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Brian L.'s Profile

Photo of Brian L.

"Bows + Arrows"

profile votes icon Review votes:
7 Useful, 3 Funny, and 6 Cool

Compliments Cute Pic (1)
Location

Berkeley, CA

Yelping Since

November 2008

Find Me In

Berkeley North/Hills

My Hometown

Goleta, CA

My Blog Or Website

http://www.bowsplusarr.../

Current Crush

Raleigh Clubman

Recent Reviews

20 Reviews

Filter by: Location   Category
1870 Euclid Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 849-3326

Euclid Cafe - CLOSED 

Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area

3 star rating
 Update - 8/11/2009  
It's gone now. Mexican Coke just got a little harder to find.

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1 Previous Review: Hide »

  • 3 star rating
    1/27/2009

    This is the place to get a cheap lunch on the Northside (unless you get a Mexican Coke, but that's totally worth it). It should be noted that the avocado used on the sandwiches is in fresh, sliced form-- other shops use green paste from a bucket. Also, the onions are thicker and stronger than the shavings usually found on sandwiches, though that might be a turn off for some. Add more veggies onto a cheap roll, plus a free bag of chips, and you're good to go. The owner, like your mom, also packs it in a little brown bag for you!

    Needless to say, there's never a line. If you ever feel like sticking around, though, there will always be a completely random movie playing, seemingly just for your entertainment.

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1961 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 843-4763

Missing Link Bicycle Cooperative Annex  

Neighborhoods: UC Campus Area, Downtown Berkeley

5 star rating
 8/5/2009  
The folks at the Annex are nice and, so far, have done good work on my bike. Recently I had them build up a complete bike-- normally, I would do it myself, but relied on professional expertise this time; it's by far the nicest bike I've owned. They did a great job and the service was cheap. I recently took it in for a pedal swap and tuneup; both were free, and it was done with no wait. A truly valuable local shop.

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2234 San Pablo Ave
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 843-0200

7 Days A Week Smog Check - Test Only  

Categories: Gas & Service Stations, Smog Check Stations

5 star rating
 7/8/2009  
I came here on my lunch break, handed over my DMV paperwork and keys, and took a seat in the waiting room. Some others were there, too, and while I didn't get a computer terminal I still got soda and crackers and magazines I actually wanted to read. Two GQs later my truck was ready, I got my $20 web/Yelp discount and left. Sure, my lunch break ended up a little longer than I'd hoped, but with that kind of service I'm not complaining.

Also, I noticed on my way out that there is a weight room. Strange, but I guess not everybody wants junk food and the Internet.

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2109 Cedar St
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 883-1893

Gregoire  

Categories: French, American (New)
Neighborhoods: North Berkeley, Gourmet Ghetto

4 star rating
 3/10/2009  
Gregoire's my neighbor now. It's good, but the constant crowd of hipsters awkwardly waiting around kinda makes one rethink the hype surrounding this place. First: those potato puffs? Good. Not great. All I recall is a strange, almost vinegary taste, though they were crisped perfectly on the outside and creamy within.

Their lunch menu is a little more appropriately priced than the dinner one and features some truly tasty and interesting choices. A simple chicken patty sandwich was remarkably good-- far better than its name implied-- and a lamb curry sandwich also held its own. From the dinner menu, the bavette with poached scallions was cooked perfectly; along with some fries (only OK, and ordered separately) the total was upwards of $20. It's hard to justify paying so much, even when the food is good, for essentially no service and so little in the way of accoutrements (maybe you've got a really nice home to bring it back to?). But, like I said, they're neighbors and I'll continue to support them. For lunch.

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2442 Sacramento St
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 649-9626

Vika Beauty Salon  

Category: Hair Salons

5 star rating
 3/9/2009  
First and most importantly, Virginia gave me an awesome haircut. From the head massage to the last detailed trim she was attentive and adept-- a natural talent. I haven't been more than satisfied with a haircut in a while, and to think that this one cost so little only makes it more remarkable.

Also, she spared no effort in accommodating me, from squeezing me in after hours to letting me keep my bike inside her already-small space. There is actually nothing more that could have been done to make it better. Nothing. So, everyone: get your hair cut early and often and here, because Vika really deserves it.

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2152 Center St
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 704-1814

CU Japanese Fusion  

Category: Japanese
Neighborhoods: UC Campus Area, Downtown Berkeley

3 star rating
 1/16/2009  
The first thing you'll notice is a 1/2 Off deal advertised on a sandwich board outside the door-- sounds good, but it's not quite a 'deal' when its prices are printed permanently on the menu. It's still a fair price to pay for decent fish, though, and mine seemed fresh and clean. The miso soup and edamame were both too salty for my taste, but a good Rainbow Roll makes those complaints minor. The service was fast, which I appreciated, but the atmosphere was bland, similar to the other quick and student-oriented places on the block.

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1834 Euclid Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 540-9333

La Val's Pizza  

Category: Pizza
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area

3 star rating
 12/21/2008  
La Val's is a totally unremarkable take on thin-crust pizza, but it's not without its saving graces. They've got an inexpensive lunch special, a selection of beer, and a pinball machine. There's also a lot of space and the game's always on, which is unique on the Northside.

So don't worry that the pizza's lacking; there are other reasons to come here.

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1512 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94701
(510) 549-3055

The Cheeseboard Pizza Collective  

Categories: Cheese Shops, Pizza
Neighborhoods: North Berkeley, Gourmet Ghetto

5 star rating
 12/21/2008  
Before Cheeseboard the only memorable pizzas I had were homemade, and it was something I never considered for a meal otherwise. Then-- and I remember this perfectly-- I was treated to a pizza here with corn, lime, and sweet onion. My perspective has changed since: Cheeseboard features an inventive and delicious vegetarian pizza each day in a unique, fun atmosphere. Really-- enjoying a gourmet pizza and a ginger beer under the KEEP OFF THE MEDIAN sign in the middle of the street, to me, encompasses everything Berkeley is about.

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1816 Euclid Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 843-1816

Analog Books  

Category: Bookstores
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area

5 star rating
 12/10/2008  
Analog is a wonderful, surprising little bookstore. Some have noted that it isn't the place to go if you're looking for a particular title; in my experience I've found that the opposite is true. The selection is highly eclectic but relatively hip, and I've been lucky enough on several occasions to find exactly the book I wanted. Also, as with the recent passing of David Foster Wallace, there have been times when Analog has been the only one to carry books that are otherwise sold out/out of stock at other shops.

I realize that the chances of the store stocking any given title are slim, but that's neither Analog's mission nor their specialty. Just take a look at the books displayed in the window-- there's bound to be something of interest.

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1839 Euclid Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 548-3400

Bongo Burger  

Categories: Burgers, Middle Eastern, Fast Food
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area

3 star rating
 12/9/2008  
Thanks to Yelp I've discovered the Persian burger, and in turn discovered that Bongo Burger is a decent place after all. It's a long Niman Ranch (yay) lamb patty in a French roll with standard burger fixings, which sounds odd and simply must be tried to be appreciated. The meat is seasoned well and the bread makes for a delicious sandwich-- coupled with fries (don't bother) and a drink it makes for a big lunch.

The black bean burger is good, too, and the falafel is only so-so; fortunately I'll be spared these decisions in the future. Also, sadly, no refills, and sometimes-slow service is a mixed blessing: yes, it's made to order, but it's only a burger.

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  • Cute Pic

    hey good lookin

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