fresh produce | bleuwater

…in Berkeley

Grocery shop.

That’s because of Berkeley Bowl, which opened in 1977 in a building that previously was home to Berkeley’s bowling alley. Berkely Bowl West, which is a short walk from my son’s house, is on Heinz Street in a building that housed a ketchup factory.

My first trip to Berkeley, our son and his girlfriend took us to see their favorite grocery store and to have lunch in the cafe. Now when I visit, I have to go to Berkeley Bowl. How often is a grocery store an attraction where you take your guests? At the airbnb I’m staying in, the owners list Berkeley Bowl as a must in “things to do.”

I’m hit with a wave of anxiety each time I enter, due to the abundance. There are so many varieties of everything that it can be overwhelming. Then, I settle down and enjoy the experience. Wandering through produce, seafood, meats, snacks, sushi and hot foods — with so many ethnic cuisines — there’s too much and I want to try everything. It’s an experience you should not miss, if you’re in Berkeley.

Outside Berkeley Bowl West with watermelons and fruit on display. — Outside the entrance to Berkeley Bowl West, one of two Berkeley Bowls.

Fruits at Berkeley Bowl. — A photo of a tiny bit of produce.

Wide variety of mushrooms at Berkeley Bowl. — Mushrooms. Have you ever seen so many types in one store?

I never knew there were so many varieties of chanterelle mushrooms — which are my favorite. I used to go chanterelle hunting with my mom in Washington state.

potatoes on display at Berkeley Bowl — Potatoes. My cousins have a potato farm. I wonder what they’d think of the varieties.

sushi grade fish at Berkeley Bowl — Sushi grade fish display. Also, I counted more than 10 types of salmon in the regular seafood section.

Deli sandwiches and caviar at Berkeley Bowl. — Deli sandwiches and caviar anyone?

Produce at Berkeley Bowl — Non organic produce as opposed to their organic produce section.

I miss the cafe which is closed due to COVID. I think there is take out, but I loved sitting inside with my kids having a bowl of chowder or something else amazing. It’s one of my favorite restaurants in the area — and there are lots of amazing places to eat. I told my kids I could have breakfast or lunch there every day.

What’s your favorite place to shop and why? Do you have a place like Berkeley Bowl that you take guests to see? Are you seeing empty shelves? I haven’t seen any in Berkeley.

Santa Barbara Farmer's Market Rocking Chair Farm Markets fruit stand. — I bought white peaches and yellow nectarines here. They are so delicious, they are beyond words.

Bright red tomatoes at the Santa Barbara Farmer's Market. — Gorgeous tomatoes.

rainbow of colors of eggplants and peppers — The colors of peppers and eggplants are worth painting.

Avocado stand in the Santa Barbara Farmer's Market. — An abundance of avocados. I took them for granted in California. They are not so available in Arizona.

bright orange dragonfruit — My dear friend from Singapore introduced me to dragonfruit. I’ve never seen it in a market before.

The didgeridoo is a sacred Australian Aborigine instrument. Our friends say this woman has been playing at the Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market for years.

Do you have a farmer’s market near you? I do in Arizona and had one in Palm Springs. But the Santa Barbara one is by far the best. Well, second best to the Pike Place Market in Seattle. What are your favorite things about Farmer’s Markets? What do you like to buy?