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Alix Wall

@alixwall.bsky.social
82 followers 100 following 52 posts

Freelance writer specializing in food, love & Jews. Occasional contributor to NYTimes Vows. Writer/producer The Lonely Child, a documentary in production. Illuminoshi founder. alix-wall.com lonelychildmovie.com illuminoshi.com

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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Sometimes, just being in the right place at the right time leads to amazing things, like the creation of Olivaia Olive Oil. oliveoilprofessor.com/blog/olivaia...
oliveoilprofessor.com
How a Chance Meeting Started Olivaia Olive Oil | The Olive Oil Professor
Tending the olive trees at Olivaia Olive Oil and producing such a healthy product, Giulio Zavolta and Rachelle Brossare are living closer to the earth, modeling to others how farm-to-table works as op...
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
The Marin JCC has a new cafe with Israeli flavors: jweekly.com/2026/02/25/e...
jweekly.com
Eli’s Deli brings Israeli flavors to reopened Marin JCC cafe space
Dawn Dabuul was getting tired of her therapy practice — so now she’s bringing Israeli flavors to the cafe space at the Osher Marin JCC.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Had so much fun interviewing the delightfully quirky Madeline Schapiro, otherwise known as Bean Supporter. www.berkeleyside.org/2026/02/05/b...
berkeleyside.org
Can it with the flatulence jokes! Berkeley’s No. 1 bean fan spreads legume gospel on happy stomach
Madeline Schapiro's more than 70,000 combined TikTok and Instagram followers come to her for all the bean propaganda she can dish.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Thanks to Cookin' owner Judith Kaminsky for giving me the scoop on her impending closure; while it's about kitchenware; her anecdotes about SF in the sixties are priceless. jweekly.com/2025/12/12/c...
jweekly.com
ORGANIC EPICURE | Cookin’ is selling its last Jello-O molds
Owner Judith Kaminsky tells her Jewish story and explains why she's closing her vintage cookware store after more than 40 years in S.F.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Loved learning about how Alameda baker Henry Awayan became "The Ube King." www.berkeleyside.org/2025/12/11/u...
berkeleyside.org
The ube king of Alameda bakes his claim to the throne
Henry Awayan, owner of Whisk Cake Creations and author of the new "The Ube Baking Book," shares his ube whipcream recipe and passion for cooking with the purple yam.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Why, of course, I was going to write about the new Grateful Dead cookbook. jweekly.com/2025/11/25/s...
jweekly.com
Sample the devil’s lettuce with new Grateful Dead cookbook
A new cookbook from Gabi Moskowitz pairs vegetarian and vegan recipes with the stages of a Grateful Dead concert.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
My first full-length Vows in over a year; it was worth the wait: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/f...
nytimes.com
Where Does One Go on a First Date With the Mayor?
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
I loved learning about the life and career of Joan Bieder, a pioneer woman journalist: jweekly.com/2025/11/03/j...
jweekly.com
Joan Bieder, 83, journalism pioneer and student mentor at Cal
Joan Bieder, a pioneer in broadcast journalism and a mentor to many UC Berkeley graduate students, has died at the age of 83.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
The Jewish backstory behind Roam Artisan Burgers: jweekly.com/2025/10/22/h...
jweekly.com
How Roam cooked up a plan for sustainable, locally sourced burgers
The co-owners of Roam Artisanal Burgers hatched their business plan after meeting at Congregation Emanu-El’s “Late Shabbat” over 15 years ago.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Full circle moment: my interview with a kid who was in utero at my wedding about their time on the Pacific Crest Trail this past summer: jweekly.com/2025/10/16/d...
jweekly.com
Davis freshman finds quiet, and a few fellow Jews, on Pacific Crest Trail
THE J. INTERVIEW: A Jewish Oakland teenager hiked 500 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail solo before starting college.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
Imagine a Dubai bar that's lower in sugar and free of gluten and dairy. It's here: www.berkeleyside.org/2025/09/30/c...
berkeleyside.org
Dietary restrictions made Dubai chocolate a no-no for this East Bay chocolatier. So he made his own
Coracao Chocolate specializes in gluten-free, dairy-free and peanut-free treats made from scratch.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
I had so much fun interviewing the very entertaining Paul Einbund, owner of two beloved local restaurants: jweekly.com/2025/09/24/i...
jweekly.com
‘I am probably 50% bagel,’ says local restaurateur
“They're both very quirky places,” Paul Einbund says when asked what his two restaurants have in common besides their ownership.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
My latest mini-vow is about two gamers who met and fell for each other before ever meeting in person. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/s...
nytimes.com
Two Friendly Gamers Became Forever Teammates
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
The quirkiest Jewish story I've written in quite some time: jweekly.com/2025/09/15/w...
jweekly.com
Blow the shofar? Ha! This Oaklander plays music on it
Nicky Silver, who got a shofar as a gift three decades ago, has since taught herself how to play actual songs on the ram’s horn.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
New Israeli shawarma place in Santa Clara: jweekly.com/2025/08/20/i...
jweekly.com
Israeli chef opens kosher-style shawarma joint in Santa Clara
Ayuni's chicken and beef are marinated in spices and then carefully layered on a vertical rotisserie, slowly roasting on a rotating spit.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
Jewish clergy called for an end to the war in front of the Israeli consulate in San Francisco yesterday; it felt historic for a number of reasons. jweekly.com/2025/08/11/b...
jweekly.com
Local Jewish clergy protest at Israel Consulate, calling for war's end
Bay Area rabbis and cantors block the street outside the Israel Consulate in S.F., demanding an end to the war and a release of the hostages.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
I am so tired of this war. jweekly.com/2025/08/08/o...
jweekly.com
Oakland vigil commemorates slain Palestinian activist
People gathered in Oakland to mourn Awdah Hathaleen, a Palestinian who was featured in an Oscar-winning documentary.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
Highly recommend Menlo Park's new Bubbelah, go! jweekly.com/2025/08/06/b...
jweekly.com
Bubbelah chef turns the traditional matzah ball on its head
Bubbelah chef-owner David Nayfeld has gone all in on global Jewish food traditions, from Georgian savory pastry to a Moroccan spread.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
My heart is breaking over too many things to write about here, so I'm just going to post my latest food column about a new cookbook by a Bay Area Jewish chef, whose star ingredient is mushrooms. jweekly.com/2025/07/28/t...
jweekly.com
San Jose chef’s mushroom cookbook guides foragers
A new cookbook focused exclusively on fungi is threaded with the chef’s Jewish family anecdotes and memories.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
The generational divide over Israel has emerged as one of the most difficult topics for many in American Jewish life. Here, a mother and daughter try to bridge the gap, in @jewishsf.bsky.social jweekly.com/2025/07/23/b...
jweekly.com
Letters capture a family’s generational discord over Israel
Painful differences over Israel led a Bay Area mother and adult daughter to navigate their beliefs and feelings through a series of letters.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
What fun writing about the love story of Aleksandra Shira Dubov & Daniyel Berchenko. This is the 3rd couple I've written about who met through @Wilderness Torah. If you know of anyone getting married soon with an interesting story, please send them my way! www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/s...
nytimes.com
He Didn’t Know It Was an Audition. But He Got the Husband Role.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Pleased to be included in the American Jewish Press Awards. I won 1st place in the food category about two business owners who have been in dialogue since shortly after October 7, and a 2nd in war-related personality profiles for my article about Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib. jweekly.com/2025/06/24/j...
jweekly.com
J. wins 10 Rockower Awards for journalistic excellence
“Once again, J. dominated the awards for best Jewish news,” J. CEO Jo Ellen Green Kaiser said after collecting 10 awards for J.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
I recently attended a farm event for the kosher crowd. jweekly.com/2025/06/19/t...
jweekly.com
ORGANIC EPICURE | Goats star in kosher food event on a farm
Kosher goat cheese was a highlight of an event about fermented foods, with a demo on spinning wool and pizza making on sourdough crust.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
Couldn't be more thrilled about this. www.thewrap.com/jewish-story...
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Happy that this story is out in the world, especially for pride month. jweekly.com/2025/06/11/i...
jweekly.com
In Oakland, a gay Orthodox rabbi is paving the way for Jews like him
Rabbi Shua Brick of Beth Jacob Congregation in Oakland is the first openly gay rabbi hired at an Orthodox synagogue.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Last month, I took a tour of S.F.'s "Little Russia," through its grocery stores. It was fun as well as delicious. jweekly.com/2025/06/05/s...
jweekly.com
ORGANIC EPICURE | San Francisco's ‘Little Russia’ draws adventurous foodies
All manner of Russian food can be found at specialty stores in S.F., where a recent “Post-Soviet Food Tour” traveled down a particular memory lane.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
While these two couldn't be any cuter, I think Summer, their maltipoo steals the show, no? www.nytimes.com/2025/06/06/s...
nytimes.com
Never Mind the Possible Food Poisoning, the Proposal Had to Go On
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
The food and the desserts will be missed, yes, but so will the community gathering spot. www.berkeleyside.org/2025/05/19/p...
berkeleyside.org
With closure of Pomella, Oakland loses a valuable community gathering place
The Piedmont Avenue restaurant run by Mica Talmor took its role as a “third space” seriously, hosting a variety of groups and events.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Bay Area latke lovers, check out this new spot! jweekly.com/2025/05/13/a...
jweekly.com
Oakland restaurant's entire menu: Latkes, BBQ, cheesecake, sides
Ben Block has been selling cheesecakes at farmers markets for years. He’s now gone brick-and-mortar and added pre-dessert items to the menu.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Excited to see this crankie box in person. jweekly.com/2025/05/07/n...
jweekly.com
New Jewish folktale gets 'crankie' with old-timey storytelling device
The Magid Ensemble, coming to the Bay Area in May, uses live klezmer and a device called a crankie to bring an original story to audiences.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
My coverage of a Saturday peace rally: jweekly.com/2025/05/05/o...
jweekly.com
Oakland rally mourns loss of life as Gaza war drags on
About 200 people gathered near Lake Merritt to continue to call for a peaceful solution to the 19-month war and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
This bit of Berkeley food history as seen through one person, L. John Harris, was super-fun to write. jweekly.com/2025/04/30/w...
jweekly.com
Why the ‘Garlic Guy’ cleaves to cloves
“The Book of Garlic” kick-started not only a lifelong obsession for L. John Harris, but also an entire garlic movement that he would lead.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
Pomella was a home for me, too. So sad to report this news. jweekly.com/2025/04/28/o...
jweekly.com
Oakland’s Pomella to close; owner cites costs and Israel war
Chef-owner Mica Talmor says rising costs and personal stress since the Oct. 7, 2023 attack led to her decision.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
My @jewishsf.bsky.social food column takes a detour to an SF religious school class where the kids go crazy for pickles. jweekly.com/2025/04/16/w...
jweekly.com
Why are pickles such a big hit with S.F. religious school kids?
Crunchy pickles at snack time have kids at this S.F. religious school begging for more — and learning some Jewish history as they munch.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
For years, Marcy Goldman has been given credit for inventing matzah brittle, or matzah crack. I recently spoke to Karyn Lipman, who believes she came up with the idea at the same time. (With local expert, Dianne Jacob) Exclusive to @jewishsf.bsky.social jweekly.com/2025/03/27/w...
jweekly.com
Who invented matzah brittle? Just like toffee, the plot thickens
A longtime Bay Area resident believes she deserves credit — even though someone else has long laid claim to it . PLUS: the original recipe!
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
How the proposed tariffs on European wine would affect Bay Area businesses. (hint: not well) for @EBNosh www.berkeleyside.org/2025/03/25/t...
berkeleyside.org
‘It would put us out of business’: Restaurants, importers brace for 200% European wine tariff
That $19 bottle of wine could cost you close to $50 if the 200% tariff goes into effect and at least one importer says it would put them out of business.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
A couple with Jewish, Chinese and Nigerian descent is definitely a first for me. Mazel tov, Chi & Tommaso! (Looking for my next couple marrying soon, please send me tips!) www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/s...
nytimes.com
The Virtual Meeting That Started It All
Chi Mokel and Tommaso Wagner met at the dawn of the pandemic five years ago, just as she was starting a new job at the foundation where he worked.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
When you see a story like the one Elena Kadvany did about Rory Kandel in the SFChronicle, you sometimes think there's nothing else to add. But Rory wasn't ready to tell her Jewish story yet. jweekly.com/2025/03/14/n...
jweekly.com
Napa baker finds her sweet spot with bake-at-home cookie kits
“I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like the smell of freshly baked cookies. It gives people an emotional connection,” says Rory Kandel.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
So much fun to write the love story of these two super-talented and hilarious people. Mazel tov Marnina & Micah! If you know anyone interesting getting married soon, please send them my way! www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/s...
nytimes.com
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
If a cookbook about matzah doesn't sound so exciting, think again. This one will surprise you! And she'll be in the Bay Area next week: jweekly.com/2025/02/21/s...
jweekly.com
Sephardic culinary historian seeks to win over matzah skeptics
“Matzah and Flour” includes recipes from across Sephardic Jewish history. Author Hélène Jawhara Piñer posits that matzah can be "exciting.”
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
And after covering Ethel's as a Covid popup, it was sad to see the deli close. jweekly.com/2025/01/29/2...
jweekly.com
2 eateries close: Ethel's Deli in Petaluma, Daily Driver bagels in S.F.
Ethel's Delicatessen is the first to close of a Covid-era spate of new delis in the North Bay. And Daily Driver closes all six locations.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Gigi's Wine Bar in San Francisco has an unexpected Jewish backstory, in @jewishsf.bsky.social jweekly.com/2025/02/05/h...
jweekly.com
Unexpected Jewish backstories at Gigi’s wine bar in S.F.
The Jewish manager and the Vietnamese chef (Tu “The Jew” Phu) at Gigi’s wine bar in San Francisco have long admired each other’s cultures.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
One month from today, I will be in conversation with my friend Josh Miele, scientist, inventor and MacArthur Genius Award winner, as he launches his newest project into the world, his memoir, "Connecting Dots: A Blind Life" at the JCC of the East Bay. Join us! www.eventbrite.com/e/book-launc...
eventbrite.com
Book Launch: Connecting Dots by Joshua A. Miele
Join us for the exciting book launch of "Connecting Dots" by Joshua A. Miele featuring book sales, signings, and an interview of the author
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Since I love talking to people about what they're passionate about, @Carrie Galore was a great subject to talk with about mushroom foraging. In @jewishsf.bsky.social jweekly.com/2025/01/28/f...
jweekly.com
For her, foraging for mushrooms is a way of life
Carrie Staller's Tu Bishvat workshop in Berkeley will celebrate the “interrelationships of trees, humanity, fungi and the unseen world.”
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
My first mini-vow of 2025 is this couple who planned a rush wedding after election night, and my connection to them came through pickleball. Congrats Josey & Grace! Know any couples with great stories getting married soon? Please send them my way! www.nytimes.com/2025/01/24/s...
nytimes.com
A Proposal — and a Wedding Date — That Were Suddenly Moved Up
The current political climate caused Josey Nett and Grace Duncan, who met as freshmen in college, to change their long-term plans.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 23/12/2024
Recently, I covered -- and judged -- a Chopped-inspired latke contest at Chabad of Contra Costa. Fun was had by all. In @jewishsf.bsky.social jweekly.com/2024/12/20/t...
jweekly.com
This latke contest was no ‘Chopped,’ but it was a Jewish slice of life
Four teams faced off in Walnut Creek for a latke-making contest using a “mystery basket” of ingredients, like on Food Network's "Chopped."
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
If you will be making latkes soon, you must read this. I posted about it last year, and so many of you commented and said you're not going back. Srsly, do not make them without reading this, you'll thank me later. You're welcome. jweekly.com/2024/12/18/t...
jweekly.com
The one trick you need to make perfect latkes
There is a secret to making perfect latkes, passed down through a chain of Bay Area chefs to our food columnist — and now, to you.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
It was so special to be at Tanzie's on its first night of dinner service. www.berkeleyside.org/2024/12/13/t...
berkeleyside.org
Bold, northern Thai flavors star in Tanzie’s first dinner menu
After building a following around its creative brunch menu, the duo behind the Berkeley restaurant has deployed the same philosophy to dinner.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
My latest J. food column is about an olive oil enthusiast and company owner, Dani Fisher, who not only dispels the myth about frying latkes in it, but offers a recipe for persimmon carpaccio. jweekly.com/2024/12/11/o...
jweekly.com
Olive oil enthusiast dispels the smoke point ‘myth’ for frying latkes
Don’t be afraid to fry your latkes in olive oil! In home kitchens, the oil’s temperature rarely gets high enough to become a problem.
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Alix Wall @alixwall.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Bubbala's is now open in San Anselmo. The pastrami, brisket and rugelach are all delish, do not delay. jweekly.com/2024/11/22/i...
jweekly.com
At Bubbala’s, ‘it starts and ends with pastrami’
At long last, Bubbala’s Jewish deli opens in San Anselmo offering brisket, pastrami, matzah ball soup, salad and more.
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