Jupiter

Around sunset, should have taken a picture when it was dark. The patio takes up 65% of Jupiter =P

For all you lucky people who have tomorrow off I give you some reading material to help pass the time. Today I met up with one of my college friends, Maria,  who I have not seen since I graduate in 2011. It was super great to meet her at Jupiter which is restaurant with a pretty rad patio. Who uses the word 'rad' anymore? Anywho, went there to try what they have to offer, get a drink, and enjoy the beautiful weather NorCal has to offer around this time of the year.

BEER! Go for the beer!

Since this place was a first come first serve seating, indoor and out.  It was a little hard and awkward to find seating in the patio area because I was standing around looking at people at their table, gazing at their empty plates and wondering where the hell are the servers to give them their checks so they can bounce and I can take their table. Oh man, it was just like parking during the holidays. It's like a race trying to find an open table and someone who came after me took a table I was totally hawking! Ugh! Thankfully a couple left and my friend and I took it once they were 5 steps away. They cleaned it up right away and then instead of waiting for a server to get out drinks I went to the bar instead.

I have to give it to the bartenders. The first time was amazing, thanks Jordan, and this time, did not get his name which I totally regret, was able to fit me with the right beer. He asked me a couple of questions, he calculated, and BAM! The beer was super smooth and I felt superb afterward. It fulfilled what I wanted in a beer so I give major Jazzmin points to the bartenders!

As for the servers outside I couldn't say the same thing. We kept telling one server our order who then stated he'll tell another server who was suppose to be our server but she wasn't present as much as I wanted. We had to call her down a couple of times and then I was told by Bea, who is another server that came to check on us, it wasn't even busy.

I ordered the Xanthia (potato) pizza and a spinach and artichoke dip. The dip. . . was okay, it came with bread and foccacia. I was expecting the foccacia to be a little bit more flavorful but the dip gave enough to make up for it. As for the pizza itself, there was potato, ricotta, bacon, and I didn't get the taste of olive oil. It did not compete with Cheeseboard and this is what I get to trust Jupiter to fulfill my potato pizza need.

Carbs galore, XD

Back to our server, we sat there long enough to think whether we should walk out without paying. She was quick with getting our check, bring it back, and take it back again. She did check on us once but it was to see if I wanted another beer, actually she check on us to see if the food was good. . . nah, it was around the time it was delivered to us. We haven't even really started getting down with our food.

My conclusion, would I go back? Sure! Only for the beer and if it was happy hour and if that happy hour was worth it. It was near to packed, it wasn't even during a rush, and I wish they were able to be organized to seat their customers. I totally would go there to get a drink after work. Worth the beer and the atmosphere, but the food is not up to par. You pay for the atmosphere if you're planning to eat here. It's worth the atmosphere where you kick back and chat it up, a little drunk, if I did not emphasis that enough.

Jupiter - 2181 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA
Value- 3/5
Food- 2/5 
Service 2/5
Atmosphere- 5/5
Overall- 3/5