Q Spectacular Grapefruit Soda: Spectacular may be a stretch, but "Quite Good" is not quite as catchy. This fizzy grapefruit soda has a tangy flavor that's somewhere in between not-very-sweet and Coca Cola sweet, which is to say that it's sweeter than I personally would prefer but nowhere near as sweet as most canned sodas. It definitely has a distinct flavor from orange soda, so if you like grapefruit juice over orange juice (as I do), this is a good alternative. It's meant as a mixer for cocktails but tasty all on its... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks soda q spectacular grapefruit 3.5
Monterey Market Fresh-squeezed blood orange juice: I’ve always been curious about the fresh squeezed juice at Monterey Market in Berkeley and decided to take advantage of potentially my last opportunity to try it. Unsurprisingly, the blood orange juice has a wonderfully refreshing sweet citrus flavor. Most of the pulp has been taken out, but it has just enough to remind you of just how fresh it is. A bit pricy, at $5 for a 32oz container, but you definitely get what you pay for! 4.0/5.0
berkeley bloodorange citrus drinks montereymarket fresh-squeezed blood orange juice 4.0 recommended
Asha Tea Sparkling ginger lemonade: I didn’t know Asha Tea served any non-tea drinks, but they currently have a special sparkling ginger lemonade drink available only available at their Berkeley location. Ginger soda is my favorite drink, so when I saw the sign at the register for this new special, I switched my order to get it. The drink is made from a house made ginger syrup and has a pleasantly potent spicy flavor that stays with you for several minutes even after you’re done. The lemon flavor is milder and has a cooling ef... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks berkeley ashatea sparkling ginger lemonade 3.5 soda
Cheeseboard Chocolate Things: Representative of the ingredient-focus mindset of California cuisine more generally, this lightly sweetened roll is rich and buttery in flavor but also fluffy and light in texture. Good quality chocolate chunks throughout. Very classic and delicious - I can easily imagine it any patisserie in Paris. A great value at just $3. Purchased from the iconic Cheeseboard bakery on Berkeley. 4.0/5.0
recommended bread bakery berkeley brioche cheeseboard chocolate things 4.0
Lotus Foods Sriracha Arare Rice Crackers: I sometimes feel guilty when I purchase the Western version of classic asian snacks, made with likely responsibly sourced ingredients and marketed with minimalist, sans-serif packaging. But having had Lotus Food’s Arare rice crackers in the past, I had a sense that the difference in quality would be worthwhile, and it was. Black, red, and yellow rice crackers in a variety of shapes, from stars to squares, have a clear sheen from a chili-flavored glaze. They’re satisfying crunchy, and the hea... (read more) 4.0/5.0
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Mandy’s Zesty Lemon Cookie Thins: Similar in diameter to Ritz crackers but just a few millimeters thick, like Anna’s Swedish Cookies, these lemon cookies from Mandy’s have a good balance of sweet and tart. The have a prominent citrus flavor than most lemon cookies I’ve had from a grocery store. Packaged in a well-designed tin. Not sure why it has exactly 42 cookies - the owners must be nerds. 3.5/5.0
recommended berkeleybowl cookies mandys zesty lemon cookie thins 3.5