Emily and Dave are two art school graduates — one a graphic designer, the other an architect — that appreciate all manner of dining. Emily was born in England, spending her formative years in the suburbs of Boston, while Dave grew up in Southern California but didn’t learn Spanish. They’ve both lived in the Northeast for at least 10 years of their lives and both are glad they’re not there anymore. Relocating to the East Bay has provided a welcome respite from shoveling the car out in the winter and dealing with (m)assholes on the road year round. Both enjoy cuisines ranging from American to Ethiopian, Japanese to Basque. Emily still enjoys the trappings of England: marmite and tea, while Dave’s preferred comfort food remains Mexican. Like many people they eat within a comfortable set of eateries that are consistently good, seldom venturing outside their shell. A few of their regular haunts include:

  • T-Rex BBQ: well executed non-regionally specific BBQ (sauce on the side would suggest Memphis underpinnings)
  • Jimmy Beans: casual, always well done brunches and lunches
  • Lanesplitter: thin-crust east coast pies on the left coast with a solid selection of craft brews
  • Venus: Cal cuisine at its humble best for brunch and dinner
  • Cheeseboard: great daily pizzas and morning pastries
  • Sushi Solano: wonderfully solid mediocre sushi with an exceptionally friendly staff
  • Tacubaya: mildly overpriced, but tasty taqueria with excellent combinations
  • Taqueria Talavera: authentic taqueria with the best carnitas in the area
  • The Kirin: highly efficient wait staff serve northern Chinese food that’s a cut above the rest
  • Khana Peena: well executed and consistent, if not sensational cuisine of India
  • Cha Ya Vegetarian Sushi: made us realize that great sushi can have little to do with the fish

Also of mention is that both enjoy well made craft beer; an establishment that provides interesting selections gains their gratitude.

Eating San Pablo will provide a culinary adventure the likes that even Thomas Keller cannot imagine: Chinese food and donuts, because frying is easy. The pair is excited, even if their digestive systems remain apprehensive of the endeavor.