Thai Buddhist Temple, Berkeley
NarrativeSunday before going over to Stern Grove to see Ska Cubano and Spanish Harlem Orchestra with my father, we ventured to the Thai Buddhist Temple in Berkeley for Breakfast. My father was rather skeptical about eating Thai food for breakfast.
I asked him, "What do you think the Thai normally eat?" With my glib response, we drove over and arrived about 9:30. We were met by gracious hosts, a buffet of choices, and were filled to the brim with absolute goodness.
Contact InformationThai Buddhist Temple Mongkolratanaram
1911 Russell Street
Berkeley, CA 94703
Phone: 510-849-3419
HoursOakland: Sun: 9am-1pm
(Educated guess. No website to confirm official hours.)
CuisineThai restuarant favourites mingle with off-menu selections to offer the diner a choice of curries, soups, rice dishes, breads, and desserts that are spiced and served with pleasure. The vegetarian and the flesh-eater, alike, will be pleased by the selection.
Price RangeInexpensive. Upon arrival at the temple, you purchase tokens. No money is exchanged or handled around the actual food. Generous portions are served for 5 tokens ($5). My father and I ate with leftovers for $18 and that included really large thai iced teas.
SUMMARYI lead my father with a sense of adventure to this treasure tucked into one of the quieter streets of Berkeley.
The carvings on the front of the building are gorgeous and I think opened my father's mind to the experience.
Sunshine streamed onto the gold and red painted dragons. We walked up the sidewalk to the back and were met with white awnings to cover the tables and an array of food that made it difficult to choose among the offerings.
The host answered our questions when we asked how many tokens would be appropriate. He assured us that $20 would allow us endless combinations of options and that the temple would buy back whatever tokens we did not use. Since we had nothing to lose, we bought the $20 and returned $2 when we had more than enough with a steamed fish and rice, yellow chicken curry, and green vegetarian/tofu curry.
The rice was perfect -- fragrant jasmine and soft. It absorbed the curries well. The curries lingered slightly on the palate to tease with spice enough to make it flavourful without shocking an uninitiated tongue to never venture into thai cuisine again. Our fish was large, gorgeous, and steamed. It fed the both of us well.
We had plenty of leftovers that allowed me lunch for the next two days.
Every student and staff person there was filled with hospitality. We were treated as honored guests. Myself, my father, and all of those who came after us and cued to purchase their tokens for their Sunday morning brunch.
ServiceWalking onto the temple property one felt welcome, not a sense of unsure tourist. Everyone was helpful and gracious to everyone who found their way inside -- including traditional gentry and skater kids. Every guest there seemed to recognize the atmosphere of respect and took care to mind their manners. Really pleasant to experience.
Rest RoomsMy father and I rushed to Stern Grove after we ate, so we didn't experience the rest rooms.
Zachary's Chicago Pizza in Rockridge
NarrativeSunday night after spending an afternoon at Stern Grove dancing and listening to the salsa stylings of the
Spanish Harlem Orchestra and admiring AT&T Park on the San Francisco Bay, my father and I decided that pizza would hit the spot. I told him decent New York Pizza was not to be found in the Bay Area, but I could point him to a DIVINE Chicago deep-dish pizza experience. We drove across the bridge, and braved a 45 minute wait to an awesomely filling meal that was PERFECT after a long day. There was a huge crowd spilling out on the sidewalk from inside. Most were chatting with one another, one woman was practicing poi. It was a classic Zachary's pizza evening.
Contact InformationZachary's Chicago Pizza
Oakland Location
5801 College Ave.
Oakland, California 94618
Phone: 510-655-6385
Berkeley Location
1853 Solano Ave.
Berkeley, California 94707
Phone: 510-525-5950
Zachary's San Ramon is opening late 2006.HoursOakland: Sun-Thur: 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat : 11am-10:30
Berkeley Sun-Thur: 11am-9:30pm, Fri-Sat : 11am-10:30pm
San Ramon Opening Fall 2006
CuisineZachary's Chicago Pizza offers two styles of pizzas, a selection of salads, and half-baked pizzas for those who want to bring the experience home!
Price RangeModerate. A medium deep-dish pizza can make 3 adults very happy. The slices are ridiculously filling. Thin crust and salad will also make for a satisfied diner.
SUMMARYWatching the Zachary's staff work is fascinating. Here is an amazing restaurant and the machine just works extremely well. While sitting at the counter I noticed a kitchen, waitstaff, host, and manager work with precision. Orders were taken, people were seated, tables were cleared and the turnover from one set of customers to another was seamless.
It's always good to go to a restaurant with a wait when they give you a time estimate, a way to order your food, and call your name within the given wait time.
We were then met with smiles, an apology for the wait, and our beverage orders were promptly taken and served. The only tortuous part of our meal was watching the pies fly from the kitchen and being served to other customers who were ahead of us on the cue.
Our lovely pie was served on a pedestal, steaming. The signature marinara sauce and oregano formed a beautiful sea of red. It was surrounded by a hand-formed, golden crust. The first bite revealed a gorgeous burst of tomato, cheese, and mushroom. I enjoyed my first slice sans condiment and then enjoyed a decadent second slice with some spice!
I have been enjoying Zachary's for eight years now, and they have yet to disappoint. Their consistency of service is excellent.
When you go, you will be greeted by a fabulous crew that mirrors the Bay Area. The music is varied (if you can hear it above the buzz of all the customers). Yesterday my father commented it was a song by The Freshman from his youth. Then it moved on to a Buddy Holly song and evolved to some early 70s Brit-punk.
ServiceExcellent service. You will become acquainted with a team that will greet, seat, and serve you by the time your meal is done. If you're lucky enough to get a counter seat, you'll watch the amazing machine work.
Rest RoomsBasic, clean public rest rooms. Separate for boys and girls. The art from the restaurant is carried through.
