State Bird Seed Almond Rosemary Puffed Quinoa, Seeds, Almonds & Herbs: State Bird Provisions and The Progress are two restaurants I always recommend to people asking me where they should eat in San Francisco. I heard that the chefs behind the restaurants came out with a line of snacks and fortuitously found them stocked at Berkeley Bowl West. There was only one flavor on the shelf when I went, an almond and rosemary savory "granola" combining quinoa and sunflower seeds. Sadly, I found that it had a bitter aftertaste, almost like it the granola had been baked... (read more) 2.5/5.0
statebirdseed almond rosemary puffed quinoa seeds almonds herbs 2.5
Pomo Tierra Farms Hot Apple Cider: When I stopped at Cheeseboard this morning to pick up some breakfast, I saw a handwritten sign for seasonal hot apple cider from Pomo Tierra farms. I purchased the drink, then saw a man pour apple cider from a bottle of Bernie’s, a local apple cider brand they sell at various East Bay shops. I asked to clarify-was it Pomo Tierra Farms or Bernie’s? They told me they were the same thing. Then I had a sinking feeling that I had become That Berkeley Person, challenging exactly which organic app... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks cheeseboard berkeley pomotierrafarms hot apple cider 3.5
Smile More Sparkling Lychee Spritzer : I’ve seen an upwards trend for vinegar-based sodas in the past year, and this Asian lychee-flavored one is sour and lightly sweetened with a faint lychee aftertaste. It’s not a drink I would want to consume in one serving though the bottle is smaller than most. If you appreciate carbonated beverages that aren’t sweet, you may enjoy it. 3.0/5.0
drinks vinegar asian smilemore sparkling lychee spritzer 3.0
Pineapple Express Passionfruit Mango softserve: Another winner from Chelsea Market-based vendor Pineapple Express. This seasonal summer treat (sorry I’m several months behind on reviews) had a great tart flavor. Cleansing sharpness. Also the perfect amount that I want to eat, though pricy at its size ($2). 4.0/5.0
recommended icecream nyc pineappleexpress passionfruit mango softserve 4.0
Cones Ginger and Cantaloupe Sorbet : Cones is a dependably excellent ice cream shop on Bleecker St in Manhattan. I almost always get sorbet when I'm there, and they're always super refreshing and flavorful. Both the ginger and cantaloupe this time were fresh and very light. I recommend getting a scoop and then going across the street to Book Book. 4.0/5.0
recommended icecream sorbet nyc cones ginger cantaloupe 4.0
H2C Coconut Water: At this point, I bucket coconut water into three categories: ones that have a strong, slightly off flavor (somewhat metallic, too sweet, etc), those that are just fine, and those that have the lightest and cleanest flavor. This one is just fine - nothing makes it stand out as being particularly good or bad. But given the price of coconut water, I would only recommend those that fall in the last category. 3.0/5.0
coconutwater drinks h2c coconut water 3.0