40 by 40 #18 & 19 - More Berkeley digs: Philz Coffee and Cheese Board Collective

# 18 - Cheese Board Collective

photo: Christina Diaz

The familiar saying "less is more" comes to mind with Cheese Board Collective, particularly the pizzeria. They serve one thing - pizza - no wings, calzones, pasta (although they have added salads) And they only serve one kind daily. All pizzas are vegetarian (with some creative toppings for pizza- butternut squash!), made fresh (often with seasonal ingredients), and created with unique cheeses found at the Cheese Board (the cheese store and bakery that started it all.) And inexpensive - $2.50+ tax for a decent sized slice, $4.00 for a salad .

Weekly menus are created and posted online to show what is offered each day. Here is a sample from this week. Don't knock it until you try it. Arugula and lemon on a pizza may not sound appealing. Trust me. It's good. Really good. And I love that I got to experiment, try a new restaurant, a different cheese, and unique combination on a pizza, with minimal risk (less that $3). Can't beat it.

While waiting in line, we listened to live music and then headed over to check out the Cheese Board cheese store and bakery. I mean, we had to. We were there.

WEDNESDAY 2/12
Roma tomatoes, onions, mozzarella and aged asiago, garlic olive oil, fresh herbs.
THURSDAY 2/13
Cremini mushrooms, onions, mozzarella cheese, topped with arugula in a lemon vinaigrette and shaved Manouri cheese
FRIDAY 2/14
Zucchini, onions, mozzarella and feta cheese, basil pesto.
SATURDAY 2/15
Roasted butternut squash and parsnips, baby kale, mozzarella and Comte cheeses, breadcrumbs, balsamic reduction and Italian parsley

#19 - Philz Coffee

Photo: http://somethingwittyaboutcupcakes.files.wordpress.com

I am not a coffee snob or connoisseur. I cannot tell you which bean has what tones or the difference between nutty and fruity and chocolate-y. But, I know good coffee. And I know what I like. And I like 
Philz. No. I love it. What's not to like about a fun homegrown coffee shop with a culture like this?


Our Culture

We want customers leaving the Philz experience with a feeling of “wow, I love Philz.” We exist to better people’s day, and we do this by giving them a really great customer experience. It takes focus, discipline and dedication to do this over a sustained period of time. (from 

They welcome you, ask your preferences, make recommendations based upon those preferences, brew your coffee - one cup at a time - then proceed to "doctor it up" according to your liking - all based upon what you say you like. 

Yeah.
I love Philz.