Revival in Berkeley with fruit jellies
Thank you, Kristen Sun, my dear friend who has shared many great meals with me in Berkeley and definitely many more in the future, for sharing a post here with us today 🙂
Halfway through our meal, Mai and I turned to each other and we agreed, “I’m not that full yet” and “I can still eat more.” This was after a small plate of charcuterie (which wasn’t that small) and two small plates, which again, were not that small. It solved, however, the main question that had been bugging us since we arrived at the restaurant: which entrees should we get? And if we get more than one entree, could we still do dessert? Turns out indecision works very well at this restaurant; sampling the diverse offerings of the menu is definitely the way to go! Eating with Mai is always a treat – for the mind and for the stomach! Thank you Mai for the great honor of being a guest blogger for Flavor Bouvelard!
Simply put, Revival Bar & Kitchen, located right in the middle of Downtown Berkeley, is gorgeous. The tall ceiling, the rustic decor, the feeling of open space, and best of all, a bookshelf tucked away in the corner, give Revival a unique feel. The tables were just the appropriate width apart when it comes to having good conversation with two women who bonded with Mai over their travels to Vietnam, and perhaps a tad bit too close when we overheard a man speaking unkindly about his (absent) girlfriend to another friend. But let’s speak of the food…
When we received our menus, right away our eyes landed on the charcuterie section, which consisted of fresh ham, duck liver mousse, coppa di testa (headcheese), and smoked duck breast ($8 for an individual plate, $18 for a small plate of all charcuterie, and $26 for a large plate of all charcuterie). The fresh ham and the smoked duck, while delicious, were not particularly unique in any way. The coppa di testa… now this is something interesting. It was my first taste of headcheese, so I went in without any expectations. It’s sour and leaves a slight fizzy aftertaste like a soda. It also is very fragile; it is not quite a cold cut but not quite a pate either… it had a very weird “saucy” consistency, which Mai found to be weird as well compared to the headcheese that she is accustomed to! The duck liver mousse was our favorite meat on the plate; the texture is rich and smooth and the taste just strong enough without being overpowering. This plate was definitely fun, as we could combine all the different meats with the sides (raspberry jelly, pickles, and mustard) in as many different combinations as we wished, each bite yielding a new combination of flavors. We both agreed that the real standout on the plate, however, was the raspberry marmalade. In fact, as we would soon discover, the one thing that Revival really excels
at are its fruit jellies.
Next on our list are the two small plates: tempura fried squash blossoms ($13) and bone marrow ($11). The tempura fried squash blossoms, stuffed with ricotta and goat cheese, were delicious and light and the pieces of fried zucchini that garnish the plate were also good. Mai, however, found that the squash blossoms had a stronger goat cheese flavor than she would have liked. The sauce, a cilantro mint coulis, paired well with the fried vegetables, but was forgettable.
For me, the standout dish of the night is the bone marrow. Rich and fatty, this first taste of bone marrow was just perfect. Best of all, we were allowed to season the meat ourselves, as the dish comes with a side of sea salt. The crunchy baguette, the flavorful meat, the salt, and best of all, the kumquat marmalade worked perfectly together. This dish, for me, was one of the perfect bites of the night. And once again, we were blown away by the fruit – the kumquat marmalade, which really is a standout on its own, tied the flavors of the dish together perfectly.
Despite all of this food, it was at this point that Mai and I decided to go for it and ordered both of the larger plates that we were looking at, which our waitress recommended as the two best as well. The risotto cakes ($21), however, were just okay. The cakes themselves were a bit dry and bland. The porcini mushrooms, while not having the typical “musty” mushroom taste as Mai explains, really did not add any unique flavor to the dish. However, I loved the porcini jus and could not stop dipping into the sauce. I love thick almost puree-like textures and this was no exception. Mai and I both agreed that the vegetables that came on the side were delicious and outshone the risotto cakes.
The pork chop ($25) was good and very well-cooked – juicy, full of flavor, and not dry in the slightest. Both Mai and I found the bourbon butter to be a bit too strong and overpowering of the meat; we ended up scraping most of the butter off. The potatoes and artichokes were well-cooked and flavorful, but not particularly unique.
Overall, the smaller plates succeeded more than the larger plates and the size of the small plates comes at a overall better bargain, as there is not much difference in portion sizes.
Of course, our meal cannot end without dessert. And were we ever glad because the desserts here are amazing! We settled on an apricot mousse ($8), but after asking what the ice cream du jour ($7) was, we had to order that as well. The flavor is apricot pit, which we of course, had to try. Our waiter informed us that it has an almond-like taste, which we agreed on; the flavor is much lighter, however. The nuttiness and creaminess of the ice cream, along with the crunchiness of the pecans, were a perfect combination!
The apricot mousse, likewise, was also delicious. While we couldn’t make out the flavor of the green tea cake at the bottom, the light fluffiness of the apricot mixed with the sourness of the blood orange reduction and the crunch of the brulĂ©ed bottom was quite pleasing texturally. As for that blood orange reduction…it had a marmalade texture but it was chilled so it was almost like a sorbet. A clear stand-out!
Overall, Revival made for a great dinner and we had lovely neighbors to chat with as well near the end of our meal. The real standouts here – the raspberry jelly, the kumquat marmalade, and the blood orange reduction – were unexpected but elevated what could have been ordinary or boring dishes into something special. When I think of a perfect dining experience, eating at Revival definitely ranks high: great friends, new acquaintances, and delicious food at a relaxed and leisurely pace.
Address: Revival
2102 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 549-9950
I have recently started a blog, the information you provide on this web site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
1Greetings! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!
2Hiya very cool blog!! Guy .. Excellent .. Superb .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally?KI am satisfied to find a lot of helpful info here within the post, we need develop more strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
3You made some good points there. I looked on the internet for the subject matter and found most persons will approve with your site.
4I will immediately grab your rss as I can’t find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please allow me know so that I may subscribe. Thanks.
5Superb post however , I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Thank you!
6You have mentioned very interesting details! ps nice web site. “I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying that I approved of it.” by Mark Twain.
7I was just looking for this info for some time. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your web site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this kind of informative sites in top of the list. Usually the top websites are full of garbage.
8Hi there, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam comments? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any assistance is very much appreciated.
9With almost everything which seems to be developing inside this particular subject material, a significant percentage of viewpoints are somewhat refreshing. However, I appologize, because I do not subscribe to your entire idea, all be it radical none the less. It appears to us that your comments are actually not totally rationalized and in fact you are generally yourself not entirely convinced of your argument. In any event I did appreciate looking at it.
10Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?
11I have been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this site. Reading this information So i’m happy to convey that I’ve a very excellent uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed. I most unquestionably will make sure to don’t omit this website and give it a look regularly.
12I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
13Hey I am so excited I found your weblog, I really found you by error, while I was looking on Askjeeve for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say many thanks for a fantastic post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the fantastic work.
14I think this web site has very excellent composed subject material articles.
15Horse Gelatin Trick Recipe
16Great article and straight to the point. I don’t know if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you people have any ideea where to hire some professional writers? Thx 🙂
17It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to this superb blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will share this blog with my Facebook group. Chat soon!
18This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
19JELLYFIL
20I’ve been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.
21Merely wanna state that this is very useful, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
22Perfectly indited articles, Really enjoyed reading.
23Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
24But a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw outstanding design and style.
25Hi there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.
26Keep working ,great job!
27I will right away take hold of your rss as I can’t find your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please permit me recognize in order that I may just subscribe. Thanks.
28There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain nice points in features also.
29I have been surfing on-line more than three hours as of late, yet I never discovered any interesting article like yours. It’s beautiful price enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made excellent content material as you did, the internet shall be a lot more helpful than ever before.
30I do believe all of the ideas you’ve introduced on your post. They’re really convincing and will certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are too quick for newbies. May just you please prolong them a little from next time? Thank you for the post.
31Rattling fantastic visual appeal on this website , I’d rate it 10 10.
32I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
33With every thing that seems to be building inside this specific subject material, many of your viewpoints are generally rather radical. Nevertheless, I am sorry, because I can not subscribe to your entire strategy, all be it stimulating none the less. It appears to us that your opinions are generally not entirely justified and in reality you are your self not thoroughly confident of the argument. In any case I did appreciate reading through it.
34I have not checked in here for a while since I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
35I simply wanted to write a remark so as to appreciate you for some of the nice advice you are posting at this site. My extensive internet research has now been honored with useful strategies to write about with my friends. I ‘d admit that we readers are very much endowed to exist in a magnificent network with many perfect individuals with valuable ideas. I feel very much grateful to have encountered your web site and look forward to really more pleasurable minutes reading here. Thank you again for everything.
36Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?
37so much good info on here, :D.
38Its great as your other blog posts : D, appreciate it for putting up.
39Normally I don’t read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, very nice article.
40I like this website so much, saved to my bookmarks. “American soldiers must be turned into lambs and eating them is tolerated.” by Muammar Qaddafi.
41F*ckin’ amazing issues here. I’m very glad to peer your post. Thanks a lot and i’m taking a look forward to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
42Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.
43Can I simply say what a relief to find someone who really knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You undoubtedly know find out how to deliver an issue to gentle and make it important. Extra individuals have to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant imagine youre no more well-liked because you undoubtedly have the gift.
44excellent post, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector don’t notice this. You must continue your writing. I am confident, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
45Thank you a lot for giving everyone remarkably superb possiblity to read in detail from this blog. It’s usually very beneficial and as well , packed with amusement for me and my office friends to search your blog the equivalent of thrice in a week to see the fresh things you will have. And indeed, I’m also actually satisfied with your splendid guidelines served by you. Selected 3 areas on this page are clearly the most beneficial I’ve had.
46Hello, you used to write wonderful, but the last several posts have been kinda boring… I miss your tremendous writings. Past few posts are just a little out of track! come on!
47You are my inspiration , I own few web logs and sometimes run out from to brand.
48My spouse and I stumbled over here different website and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to checking out your web page repeatedly.
49I am pleased that I discovered this blog, just the right info that I was searching for! .
50