When I'm in Berkeley (which is not often enough), I have a few very specific places that I MUST visit. Luckily for me, two of my favorite places are just doors away from each other. Black Oak Books has a great selection of different books, but for me the pull is the HUGE food-related section. Yes, it's mostly cookbooks, but there are selections on food history, anecdotal essays, etc. Yes, there are larger bookstores in the Bay Area, but the folks at Black Oak Books know their product. They're not just cashiers like you'll find in all of the huge chain bookstores. If you have questions, they'll have answers or know how to get the answers. Give Black Oak Books a visit when you're in Berkeley.
Pros: selection, professionalism, staff knowledge
Cons: parking is scarce
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