Shrimp peanut snack: Despite my best effort at detective work with Google Translate and Reverse Image Search, I wasn’t able to track down the exact brand of this senbei snack. Too bad, because it’s one of the best ones I’ve had before. Purchased from Tokyo Fish Market in Berkeley, the snack consists of baked hollow balls filled with peanuts. Unlike the traditional crunchy glazed rice crackers I’ve had before, this one had a crumbly, buttery exterior that melt-in-your-mouths. The shell is well seasoned with a rob... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended tokyofishmarket japanese shrimp peanut snack 4.0
Garden of Eatin’ Nacho Cheese Corn Tortilla Chips: Garden of Eatin’ is a rare snack brand: tastefully seasoned and consistently unique in its interpretations of classic flavors. This nacho cheese chip is tangier than most, opting for a milder, creamier flavor than the bold edge of Doritos. It’s also much more lightly seasoned. Favorable for those who are satisfied with a serving size of 9 chips (I know of none). 4.0/5.0
recommended berkeleybowl gardenofeatin nacho cheese corn tortilla chips 4.0
Reem’s Hibiscus Rose Cooler: Finally made it to Reem’s, the middle eastern cafe in Fruitvale (Oakland) specializing in housemade flatbread. To accompany the robust za’atar-spiced flatbread, I got a cup of refreshing and sharp hibiscus rose cooler, a purple-maroon colored drink that tasted of an amped-up floral pomegranate juice. Well balanced and perfectly complementary, it rounded out a complete, delicious meal at Reem’s. 4.0/5.0
recommended drinks oakland reems hibiscus rose cooler 4.0
Noosa Pumpkin Yogurt: I’ve recently been getting back into Noosa yogurt since they continue to release new flavors I haven’t seen from other brands. This pumpkin one is especially good, with a creamy spiced pumpkin-pie-like filling swirled into rich smooth whole milk yogurt. It’s perfect for those who like the silky consistency of non-Greek yogurt but still prefer a denser texture. My only criticism is that it’s on the sweet side, but flavor wise, this is definitely worth a try. 4.0/5.0
recommended noosa pumpkin yogurt 4.0
Asha Tea Kiwi green tea: I’m pretty certain this is the last seasonal flavor of fruit tea I had yet to try at Asha, the Bay-area-based tea shop. Like the others, this tea has fresh fruit mashed to a pleasant pulp, which adds texture to each sip. The herbal tea is of clear quality, and the kiwi flavor is slightly tart and fully refreshing. 4.0/5.0
recommended drinks berkeley ashatea kiwi green tea 4.0
Kettle Dill Pickle Potato Chips: Thoroughly enjoyed this take on pickles, which captures the tangy and savory qualities of a quality brine. It tasted a bit like combining sour cream and onion, minus the sour cream, but then adding salt and vinegar, but with a pepperiness that is unique to this flavor. Like other Kettle chips, the krinkle cut is thick and substantial and a bit too hearty for my personal taste. But if you enjoy pickles and don't have one to accompany your lunch, this bag of potato chips will be a tasty sub... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended chips kettle dill pickle potato 4.0