Eat in Oakland: Beauty's Bagel Shop

Left: Hot chocolate, Right: Deviled eggs

Veggie bagel with oven-roasted tomato cream cheese, salted cucumber, capers, red onion, and arugula

Classic bagel with hand sliced lox, cream cheese, red onion, and capers

I've biked by Beauty's Bagel Shop on Telegraph for the past few months, wondering if the "Fresh Hot Bagels" advertised on the outside were just that. Whenever I rode by, the front windows were lined with twentysomethings with sleek glasses, mixed prints, and possibly a fixie, whom I've imagined I could share a conversation with over a bagel or two. I finally visited this past weekend and I can say with confidence that it was well worth the wait. 

Besides some parts of San Francisco, Beauty's has the hippest clientele around. Literally every person in there could have been a subject on a certain Berkeley street style blog we all know and love. They were that cool. 

Apart from the people-watching, they serve some pretty good bagels. I got the classic bagel sandwich with lox, cream cheese, onions, and capers. It was toasted to perfection and sliced in half so it was a bit more manageable to eat. (I would highly recommend grabbing some napkins for your cream cheesy fingers.) I also tried the deviled eggs and hot chocolate, both of which were spot-on. The eggs were devilish and the hot chocolate was very chocolaty. 

If you're looking for a new brunch spot or are just craving some lox, I'd suggest getting your butt over to Beauty's Bagel Shop this instant and saying hello to one of North Oakland's newest gems.

Beauty's Bagel Shop
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Yelp
3838 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA 94609
Open: Tuesday - Friday 7 - 3, Saturday - Sunday 8 - 3

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Eat in Oakland: Poppy Bagels

Green Garden bagel sandwich made with jalapeño serrano cream cheese, cucumber, green olives, microcelery, scallion, lemon, olive oil, salt, and pepper


Seasonal Veg bagel sandwich made with plain cream cheese, avocado, purple radish, micro cilantro, Kuali salsa macha, lemon, and salt flakes

Spicy & Sweet bagel sandwich made with jalapeño serrano cream cheese and local honey

I visited Poppy Bagels, a bagel shop found on Telegraph and 51st in Temescal, for the first time with an old friend about a week ago. After making deliveries and working at farmers' markets for two years, Poppy's first brick & mortar store opened last February in the spot previously occupied by Doña Tomás. 

When we stopped by, I tried the Green Garden bagel sandwich made with jalapeño serrano cream cheese, cucumber, green olives, microcelery, scallion, lemon, olive oil, salt, and pepper. It was divine. The bagel was chewy (read: not too dense) and the flavor combinations were impeccable. I also tried half of my friend's Spicy & Sweet bagel sandwich, which had jalapeño serrano cream cheese and local honey — quite a treat. 

Poppy Bagels has a sizable interior and access to the lovely back patio shared by adjoining businesses. I would definitely make my way back for a bagel brunch that I know will feature delicious food at good prices and friendly service.

Poppy Bagels 

Website | Instagram | Yelp

5004 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA 94609

Open: Wednesday - Sunday 7:30am - 1:30pm 

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Eat in New York City: Simply Nova

Everything Bagel with lox cream cheese

As is required on any trip to New York, we were on the lookout for a lox bagel. We visited Simply Nova, a sleek bagel shop located on Metropolitan and Graham in East Williamsburg. 

We ordered the Everything Bagel with lox cream cheese. Although I'm no bagel expert — I'm a fan of most — I do remember enjoying this one. I was also quite impressed by the care in which they put into their work. (They wrapped the bagels in wax paper and placed them in a paper bag, like presents from a department store!) 

Along with bagels, they have all the deli dishes you're looking for, from prepared latkes and pastrami or corned beef sandwiches on rye to other varieties of fish and caviar. Next time I'm in the area, I may opt for a bagel topped with one of their many types of smoked salmon.

Simply Nova

Website | Instagram | Yelp

754 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11211

Open: Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm, Saturday - Sunday 8am - 6pm

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Eat in Oakland: Hella Bagels at Xochi the Dog, Cafe

Everything bagels with Nova Lox (left) and Scallion (right) cream cheese

In early September, I tried Hella Bagels — a bagel pop-up in the East Bay and San Francisco — for the first time at Xochi the Dog, Cafe in the Clinton neighborhood of East Oakland. Started by Blake Hunter in 2020, Hella Bagels sells a variety of bagels and cream cheese in both traditional and novel flavors. They can be purchased for delivery throughout the East Bay and San Francisco on Fridays and Saturdays or at occasional pop-ups in Oakland and Berkeley.

Blake offers a few bagel options and an even wider selection of cream cheese spreads at each pop-up. My dining companion and I both got an Everything bagel, mine with lox and his with scallion cream cheese. They were quite good and worth the hype. The bagels have a nice consistency and were covered in all the seeds, garlic, and flavorful goodies that make the everything bagel... everything. The cream cheese was generously smeared on and had decent amounts of lox and scallion within. We enjoyed our bagels with Xochi's delicious coffee as a part of our low-key brunch.

I will definitely stop by the next time Hella Bagels is in the neighborhood, perhaps opting for something like the Lil' Kipper or Sushi Bagel, if these enticing specials are available.

Hella Bagels

Website | Instagram | Yelp

Deliveries: order on Fridays and Saturdays through their website

Pop-ups: see Instagram for details

Xochi the Dog, Cafe

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Yelp

1038 E. 21st St., Oakland, CA 94606

Open: Monday - Saturday 8am - 3pm, Sunday 8am - 1pm

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Eat in Oakland: Grand Lake Kitchen (Pt. 2)

Smoked Salmon with cream cheese, red onions, capers, lemon, and chives on a Beauty's Everything Bagel


Right: Latte

It's been a while since I reviewed Grand Lake Kitchen, one of Oakland's best brunch spots, back in 2014.

When I returned this weekend, I ordered the Smoked Salmon with cream cheese, red onions, capers, lemon, and chives on a Beauty's Everything Bagel as well as a latte. The bagel was everything (get it?) I wanted in a smoked salmon bagel and then some. They added some special goodness that upgraded this classic open-faced sandwich. Since I've last stopped by, they've added an espresso machine where they made my perfectly prepared latte.

If you've visited Grand Lake Kitchen recently, what do you recommend trying?

Grand Lake Kitchen

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576 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA 94610
Open: Daily 9am - 10pm

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Eat in Los Angeles: Canter's

Matzo Ball Soup with a side of bagel chips

I visited Canter's, the historic Jewish delicatessen, bakery, and restaurant located on Fairfax, on a rainy December day.

To warm up from the cold, I ordered the Matzo Ball Soup with a side of bagel chips. The matzo ball was dense and soaked up the delicious chicken broth. The bagel chips were made with fresh bagels of all types like plain, pumpernickel, and poppy. It's no wonder Canter's is a classic.

If you've visited Canter's recently, what do you recommend trying?

Canter's
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419 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Open: 24/7

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Eat in Oakland: Nick's Pizza

Strawberry & Rhubarb (left) and Bacon & Cheddar scones

Everything Bagel with cream cheese

I've tried Nick's Pizza, a pizzeria, bakery, and deli located on Shattuck and Alcatraz in North Oakland, a couple times now. Previously, I really enjoyed their Sausage and Peppers pizza, which had equal parts tang and sausage-y goodness. 

This time, we ordered an Everything bagel, a Strawberry & Rhubarb scone, Bacon & Cheddar scone, and coffee for breakfast. I'm no bagel snob, but I really liked theirs, especially the part at the end where I sopped up the cream cheese that dripped out. The scones were perfectly baked with fresh ingredients. I would definitely stop by for a breakfast treat again.

If you've visited Nick's Pizza, what do you recommend trying?

Nick's Pizza

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6400 Shattuck Ave., Oakland, CA 94609

Open: Wednesday - Sunday 8am - 8pm

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Eat in San Francisco: Stacks

Italian Fritatta made with three whipped eggs, spicy Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and black olives, topped with marinara sauce & mozzarella cheese, served with potatoes and a bagel


Left: Hot Links, Mushrooms, and Onions Skillet made with potatoes and cheddar-jack cheese, served with two fried eggs and a bagel
Right: Savory "Carnitas" Pancakes made with sautéed carnitas and caramelized onions in an Apple Jack BBQ glaze and three plain pancakes

A couple weeks ago I visited Stacks for brunch with a couple of old friends. Stacks is a traditional American restaurant in San Francisco's Hayes Valley that specializes in breakfast and brunch.

Although I was attempted to order the Eggs Benedict, my friend urged me to try something different. I ordered the Italian Fritatta, which came with potatoes and a bagel. Since the portions are so large at Stacks, I only really made it through the potatoes and a couple of bites of the fritatta. What I tried, however, was pretty good. The potatoes were the kind you'd expect at a typical diner, but didn't feel as greasy and heavy. The fritatta satisfied my eggs craving thoroughly.

I also tried a bite of my friends' dishes. The Savory "Carnitas" Pancakes are a pretty ingenious creation. The carnitas are sautéed to perfection and their savory flavor balances the sweetness of the pancakes. The Skillet made with hot links, mushrooms, and onions was also very flavorful. The hot links have that Louisiana kick that'll wake you up on a lazy weekend morning. 

Overall, Stacks is a must-try place for breakfast or brunch. It's priced relatively well for San Francisco and, given their portion sizes, you essentially get two meals in one. If you're visiting on the weekend, try to go before the brunch crowd arrives. If you're on the waiting list, you can always explore the neat boutiques Hayes Valley has to offer within the area.

Stacks

Website | Yelp

501 Hayes St., San Francisco, CA 94102

Open: Monday - Friday 7 - 2:30, Saturday - Sunday 7 - 3:30

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Eat in Santa Monica: Caffe Bella

Bagel and Lox made with cream cheese, tomato, red onion, and capers


Farro Salad with chicken

While visiting my family in Santa Monica this past weekend, we stopped by Caffe Bella for a quick bite to eat. Located on Third Street Promenade, this cafe serves coffee, panini sandwiches, salads, and gelato. My Bagel and Lox made with cream cheese, tomato, red onion, and capers was everything I needed after a short flight. My mom enjoyed her Farro Salad with added chicken as well.

If you've visited Caffe Bella, what do you recommend trying?

Caffe Bella
Facebook | Yelp

1400 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Open: Daily 8 - 10

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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

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195 5th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94118

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

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Eat in Santa Monica: The Veranda

Scottish Smoked Salmon Platter with tomatoes, cucumber, pickled red onion, capers, spring radish, hardboiled egg, bagel, and herbed cream cheese

My mom took me out to a birthday breakfast at The Veranda, the restaurant inside The Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica, for the first time last week.

Since it was a special occasion (although any occasion would do), I ordered lox. Specifically, I tried the Scottish Smoked Salmon Platter with tomatoes, cucumber, pickled red onion, capers, spring radish, hardboiled egg, bagel, and herbed cream cheese. It was excellent as expected. We also got refilling cups of coffee, which caffeinated me and then some.

Besides the spot-on brunch menu, I'd also recommend visiting The Veranda because of the ocean view of the Santa Monica beach below. Seriously.

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

The Veranda
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1415 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401
Open: Daily 6:30am - 10pm

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Eat in Berkeley: Café Clem (Pt. 2)

Le Provencal bagel with goat cheese, basil, and roasted tomatoes 

The last time I covered Café Clem I had Les Oeufs Lucas with steamed-scrambled eggs, crème fraîche, goat cheese, basil, roasted tomatoes, and parsley.

This time I tried Le Provencal bagel with goat cheese, basil, and roasted tomatoes. The goat cheese was a nice change from the usual cream cheese. I also had a latte, which was perfectly prepared as expected.

If you've visited Café Clem recently, what did you try?

Café Clem
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Yelp
2020 Kittredge St., Berkeley, CA 94702
Open: Monday - Friday 7:30 - 2:30, Saturday 8 - 3

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Eat in San Francisco: Nopa (Pt. 2)

Peach and Thyme Braised Pork Shoulder with creamy polenta, roasted corn, and peach-pepper relish


Custard French Toast with strawberries and housemade butter


Smoked Trout with sea salt bagel, Dill Farmer's cheese, cucumber, and radish


Butter Basted Eggs with black eyed peas, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, lime, and fried chickpeas

I've wanted to revisit Nopa ever since I first stopped by for brunch in March. Located in San Francisco's Alamo Square neighborhood, Nopa has set the bar for what I expect brunch to be. My one true birthday wish was to enjoy a delicious brunch with my close friends. (Wish granted.)

This time around was as equally satisfying as the first. I tried the Custard French Toast, which came with strawberries and was just as moist and custard-soaked as before. In short, it was still mouthwatering. I also tried a bit of my friends' dishes, all of which were pretty good. The pork shoulder was very tender, the polenta flavorful. The trout was salty perfection, while the butter basted eggs and salad were also good.

If you're looking for a more complete review, you can check out my previous entry on Nopa. Everything I said originally is still true. Their food is good; getting a table can be tricky. If you're in the area, you must add it to your restaurant hit list.

If you've stopped by for dinner, what did you think? Was it as good as brunch? Any recommendations?

More mouthwatering photos from Nopa are right this way.

Nopa

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560 Divisadero St., San Francisco, CA 94117
Open: Monday - Friday 5 - 1, Saturday - Sunday 11 - 1

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Eat in San Francisco: The Laundromat

Laundromat Little Gem Caesar salad made with house-made croutons and parmigiano crisps

Crispy Brussels made with goat cheese and apple cider reduction

Sausage and Peppers pizza made with fennel sausage, Jimmy Nardello pepper cream, pearl peppers, mozzarella, and red sauce

Classic Pepperoni pizza made with spicy pepperoni, red sauce, mozzarella, and parmigiano

Broccoli pizza made with broccoli rabe, Calabrian chili sauce, shaved fennel, mozzarella, and red sauce

Cannoli made with pastry dough and ricotta cheese filling

Red wine: Lucien Saetti -"Rossoviola" - Lambrusco, Orange wine: Everything Is OK - "Amber" - Colombard, Muscat

I've visited The Laundromat, a hip restaurant in the Outer Richmond, twice now: in August of 2024 and in April of this year. Located on Balboa between 38th and 39th, The Laundromat is a bagel seller by day and pizza spot by night. Although I haven't been able to snag bagels from this location, I have had them at The Richfield, a cozy coffee shop in the Inner Richmond, and I definitely recommend them.

On our first trip to the restaurant, my dining companion and I started out with a glass of wine each, opting for the Lambrusco and one of their orange wines. (If you're a fan of orange wines, you'll be happy to know they had several options to choose from, one by the glass or bottle and the others by the bottle.) These were delicious and paired well with our flavorful food to come. For the appetizer, we ordered the Crispy Brussels, a towering plate of Brussels sprouts with goat cheese and apple cider reduction. They were divine and more than enough for the two of us. We then had the Sausage and Peppers pizza made with fennel sausage, Jimmy Nardello pepper cream, pearl peppers, mozzarella, and red sauce. This pizza was amazing. In terms of flavors, it had a nice balance of sweet and spicy. In terms of ingredients, I had never had pearl peppers before, but they've been on my mind ever since. I remember being very impressed by the pizza in terms of crust, taste, and uniqueness. We ended the meal with a Cannoli made with pastry dough and ricotta cheese filling. The crust was light and the filling was flavorful. This was a truly special meal.

On the second visit, we came by with a large group of friends. We began with the Laundromat Little Gem Caesar salad made with house-made croutons and parmigiano crisps, which were very good. I don't often opt for a Caesar salad, but I do remember that we finished every last bite of this one. We also split the Brussels sprouts, which was great for the number of people in our party, so we could share their tangy decadence. We tried three pizzas: along with the Sausage and Peppers, we also had the Classic Pepperoni and Broccoli. The former was made with spicy pepperoni, red sauce, mozzarella, and parmigiano — a great take on a favorite. The Broccoli pizza featured broccoli rabe, Calabrian chili sauce, shaved fennel, mozzarella, and red sauce. I do often enjoy roasted vegetables on a pizza and loved the dynamic flavor the ingredients provided. Next time, I'd try the Pizza alla Vodka Margherita or the Broccoli. 

After trying The Laundromat for yourself, you'll see why there's a line out the door. They've created such a wonderful atmosphere to try delicious food with wonderful service. Since it's popular, I would recommend coming by early or putting your name down and killing some time at Rampant Bottle & Bar, a lovely wine bar just up the street. When you're inside the restaurant, I would encourage you to take in your surroundings, from the merch they're selling up front to the interesting restroom decor in the back. 

The Laundromat

Website | Instagram | Yelp

3725 Balboa St., San Francisco, CA 94121

Bagels to go: Wednesday - Saturday 8am - 2pm, Sunday 9am - 2pm

Dinner: Wednesday - Thursday 5 - 9pm, Friday - Saturday 5 - 10pm, Sunday 5 - 8pm

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2013 in Review

Here are some of the biggest and best moments on Work It, Berk in 2013... And here's to many more in 2014!

This is inspired by this post by Amelia Morris of Bon Appétempt, one of my favorite food bloggers.

January

In January, I spotted this adorable couple on Shattuck Avenue in downtown Berkeley. They let me in on this intimate moment, which added so much more than if it were a solo photo. 

 February

In February, I took this ethereal image of a UC Berkeley student on Sproul Plaza. The way she mixed her prints is still mesmerizing. 

March

I began my love affair with Sheng Kee Bakery on Telegraph and Bancroft Avenues in March. They serve a variety of sweet and savory baked goods that still surprise me every time.

April

In April, I took my food review of San Francisco favorite, Flour + Water, to the next level by sinking my teeth into what I really thought of my dining experience. I also learned what no to do when photographing food, which helped improve my photography dramatically. (My macro lens helped too.)

May

In May, I shared my love of Grégoire in North Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto on Cedar and Shattuck. Their famous potato puffs definitely made an appearance. 

June

In June, I was treated to a weekend at the Vans Warped Tour in Mountain View by Kia. During this time, I stayed at the W San Francisco in SOMA, where I feasted on delicious brunches of poached eggs and more.

July

In July, I spotted this effortlessly chic look at the Temescal Street Fair along Telegraph Avenue in Oakland.

August

In August, I visited the Treasure Island Flea Market for the first time, spotting this lady's gorgeous dyed hair almost immediately.

September

In September, I published the first images from Now and Later, the throwback series that features looks from a subject's past and present. This is but one of the beautiful photos captured during this photo session.

October

After months of impatiently waiting, I finally visited Beauty's Bagel Shop on Telegraph Avenue and 40th Street in North Oakland. The lox was divine.

November

In November, I brunched at Coffee Co in Los Angeles' Westchester neighborhood with an old friend. These are the fluffiest scrambled eggs I've ever seen.

December

In December, I tried modern Mediterranean food at Momed in Beverly Hills. This flatbread is still tantalizing my tastebuds from afar. 

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