Puff Addiction

It’s funny how the most spontaneous action can change your life. After reading an article on Sfgate about Berkeley’s gourmet ghetto. I decided to try Gregoire Restaurant (2109 Cedar). The article mentioned how the owner Gregoire Jacquet once worked at the Ritz Carlton. I too worked at the Ritz (as a barman) and there was a chef there at the time named Gregoire. Could it be one and the same? Sure enough it was. I recognized him and he I. And that’s how it happened. I became addicted to Gregoire's potato puffs. Now it’s hard to feed my addiction because I live in Marin and don’t get to Berkeley often enough. I ask family and friends “ go to Berkeley bring back Puffs-Please!” I’ll buy if you fly. They’re rich mashed potatoes fortified with creamy, yummy stuff then battered and fried. I think, anyhow, cause that’s what they taste like. The puffs come with a dipping sauce, which is good too, but I tend to mainline them au natural.


Puffs Please!


If you going to Gregoire's keep your eyes open. It’s a little hole in the wall place on the east side of Shattuck with a blue awning, just around the corner from Chez Panisse. Mostly takeout with a couple of picnic tables out front and stools inside. The lunch and dinner menus change monthly and are updated on the website.


Here it is

On a recent visit in addition to the potato puffs we tried the soup of day (cauliflower), the Cajun spiced sautéed cod sandwich, hearts of romaine salad and the grilled chicken with lemon and Dijon celery root salad served on pantofolina roll. This is fancy, sit down, lots of stars and diamonds restaurant food at great price. Just my style, champagne taste on a beer budget

To market to market

To market to market to buy a fat pig. No pig or pig products in sight. Lots of fruits and vegetables will have to do. The Berkeley Saturday Farmers Market (MLK at Center) opens at 10 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. I really expected a crowd when we arrived at 11:30 a.m. No crowds must be late sleepers in this part of town. This market has a combination of urban and suburban feel to it. Lots of well-dressed people mixed with a few street performers and hustlers. I paid a dollar for a street sheet and the joke of the day from a likeable gentleman. The joke “what’s the difference between a porcupine and a Porsche automobile? The porcupine has the pricks on the outside”. Give me back my dollar!

Frog Hollow Farms had a grand selection of pastries, but we declined for waistline reasons only. Kennedy Farms had tastes of Rio Red grapefruit. We bagged up a few for Sunday morning breakfast. Not much sugar required a natural sweetness prevailed.

River Dog Farms had the most popular stand of the day. A rainbow of colors and textures beckoned us. We purchased small globe cauliflower, fingerling potatoes, baby leeks, and baby broccoli.

This market is worth a stop. Not the cheapest place around but the quality is high. The sellers are pleasant and there is lots of close by eating and sightseeing possibilities.

Reduced expectations

I hate when a romantic idea is squashed by the reality of life. I had read about a personal chef who would visit Monterey Market in Berkeley (1550 Hopkins Street) to gather ideas, and purchase the best and freshest goods available for that night’s menu. I envisioned the white coated, Dansko Clog wearing chef chatting with staff. He would taste and touch, taking home the day’s provisions to the awaiting guests. Berkeley’s reputation as laid back Bohemian enclave would support my vision. Well, burst my bubble!
It all started out well. We arrived in lovely tree shaded neighborhood on Saturday about 10 am. The weather was spectacular and anticipation was high. Then we got to the parking lot. Where’s a Traffic Cop when you need one? High-end sedans and massive sport utility vehicles vied for a very few narrow parking spaces. The parking gods were good to me and we found a space about three blocks away. We passed a number of small food related stores and found our way into Magnani Poultry. The display case was filled with appealing prepared foods. Fresh artisan breads and, of course, poultry. Downside, the place was packed to the gunnels. Take a number please. We thought we should come back later.
It was on to Monterey Market. The outside courtyard held an array of multicolored fruits and vegetables. Inside was a sea of humanity. Crowed aisles, shopping carts, long checkout lines, screaming kids, and harried shoppers. The food displays were great, but if you paused more than a second the crowd swarmed you. The final straw for me happened when a woman used her child in a stroller as a cowcatcher to push me out of the way while I eyed the particularly nice display of fresh herbs. Exit stage left.
In fairness, my expectation that I would stroll unfettered through the stores on a Saturday was less than realistic. I was told that during the week I would find a much different food experience. Sometimes life’s a learning curve. Enjoy!