Potato Puffs in Berkeley

I have been meaning to finish the posts from my Berkley trip earlier this year, and I am just not getting around to it. So here it goes. Previously I had shared with you my trip to Ici, the farmer’s market, Cafe Intermezzo, and Cha-Am. I will now bring you the three remaining places I ate at while in Berkeley. Place #1

The box in the first picture was from Gregoire. This walk up and take away spot had an impressive menu of salads, sandwiches, grilled entrees all influenced with classical french cooking techniques. Everything was made to order and very reasonably prices. Known as one of the best take out places in the Bay Area, I wasn’t surprised when I saw a line.

I dislike lines at amusement parks and the DMV, but restaurants are different. With all the food choices in Berkeley seeing a line at a place is a good sign. It means that you are willing to wait despite having plenty of other choices. I would have been in trouble with Gregoire’s menu if I had not already known what I was going to eat.  Descriptions like Grilled sweet chipotle chicken filet, garlic & yogurt sauce or Thinly sliced corned beef with tangy caramelized onions & melted gruyere on rye all me salivate, but I was there for one thing. The Potato Puffs.

The expectations had been built up for the Potato Puff. Fortunately, they didn’t let me down. Upon opening the box I was hit with a wave of fried potato aroma. Other than the smell of bacon cooking or cookies in the oven, there is nothing that smells better than fried potato. These golden brown potato balls looked a lot like hush puppies, but were so far from it. With the first bite I knew I would be eating the entire box. It was like nothing I could have imagined. Crispy fried potato on the outside with a heavenly creamy and rich mashed potato like filling on the inside. Pure Bliss. If you are in Berkeley, I highly suggest them. Next on the list was breakfast at one of the more famous and touristy places in Berkeley.