Work It, Berk

May Playlist by Sherrie Hang

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Sat, 04 May 2013 04:23:00 +0000

The lady with the pixie, Ms. Sherrie Hang

I've been smitten with Sherrie Hang's style since I first photographed her in 2010. This was back when she was still an undergrad balancing her time between studying and designing killer looks for FAST. Now, you'd see her stomping around New York (New Yorkers always stomp... right?), wearing studded collars and tweeting about so-and-so's baby's new haircut. She graciously lent me some of her creative juices to create this 22-track playlist with artists that range from New York's own Azealia Banks to everyone's favorite ex-ramen-head, Justin Timberlake. So, pull up your favorite gossip rag, maybe get some ramen now that I mentioned it, and let this mix ease you into the new month. Live long and prosper...? \\//

This photo was used with Sherrie's permission and seal of approval. Amen!

Eat in SF: Flour + Water

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 03:50:00 +0000

Complimentary bread and olive oil

Butter lettuce salad with blue cheese, beets, and smoked walnuts

Mixed roast of pork with crispy potato, artichoke, fennel, and olive

Carrot tortelli with aleppo pepper, hazelnuts, and mint

Chocolate budino with espresso cream and sea salt

Macchiato with brown sugar

After reserving a table for two at Flour + Water in February, I was finally able to see what all the fuss surrounding this Mission hot spot was about this past week. With my new macro lens attached to my trusty DSLR and my 5 pm hunger pains a-churnin', I was ready to get my pasta on at this Italian eatery. I started off my meal with a couple pieces of complimentary bread and the butter lettuce salad. With my appetite whetted, I moved on to my main course of carrot tortelli as well as a taste of the pork. I finished with a splash: the chocolate budino with a generous sprinkling of sea salt and a sip of macchiato.

The verdict? Although every dish was rather delicious, they were quite small for their relatively large price tags. The plate whose size was least proportional to its cost was ironically the main course, my stuffed pasta. When the waitress brought it out, it was hard for me to disguise the disappointment in my face upon seeing that this $17 dish was made up of what appeared to be only seven pieces of ravioli folded in half. Sure, it was good, but not packed with as much flavor as anticipated. Fortunately, I curbed my hunger once and for all with a good helping of the chocolate budino, which was certainly bigger than my pasta dish.

Apart from the two-month wait time, high prices, and small portions, there's still a silver lining. Now I know to be more skeptical of Yelp reviews, which directed me towards the pasta instead of the pizza that is equally delicious and multitudes larger. Two old truths were also bolstered: don't be afraid to stuff yourself with bread and don't trust the hype. Or... why not just grab a burrito at El Farolito on Mission and 24th instead?

April Playlist by Vanessa Vazquez

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Vanessa Vazquez (right), with her partner-in-crime Angie, of Those Pore Girls

There's a new beauty queen on the block and her name is Vanessa Vazquez. She's one half of the blogging duo behind Those Pore Girls, which chronicles Vanessa and Angie's (mis)adventures in finding makeup that matches their skin tone. Although I know next to nothing about beauty myself―beyond thick brows = god―I do know that TPG is one blog to watch. They bring their feminist-meets-girly girl outlook as they gauge where "Latina" fits in the whitewashed world of beauty. I'm excited to share Vanessa's April playlist of lady jams, featuring the likes of Bey, Macy Gray, and more.

This adorable photo was used with Vanessa's permission and seal of approval.

Eat in Berkeley: Sheng Kee Bakery

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 01:31:00 +0000

Coconut cream bun

Today I visited Sheng Kee Bakery on Telegraph, mere feet away from the UC Berkeley campus. With locations across the Bay Area, including a few in San Francisco, Sheng Kee serves a variety of sweet and savory baked goods, boba, and Berkeley's own Peet's Coffee. Both times I've been here I've ordered the coconut cream bun. It's 50% decadence and 50% creamy goodness. This bakery has opened rather recently but usually has a long line of eager students that goes through quickly. All of the baked goods are less than $2, filling the holes in your heart and your pocket. Did I mention it's damn good?

Work It, Berk: Pastel Paradise

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:16:00 +0000

Spotted at Wheeler Hall.
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This is what I got at Cinnaholic today.

Pssst! Have you heard our March Playlist?

March Playlist by Bernie Samson

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:14:00 +0000

Bernie Samson, the blogger behind the BoxSpeaker Music blog

New month, new playlist! This month, we've got none other than Bernie Samson at the helm, local music blogger and fellow Amber Heard enthusiast. The 17-track mix features tunes by indie bigwigs and newcomers alike, such as Kitten, Neon Indian, Metric, and Flume. If her taste in formerly blonde actresses is any indication, this set is guaranteed to impress.

This photo was used with Bernie's permission and seal of approval. Thank heavens.

Work It, Berk: Daisy Skirt

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 01:56:00 +0000

Spotted at Wheeler Hall.
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Work It, Berk: Print Power

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 01:50:00 +0000

Spotted on Sproul Plaza.
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P.S. This is what I got at Cinnaholic today.

Work It, Berk: The Students

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Spotted at Bancroft & Telegraph.
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Work It, Berk: Ready for Class

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Spotted at Durant & Telegraph.
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February Playlist by Chandamheer Stacker

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Chandamheer Stacker, the blogger behind pancakeSTACKER

Our February Playlist was curated by none other than San Francisco-based blogger, Chandamheer Stacker of pancakeSTACKER. Similar to how she guides readers through her foodie and style adventures on her blog, Chandamheer will give us a little bit of everything in this carefully put together mix. She starts our journey with a hip-hop classic, 50 Cent's "In Da Club," before submerging us in the dreamy sounds of Frank Ocean and The Weeknd. After a two-decade throwback with Biggie's "Hypnotize" and a Robin Thicke serenade, we'll be transported to an oscillating world of indie hits from Passion Pit and Miike Snow and pop numbers by Selena Gomez and Ellie Goulding. Sit back and let this 35-track playlist take you well into the new month.

This photo was used with Chandamheer's permission and seal of approval.

Work It, Berk: Red Beanie

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 23:44:00 +0000

Spotted at Bancroft & Telegraph.
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Look familiar? She's a blog veteran.

Work It, Berk: Spot On

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Spotted at Bancroft & Telegraph.
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Work It, Berk: Effortless

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Spotted at the farmers' market on Center and MLK.
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Work It, Berk: Market Fresh

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Spotted at the farmers' market on Center and MLK.
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Work It, Berk: Downtown Duo

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Spotted on Shattuck near Allston.
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Eat in LA: Neveux Artisan Creamery

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Cardamon Creme Fraiche (left) and Maple Fig ice cream

You've probably noticed that I have quite a sweet tooth, which is often filled by ice cream. While in the Bay Area, I acquired a taste for gourmet ice cream featuring exotic (to me) ingredients like lavender and basil. After a close friend started working at an organic ice cream store on Telegraph in Oakland's Temescal District, my palate and desire for these gourmet treats grew. Luckily, when I returned to Los Angeles, I discovered Neveux Artisan Creamery on Melrose between Martel and Vista before my symptoms of bougie ice cream withdrawal exacerbated.

Unlike some of the über popular ice cream stores in Berkeley, at Neveux's you rarely have to wait in line and you can try two scoops for the price of one up north. That is not to say there's any decrease in quality; in fact, their blends have a smoothness and creaminess that is enviable to competitors. I've also tweeted at Leo the owner a few times and he's always responded with kind words. With ice cream in hand and attention received, what more could you ask for?

Eat in West Hollywood: Flavor of India

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Buffet plate featuring naan, rice, dal, chicken tikka masala, paneer, and aloo gobi

Flavor of India has the best Indian buffet in Los Angeles. I've searched high and low for a dynamic and thoroughly delicious Indian buffet (mainly west of La Brea) and Flavor of India on Santa Monica near Doheny in West Hollywood always comes out on top. The buffet features a solid selection for meat and veggie fiends alike. Some of the most commonly prepared dishes include tomato and cucumber salad, rice, naan, dal, some type of paneer dish, sautéed cauliflower and potatoes (aloo gobi), chicken tikka masala, tandoori chicken, a lamb dish, rice pudding, and fruit. My personal favorites are the naan, paneer, and rice pudding.

I've never had a bad experience here and their dishes are nothing short of delicious. They have a very welcoming and cognizant staff as well as a lovely semi open-air atmosphere. If you miss their brunch hours, you are still guaranteed to eat a tasty meal from their dinner menu.

Eat in Berkeley: Thai Temple Brunch

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Pad Thai and Yellow Curry with Chicken

Beef Noodle Soup

Mango Sticky Rice

Brunch at the Wat Mongkolratanaram Thai temple is one of Berkeley's not-so-well-kept secrets. Every Sunday morning, Thai temple, as it is commonly known, opens up its doors on Russell off of MLK to allow dozens of Berkeley residents to feast on their wide selection of Thai food. After exchanging a few dollars for some tokens, patrons make their way to six different lines serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, noodle soups, desserts, and beverages.

I have visited over a dozen times, trying every dish pictured above, and I can firmly say that they're all pretty solid examples of good Thai food. They also recently started serving fried coconut milk desserts, which can really only be a good thing. Word to the wise, visit around noon before the food starts to run out and prepare to take home leftovers.

January Playlist by Whitney Deng and Mallory Watkins

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Whitney and Mallory, the pair behind Ready Two Wear

I'm pretty sure that Whitney Deng and Mallory Watkins were born with style oozing through their veins. They've mastered the art of mixing low fashion and high fashion pieces, while always staying on the pulse of what's trendy. I met the two ladies a couple years ago, before their style was as polished as it is today and when they still blogged under the name of WhitWatWear. They have since moved on to take the fashion blogging world by storm as the duo behind Ready Two Wear. Check out their blog for a strong command of color and texture as well as an almost infinite supply of statement necklaces. Let Whitney and Mallory help you ring in the new year with their January playlist.

This photo was used with Whitney and Mallory's permission and seal of approval.

Eat in Berkeley: Cinnaholic

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 08:30:00 +0000

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough cinnamon roll

Daily Special: the Chocolate Decandence roll

S'mores roll

Cinnaholic can easily satisfy any (vegan) sweet tooth. Located a stone's throw away from Saturn Cafe―everyone's favorite space-age vegetarian and vegan diner―Cinnaholic specializes in making cinnamon rolls that are nothing short of heavenly. What is even more remarkable is that every ingredient used in the process is entirely vegan. Feeling a bit on the decadent side, I opted to try the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough roll, one of the many specialty rolls that they create before your eyes. Needless to say, I'm glad I split it with a friend since its sweetness would have overpowered me had I devoured it in one sitting. In addition to the specialty rolls, they can also make a custom roll using the dozens of frosting flavors and toppings offered.

Eat in Berkeley: Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 08:30:00 +0000

Hush Puppies served with honey butter

Jambalaya with sauce piquant, roasted chicken, tasso ham, and andouille sausage

Buttermilk Fried Chicken served with ginger-vanilla sweet potato mash, tasso ham cream gravy, and Blue Lake green beans with Parmesan

I'm kind of in love with the South, even though the closest I've been is Florida. (I'm pretty sure that any southerner will tell you that Disney World and Miami Beach don't exactly count.) Although my concept of how those below the Mason-Dixon live is fueled mainly by what I've seen on Hart of Dixie and viral videos like the one below, I'm fairly certain that my love is still true. While these examples are rather contemporary, my interest started when I first developed the twang that still sticks with me today. (My mom teases me for adding more "e" in "milk" than a typically generic Californian accent should allow.)

Although I've begged my parents to join me on the three-part tour of the South I planned years ago, I'm certain that Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen is the closest Southern thing I will experience in the near future. Located in Berkeley's downtown on Shattuck and Kittredge, Angeline's serves Louisiana cuisine that's light enough to satisfy the health-obsessed California palate, while still giving homage to its hearty southern roots. The two times I've visited I tried a dish that is as delicious as it is fun to pronounce: jambalaya. The Creole staple features three types of meat in a bed of spicy rice. On my most recent trip, I also tried the Hush Puppies, which translates to balls of fried cornmeal in Californian, and buttermilk fried chicken that can easily give a certain North Oakland fried chicken sandwich shop a run for its money.

While the entrees are fairly priced considering all of the potential leftovers, Angeline's ambiance takes you to a world a few steps out of Berkeley while remaining right at its center.

Because everyone needs a little bit more Southern livin':

Eat in SF: Humphry Slocombe

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 08:30:00 +0000

Secret Breakfast ice cream made with bourbon and cornflakes

Humphry Slocombe serves ice cream with an attitude. The two times I've visited I've ordered the Secret Breakfast, which is made with bourbon and cornflakes. It brings to mind what a drunkard grappling with the early morning hours would consume, only it's probably a lot more delicious than what he would come up with. Unlike the gourmet ice cream I've tried at other local creameries, this one serves quite a punch. The bourbon flavor is not subtle, but it's not overpowering either. They've discovered the delicate balance needed in a boozy dessert. The cornflakes add equal parts texture and nostalgia. All in all, it's damn good.

Eat in Berkeley: Original Pollo's

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 08:30:00 +0000

Breakfast burrito with apple sausage

This monstrous thing is the breakfast burrito served at Original Pollo's, which is located at the corner of Berkeley Square and Shattuck in the city's downtown. Although I'm not normally a fan of adding tortillas to my breakfast routine, one day my growling stomach forced me to make an exception and I haven't looked back since. What makes Pollo's burrito great is that it's large enough to eat throughout the day and you can add almost anything you want on it. I usually ask for apple sausage in the burrito, which fits nicely beside the home fries, eggs, cheese, and salsa that are already included. Another plus is that it's portable enough to enjoy while exploring an alternative zine fest or the local farmers' market.

This is my friend's hand. He would like to remain anonymous, Anh.

Work It, Berk: The Blazer

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 08:30:00 +0000

Spotted at Center near Milvia.
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