East Bay

Single Serving: Sev Batata Puri at Hamro Aangan in Albany, CA

by James Boo January 9, 2012

Indian food enthusiasts in Berkeley, Albany and El Cerrito have a new go-to in Hamro Aangan, a relatively new Indo-Nepalese restaurant separated from the U.C. campus by several miles of the actual city of Berkeley. A meal here is worth the trip, by bus or [...]

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Single Serving: Lemon Ice Box Pie at Lois the Pie Queen in Oakland

by Zach Mann August 30, 2011

Floridians can get surly when it comes to Key Lime Pie. I don’t blame them when bakeries across California serve too-sweet lime pies colored green and label them “Key” on menus. I’ve never tried the real thing, but breakfasts at Lois the Pie Queen have [...]

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When Pigs Fly: Barbecue Sauce Guides and a New York City Rib-off

by James Boo May 27, 2011

My latest barbecue columns for Serious Eats focus on America’s regional barbecue sauces and a hunt for the best barbecue pork ribs in Manhattan. A Guide to American Barbecue Sauce Styles Regional Barbecue Sauces Available by Mail-Order The Best Barbecue Pork Ribs in Manhattan Oh, [...]

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Assembly Required

by Zach Mann March 25, 2011

I have mixed feelings about D.I.Y. dining. Some of my favorite meals involve hot pots or tabletop charcoal barbecuing, and I once spent over half of my lunches in a year at the same salad bar, exploring all the possible varieties of the turkey breast [...]

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Over The Counter

by Zach Mann December 15, 2010

Picture a classic Thanksgiving dinner, when an extended family gathers around a mythically long table. Each seat is filled, and each person can look ahead to see a feast atop tablecloth and a close relative or friend. It’s a scene of domesticity and community, something [...]

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Pleasant Grill

by Zach Mann February 5, 2010

My first and strongest impression of Mill Valley, CA can be found in television reruns. Captain B.J. Hunnicutt of the 4077th proudly hailed from the up-and-coming Marin County township, and for years he was my sole example by which to measure it. Thanks to M*A*S*H, [...]

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Pancaked, Burgered and Shanghaied in California

by James Boo January 19, 2010

Can you name this dining counter? If so, you’ve had the privilege of tasting one of America’s finest burgers. If not, you’ll get your answer below the fold. This is the last of the point-and-eat posts from my holiday in California. I’ve saved what are [...]

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Shooting for the Superstars

by James Boo January 5, 2010

When I tell people I’m going home for the holidays, I mean to say two things: 1. I’ve booked a flight to Los Angeles. 2. Once I’m in Los Angeles, I’ll get the Hell out and make tracks for the East Bay. 3. My appetite [...]

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Gourmet Ghetto Defendant

by James Boo January 23, 2009

No well meaning trip to the reality resistant bubble of Berkeley is complete without a visit to one of its three major restaurant rows. In the city’s southeast corner, bordering the upscale settlements of North Oakland, is Elmwood, home to such neighborhood favorites as Trattoria [...]

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