Jiamin and Alicia Wong are changing people’s assumptions of what a fortune cookie looks and tastes like.
Anna Mindess
Anna Mindess is a freelance writer and sign language interpreter who lives in Berkeley.
Posted inBusiness
Albany’s 5 Tacos and Beers focuses on organic ingredients and local beer and wine
The Los Moles spinoff is gluten-free, meatless on Mondays and ruled by the number five.
Posted inNew Restaurants
Wahpepah’s Kitchen brings a new wave of Indigenous food to Oakland
Crystal Wahpepah says her restaurant is a place to eat, learn and heal.
Posted inNosh Features
Oakland soup company Purpose and Hope wants to comfort and nourish the East Bay
One of Alameda County’s first MEHKOs seeks to deliver healthful soups to those who need nutritional support.
Posted inNosh
Family support steered Creek House Dim Sum Restaurant through pandemic
The married owners came out of retirement to open a restaurant a year before the pandemic hit. They’ve thrived thanks to devoted family members.
Posted inNosh
Persian and Mexican dishes share a home at Syma’s Grill
Owner Sima Dehestani added Persian dishes to the menu and a small Middle Eastern food store at the Albany restaurant.
Posted inNosh
Francophiles will find much to love at Berkeley’s traditional creperie
La Crepe a Moi owners opened their dream brick and mortar in Berkeley’s Northside neighborhood in May 2020 and are determined to hold on until Cal students return.
Posted inBusiness
Henry Accornero made Berkeley’s Oaks Jewelers a gem of a family business
For decades, the jewelers — whose founder helped start the Solano Stroll — has been an intimate part of many Berkeley residents’ lives.
Posted inNosh
This Russian food truck keeps rolling along, even in the hardest times
When the pandemic closed offices and breweries, Kolobok started serving its “Russian soul food” to apartment complexes and offering delivered holiday meals.
Posted inBusiness
‘Berkeley citizens buy good quality and they hate to waste,’ says owner of this 70-year-old shoe repair shop
Peter Kemel has used every penny of his retirement money to keep Model Shoe Renew afloat during the pandemic. His loyal customers are grateful.
Posted inNightlife, Nosh
1951 Coffee Company is still helping refugees despite new challenges
Revenue is down at 1951 Coffee by 90%, but the nonprofit is hopeful it can survive the pandemic and continue helping refugees through its barista training program along the way.
Posted inCommunity
Doors and murals: In Berkeley, creative expression helps process the pandemic
These Berkeleyans are crafting beautiful messages outside their homes — sharing information and offering hope.