Revisit Gather
Let me first get this off my chest: I hate restaurants with low lighting (e.g., Burma Superstar and Bistro Liaison), red lights (e.g., Thanh Long and Mission Chinese), and yellow lights (Gather). Why can’t we have nice white neon lights? I don’t go there to film romantic dinner scenes or deal drugs under the table. I go there to eat food, I want to be able to see the true colors of what I’m eating, and I want to take good pictures of them. Is that really too much to ask?
Okay. On to the next business. A lot of people ask me what my favorite restaurant in Berkeley is. I can’t answer that. It’s like asking me who’s my favorite friend. But if you ask me where I would take someone out to dinner, I have a few cards to deal depending on what that person likes. If they like grilled meat and interesting food, I recommend Ippuku. If they’re vegetarian, I take them to Gather.
That said, unlike the consistently good Ippuku, Gather gives me ups and downs. My first experience with Gather in March 2010 was lovely (minus the terrible lighting). Subsequent visits were unmemorable, except for an oversized French toast that was way too sweet to finish even half. Just as I started to think meh another one bites the dust, Gather wows me with a few incredible dishes to prompt a write-up. That, and I think I should at least try to have some colored pictures of its food to complement my black-and-white review last time.
Vegan charcuterie ($18)
From left to right: Beet with citrus, almond and olive; Carrots with smoked cashew, dates, hay and wheat berries (the fresh hay gives the green color); Endive on mushroom puree with spring onion, ash and radish nukazuke; Fennel with kumquat, green garlic puree and seaweed.
The seaweed that was paired with the fennel was of the Sargassum type, where a bite into the champagne-grape-like bubbles releases a burst of seashore flavor that did not belong. The purees are balanced and exceptional, with a floral hint of high-quality olive oil.
That reminds me, at Gather, bread and olive oil is available only upon request; of course, we requested, not just once but twice. The first time, our waiter brought us 4 slices, we finished it in a jiffy, the second time, he brought 8 slices. 😀 He was also incredibly patient when I asked “what gives the green color?”, “which one is the nukazuke?” and a dozen other questions. You know, the typical annoying foodie behavior.
Sea lettuce smoked kampachi ($15) – with squid ink, Meyer lemon, green almond and sake lees.
Texture-, taste-, scent-wise, a Perfect Dish.
This dish has everything I like: kampachi, squid ink, seaweed, citrus. The sea lettuce is mild and crunchy, the fish chewy, the squid ink, olive oil and lemon juice engage the plant kingdom and the animal kingdom in a harmonious dance in circle.
Lingcod in oyster veloute, with Yukon potato and seaweed.
The design is a rocky shore with seaweed, fish and foam, I get that. But just because the plate depicts the sea, it doesn’t mean it should taste like the sea. The potato is too salty. The seaweed, once again, needs more prep work to tone down the seaside taste. But the lingcod filet was perfectly pan-fried, crispy on the outside and moist inside.
Chocolate semifreddo ($9) – with orange brodo (orange sauce), caramel, peanut and cardamom.
Another perfect dish.
Of course, we wouldn’t go without desserts, and the desserts at Gather show a great deal of restraint: not too sweet, not too chocolatey to overwhelm the cardamom scent, not too tart either. I like that kind of balance. That night, my friend and I were most drawn by the sea lettuce smoked kampachi and the lingcod precisely because of their balance. Although Gather’s execution of seaweed left much to be desired, the “vegan charcuterie” also remained a reliable inspiration.
Address: Gather
2200 Oxford Street
Berkeley CA 94704
(510) 809-0400
www.gatherrestaurant.com
Dead pent content material, appreciate it for information. “In the fight between you and the world, back the world.” by Frank Zappa.
1Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your site in internet explorer, would test this… IE still is the market leader and a big portion of people will miss your magnificent writing due to this problem.
2I’ve recently started a website, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
3This design is spectacular! You obviously know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
4My brother recommended I may like this web site. He was once entirely right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t believe just how a lot time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
5Excellent blog here! Also your website loads up very fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
6Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your web site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched everywhere and just couldn’t come across. What a great site.
7Terrific work! This is the type of info that are meant to be shared across the net. Shame on Google for not positioning this submit higher! Come on over and visit my website . Thanks =)
8My brother recommended I might like this website. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
9You have brought up a very excellent points, thankyou for the post.
10After study a couple of of the weblog posts in your web site now, and I actually like your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website record and will be checking again soon. Pls try my site as properly and let me know what you think.
11There are certainly a variety of details like that to take into consideration. That may be a great point to deliver up. I provide the ideas above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions just like the one you bring up the place an important thing will likely be working in trustworthy good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged round things like that, but I am sure that your job is clearly identified as a good game. Both boys and girls really feel the affect of just a moment’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
12I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was curious what all is required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100 sure. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks
13Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.
14Please let me know if you’re looking for a writer for your blog. You have some really great articles and I believe I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please blast me an e-mail if interested. Cheers!
15Some truly quality articles on this web site, saved to favorites.
16Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
17you will have a great blog right here! would you prefer to make some invite posts on my weblog?
18I’ve learn several excellent stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how a lot attempt you put to create this type of wonderful informative website.
19Some really choice content on this internet site, saved to fav.
20Just wanna remark that you have a very nice web site, I like the style it actually stands out.
21It’s actually a great and useful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you just shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
22Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your site in internet explorer, would check this… IE still is the market leader and a big portion of people will miss your great writing due to this problem.
23Very interesting subject, thankyou for putting up. “The season of failure is the best time for sowing the seeds of success.” by Paramahansa Yogananda.
24Very interesting topic, thankyou for posting. “Welcome to President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and my fellow astronauts.” by Dan Quayle.
25Hi there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading your posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same topics? Thanks!
26Wow that was strange. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say great blog!
27Heya i am for the primary time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I am hoping to present something again and aid others such as you aided me.
28It’s really a great and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you just shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
29I’m not sure why but this blog is loading extremely slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
30Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s difficult to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and appearance. I must say you’ve done a excellent job with this. Additionally, the blog loads extremely quick for me on Firefox. Exceptional Blog!
31It’s really a cool and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
32I got what you mean ,bookmarked, very nice web site.
33Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
34I as well conceive thus, perfectly pent post! .
35I do love the manner in which you have framed this difficulty and it does indeed offer me some fodder for thought. However, coming from just what I have experienced, I just simply trust when other opinions pack on that people keep on issue and don’t get started upon a tirade of the news du jour. All the same, thank you for this fantastic point and whilst I can not really go along with the idea in totality, I value your point of view.
36I am delighted that I discovered this web site, exactly the right information that I was searching for! .
37I like what you guys are up also. Such clever work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my site 🙂
38Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have created some nice practices and we are looking to exchange solutions with other folks, why not shoot me an email if interested.
39you may have an excellent weblog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my weblog?
40I think other web site proprietors should take this web site as an model, very clean and excellent user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You are an expert in this topic!
41I am impressed with this website , real I am a fan.
42Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
43Hello There. I found your weblog using msn. That is an extremely smartly written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thank you for the post. I will definitely return.
44This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look ahead to in quest of more of your magnificent post. Additionally, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
45Lovely just what I was searching for.Thanks to the author for taking his clock time on this one.
46You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
47Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your website in internet explorer, would check this… IE still is the market leader and a big portion of people will miss your magnificent writing because of this problem.
48I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
49Nice blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Bless you
50