Eunice's Gourment Cafe

Restaurant Information

1162 Solano Ave
(between Cornell Ave & Stannage Ave)
Albany, CA 94706

(510) 525-6340

Waiting Time

Rita says: We arrived at the cafe around 12 and while there wasn't a line for the food, the 5 small tables that were set up inside were full of people. We took our time looking over the menu and ordering from the very nice but slightly-hard-to-understand-because-his-accent-is-so-strong cashier. I had first ordered the sandwich and went to sit down. Then I noticed their latte section of the menu and by then, there was suddenly a good amount of people waiting in line to order their lunch. I had to wait 10 more minutes to get my Snickerdoodle Latte.(~$3.50) =( The sandwich maker took about 5 minutes to make each sandwich and the cashier made the latte on the spot.

Food Pictures

Sandwich Menu

Pastrami with Pepper Jack

Sam: I agree with Rita's view on the sandwich. I also had a macaroon made of baked sweet coconut flakes. It was tasty, much better than the packaged kind from the supermarket.

Turkey Ham, Honey Mustard, & Swiss Cheese on Wheat Bread

Kitzie says: This sandwich was really awesome - at the time (I'll get back to that). The ingredients were fresh and flavorful. As Rita said, it took the guy like five minutes to make it, so obviously it was made with care. I guess there's not much else you really need in a sandwich. That brings us to the but... But, after like an hour, I was hungry again. And I had even sprung for a Martinelli's Apple Juice, so it wasn't like all I had was the offending sandwich. And okay, I might be getting a little Jenna "ME WANT FOOD," but whatever, I shouldn't pay like (I don't really remember, so don't quote me) $8 for a sandwich and then go hungry. Anyway, Rita later told me that this place is supposed to have really good gelato, so maybe that's the way to do it here: get a sandwich, a drink, and a gelato and you'll be fine - well, except at that point, I think you'll be about $15 poorer. But who would let a small thing like money get between them and ice cream??? Okay, off of my junk food soapbox. I'd go here again, and if the gelato actually was really good, then I'd be a reg. But until that time, no way.

Smoked Turkey with Swiss Cheese and Pesto on Ciabata Bread

Mike says: While I am not a fan of eating sandwiches when going out if I eat them all week long, this Smoked Turkey with Swiss Cheese and pesto was a good offering. The pesto could have been a little stronger, but the bread crust was nice and crunchy, which is how I like it. The Italian soda, which I got cherry flavored, was also enjoyable and an adequate size for the price.

Pastrami with Pepper Jack Cheese On Ciabata Bread and Snickerdoodle Latte

Rita says: This fat sandwich was well made with all the veggies and meat packed in well so they won't fall out. The pastrami, vegetables and cheese tasted fresh and it definitely filled me up. The latte was initially good, but I think it was more because of the novelty of having a snickerdoodle latte. After licking off the delicious whipped cream, it just tasted like a light coffee with tons of sugar. Another downside of it was that it wasn't very hot. (I like my coffees to be super hot so I can drink them slowly, savoring their taste without having to worry about it getting cold too quickly) It was good in the beginning sips, but the end didn't do so well. I don't think the latte was mixed thoroughly either - the sugar settled to the bottom of the cup. Also, I couldn't really taste any "snickerdoodleness" - Not even a cinnamon flavor.

Shik Do Rock

Restaurant Information

1137 Solano Ave
(between Kains Ave & Stannage Ave)
Albany, CA 94706

(510) 526-6003

Food - This was my review from yelp.com(11/25/2007):
Rita says: The highlight of this place is definitely the small dishes they serve before the entrees. Tasty kimchee, jhap chae, radishes, bean curd and more. The kimchee and pickled radishes were pickled and spiced to perfection. Plus, they refill them if you ask!
I went here for lunch and had the seafood soondooboo. The dish wasn't spicy or flavorful, there was not enough seafood and too much tofu. My friends had the pork and beef bulgogi and loved it. Okay- this was the first time they had Korean food, so maybe they're just easily impressed. 4 stars for converting my friends into Korean food addicts.
The waitress was very nice and explained to my Korean-food-virgin friends what each dish was and which ones she recommended. Service was quick and friendly - it took about an hour for lunch from start to finish and our bill was just about $10 per person. I noticed that they also have candies on the counter for you to take when you leave. Candy is always a plus in my book.

The lunch menu also offers an entree served with a side of miso soup and brown rice tea. For ~2 extra dollars, you can get a combo meal with your choice of entree and tempura or gyoza.

Waiting Time
For lunch, there was absolutely no wait at all. We were quickly seated near the front of the restaurant. There is also another seating area in the back that is slightly elevated.

Food Pictures

Menu

Beef Kal-bi

Sam: While the meat was not the best Korean meat you can find, it was quite flavorful and appropriately tender. The bean sprouts etc. could use more zest.

Beef Bulgoki

Rita says: This dish was a bit sweeter than I was used to - but it wasn't terrible. I live with a Korean roommate who frequently cooks me delicious homemade Korean food, so yes, I am a bit picker than my fellow critics. The side dishes are fantastic.

Beef Bulgoki with Tempura Lunch Combo

Spicy Pork Bulgoki with Tempura Lunch Combo

Mike says: The pork bulgoki was just the right amount of hotness, and the vegetable tempura of zucchini, broccoli, sweet potato and carrot helped to hit the spot. This is one of the few dishes at this restaurant that I've tried, simply because it is so good I usually order it when I visit.