Chris "the butter in my pocket is melting!" M.'s Profile

Bistro Burger offers tasty burgers for your average FiDi worker. Yeah it's a little more expensive than a Big Mac, but you can convince yourself it's not that bad nutritionally because it's all-organic.

Until you get the onion rings, and then it's all over. Fatty.

My best prime-rib eating experience, to date, has been at the House of Prime Rib. Yes, I'm amazed as well.

There's basically one option for dinner -- prime rib -- and you're a fool for coming here if you're not in the mood for lots of beef. If possible, don't fill up on appetizers or sides, because the waiter eventually comes around and asks if anyone has room for more.

holy crap, more meat!?!?!? 5 stars A++++++ would eat again.

Ryoko's is less than two blocks from my place and it has a unique (for a sushi place) underground ambiance going. I so desperately wanted it to be good, but alas -- you can't always get what you want.

Seriously, they're serving up some stinky fish here. Yeah, you probably won't notice if you're drunk and stuffing your face at 1am, but Ryoko's won't be getting rave reviews from anyone with a working palette.

oh well... it's not like there's a shortage of sushi places around this area.

Kirala is probably the best place to get sushi in Berkeley. Unfortunately, it's not a 5-star kind of place... which isn't to say the fish isn't fresh or good, it's just that there's better out there.

Just not in Berkeley.

Do you like fries? And do you like mussels? Well, then do I know the place for you!

I think they serve crepes here too, but nah -- come for the fries and the dipping sauces. Pesto mayo? delicious.

If you're looking to meet someone new, Zeitgeist is the place to do it. Barriers get torn down and new friendships are forged here.

OK don't know about that, but the benches 'round back do make for a nice setting to strike up a conversation with a fresh face, and there's always someone willing to share their blunt with you. Like, seriously.

Now here's a nice little bar on Hayes St -- very mellow and chill, with enough chairs and couches to make lounging extremely accessible for all. It's beer and wine only but there's a good selection on tap, and you can always... uh... pregame it somewhere else.

There also have foosball table in back, but you gotta bring your quarters -- and your game.

Christian's is a solid 4-star pizzeria, not five. I've met people who've gone nearly breathless trying to convince me that Christian's is the best thing ever -- and I mean, it's good pizza, but it's not manna from heaven, folks. Calm yourselves.

It's pretty hard to find an open seat during prime dining hours, the line can grow to fairly long lengths, and it's a cash-only kinda place... so get ready, or prepare to make a detour at the dumpling place next door instead.

"Lots of music" is an understatement: Amoeba's packed wall-to-wall with music in a place that used to be a bowling alley. If you want vinyl, they've got vinyl. CDs too, of course. And a decent DVD selection. And it all comes with that feeling of instant gratification Amazon.com just can't match.

They also put on free shows occasionally. I've seen a number of bands play here over the years and it's an awesome experience to be browsing through the shelves while the band sets up on stage. Certainly beats standing around like a schlub at some packed venue.

The food here is pretty bad, but that's not why you come -- you come for the German beers available on tap here, like the delicious Franziskaner Weissbier that flows down your throat like liquid candy.

If you're so inclined, you can also order a boot of beer (ala Beer Fest). I once had visions of attempting it for myself, but now I've come to instead see the wisdom of laughing at the others who decide to try.