DeLuxe

In the 20 years I’ve lived in the East Bay, I’ve never found a BBQ place I liked better than Everett and Jones. It’s a family owned business with outlets around the Bay Area. The downtown Oakland one is the most upscale with table service, patio seating, and live music. I go for the food and the #2 store in Berkeley is still the best. The links/brisket combo is delicious. Be careful to get the medium sauce — the hot sauce is more like “watch out” sauce. Expect your clothing will smell like smoke when you get home. It’s worth the price.

Everett and Jones #2
1955 San Pablo, Berkeley , CA 94702
510.548.8261

Gioia Pizza is the most New York like pizza I’ve had in the Bay Area and I’ve been looking for 20 years. Arinell’s in downtown Berkeley is NY-like but the pizza at Gioia is the real deal. Few people outside of Berkeley know this place since it’s tucked in a nidden neighborhood in North Berkeley. If you’re looking for good pizza you’ve got to try Gioia — the Bay Area’s best!

Gioia Pizzeria
1586 Hopkins Street, Berkeley, CA 94707
510.528.4692

We might not have gone to Em Le’s had it not been for the coupons. This is a famous breakfast place in Carmel that doesn’t have the usual outdoor seating that allows you to bring your dog. We’re glad we got a chance to try this place. They make the most amazing french toast. They dip your bread in batter and then fry the whole thing. The little bits of batter that become separated from the toast are then put on top of your toast and the whole thing is covered with powdered sugar and warm syrup. They can only cook one of these at a time so expect to wait a bit for your food to arrive. It’s worth the wait.

Em Le’s Old Carmel Restaurant
Dolores & 5th Ave, Carmel, CA 93923
831.625.6780

We first went to Le Coq D’or more than 10 years ago when we were last in Carmel. Like other Carmel restaurants they have outdoor seating and we were able to bring Duchess with us. By the end of our meal at least 3 tables outside had dogs. The owner brought Duchess her own little hamburger too. The food here is incredible. It’s a French/German place that specializes in the cuisine of Alsace-Lorraine. Every bite of the meal here was great.

Le Coq D’or
Mission St & 5th Ave, Carmel, CA 93923
831.626.9319

Our first stop in Carmel this July was The Tuck Box. It’s one of Carmel’s oldest restaurants. It’s not super fancy but if you’re looking for a great late lunch this is the place to go. The best part about being here was the English tea and scones. The scones and jams are made on site and are super incredo good.

Tuck Box
Dolores St & 7th Ave, Carmel, CA 93923
831.624.6365

Cafe Madrid in Oakland’s Uptown neighborhood is a gem. Housed in what used to be the ground floor of the I.Magnin department stores (just a couple doors down from the Paramount), this cafe serves incredible authentic Spanish sandwiches called bocadillos. Only these are giant sized. For $7 you get about 2 meals worth of the freshest ingredients and you customize each sandwich to your liking. You can choose which meats you want (jamon serrano or soria for example), pick a cheese (I like the yound manchego), and an alilloli to spread on your bread. I bet this place does well at lunch — I always go there on Saturday when it’s pretty empty.

Cafe Madrid
2001 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
510.271.0001