Lauren Schiller is a Berkeley mom of two girls, 9 and 12, and the host of one of my favorite podcasts, Inflection Point Radio, a series of interviews with women who are changing the status quo. Inflection Point Radio airs locally on KALW 91.7 FM Friday at 11 am.
Lauren shared her favorite places in the East Bay with us in this interview.
Tell us, Lauren, what is your favorite Saturday morning ritual? Sleep in a bit, read the New York Times, listen to NPR with homemade lattes, and go to boot camp for a workout.
Can you think of something weird and wonderful that East Bay kids will want to check out? The CatTown Cafe–we haven’t been there yet though.
Omigod, I totally want to take my kids there, too. My friend Sharon went to one in Tokyo. I keep forgetting about it.
What local gem are you nostalgic for since your kids have gotten too old for it? Totland.
What’s your favorite family dinner out? We can never decide where to go–but Chinese food and Indian food are always top of the list. For Indian, Kabana (bring home), or Himalayan Flavors (eat there). Also, Breads of India (eat there). And for Chinese eating out we like Great China–but especially when grandparents dine with us, so we can reserve a table for 6 or more. Or King Dong (Chinese) for ordering in. We also loved Genki for sushi, but it closed and is being replaced by Mountain Mike’s pizza (wah). So we’ve tried KYU2 on Hollis which is good, but not cheap. Of course, if you’re going to spend, Kirala is always good.
Cactus or Picante? Picante – plus they have that drive-through pick-up which we cruise through after ordering online to bring home.
If a parenting coach told you to spend time with each girl on her own this weekend, what would you pick for each one?
Taking a walk is always the best — we get a chance to talk without having the distractions of home. Then Yogurtland, Lush Gelato, or Almare, a trip to the library, and if time, a mani-pedi for a little indulgence. We like Joi Nail Spa on Solano Avenue.
What’s your date night tip for other East Bay parents?
Do a kid swap with friends so they take your kids for a sleepover one night and you take theirs for another night. When you go out to eat, sit at the bar — no need to make a reservation and you get to sit closer to each other. We like Revival and Pathos Organic Greek Kitchen, both in downtown Berkeley.
How about if you’ve got the kids on your own for the night? Prep dinner ahead or plan to order in. Enroll the kids in setting and clearing the table to share the work. Eat dinner in front of a movie.
Can you tell us about an amazing camp your child has loved? Of all the amazing specialty camps that are offered in Berkeley, Berkeley Day Camp has been a consistent favorite. But skateboard, lifeguard, Kalen Meyer and Jen Burke art camps have also been fabulous. Now my oldest is getting to the age of being a CIT. So it’s almost like applying for a job–coaching her on writing an essay how to promote yourself without feeling like you are ‘bragging’, how to do a phone interview and sound confident.
What is something you do when your parents or in-laws are around? If we are all together we will go to a museum like the Oakland Museum of California or the DeYoung or we take a hike. They always inspire us to do the cultural things we know we should. Recently we all did a walk with Berkeley Path Wanderers to Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island. (If we can negotiate a sleepover with the grandparents, it’s date night for us.)
And what do you choose as either alone time or a treat-yourself outing? Massage. Read the paper, read Bon Appetit magazine. Mani/pedi. Yoga.
What’s something you’re looking forward to doing when your kids get older? We went to Italy last summer and I can’t wait to go again. Language immersion travel (for me!)
Thanks for sharing your East Bay picks, Lauren!
As the creator and host of Inflection Point, Lauren’s (not-so-secret) mission is to talk with innovative women and broadcast their achievements in the US and around the globe.
Before creating Inflection Point, Lauren co-hosted the popular radio and TV show, ‘The Lady Brain Show,’ as well as ‘Meet The Talkers’ for Stitcher Smart Radio–a podcast featuring interviews with public radio hosts. Lauren’s been a guest on ABC7’s View From the Bay and 7Live, a feature on HGTV’s Find Your Style, and a spokesperson on KRON, KTVU and CBS.
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