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

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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

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2271 Union St., San Francisco, CA 94123

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

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Coffee in Mexico City: Café Tilia and Kiyo Café

Left: Cappuccino from Café Tilia

Right: Salted Mocha, made with 70% cacao, espresso, and black salt, from Kiyo Café

We liked a couple of cafes when we visited Mexico City last March. Café Tilia — located on Colima and Tonalá in Roma Norte — is a cute spot with plenty of tables for catching up with friends or working solo. We tried a Flat White and a Cappuccino there, which we enjoyed in their plant- and light-filled space. Next time, we may stop by for their photogenic savory or sweet breakfast options.

Kiyo Café is a trendy cafe with locations in Oaxaca and Mexico City; we visited the pour-over counter on Calle Marsella and Nápoles in Juárez in the latter. I tried the Salted Mocha made with 70% cacao, espresso, and black salt. I remember it being quite a treat. Next time I'll try another one of their specialty coffees like a Lavender or Sesame Latte. What's your go-to coffee spot in Mexico City?

Café Tilia

Instagram

Colima 226, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Monday, Thursday, & Friday 7:30am - 9pm, Tuesday - Wednesday 7:30am - 8pm, Saturday - Sunday 8:30am - 8pm

Kiyo Café

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Calle Marsella 59, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Monday - Saturday 8am - 7pm, Sunday 9am - 5pm

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Eat in Honolulu: Surf Bar Waikiki

Left: Maui Lavandula made with Empress gin, crème de mûre, citrus, lychee, rosemary, and lavender

Right: Mauna Kea Mai Tai made with Mahina rum, Agave de Cortes mezcal, curaçao, orgeat, pineapple, and citrus, smoked with flavored wood chips

On the lookout for a good cocktail, my dining companion and I found our way to Surf Bar Waikiki, an upscale cocktail bar on Koa and Liliʻuokalani in Waikiki. Located inside of Waikiki Resort Hotel, they serve a variety of signature cocktails that are worth writing home about.

In search of a Mai Tai, my dining companion ordered the Mauna Kea Mai Tai made with Mahina rum, Agave de Cortes mezcal, curaçao, orgeat, pineapple, and citrus. This beautifully-made drink was presented in a box filled with smoke and flavored wood chips. When you took a sip, your fingers even smelled a bit smoky. Beyond the incredible presentation, it was made with expert precision and delicious to boot. My drink was similarly delightful: I tried the Maui Lavandula made with Empress gin, crème de mûre, citrus, lychee, rosemary, and lavender. I love sweet, fruity drinks and I remember this having a dynamic flavor I loved. 

Both drinks were exceptionally crafted and were served in an equally impressive space. The bar was spacious and had all the island decor that made it the perfect spot to grab a dark nook and enjoy a perfectly made cocktail. If I'm back in Waikiki, I will definitely return to Surf Bar Waikiki, ordering either of these drinks or one of the many other tantalizing ones on the menu.

Surf Bar Waikiki

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2460 Koa Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815

Open: Daily 6pm - 2am

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Coffee in Sacramento: Scorpio Coffee

Bouquet Latte made with espresso, milk, lavender, rose, chamomile, and sugar and a Cappuccino

Scorpio Coffee is a very sleek coffee shop, located on the corner of 16th and S in Sacramento's Midtown. With so many enticing options on the menu, it can be hard to make a decision. 

When we stopped by, I tried the Bouquet Latte made with espresso, milk, lavender, rose, chamomile, and sugar. It was quite a treat. They balanced what could have been overpowering floral notes with the creamy milk really well. I would definitely order this again. My dining companion enjoyed his well-made cappuccino, too.

Next time I'm in town, I'd want to try another signature beverage—perhaps the Espresso Tonic or the Hōjicha Tea Latte—or one of their beautifully made food options from the kitchen, like the Avocado Toast made with citrus yuzu kosho and sesame. If you've been to Scorpio Coffee, what did you try?

Scorpio Coffee

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1905 16th St., Sacramento, CA 95811

Open: Monday - Thursday 7am - 2pm, Friday - Sunday 7am - 4pm

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Eat in Oakland: The Cat House

Left: Joan Collins made with gin, Salers aperitif, salted lavender-vanilla syrup, lemon, and soda

Right: Costume of the Day made with gin, pomegranate amaro, grapefruit cordial, lemon, and soda

In mid-September, I visited The Cat House, a cocktail bar on Lakeshore between Lake Park and Trestle Glen, with my usual dining companion. I've been a few times before and I always enjoyed my experience there. It has a moody atmosphere inside with big, old wooden furniture and sweeping drapery beyond the bar area, along with a decently sized patio out back. 

We ordered two drinks, both of which were prepared perfectly: the Joan Collins made with gin, Salers aperitif, salted lavender-vanilla syrup, lemon, and soda and the Costume of the Day made with gin, pomegranate amaro, grapefruit cordial, lemon, and soda.

I would definitely return in the future. If you've visited The Cat House, what have you tried?

The Cat House

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3255 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland, CA 94610

Open: Tuesday - Wednesday 5pm - 12am, Thursday - Friday 5pm - 2am, Saturday 4pm - 2am, Sunday 4pm - 12am

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Eat in San Francisco: True Laurel

Mai O Mai: Panamanian rum, lime, pistachio orgeat, Curaçao, coffee-rum float, milk-washed


Grandmas to Blame: Islay gin, grapefruit, lavender, honey ferment, manzanilla, and salt

Shaker Lemon Stirred: Meyer fino, Moscato Chinato, Ambrato, and Cascara vodka

I stopped by True Laurel, a hip cocktail bar on Alabama between 19th and 20th in the Mission, for the first time last week.

After our dinner at Bon, Nene, my dining companion and I tried a few of their expertly made drinks. First, we had the Mai O Mai made with "Panamanian Rum, Lime, Pistachio Orgeat, Curaçao, Coffee-Rum Float, Milk-Washed." Then we had Grandmas to Blame, made with Islay gin, grapefruit, lavender, honey ferment, manzanilla, and salt. We ended with Shaker Lemon Stirred, which was made with Meyer fino, Moscato Chinato, Ambrato, and Cascara vodka. 

Besides being obviously photogenic drinks, they all had clean, yet dynamic flavors that were unexpectedly good. (We heard rave reviews of the place beforehand, but those can only bring you so close to understanding how good their drinks were.) Moreover, the presentation was impeccable. I'm a sucker for a cocktail with a huge ice cube, especially one that's just a bit carved out on top so a cherry, lavender, or salt can be added. 

This was one of the best cocktail bars I've ever been to and I will be remembering it for a while. I would most certainly visit again, potentially for brunch, which also sounds quite appetizing. If you've visited True Laurel, what do you recommend trying?

True Laurel

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753 Alabama St., San Francisco, CA 94110

Open: Wednesday - Thursday 4 - 9pm, Friday 4 - 10pm, Saturday 11am - 3pm & 4 - 10pm, Sunday 11am - 3pm & 4 - 9pm

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Eat in San Francisco: Steep Creamery & Tea

Earl Grey Lavender Milk Tea

I visited Steep Creamery & Tea, a milk tea and shaved ice cream spot on Brannan and 2nd in SoMa, for the first time this week. I ordered a hot Earl Grey Lavender Milk Tea with 75% sweetness. It was really good. The flavors were balanced between subtle and overpowering and the drink was prepared perfectly. It's a great afternoon pick-me-up.

If you've visited Steep Creamery & Tea recently, what do you recommend trying?

Steep Creamery & Tea
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270 Brannan St., Suite 100, San Francisco, CA 94107
Open: Monday - Thursday 11 - 6, Friday 11 - 9, Saturday 1 - 9, Sunday 1 - 6

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Eat in Oakland: Oeste

Pibil Chicken sandwich made with slow-cooked chicken, achiote sauce, avocado, and pickled onions


Vegan Sandwich made with cauliflower, cucumber, red bell pepper, and lime cucumber almond spread


Charcuterie & Cheese sandwich made with salami, green olives, Romesco, and San Joaquin Gold cheese


Brie & Apple sandwich made with brie, pink lady apples, arugula, and Dijon mustard


Tuna Nicoise made with house-poached tuna, little gem lettuce, boiled egg, Yukon Gold potatoes, tomatoes, green olives, and lemon vinaigrette


Chicken Confit & Lentil salad made with chicken, lentils with herbs and vegetables, arugula, radicchio, and pomegranate vinaigrette


Oeste's Spanish Tortilla made with eggs, potatoes, onions, olive oil, salt, and pepper


Espresso Tonic, made with espresso, tonic syrup, and mineral water, and Lavender Oat Milk Latte, made with lavender syrup and creamy oat milk


Pecan Bread Pudding with bourbon-lemon sauce

A week ago I was invited to attend a media preview of Oeste, a cafe located on Clay between 7th and 8th Streets in Old Oakland. Right next to their bar by the same name, the new cafe offers a variety of sandwiches and salads, special treats like Spanish tortilla and bread pudding, and delicious coffee drinks like the Lavender Oat Milk Latte.

I had the opportunity to try a bit of everything. The salads were made with fresh ingredients, while the sandwiches had the dynamic flavors I like. I really enjoyed the Lavender Oat Milk Latte, whose lavender flavor wasn't overpowering.

I would definitely stop by Oeste the next time I'm looking for brunch in Old Oakland. If you've been to Oeste, what do you recommend trying?

Thanks to Christina of East Bay Dish for the invitation!

Oeste

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730 Clay St., Oakland, CA 94607
Open: Tuesday - Friday 6:30am - 3pm, Saturday 8:30am - 2:30pm, Sunday 11am - 2:30pm

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Eat in San Francisco: Bi-Rite Creamery (Pt. 2)

Chocolate soft serve ice cream

A couple weeks ago, I stopped by Bi-Rite Creamery on 18th and Dolores for a cup of Chocolate soft serve. They have a separate booth where they sell soft serve, ice cream sandwiches, and baked goods, which often has a much shorter line than their ice cream shop next door.

The Chocolate soft serve had the right amount of richness and the perfect consistency. I've only ever had their Salted Caramel soft serve, which was also quite good. (Last time I reviewed their Honey Lavender and Earl Grey ice cream from the Bi-Rite Market on Divisadero.)

What's your favorite ice cream flavor at Bi-Rite?

Bi-Rite Creamery
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3692 18th St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Open: Daily 11am - 10pm

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Eat in Berkeley: Masse's Pastries

Lavender Earl Grey and Pistachio macarons

I stopped by Masse's Pastries, a bakery in North Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto, during Sunday Streets Berkeley last weekend.

We tried two of their macarons: the Lavender Earl Grey and Pistachio. They were both very good and the flavors came through in each bite. The next time I stop by, I'll probably order the Lavender Earl Grey again and maybe the Salted Caramel.

If you've visited Masse's Pastries, what did you try?

Masse's Pastries
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1469 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 8 - 6, Sunday - Monday 8 - 4

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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 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: La Note (Pt. 3)

Lemon Gingerbread Pancakes and Poached Pears


Brioche Pain Perdu: cinnamon brioche soaked in orange-water batter and sprinkled with lavender honey

This weekend I visited a favorite restaurant of mine: La Note in Downtown Berkeley. Previously, I visited this popular Provençal restaurant for lunch and dinner. Now, I can cross brunch off my to-do list.

I ordered the Brioche Pain Perdu, which was very good. It's basically French toast made with a thick slice of buttery cinnamon brioche. I recommend adding a spoonful of the homemade compote provided on every table. I also tried a bite of the Lemon Gingerbread Pancakes, which reminded me of the holidays.

Have you visited La Note for brunch? What do you recommend trying?

La Note

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2377 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704

Open: Monday - Friday 8 - 2:30, Saturday - Sunday 8 - 3, Thursday - Saturday 6 - 10

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Eat in Berkeley: Tara's Organic Ice Cream (Pt. 2)

Oregano Orange Pepper and Chipotle ice cream

While walking around Berkeley last week, I stopped by Tara's Organic Ice Cream on College, one of my favorite ice cream shops in the Bay Area. Longtime readers might remember that I did a post about Tara's last June in which I gushed over their basil and lavender flavors.

This time, I was looking to try something bold. After sampling three very good flavors, I picked the Oregano Orange Pepper and the Chipotle. They were both incredible. The Oregano Orange Pepper had the dynamic flavor in which Tara's is known. The standout was the Chipotle. It was very spicy because they use real chipotle peppers. It gave the ice cream a good kick after each bite. These savory flavors made the ice cream seem like more of an appetizer than a dessert, which I gladly welcomed.

If you're looking for more information about Tara's, please check out my previous post and get ready to drool.

Tara's Organic Ice Cream
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3173 College Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705
Open: Daily 12 - 10

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Eat in Oakland: Pepples Donut Farm

Organic Tofu Scramble with mushrooms, tender greens, spinach, carrots, and curry, served with hash browns and Acme sourdough toast




Counterclockwise from bottom left: Lavender Earl Grey, Salted Caramel, Philz Coffee, and Seascape Strawberry donuts

This weekend I visited Pepples Donut Farm for the first time. Located on San Pablo at 61st in North Oakland, this vegan donut shop serves a mean, all-vegan brunch on the weekends. When we arrived on Saturday at noon, we were surprised (and quite relieved) there was no wait.

I ordered the Organic Tofu Scramble made with mushrooms, tender greens, spinach, carrots, and curry, along with hash browns and Acme sourdough toast on the side. It was quite a treat. The tofu had a wonderful curry flavor, which made it so much better than the tofu scrambles I've had previously. I also enjoyed the hash browns and toast, two of my favorite breakfast sides. Although my friend was eager to try the Chik'n Waffle that's listed on their website, it's since been discontinued. Instead, she had the Breakfast Burrito that came with organic beans, potatoes, chiles, tofu scramble, and more, which she enjoyed.

Although this brunch was pretty good, especially considering it pleased an omnivore and a vegetarian, the vegan donuts were the main event. They come in a variety of interesting flavors, most of which I wanted to try. After consulting with an employee about which her favorites were (choosing the right donuts is a very serious matter), I tried the Lavender Earl Grey, Salted Caramel, and Philz Coffee. My friend ordered the Seascape Strawberry, which any fan of strawberries would like. All of these "top shelf" donuts, as Pepples calls them, had the same cake donut as a base and a unique sugary frosting on top. The Lavender Earl Grey had the subtle flavors that I love (especially in gourmet ice cream). The Salted Caramel was very salty, which added instead of subtracted to the experience. The Philz Coffee tasted like it was made with real coffee, which it most likely was. If I had to choose, my favorite was the Lavender Earl Grey. They also serve many more types of cake donuts, raised glazed donuts, and jelly donuts. Vegan or not, Homer Simpson would wholeheartedly approve.

If you're looking for a solid vegan brunch, Pepples is definitely worth trying. Their prices are affordable (about $8 - $9 for most brunch plates), while their donuts are between $2 and $3 a pop. The problem is that you may want to try every flavor like myself. Their donuts are also sold at a variety of locations across the Bay Area, as indicated by the donut symbols on this handy map. For the novelty photo inclined, they have a huge pink donut outside that makes a perfect photo op.

Craving more photos of vegan donuts? Grab a napkin.

Pepples Donut Farm
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6037 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, CA 94608
Open: Monday - Friday 7:30 - 3, Saturday - Sunday 9 - 3

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Eat in Los Angeles: Mashti Malone’s Ice Cream

Mashti with Turkish Coffee ice cream


Double scoop of Lavender and Saffron Rosewater with Pistachio

Mashti Malone's Ice Cream is located on La Brea and Sunset in Hollywood. They serve the old-school flavors you already love as well as dynamic Persian ice cream in Saffron Rosewater, Orange Blossom, and the like. This was my first time visiting this shop and my third time ever having rosewater ice cream. (The first couple of times I tried Saffron & Rose Ice Cream in Westwood, which I also recommend.)

I ordered the Turkish Coffee ice cream sandwiched between two wafers in what they call a mashti. It is essentially a hands-on version of a cake cone. The ice cream was creamy and the coffee flavor was spot-on. My mom ordered the Lavender ice cream. Although it was much bolder than I'm familiar with, I really appreciated this departure from subtlety. She also had the Saffron Rosewater with Pistachio, which was equally bold and layered. We took home a pint of the Faludeh, which has a very icy texture, a peculiar sweetness, and rice noodles. It's one of those flavors you'll have to try to really understand.

Overall, Mashti Malone's is an A+. It's the perfect treat on a summer's day or after a hike in nearby Runyon Canyon.

Craving more photos from Mashti Malone's? Look no further.

Mashti Malone’s Ice Cream

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1525 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Open: Sunday - Thursday 11am - 11:30pm, Friday - Saturday 11am - 12am

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Eat in San Francisco: Bi-Rite Creamery

Honey Lavender and Earl Grey ice cream

Being the ice cream fiend that I am, it is no wonder why I'm a fan of Bi-Rite Creamery in San Francisco. They have a few locations: Bi-Rite Creamery on 18th in the Mission, a Bi-Rite Market on 18th, and the Market I visited on Divisadero in Alamo Square.

During this visit, I tried a scoop of the honey lavender and the earl grey, which were simply divine. They had a great balance of subtle and bold flavors that tantalized my palate. Served in a compostable cup with a wooden spoon, their ice cream is the perfect treat to enjoy while strolling through the city.

There was virtually no wait at the Divisadero location, which is a trait that San Franciscans appreciate dearly.

Bi-Rite Creamery
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550 Divisadero St., San Francisco, CA 94117
Open: Daily 9 - 9

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