- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
PIQ Berkeley
Categories: Restaurants Italian Food Bakeries Restaurants Pizza Italian, Bakeries, Pizza [Edit]
91 Shattuck Sq(between University Ave & Addison St)
Berkeley, CA 94704
Neighbourhood: Downtown Berkeley
(510) 540-7700
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 7 am - 9 pm
Fri 7 am - 10 pm
Sat 8:30 am - 10 pm
Sun 9 am - 8:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
224 reviews for PIQ Berkeley
Review Highlights
-
"Do you see the photos of the amazing pastries." In 52 reviews -
"My husband loves the olive bread." In 8 reviews
-
"Today I ordered a nutella cookie & a custard bread." In 5 reviews
Loading...
224 reviews in English
-
Review from Joan P.
San Francisco, CA
5/7/2012
How have I missed this place for so long? My new go to spot before Berkeley Rep performances, on the corner not even a full block away. Delicious Italian sweet and savory items. My friend said it made her feel like she was in Italy .
Salad was more of a 4 star- but generous portion. Ambiance a 3 1/2. But super friendly staff and exceptional food- especially for the price- makes it a 5 star for sure. -
Review from Furai X.
Berkeley, CA
5/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
lovelovelove.
I'm usually a Frugal Fred but I walked into PIQ for the first time with the full intention of treating myself. I asked the counterperson what he recommended since I'm a first-timer. Turns out, it was his first day on the job but he did try out some of the food earlier and led me to the Parma Focaccia.
Arugula, mozzarella, tomatoes, prosciutto (gotta get my protein in). SOLD.
I also ordered an ice chai with soy and the total came out to be $13ish. Hefty for lunch but the Parma was sizeable. I wish I had savored the iced chai but silly me slurped it down within seconds and was disappointed with all the ice left behind. TOO much ice left behind. (which made me feel like I wasn't getting my money's worth).
Nevertheless, everything is delightful here! From the ample study spaces to the organic sugar pump in the corner. -
Review from Claire W.
Berkeley, CA
5/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
So disappointed...
Rude service and bland food that
Sits with lots of flies :( -
Review from Josh Y.
5/2/2012 3 Check-ins Here
By far my favorite cafe in Berkeley considering all factors: food, coffee, and "studyability."
They have extremely tasty sandwiches and pizza. I had a really good chicken sandwich with breaded chicken and a coleslaw. I would also recommend the pizza. One time the server dropped my slice initially, and to make up for it they gave me extra which was totally unnecessary but very nice. Service here is excellent!
The coffee is decent, but they give free refills! That merits at least one extra star! They also have a pastry case that looks SO tempting!
The space is huge so you can usually find a seat. It can get a bit loud, but I don't usually need silence when I work. Also, the upstairs section can get pretty hot because they rarely turn on the AC.
Ambiance is exceptional, and this cafe is the place to go for a relaxing lunch, a conversation over coffee, or for an intense study session!Listed in: Essential Berkeley
-
Review from Jana S.
Updated - 4/24/2012 5 photos
Zeppoles with chantilly cream tried recently.. the choux dough was lovely. However, the cream was actually bit dry.... yeah, cream and dry... shouldn't ever be uttered together in one sentence, I know.
And yet, it was.. .and hence the 3. Nice buzz whenever I come in.... nice mix of those enjoying fare and those studying hard!1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
3/12/2011 ROTD 1/26/2012
PIQ
I am most certain that I love YOU!!!!
What an array of delectable carb-based wonders, from sweet… Read more »
-
-
Review from Chia L.
Berkeley, CA
5/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Mmm.... good ambiance and location. They even have free ipads for you to use...
This place has so many selection of breads, pastries, cookies, cakes, you name it! The boulangerie section has lots of pizzas, paninis, breads, quiches, or salads. The other end of PIQ offers cakes, brownies, pies, and cannolis.
Their coffee was too weak for my liking and lacked the strong coffee aroma/bitterness. Was not really a fan.
The only reason I'd go back would be for the pastries and breads. -
Review from David D.
Berkeley, CA
4/26/2012
Good ambiance and location, average service, below average food.
I recently came here as part of a group of 6 for dinner. Indoor seating was not too difficult to find, and the outdoor seating would have been appealing on a warmer day. The tables are designed for 2, so we pushed 3 together with a little bit of grumbling from the owner because one of the tables appeared to be broken. We got situated eventually.
The ordering process was pretty straightforward. Our group ordered a variety of pizza and pizza-related items. Prices were on the higher side for a cafe. The food came out in a timely manner.
Alas, the quality of the food was sub-par all around. Bland bland bland. The regular cheese pizza was a little on the greasy side, too. If we had known better, we would have gotten pizza pretty much anywhere else in town. Oh well, you have to try new things sometimes, right? I might come back sometime for a cup of coffee. -
Review from Geoff U.
San Francisco, CA
5/21/2012
Everything I've had here has been delicious, from the pizza to pastries to coffee. The atmosphere is nice and service usually good. The problem is the outrageous pricing, especially for the middle of a college town. A slice of pizza here is $6! Granted it is large and fresh and very tasty. But you can get about the same amount of delicious pizza a block away for $2.75. Just about every other food item is similarly overpriced. This place should definitely *not* be one dollar sign--more like three.
-
Review from Lauren S.
4/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Going here brought back so many memories of living in Paris it wasn't even funny. I was honestly bouncing on my toes and just kind of giddy.
Food was delicious, shared sandwiches with my husband and both were tasty (one was sausage with roasted bells and the other was something with some kind of shaved ham or prosciutto and a kind of spicy aioli), a kind of part cheesecake part tiramisu dessert and "mini pizzas". It was all really good, the mini pizzas being my least favorite.
I definitely want to come back for the pizza, it looks like EXACTLY what I used to get in France and I am just all over that.
Prices were way less than I thought from walking by the place, but not exactly "cheap." Still, going slightly less over the top with the order we could have kept costs down to the 20 dollar range for the two of us and that ain't bad.
Put all of that out on the sidewalk at cafe tables watching downtown Berkeley go by? This is a great little place! -
Review from John P.
Berkeley, CA
3/29/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I discovered PIQ on a walk in Berkeley about a year ago, I didn't realize someone had taken over the property finally. I wasn't hungry when I first saw it, so I sadly didn't get to partake but I was tempted.
This morning I had a simply wonderful breakfast sandwich there, it was very full of flavor from good bacon, the egg and the wonderful sandwich roll that was fluffy but not too dense. It was a real treat. My friend had a breakfast "pizza" that was more like the roll dough I had with ham and egg on top. Simple and amazing. I also go a mini croissant with cream filling and that was sheer heaven!
So go here, use the wifi, relax, and EAT great food! -
Review from Sarah W.
Oakland, CA
5/10/2012
Great selection of pizzas, paninis, desserts--creative food. Very nice service.
-
Review from Samuel H.
5/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great place! Conveniently located right next to the Berkeley Downtown BART station. I must say, everything LOOKS. SO. PRETTY (and of course I'm talking about the food). Great sandwiches, get the chicken Milanese: a perfectly fried chicken sandwich on wholesome baguette bread. Also the desserts are pretty good and reasonably priced. Perfect place to grab lunch, sit outside, and soak up that Californian sun.
-
Review from Angie M.
Berkeley, CA
3/29/2012
LOVE.
The only thing I don't like is how I live so far away... -
Review from Andreas T.
Berkeley, CA
3/15/2012 4 Check-ins Here
This place makes me feel like I am eating in Europe. The freshness of all the breads sandwiches and pizzas make this a favorite of mine when at Shattuck Sq. It can be a few min if there is line and people ordering coffee, but perhaps the more relaxed attitude is why it makes me feel like I am in a European bakery and not Starbucks. I hope this place stays around a long time.
Lots of seating and outdoor patio with shades. -
Review from Corinne C.
Walnut Creek, CA
2/21/2012 5 Check-ins Here
Unfortunately, this place is near my workplace, and is between work and the BART. I say unfortunately, because walking by it each day (without going in) is an exercise in self-control. I've definitely hit this place up multiple times for any meal: breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, second lunch, dinner, you name it.
What to expect: it's not super fast or super efficient service, but they are definitely very nice and helpful with suggestions. Instead, wander around the savory cases and take a peek -- offerings change throughout the day and depending on what is in season. When you are asked if you want your savory item heated up, say YES PLEASE. A quick warmup in the oven makes the bread wonderfully toasty-crisp and that last heating cooks the item to perfection. Plus, they sprinkle on some arugula leaves, and the clean crisp spice of the arugula perfectly complements the rich meat -- though even the vegan foccacias are surprisingly good.
What I love:
Morning pizzas/mini bites
Pizzettes
Anything with pepperoni, spicy salami, prosciutto
Profiterole cake
Pear chocolate strudel (not as much chocolate as expected, but the pear slices were wonderfully juicy with the perfect texture)
Cappuccinos
Mini cannoli
Any of the breakfast pastries, really - both sweet and savory
The upstairs area is a bit on the warmer side, but overall I like the seating -- it's a good place to hang out with a friend over a cappuccino with a few pastries. No, the items aren't cheap, but you are definitely paying for quality. If you want something cheap or low-calorie, you'd best look elsewhere. Don't come here either if you want to be speedy. Stick around, order leisurely, have your food warmed up, and then sit yo' ass down and savor it slowly, instead of horking it down. -
Review from J E.
Oakland, CA
4/30/2012
Came for a quick light dinner. Lots of tasty options, but on the pricey side. Sort of fun cafe atmosphere. Somewhat small portions - how European of them. A good option for grabbing something on the go or taking up a table to do some studying.
-
Review from angela c.
Oakland, CA
3/15/2012
I've been here a handful of times since they opened a year ago. Never fails - awesome olive flutes, sandwiches, pizza, and breads of ALL kinds. Complete Gluten heaven....not for the gluten intolerant person...
They also have grapefruit Sanpellegrino!!!! A lovely treat. The cannolis look dangerously good...a great spot to chill on their patio on a nice day, or come for a quick bite before a movie. -
Review from Andrea E.
Concord, CA
4/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
For a quick Italian lunch, you can't beat it. Fresh and delicious. I recommend their caprese pizza. Light and you get HUGE portion for price. Coffee is pretty good too. Nice and robust.....as an Italian coffee should be!
-
Review from Cammy C.
1/19/2012
Hm, don't know what all the hype is about. I was pretty excited to check this place out because it looks so fancy from the outside, with all the modern neon blue lights. And the inside was even nicer, it's got an italian cafe feel with high ceilings, lots of seating, and an upstairs mezzanine. The menu was extensive, but I ended up just getting an Earl Grey tea and a chocolate croissant. Unfortunately, we were about to go out for dinner and I didn't want to fill up on their "mini paninis" or "mini pizzas." Besides they were all displayed behind a glass and obviously not made to order, so you never know how fresh they are!
My tea was very bland, even after I tried to spruce it up with some cream and sugar. Basically I was drinking sweet hot water with cream...BLEH! And my croissant was neither fluffy nor flaky, can you even call it a croissant then? I felt like I was eating a loaf of bread with chocolate squeezed inside. I honestly only took two bites of it. What a waste of money! Speaking of money, everything is a bit overpriced for Berkeley fare...$3 for a croissant, $2 for ONE nutella cookie, $12 for a panini, etc.
I would only come back here for the venue, because it's a nice space to meet with a study group, or chill with friends...but if I had the option, I would just stick with my usual spots like Cafe Milano or Strada. -
Review from Colin D.
San Francisco, CA
4/7/2012
I'm going to review PiQ from the perspective of someone who uses it as a meeting place for tutoring. I spend a minimum of four hours per day in PiQ tutoring people. I think their upstairs area is a fantastic place for my students.
That being said, sometimes the upstairs heats up a lot. I appreciate the warmth on cold days, but less so on some of the sunnier days. I know they don't intend to cook us; rather, they sometimes have trouble getting the heaters to turn off.
The main drawback to PiQ is the restroom situation. The bathrooms require a keycard, which you get at the front desk on the first floor. You then need to take an elevator downstairs to the bathroom on the basement floor. So, say you grab some food and want to wash your hands before you eat. You have to go pick up the keycard and the bucket attached to it in order to go to the bathroom to wash your hands, and you then bring the keycard back. Everyone touches this key card when they use the bathroom, so your trip to wash your hands probably made you more germ-y than before. Also, they have some kind of issue with their toilets. Usually their toilets are filled with feces and toilet paper because they don't flush properly, which is kind of a disgusting sight. The irony of this is that you can tell that the whole reason they have the keycard system is that they intended to have really nice bathrooms, but I would prefer function to aesthetics if I had to make a choice.
I enjoy the food here. I usually get some sort of pizza dish. They have breakfast pizzas, regular pizza slices, and calzones. The prices seem a bit high on most of their items, but they still get tons of business. That's why I'm hoping they reinvest come of the profits into solving the above issues.
They have multiple outlets to plug in your electronic devices, and they even have some iPads, as others have mentioned. The internet is strong, though it will momentarily disconnect at rather regular frequency. This may cause your wifi to attach to one of the other networks, such as Cyprus Wifi next door. This will force you to manually reconnect to PiQ, since the other connections won't have any bandwidth to speak of.
The staff seem really friendly. A small group of shareholders own the place and at least one or two of them work behind the counter. -
Review from Carla C.
4/6/2012
What a wonderful stop for a respite in downtown Berkeley. Come for the ambiance, stay for the nosh, big & small. The roomy and clubby interior makes for a wonderful hangout spot on your own or with friends. Great vibe. Savory and sweet treats are worth a try!
-
Review from Miles R.
San Francisco, CA
4/11/2012
Great for breakfast and lunch. I like a savory breakfast, and the morning pizzas (small ham or mushroom pizza with egg and arugala on top) are great. Sometimes I get a "mini-burger" or mozzarella panini as well. All of these are very fresh with great bread. The mini burger is loaded with grilled veggies (a bit oily, but delicous), and some perfectly done sweet grilled onions. And all of these items are $6 or less!
The sweet stuff also looks great but I haven't tried it (it doesn't seem like as good of a deal). And the owners and many employees are actually italians. They definitely seem to take care in their product. -
Review from Ruobin W.
4/3/2012
Nice place, only ok food. The galantina and parma paninis are pretty good but pretty expensive. Very simple but flavorful. Unfortunately, the cannolis were pretty bland and were not cooked very well. Not a great place for food but I've heard the coffee's great.
-
Review from Marc F.
Richmond, CA
5/11/2012
The bread for my paninni was fresh baked and really light which was a nice surprise - so I would eat here again.
-
Review from Lindsey S.
Huntington Beach, CA
This place is an amazing Berkeley find. I'm surprised a lot more people don't know about this place.
PIQ's has a lot of seating and wifi. As a Berkeley student, I personally think this place is one of the best places to work at if you want to have food, coffee, and study time at the same place. Their bread is amazing and their pizza is great! I tried the milano sandwich (basically their version of the bake sale betty's fried chicken sandwich) but i felt it lacked oomph. The chicken was good, but the cole slaw was just okay.
Come here for the baked goods, and anything made with their bread. You won't regret it. -
Review from Lisa K.
3/30/2012
Everything looked gorgeous, but that ended up being deceptive. My nutella cookie (such a great concept - sandwich cookie with nutella middle PLUS cute face cut out on one side!) was dry and very dull. On the other hand, a little tart with ricotta and raspberry jam was delicious & quite well balanced - not too sweet. I would be more interested in items leaning toward the savory here.
-
Review from Jenny M.
12/20/2011
Very delicious! Came here for brunch with a friend and we were having so much trouble trying to decide what to eat because everything looked so delicious! We ended up picking 3 things and splitting each in half so that we would get to try them all :) portions were fairly big anyways.
First, we got the milano, which was a sandwich with a piece of friend chicken and some coleslaw on a really skinny but long piece of bread. I thought the fried chicken was very juicy but that the coleslaw lacked some taste...maybe it's because I was comparing it to Bakesale Betty's sandwiches.
We also got a pizza rustica (tuna and onion). These were SO GOOD. The tuna was so flavorful. Loved it :)
Lastly, we had the parma. It was a caprese-style pizza that tasted very refreshing and light, but I guess i would have liked some more flavor in it too. It had a thin piece of meat (forgot what kind), mozzarella, greens, and tomatoes.
The total came out to be $24 for 2 people, which was reasonable, but I would say that it's still on the pricey side for a bakery.
If I have free time one day, I think I would definitely like to come here to study! It's a very cute and sunny environment. -
Review from Heather R.
Oakland, CA
Some of the most incredible breaded goodness (dozens to choose from in both the savory and sweet varieties) I have ever had in US (and I've traveled outside and inside US extensively)... I wish every cafe had the same quality of fare!!!!
-
Review from Em L.
Berkeley, CA
1/11/2012
The owners are super nice. Extremely understand and accommodating despite that I had a group of almost thirty people who came late at night (~8pm) with no reservation for a special occasion.
But the most important part: food. It's not a fast-food place, and for a good reason. They really bake each and every one of their pizzas with deliberation. Extremely fresh, and TASTY AHHHH SOOOOOOOO GOOD. Good place to host dinners and special occasions of flexible size of people.
To be honest, it's not like Cheeseboard or Zachary's, nor are any of them comparable. Each of them are different restaurants serving different kinds of pizza. I love Cheeseboard and Zachary's so I had a high expectation, but PIQ didn't disappoint me, either. It's much cheaper, too.
Will most definitely come back again. Thank you for the great night. -
Review from Grace H.
Berkeley, CA
3/25/2012 1 photo
MMM MMM DELIZIOSO! I am so sad to have discovered this place in my last year of college at Cal but I absolutely love this place. If only it wasn't all the way down on shattuck... PIQ definitely reminds me of Italy and their pizzas are about as close as it gets to authentic Italian style pizzas. It really puts me back in the mindset of sitting at some European cafe/bistro! There's plenty of seating, free wifi, great coffee and a delicious selection of flatbreads, pizzas, sandwiches, etc also yummy looking pastries which I have yet to try. My favorite is the Greek pizza that has feta cheese, tomatoes, arugula, and olives..mm getting hungry just thinking about it!
-
Review from Rowena M.
San Francisco, CA
3/22/2012
tasty stuff. just a little too pricey for me but worth it some days.
bonus points (and the fifth star) because they have soy milk in addition to half and half and milk as an add on option at the lid/sleeve/sugar and fake sugar station. classy place. -
Review from Dhiraj S.
San Francisco, CA
12/5/2011
I'm not really a big fan of bakeries/pastry shops BUT I have a huuuge soft-spot for cannolis - those delicate, sweet ricotta cheese-filled, fried italian dough covered, chocolate-chip topped tubes of delicious :) ... and they have it! And I'm fairly certain they're the only place in Berkeley to serve them! (for a reasonable $3.50 to boot). Not the very best I've had but definitely above-average.
I also got the turkey provolone w/ arugula on olive bread - high quality of meats/cheeses/ingredients is apparent. But what made the sandwich was the bread - I was worried it would be too hard/crusty and overpower the rest of the sandwich, but it was perfect and the olives added a lot of flavor. The sandwich was also much larger than expected - ended up taking at least a 1/4 of it to go.
Other plusses-
- Lots of space and open seating
- wi-fi
- Nice decor/ambiance and music, great for getting work done
- Menu also has pizza, lots of drinks/coffee, and a bunch of unique breads that all look fantastic
My new work spot for the week - I'll be back soon! -
Review from Yumi H.
San Francisco, CA
11/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Wow I can't believe I haven't discovered this place sooner! Nutella cookie, panini al latte (panchetta & cheese), baguettes, so many pastries, drinks, and more! Their foccacia pizzas, sandwiches, and other food look so delicious too... this PIQ place is definitely a rare find in Berkeley! I just wish I hadn't eaten before coming here! But that doesn't mean you can buy some pastries to go... or a smiley nutella cookie :)
I was so much in awe of the display of breads, pizzas, pastries, etc... I mean they're all laying there just staring at you! A very colorful and aromatic display indeed :) You will also find many students crowding the upstairs area so outlets are hard to come by. This place is just north of the BART station. You can't go wrong w/ PIQ! -
Review from Gabe R.
Alameda, CA
Today's visit will be my last.
I came here after my last final of the semester. It was around 3 and I had only had a light snack right in the morning, so I was pretty hungry. I went in and asked if they had a Milanese sandwich which has been my to go sandwich for the last couple of times I've been here. They said they didn't have it and that instead I should get another similar sandwich which had ham and salami. I thought "why not?" they then heated it up.
When i got it, it looked delicious until I opened it. Now I like cheese, I like ham and I like mayo, (all in their right amount though). This sandwich was like five slices worth of cheese slivers, some ham and a quarter cup of mayo. No kidding. I hate to say but it was disgusting. Waaay too much cheese and mayo. I used about five napkins to clean try to take out all the mayo but It was mixed in and not spread on the bread, so I couldn't take off too much. Also who puts that much cheese on their sandwich. I really would not have eaten it if not for the almost $10 price. Hey I'm a student, I can't waste food. Even after taking off as much mayo and cheese it wasn't good. I sort of felt like my sandwich was a sick joke from the person making them. No person would ever think it would be appropriate to sell something like that.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/4/2011
I've been wanting to review this place for a while but didn't know what it was called. Their sign… Read more »
-
-
Review from zeenat s.
El Cerrito, CA
3/20/2012
Love this place. Its like lil France Boulangerie in Berkeley.... Everything I have tasted was delish... Love going here.. I have bought some of their roll where Ive used them to make lamb burgers and wow what a combination that was... Everything is fresh and yummy.. Love that they have outdoor sitting on a hot day..
-
Review from Rich H.
Second Mesa, AZ
12/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Summary based on 1 pre-theatre group dinner
--decent pizza, not Cheeseboard but good for the immediate area
--ok prices
--friendly service
--kinda cold when it's cold outside
--usual crap Berkeley parking
Walked in with 8 people and was able to sit down with no hassle. -
Review from Lia P.
10/8/2011 2 Check-ins Here
First off I am 100% Italian. I speak, read and write it. Therefore, I appreciate PIQ's traditional authentic Italian paninis, pizza and dolci.
I have not had one thing there that tastes bad. Their array of fancy breads is quite lovely. I try going there with a friend for a quick bite but do not suggest going there before 1pm,............... because their line or lack there of a line system is terrible and you will end up in its chaos. I don't think the Owners really thought through the whole ordering system when they first opened the place.
You order first then, wait in line and go to the cashier and tell her what you ordered when you can barely remember the name of the pizza or the sandwich itself and she doesn't know what you ordered because the guy is warming up your pizza slice or panini.... by the time the warm plate arrives... with all the other orders... you have to scrum around to figure out which one was yours and then pay... It is very unstructured and so unstructured that I avoid going when its their busy time.
Other than that, the food is marvelous. They make one mean cappuccino because they use the finest coffee. With of course a great selection of pastries, biscottis, tiramisu and canollis, just to name a few.
These Italian desserts usually composed of whipped cream or Marscapone cheese, crepes, and liqueur, are tasty treats that are considered an art form because of the lavish presentation and mouth-watering ingredients. If you've ever tasted rich cream mixed with rum flavors or soaked in espresso, you know it's heaven-sent.
PIQ is a typical Pizzeria that is very common in Italy and am so proud and happy that not only is it in Downtown Berkeley but that everyone can get a little slice of Italy when they are here.Listed in: Just one, 100% REAL Italian
-
Review from Joanna M.
9/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Walking around Berkeley lately has not helped me feel any younger. I keep seeing places that did not exist when I was in college here, causing me to curse the passage of time and become miffed that I can't just swing by whenever I want.
PIQ is one of those places that I squinted at recently and asked where that had been when I was an undergrad, probably as more gray hairs germinated and sprouted on my head. I can't remember what was there before, because I am either losing my memory or the place wasn't memorable. Or a combination. Whatever. I met two friends from college for lunch and they couldn't remember either, but we all agreed that we would have come there to eat and study. The place is big, and was crowded with hungry and hurried students. It seemed to be a bakery/pizzeria/cafe combination, perfect for students who need caffeine and carbs to survive school. I know I did.
They had some focaccia with heirloom tomatoes that was amazing. I ate it while pondering a philosophical question: Why does the 'i' come after the 'e' in heirloom when there is no 'c'? With our combined degrees my friends and I could not come up with an answer. I washed it down with some coffee which I would have happily drank in college, but am now a seasoned coffee snob, and found it was just okay, very bitter.
Nice to see some more quality places popping up in Berkeley, and since I'll always be a student in some way, I'd definitely come here again and again, and if anyone can tell me why 'heirloom' is an exception to the 'i' before 'e', except after 'c' rule, lunch and heirlooms are on me. -
Review from T t.
Oakland, CA
12/16/2011
1 star for the variety of pastries and snackies
2nd star for the coffee
3rd star for lots of places to sit
Came here twice. Tried one of the paninis but it wasn't very good and neither was the ham & cheese croissant. The mini sandwiches (caprese & salami) were pretty good, the dessert was okay as well. Will go back to try their tiramisu, pizza, and other dessert. -
Review from Olga B.
Berkeley, CA
3/11/2012
Admittedly, I have only been here for hot drinks and dessert. Their coffee drinks are excellent and I really like the tea they have too. The desserts are all to die for and they have a huge selection. I really like the mini fruit tarts. I haven't had the chance to eat a meal here, but I'm certainly looking forward to it! I like the environment inside. It has never been too busy when I have gone and there's an upstairs area too. The people who work there have been very nice every time I've gone.
