Lanesplitter Berkeley, Berkeley

At this East Bay beer and pizza joint, located on San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley, patrons can feast on thin and crispy slices while momentarily evading the bustle of the noisy neighborhood intersection outside. Begin your meal with a big salad full of fresh veggies and topped with your choice of house-made dressings. The pies here are strictly New York-style (some with names like "Carnivore," "Garbage Pie" and the cult classic, "Heartstopper" with bacon and Gorgonzola), and regulars will attest that Lanesplitter does it right. Plenty of tables and a ton of barstools mean there's almost always a spot for you, and there's even a charming patio out back complete with heat lamps and picnic tables. On the stereo: rock 'n' roll. On the walls: a rotating collection of locally produced artwork. On tap: a rotating selection of more than a dozen locally produced microbrews (including Russian River Brewing Company 's Damnation, a favorite of regulars). See website for menu and more.