches, we both tried the Clara made with smoked bacon, scrambled eggs, cheddar, and chipotle mayo, along with our espresso drinks of choice. I remember the sandwiches being a hearty start to the day, while the coffee provided a nice lift.

We'll be sure to try one of their sandwiches or other entrees the next time we're in the area.

Clara y Ema

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Calle Marsella 14, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 3pm, Saturday - Sunday 8am - 3pm

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Monday, April 28, 2025

Eat in Mexico City: Cicatriz

Avocado Toast made with herb salad, radish, and onions

Torta de Huevo made with quelites, papa, and alioli de pimentón

Muslo de Pollo Rostizado made with couscous, yogurt, peppermint, and jicama

Cortado (left) and latte (right)

We stopped by Cicatriz — a casual restaurant and bar, created by an American sister-brother duo, located on Dinamarca and Londres in the Juárez neighborhood — at least twice during our time in Mexico City. Recommended by a friend, this trendy, all-day spot did not disappoint both in its menu selection and atmosphere.

We visited for breakfast and lunch, trying three entrees in total: the Avocado Toast, Torta de Huevo, and Muslo de Pollo Rostizado. The avocado toast was not only photogenic, but also had the right amount of tang from the pickled onions, vinegar from the herb salad dressing, and flakes of salt to balance out the creamy avocado. Although I don't remember the specifics of the other dishes, I remember being equally impressed by their taste and presentation. We also enjoyed two espresso drinks: a cortado and a latte.

Beyond their extensive menu, Cicatriz has a beautiful space that combines granite, wood, and metal both inside and outside under the large trees Mexico City is lined with. It's a great spot to start your day or catch up with friends over coffee or drinks. I would definitely visit Cicatriz the next time I'm in town.

Cicatriz

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C. Dinamarca 44, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Daily 9am - 12am

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Friday, April 25, 2025

Eat in Mexico City: Café Nin

Huevos Rancheros

Left: Chilaquiles Verdes made with burrata, epazote, and cilantro

Chilaquiles Verdes with scrambled eggs

Left: Rol de Guayaba (Guava)

Right: Concha

Ocho de Frutos Rojos y Crema Pastelera

Left: Lemon Amarillo Berliner

Right: Latte

Fig cake

At the end of March in 2024, I spent a wonderful week exploring Mexico City with my dining companion. It was my first time in this part of the country and we were able to try so many amazing foods and restaurants. The place we stopped by the most was Café Nin, an all-day bakery and cafe located on Havre between Calle Marsella and Liverpool in Juárez, right next to where we were staying.

A few of the amazing breakfast entrees we tried included the Huevos Rancheros and Chilaquiles Verdes, both perfectly prepared and photogenic meals that were a great start to our day. We often rounded out the meal with a few pastries, including the Rol de Guayaba (Guava), Concha, Ocho de Frutos Rojos y Crema Pastelera, and Lemon Amarillo Berliner, as well as a latte or cappuccino. While we mostly stopped by for a hearty breakfast or pastries, we did end our day with a drink and desserts too. One time we tried a decadent fig cake that was just waiting to be photographed.

Although it's been a while, I remember our many visits to Café Nin fondly and would definitely make sure to stop by the next time we're south of the border.

Café Nin

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Havre 73, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Monday - Saturday 7am - 9pm, Sunday 7:30am - 6pm

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Thursday, April 24, 2025

Eat in Oakland: The Dough Joe at Tamarack

Tiramisu Donut

Calamansi Glazed Donut

Castelvetrano Olive Focaccia

In March of last year, I stopped by The Dough Joe pop-up at Tamarack — a cafe, library, and event space on Harrison and 15th in Oakland — with a couple of friends. This pop-up was created to support the local dojo, Suigetsukan, and served a variety of sweet and savory treats.

We tried a few things: the Tiramisu Donut (I believe it was this, but it's hard to confirm), Calamansi Glazed Donut, and Castelvetrano Olive Focaccia. Although I don't remember the specifics, I do remember liking the dynamic flavors and variety of goods offered. If I were still living in the area, I would have attended the pop-up that followed a couple of months later.

Although it's unclear if there will be more pop-ups in the future, I'm glad I got to experience such inventive flavors and support a local business when I had the chance. I would recommend following Tamarack on Instagram or peeping their event calendar to see what's coming up.

The Dough Joe

Instagram

Open: see Instagram for details

Tamarack

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1501 Harrison St., Oakland CA 94612

Open: Sunday 1 - 4pm, Tuesday 10am - 3pm

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Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Eat in San Francisco: Hang Ah Tea Room

Left: Cutie Animal Buns

Right: Scallion Pancakes

Left: Pork Meat Ball

Right: Fried Stuffed Eggplant

Left: XO Sauce Pan Fried Turnip Cake

Right: Hang Ah BBQ Pork Buns

In February 2024, I visited Hang Ah Tea Room with a good friend for the first time. Located on Pagoda and Sacramento in Chinatown, Hang Ah is known as America's first dim sum restaurant and is over a hundred years old.

We tried a few dishes while there: the Scallion Pancakes, Hang Ah BBQ Pork Buns, Pork Meat Ball, Fried Stuffed Eggplant, XO Sauce Pan Fried Turnip Cake, and Cutie Animal Buns. Although I don't remember the specifics, I know we enjoyed our meal thoroughly.

Next time, I'll definitely try a few of these dishes again as well as order something new, like the Shrimp Dumplings or Sesame Chicken.

Hang Ah Tea Room

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1 Pagoda Pl., San Francisco, CA 94108

Open: Daily 11am - 8pm

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Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Eat in Oakland: Dumpling Hours

Juicy Pan-fried Pork Buns

Pork Xiao Long Bao

Dan Dan Sesame Paste & Pork Dry Noodles

It's been a while since I wrote a restaurant review. (January 2024 to be exact.) Continuing where I left off, in mid-January of that year, I visited Dumpling Hours, an all-day dim sum restaurant located on Lakeshore and Trestle Glen in Oakland, with my dining companion.

We tried three dishes: the Juicy Pan-fried Pork Buns, Pork Xiao Long Bao, and Dan Dan Sesame Paste & Pork Dry Noodles. I remember enjoying the food, learning how to eat soup dumplings (this was my first time!), and being amazed at how busy, yet efficient the restaurant was. Next time, I'd try the Green Onion Pancakes, Ginger & Scallion Noodles, or Shrimp & Pork Siu Mai.

If you're looking for dim sum and it's not exactly dim sum o'clock (a weekend morning), Dumpling Hours might be worth checking out.

Dumpling Hours

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3331 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland, CA 94610

Open: Monday - Saturday 11am - 9pm, Sunday 11am - 8:30pm

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