Berkeley Bowl Coconut Fig Organic Chunks of Energy: Purchased from the bulk section at Berkeley Bowl, the "organic chunks of energy" are dense cubes consisting of ground figs, oats, and nuts (almonds, I believe) with a strong coconut flavor. I brought them to work with me to see how effective they would be at helping me get through my post-lunch pre-dinner hunger pangs. I did notice that my stomach growled less and that I seemed to be able to focus better – and the box lasted me over a week, which I believe is enough time to work again any ... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended berkeleybowl coconut fig organic chunks of energy 3.5
Sqirl rhubarb lemonade: Fresh pretty-in-pink lemonade. Clean rhubarb flavor with just the right amount of sweetness. A mild lemonade that isn't particularly tart or acidic. 3.5/5.0
drinks recommended sqirl rhubarb lemonade 3.5
Burma Superstar Lotus Root Chips: I ate at Burma Superstar in Richmond 6 years ago, so I instantly recognized their branding when I saw this bag of lotus chips on the shelves at Berkeley Bowl. Thinly sliced lotus root is deep fried and lightly tossed with nori, cayenne, and sesame. Oil saturates the rings, leaving your fingers coated in a thin layer of grease and speckles of seaweed. No serving size indicated on the packaging, but they lasted two days at work. 3.5/5.0
berkeleybowl veggie recommended burmasuperstar lotus root chips 3.5
Pop Art Nori Sesame Popcorn: Sprinkled with bits of nori, this unique popcorn faithfully replicates the taste of seaweed strips in a Western form factor. With a minimal palate of ingredients, the product delivers a clear and distinct flavor. Texturally, they aren't the fluffiest or lightest popcorn I've had, but they are tasty and worth trying. 3.5/5.0
recommended popart nori sesame popcorn 3.5 berkeleybowl
Jean-Philippe Patisserie Raspberry Tart: This multi-layered tart has a shortbread base, raspberry "jam," pistachio cream, almond nougatine, and fresh raspberries, topped with tubular shavings of white chocolate. At $8, it comes at a Vegas price tag, but it's easily sharable. Its best attribute is the mix of textures, from the almond crisp to the soft nougat. The raspberries were also remarkably fresh. A bit sweet for my taste, but the layer of raspberry jam does add some tartness. 3.5/5.0
dessert lasvegas berries pistachio jeanphilippepatisserie raspberry tart 3.5 recommended
Trader Joe's Mesquite smoked seasoned almonds: I don't typically snack on nuts but they're just about the only snack that my dad eats. On my last visit home, my mom purchased these seasoned almonds from Trader Joe's, and I found them to be surprisingly tasty. They feature a prominent smoky flavor that's more like a campfire than sweet barbecue chips – and I mean that in a positive way. While I would never purchase this snack myself given the overwhelming size of the bag, this would be a great snack for sharing. 3.5/5.0
recommended nuts traderjoes mesquite smoked seasoned almonds 3.5