Work It, Berk: June 2025

Monday, June 30, 2025

Work It, San Francisco: Maya Ealey

You can follow Maya on Instagram.

Spotted at the Fort Mason Night Market at Fort Mason Center.

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Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Eat in San Francisco: The Richfield

Everything Bagel with cream cheese

Brekkie Sandwich made with a folded omelette, cheddar, bacon, tomato, special house sauce, and avocado on sourdough

Brekkie Sandwich made with a folded omelette, cheddar, bacon, tomato, and special house sauce

Left: Flat White and Turmeric Latte

Right: Latte

The Richfield is a cozy coffee and breakfast spot found on 5th between California and Cornwall in the Inner Richmond. Since they use the inside for their operations, they've lined up bistro tables and chairs to the left and you order from the window in the center.

In the handful of times I've visited in the past year, I've tried their Brekkie Sandwich and Everything Bagels. The Brekkie Sandwich is made with a folded omelette, cheddar, bacon, tomato, special house sauce, and your choice of bread. It hits all the right notes: enough protein to start your day, dynamic flavor, and is big enough to keep you going. They also serve a variety of bagels from The Laundromat – a hip bagel and pizza spot in the Outer Richmond (review forthcoming!) – in Plain, Everything, and Cinnamon Raisin. These bagels are some of the best in the area and it's nice to be able to walk a few blocks, versus bus a few miles, to get my hands on them in the morning.

The Richfield also serves some of the best espresso drinks in the Inner Richmond. My dining companion and I have enjoyed the Latte and Flat White, in particular. (While the Turmeric Latte is quite photogenic against their turquoise tables, I didn't realize it's not made with coffee, so it didn't provide the zip I require in the morning.)

I would definitely stop by The Richfield for a weekday coffee.

The Richfield

Instagram | Yelp

195 5th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94118

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

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Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Eat in San Francisco: Curry Up Now

Samosa Chaat made with mini samosas, chana, yogurt, and chutney

Right: Tikka Masala Bowl with paneer, turmeric rice, chana masala, mango chutney, and pico de gallo

Burnt Chili Garlic Naan

I've had Curry Up Now, a casual Indian spot with a California twist, a few times over the years. Last May and November, I visited their newest San Francisco location inside Saluhall – the food court next to IKEA on Market between 5th and 6th in SoMa.

On the first visit, I shared the Samosa Chaat, made with mini samosas, chana, yogurt, and chutney, and Burnt Chili Garlic Naan with my dining companion. After living in Berkeley for so many years, I greatly appreciate chaat, a savory snack, in whatever form it's in. Although I don't remember the specifics from this visit, I do believe I enjoyed being able to have comforting samosas with the dynamic flavors that are found in chaat. The naan was also quite good and perfect for dipping into the chaat.

On a later visit with a good friend, I tried the Tikka Masala Bowl with paneer, turmeric rice, chana masala, mango chutney, and pico de gallo. This dish incorporates Curry Up Now's Indian foundation through a Californian (and Mexican) lens as it marries traditional Indian elements like paneer cheese, turmeric, chickpeas, and chutney with pico de gallo, the latter of which brings a nice freshness to the dish.

I would definitely order all of these items again, while also trying the Pani Puri, Tikka Masala Burrito with chicken, or Naughty Naan pizza. They have a few locations in San Francisco, but also have expanded across the country, so they may be closer than you think.

Curry Up Now

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Yelp

Located in Saluhall SF: 945 Market St., Floor 2, San Francisco, CA 94103

Open: Sunday - Thursday 11am - 8pm, Friday - Saturday 11am - 10pm

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Monday, June 23, 2025

Coffee in San Francisco: HI NRG, Andytown, and more

Left: Espresso with Milk from HI NRG

Right: Cafe de Olla (cinnamon cappuccino) from HI NRG

Cardamom Bun by Vinegary Personality from HI NRG

In my year of living in San Francisco, I've had the pleasure of trying many new-to-me coffee shops. Here are a few I would recommend.

After perusing the Clement Street Farmers' Market on Sundays, I've stopped by the HI NRG pop-up at High Treason, a wine bar in the Inner Richmond, a handful of times. Located on Clement between 5th and 6th, this pop-up has a succinct, thoughtful menu that features coffee prepared in a few ways as well as an interesting specialty drink. I've tried the Espresso with Milk, Cafe de Olla, and the Blueberry Bomb, all of which were dynamic in flavor and prepared perfectly. Additionally, they've partnered with Vinegary Personality in offering equally interesting baked goods. So far, I've really enjoyed the Cardamom Bun (pictured above) as well as a cheesy, flaky biscuit. While it can be hard to find your go-to espresso spots when you're new in town, I'm glad to know that HI NRG will always serve interesting drinks that my coffee industry friends approve of. I will be visiting again soon.

HI NRG: Website | Instagram | Yelp

Vinegary Personality: Instagram

Location: High Treason, 443 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94118

Open: Wednesday - Sunday 9am - 2pm

Left: Decaf Cappuccino from Andytown Coffee Roasters

Right: Lavender Latte and Cappuccino from fifty/fifty

Next, there's Andytown Coffee Roasters with a few locations throughout the city. I've only visited a couple times, most recently at the Taraval roastery at 40th in the Outer Sunset in late March. While on a long bike ride exploring the area, I stopped by for a Decaf Cappuccino, which was well-made and served by a nice, informative barista. Next time I'm in the area, I will be sure to stop by this beautiful location for a drink.

Andytown Coffee Roasters

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Yelp

3016 Taraval St., San Francisco, CA 94116

Open: Monday - Friday 7am - 3pm, Saturday - Sunday 8am - 4pm

Fifty/fifty is more of a hole-in-the-wall spot located on Geary and Spruce, on the flip side of the University of San Francisco's Lone Mountain campus. They serve a variety of classic and specialty coffee and tea drinks. On this trip last November, I ordered a Lavender Latte, while my dining companion enjoyed his Cappuccino. This is a great place to catch up on reading or meet a friend, while sipping a well-made caffeinated beverage.

fifty/fifty

Website | Instagram | Yelp

3157 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94118

Open: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4pm, Saturday - Sunday 8am - 4pm

Left: Lavender Latte from Home Coffee Roasters

Right: Cappuccino from Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters

Home Coffee Roasters has a couple locations and is known for adding color to their coffee and matcha drinks. I stopped by the Chinatown location on Grant and Pine last September, where I enjoyed a Lavender Latte with a bear design in the foamy milk. It was a treat. Next time I would order one of the bright drinks that have made them popular.

Home Coffee Roasters

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Yelp

455 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108

Open: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4pm, Saturday - Sunday 8am - 4pm

I stopped by Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters, another subtle spot on Union and Steiner in Cow Hollow, to catch up with an old friend last April. I enjoyed my well-prepared Cappuccino and appreciated that we could find a nice place to slow down on a busy weekend.

Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Yelp

2271 Union St., San Francisco, CA 94123

Open: Monday - Friday 7am - 4pm, Saturday - Sunday 8am - 4pm

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Friday, June 20, 2025

Eat in San Francisco: Tea House at the Japanese Tea Garden

Udon made with a fish-based soy sauce broth, green onions, fish cake, and deep-fried flour batter

Chicken Karaage

Tea House Cookies: fortune cookies, sesame cookies, almond cookies, and chocolate Pocky sticks

Last July, my dining companion and I spent some time exploring the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park. Located next to the de Young Museum on Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive near Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, this is the oldest public Japanese Garden in North America and features beautiful trees, sculptures, and a tea house, where you can stop by for a nice snack or meal.

After perusing their impressive menu, we started our early lunch with a pot of Sencha tea, a Japanese green tea. We then shared a warm bowl of Udon and Chicken Karaage, ending the meal with the Tea House Cookies. The Udon featured everything you want in its fish-based soy sauce broth, including thick udon noodles, green onions, fish cake, and deep-fried flour batter. The battered chicken had a nice crunch and provided more protein to our meal. The cookie tray included all of the classics: fortune cookies, sesame cookies, almond cookies, and chocolate Pocky sticks.

This was a delightful meal served in an incredibly beautiful space. (Seriously, take a look at their Instagram now!) I will definitely stop by again for a walk around the garden and a nice snack, potentially ordering the Hojicha tea, Organic Vegetarian Soup, or the Dango sticky rice balls.

Tea House at the Japanese Tea Garden

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Yelp

75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr., San Francisco, CA 94118

Open: Daily 9am - 4:45pm (winter) & 9am - 5:45pm (summer)

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