1. Food Sciences and Technology 3: Introduction to Beer and Brewing

2. Human Development 12: Human Sexuality

3. Nutrition 10: Discoveries and Concepts in Nutrition

Not many college grads across the country can say they took a course in beer making during college. But for UC Davis grads, this is almost a rite of passage.

Because beer is an integral part of many students’ college experiences, it comes as no surprise that Food Science and Technology 3: Introduction to Beer and Brewing has emerged as this year’s winner for best general education class.

Covering a wide range of topics from the history of brewing and brewing science to the types of beer worldwide and world beer markets, students find this class to be especially fun and upbeat. Much of this is due to its instructor, Charles Bamforth.

“The thing I like most about this class is the professor. He has a great personality and cracks a lot of jokes,” said Will Bauer, senior evolution and ecology major.

Charles Bamforth believes students enjoy this class because it combines fun with learning.

“This class has lots of laughs but also lots of learning. [Students] get to meet and hear from some great names from the brewing industry and get to realize that beer is a wonderful vehicle for understanding the application of science,” Bamforth said.

Taking a class about an activity almost all college students participate in seems to be a major driving factor. Danny Carlson, a senior environmental policy analysis and planning major, agreed.

“I thought it would be interesting to learn a little bit more about the thing I drink so much of,” Carlson said. “It’s also interesting to learn about the international consumption of beer.”

Bamforth added that one of the integral concepts he emphasizes in his class is that: “I teach them that beer is fun, but like everything else in life needs to be treated with moderation and respect.”

Rounding out second and third place were Human Development 12: Human Sexuality and Nutrition 10: Discoveries and Concepts in Nutrition.

— Claire Maldarelli

1. Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
129 E St.

2. Hunan Bar & Restaurant
207 D St.

3. Namaste Nepal
825 Russell Blvd.

Of the 37 Asian restaurants in Davis, only one can claim to rule them all. Sophia’s Thai Kitchen has once again bested the competition to be this year’s Best of Davis pick for best Asian cuisine.

As one may guess, the variety of Asian cuisine prepared is faithful to the establishment’s namesake.

“The Thai iced teas are delicious and their peanut sauce is out of this world,” said senior political science major Adessa O’Shana.

And while the food is expectantly exceptional, what separates Sophia’s from the pack is its flexible ambiance. One does not simply walk into Sophia’s and find a table.

“It almost feels like there’s several restaurants within a restaurant,” said senior psychology major Eleni Stephanides. “You have a cushion room, the outside patio and the more traditional indoor dining area.”

Not only does the physical environment offer several categories of experience, Sophia’s is also a favorite for its live independent music and Tuesday trivia nights, serving side dishes for the spirit and mind alongside its food.

Coming in second place for best Asian cuisine is Hunan Bar and Restaurant. At hard-to-beat prices, especially for lunch, Hunan woos its customers with disarming portion sizes writ with variety and flavor. Close to campus, it’s a regular stop for many students.

Rounding out third place is Namaste Nepal, a relatively new restaurant that serves Indian and Nepalese cuisine. Despite its rookie status, Namaste Nepal has already made a name for itself. Its lunch buffets, discount offers and delivery service have earned this spot a devoted following.

— Rajiv Narayan

1. de Vere’s Irish Pub
217 E St.

2. Paesanos
139 G St.

3. Rostini Italian Kitchen
1411 W. Covell Blvd.

Just four months ago, the de Vere White family sought to bring a taste of Ireland to Davis by opening a second location of its popular Sacramento eatery and bar, de Vere’s Irish Pub, downtown. And four months is all it took for Davis residents to embrace the authentic pub, voting it Davis’ best new restaurant.

The restaurant, which boasts furniture and decor flown in from Ireland, features traditional Irish dishes such as shepherd’s pie, black pudding, and bangers and mash, in addition to typical American pub fare. And as expected for any pub, the menu features an extensive selection of beer, wine and whiskey.

Co-owner Henry de Vere White said the community’s response to the pub has been positive, with customers ranging from families to college students to grandmothers.

“We’ve had a great first four months. I think people have been excited to try something new and have been really open-minded,” de Vere White said.

De Vere White said a menu change is planned for March, which will offer new, more varied dishes. The restaurant has also been the site of office parties, rehearsal dinners and other personal functions, as well as Monday Trivia Nights and Tuesday Whiskey Society meetings.

In honor of St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which funds childhood cancer research, de Vere’s will host St. Baldrick’s Day Battle of the Pubs on March 12. After competing to raise the most money for St. Baldrick’s, each “team” from the Davis and Sacramento de Vere’s locations will shave their heads in solidarity with children battling cancer.

De Vere White said he hopes to do more community events in the future.

“Our goal is in 10 years for people to come back to their old pub, have a discussion in the library, see their old professors. We want to become entrenched as a social gathering place,” de Vere White said. “Every aspect of life should come through these doors.”

— Erin Migdol

1. Crepeville
330 Third St.

2. Black Bear Diner
255 Second St.

3. Cafe Bernardo
234 D St.

Whether it’s after a long night of brain-draining studying or hard-core partying, breakfast is an integral part to any college student’s day. And students agree that with a breakfast that consists of 31 different crepe options and a mound of potatoes on the side, you can’t go wrong.

Crepeville has once again claimed the title of number one breakfast destination in Davis. Perla Salazar, Crepeville’s manager, believes this is due to the amount of food given for the price.

“Students definitely appreciate the quantity of food they get. They are getting what they pay for,” Salazar said.

Crepeville is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and serves its signature breakfast crepes throughout the day, giving students the opportunity to have a great breakfast at whatever time they wake up. Salazar added that on Saturdays, morning is their busiest time but on the weekdays, it is usually around lunchtime or even later.

Students also agree that the quality of the food is just as good as the sheer quantity.

“When I had a crepe there for the first time it was so good. Like, finger-licking good,” said Nayla Hojman, senior exercise biology major.

Elizabeth Trockey also agreed and added that everything is good there, not just their crepes.

“I really like their potatoes and their mimosas are great, too, because they are made with fresh-squeezed oranges,” Trockey said.

Salazar said the most popular menu items among students are the dessert crepes.

“But besides [those], the other two most popular crepes would be the California Crepe and the Chicken Pesto Crepe,” Salazar said.

Coming in at second and third are Black Bear Diner, known for its huge portions and Café Bernardo, known for using local and seasonal ingredients.

— Claire Maldarelli

1. UC Davis Quad

2. In class

3. Peter J. Shields Library

After pulling an all-nighter, coffee from the esteemed  ASUCD Coffee House may not suffice as an energy boost before your next class. No worries! Either pack a blanket or lay out a sweatshirt and catch up on some much needed snooze time on the UC Davis Quad.

The Quad, voted the best place to sleep on campus, is a popular area on campus where students and staff can snack, socialize, sunbathe and apparently, slumber.

Previously used for agriculture during UC Davis’ early years, the Quad has metamorphosed into one of the more scenic areas on campus. It is split into two factions, East and West Quad, by a walkway that spans from the Memorial Union to Peter J. Shields Avenue.

The Quad includes a large grassy expanse where students can be spotted hanging out with friends or relaxing in solitude. Though not the quietest area, as the Quad is also a popular gathering ground for organizations to convene and recruit, it is a nice place to nap for those who can get past the chatter of daily comings and goings.

UC Davis first-year undeclared major Tarandeep Kaur said that she likes to nap and hang out with friends on the Quad for the refreshing outdoor environment.

“It’s really relaxing to just lay down in the sun. The fresh air feels really nice. Even though I live on campus and my bed is relatively close, I still choose to nap on the Quad because sometimes the room can be suffocating,” Kaur said.

So, if you find yourself doing the barely-conscious-head-bob at the end of your first class or weaving on your bicycle in the fashion of a cyclist deserving a BUI, swing by the UC Davis Quad for some shuteye. For those who find no shame in sleeping in academic settings, the second and third place winners were “In class” and the Peter J. Shields Library, respectively.

— Kelsey Smoot

1. Taqueria Guadalajara
640 W Covell Blvd.
417 Mace Blvd.

2. Chipotle
227 E St.

3. Dos Coyotes
1411 W. Covell Blvd.
2191 Cowell Blvd.

Taqueria Guadalajara, despite being farther from campus than the downtown restaurants, has yet again secured the award for best burrito in Davis.

Affectionately known as “Guad’s” by the student body, Taqueria Guadalajara is home to the Regular Burrito ($4.45), the Super Burrito ($5.45) and the Super Giant Burrito ($10).

“If I’m gonna get Mexican food, I’m gonna come here,” said sophomore nutrition science major Stephanie Anderson.

What many customers like about Guad’s is not just the taste of the burritos, but the presentation. Other burrito joints like Chipotle and Dos Coyotes also have great tasting burritos, but they often fall apart when trying to eat them, according to some customers. Guad’s offers tightly wrapped burritos, packed with flavor and easy to handle.

Guad’s also offers many perks not available at other burrito restaurants. Every meal comes with unlimited free chips and salsa. It even has a vegetarian burrito if meat isn’t your normal fare.

Perhaps the most well known aspect of Guad’s is its thirst-quenching, sweet-tooth-satisfying horchata.

“This food is more authentic and it’s a good location, but the horchata is the main reason I come here,” said sophomore physics major Ethan Krajnovich.

Rounding out the top three are Chipotle and Dos Coyotes.

— Hudson Lofchie