Today’s guest post is a very fun one, with Amara Lynn taking over our blog to lead us all on a tour of the real life locations in California that appear in their Mask series. Complete with pictures! So don’t let us keep you, dive right in, and let us know just how hungry you feel afterwards…
And if you want to know more about the series, check out Amara’s website. They’re also running a giveaway of the series (US only), that you can enter here.
Welcome to the Masks food tour!
I’m Amara, and I’ll be your guide today!
My series, Masks, takes place in the Bay Area of California. Many of the places that the characters eat are actual places you can visit, if you’re in the area!
The main character, Avari, loves waffles, burritos, and Oreos. Luckily for him, there’s both a waffle place, and many Mexican restaurants around the area for him to choose from!
Nearby the Berkeley campus is our first stop, a place called Little Gem Belgian Waffles. And, ironically, they have Oreo pieces as a topping option. You read that right!
Below is their menu from their website. What would Avari get? A waffle with Creme de Gem, Oreo pieces, and milk chocolate sauce. It’s a match made in heaven for our chocolate, Oreo loving, social outcast.
In the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, there’s another spot that Avari’s boyfriend, Chayton, takes him to in the first book. It’s called the Japanese Tea Garden. The gardens are beautiful, and there’s also an eating area where you can get traditional Japanese cuisine, such as iced matcha tea, miso soup, and dorayaki. While my characters don’t take the chance to get some food while visiting, I did when I visited in 2016! Check out the pictures below!
Switching back to campus life now, students of UC Berkeley have a plethora of dining options around the area, if they want to venture off campus. One such area is called Durant Food Court, located on Durant Avenue, but is commonly referred to as the Asian Ghetto by locals. There’s a variety of Asian and other types of cuisine, from ramen to gyros to Thai food and more. My characters frequently stop around this area to pick up a bite to eat.
If you get the chance to visit, let me know what you get!
There are several options for Mexican cuisine in the area. One place fairly close to campus that Avari visits often is called Gordo Tacquiera. Situated on College Avenue, it’s just down the way from campus, making it a top contender for Avari’s favorite burrito stop.
In the second book, Raven, Avari gets a new friend/annoying sidekick/fanboy named Kaiden, who pushes him to broaden his horizons and go to new heights (literally, sometimes, since Avari has wings!). While Kaiden is often the voice of chaos rather than the voice of reason, he does help Avari find some new eating options, which is always important!
In Raven, Avari and Kaiden go for a fly, and Kaiden suggests a burrito place in the San Rafael area called Puentez Taqueria, which boasts the best burritos in town. Similar in set up as the chain Chipotle, eaters can customize their burritos and bowls however they like.
I also was fortunate enough to visit this very place during my 2016 trip. Below is a picture! If you have a chance to go, I’d love to know what you think!
In the third installment of Masks, Falcon, which just released on July 27th, Kaiden suggests they head to Japantown in San Francisco to get some taiyaki. Taiyaki are a Japanese dessert that are shaped like fish, have filling inside such as red bean paste, chocolate, or chocolate banana, and are cooked like waffles. Since Avari loves waffles, Kaiden thought it’d be the perfect fit for Avari. In a rare occurrence, Kaiden was right! These things are delicious!
While the small cafe in Japantown that served taiyaki is unfortunately now closed, there are still several dining options to choose from, including a cafe that serves dorayaki, which is similar to taiyaki, but more like a stuffed pancake than a waffle.
If you visit Japantown, I’d love to know what you got! Here is a picture of the taiyaki I got during my visit there.
If you like urban fantasy, superheroes and villains, and of course, food, I hope you’ll check out Masks! (Maybe not on an empty stomach, though).
My suggested foods for your reading are waffles, a burrito, or some Oreos.
If you live in the Bay Area, let me know some interesting places you think my characters should go in future books! Special thanks to my friend for getting pictures of Durant Food Court and Gordo Tacquiera for me!
About Amara
Amara Lynn has always been a quiet daydreamer. Coming up with characters and worlds since childhood, Amara eventually found an outlet in writing. Amara loves anything to do with pirates, villains and superheroes, and angels and demons.
Amara is addicted to music and gets the most inspiration from moving songs and lyrics. When not writing, Amara usually reads, listens to podcasts, watches anime, plays a video game here and there (but mostly collects them), and takes way too many cat pictures.
