Exploring the Bay Area

The Station Smashburgers The Station Burger is one of Berkeley’s most popular burger destinations. It is a lively, energetic, outdoor destination with a small, to-the-point menu featuring beef smash burgers, ground chicken patty burgers, impossible burgers, rice bowls, fries, and loaded fries, as well as ice cream, milkshakes, and alcoholic beverages. From the second I arrived, I could smell the heavenly scent of the burgers, fries, and other dishes. I looked at what everyone else was eating and became very excited to try my own. The whole outdoor eating area is always abuzz with people, particularly young people and new parents, having a good time in Berkeley’s sunny weather. Some of the seats are protected by a cheap roof, but many of the others are not. The music is loud, and the tables turn over relatively quickly. The point here is instant gratification: a quick, easy fix for your cravings. The kitchen, which is the only indoor part of the restaurant besides the restroom, churns o...

Cafe Etoile If you haven’t tried Cafe Etoile yet, you should! Cafe Etoile is one of Berkeley’s cutest, most charming cafes. It’s a great place to eat, work, relax, or socialize. The food and coffee here are incredible! It’s a place I like to frequent. Instead of being your typical coffee shop/cafe, this small business takes its own fascinating spin on Korean/French fusion cuisine, making it a true hidden gem. Open from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm daily, this is the ideal breakfast/brunch stop if you’re in Berkeley. Like many cafes, it offers a full espresso menu, along with a variety of pastry options and a menu for sit-down meals. It’s the kind of place where you pick from some carefully curated menu options and order and pay at the counter, usually paying less than $20 a person for a meal. The entrees are served fresh and hot. You can literally see the elaborate dishes being prepared to order in the small kitchen behind the counter. You see the staff rushing around the kitchen and delicately ...