Eat the brightest, juiciest, freshest thing every season. In the Bay Area we are blessed to be within spitting distance of some of the best produce California has to offer. I’m talking juicy peaches, sweet Brentwood corn, and perfectly ripe avocados driven in from less than 100 miles. The proximity to amazing produce has heavily influenced Californian Cuisine, which Wikipedia describes as a cuisine driven by local and sustainable ingredientes with an attention to seasonality. Whether they’re self-described Californian Cuisine restaurants or not, many excellent establishments in the East Bay make smart use of nature’s bounty to create Delicious seasonal food. At the start of fall you’ll start to see chefs seamlessly switch from tomatoes and peaches to squashes and apples. It’s rewarding to go to these restaurants as the seasons change, knowing whatever you’re going to eat is going to be new, fresh, and perfectly in season. TACOS OSCAR: CRUNCHY, JUICY VIBES This Michelin-rated taco stand serves a constantly rotating menu of delicious tacos and tostadas highlighting seasonal produce. The taco tortillas are handmade. The meat is tangy and delicious. But the star of the show is the inventive vegetarian and vegan tacos. Get the charred broccoli tacos with crushed peanuts and pickled red onions. It’s crisp, crunchy, and smoky. I’d eat two every day if I could.  Right now Tacos oscar is takeout only, and lines can get pretty long. Have no fear, just do what I saw a trio of dads doing when I went last: bring lawn chairs and camp (safely) on the street with a cold bear in hand while you wait for your tacos.  STANDARD FARE: GRANOLA GIRL VIBES Going to Standard Fare tastes exactly like the rewards of a thorough trip to the farmers market. The menu of this Berkeley lunch spot rotates daily, and almost always features two sandwiches, one vegetarian and one meat, and a mystery dish. This is served alongside their standard fresh-baked pastries, coffee, hummus, and salad. The sandwiches are truly unique. They come layered, lasagna-like, with fresh and roasted vegetables, housemade proteins, and delicious sauces, all sandwiched between two slices of herby homemade focaccia.  You can also order the sandwich toppings on a salad, which I highly recommend. And this is not to forget about their daily dish, which can be anything from Burmese-style braised beef to ricotta gnocchi with sweet corn ragout, but will always be delicious. HOMESTEAD: DELI-CLASSIC VIBES This Piedmont Avenue mainstay is known previously for its high-end farm-to-table dinners has transitioned into something more modest over the pandemic: the Humble Sandwich. Fear not: the service is every bit as friendly, the food is fresh, and you can walk out with a delicious lunch that won’t cost you more than 25 bucks.  CHEZ PANISSE: REFINED CALIFORNIA VIBES This place is the OG California Cuisine. In fact, they might have invented it. Before the pandemic you could expect fancy three-course meals, wine pairings, and made-from scratch bread and desserts. You can still expect most of these things, just now from the comfort of your own home. Chez Panisse offers the same thoughtfully seasonal menu in takeout format, which you can order online for Wednesday to Sunday. The food, ever popular, tends to sell out quick, so make sure you order well in advance. NICKS PIZZA: FRESH AND CHEESY VIBES If you don’t like Pizza you can still go to Nick’s Pizza and be delighted by their deli sandwiches, home-baked goods, and strawberry shortcake. If you like pizza, you will be treated to some of the tastiest thin-crust sourdough pizza in the East Bay. The classics, like pepperoni and combo, are consistent crowd-pleasers and come with special little touches, like caramelized onions or a side of ranch. Their specials, which rotate monthly, are laden with whatever you can find fresh at the market that season. Right now I’m loving the black mission fig pizza with goat cheese and arugula, which you can get with or without bacon. Surprisingly for a pizza joint, Nick’s pizza is also vegan-friendly, and has a stellar selection of cheese-less pizzas that are no less delicious or satisfying than the rest of their menu.