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 bruléed 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 am no longer sure where you are getting your info, however good topic. I must spend some time finding out more or figuring out more. Thank you for magnificent information I used to be in search of this info for my mission.
1Glad to be one of several visitors on this amazing internet site : D.
2Hello. splendid job. I did not imagine this. This is a great story. Thanks!
3This design is incredible! You most certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
4Hello, Neat post. There is a problem along with your site in internet explorer, may check this?K IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a big element of folks will miss your wonderful writing due to this problem.
5I have read a few good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to create such a fantastic informative web site.
6It’s actually a great and useful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
7Sweet blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Cheers
8you’ve an amazing weblog right here! would you prefer to make some invite posts on my weblog?
9fantastic put up, very informative. I wonder why the opposite specialists of this sector don’t realize this. You should proceed your writing. I am sure, you’ve a great readers’ base already!
10It’s truly a nice and helpful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
11I am glad to be one of many visitants on this outstanding website (:, thankyou for putting up.
12Hey! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My weblog looks weird when viewing from my iphone4. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to resolve this problem. If you have any suggestions, please share. Thank you!
13Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful info particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot. I was looking for this certain info for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.
14This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
15It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this outstanding 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 talk about this site with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
16I’ve recently started a blog, the info you offer on this web site has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
17Hi there, I found your site via Google while searching for a related topic, your website came up, it looks great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
18Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So nice to search out anyone with some authentic thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for beginning this up. this web site is something that is needed on the net, somebody with just a little originality. useful job for bringing one thing new to the web!
19We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done a formidable job and our whole community will be grateful to you.
20wonderful put up, very informative. I ponder why the opposite specialists of this sector do not realize this. You must proceed your writing. I’m sure, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
21I believe this internet site contains some really great information for everyone :D. “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
22Terrific work! This is the type of info that should be shared around the web. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher! Come on over and visit my web site . Thanks =)
23fantastic post, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector do not notice this. You must continue your writing. I am sure, you’ve a great readers’ base already!
24This internet site is my breathing in, really wonderful design and perfect articles.
25Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your web site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you’ve on this web site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched all over the place and just could not come across. What a perfect website.
26I do agree with all of the ideas you have presented in your post. They are really convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are very short for beginners. Could you please extend them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.
27I like this post, enjoyed this one appreciate it for putting up. “Abortion is advocated only by persons who have themselves been born.” by Ronald Reagan.
28I as well conceive therefore, perfectly pent post! .
29Very interesting info !Perfect just what I was looking for!
30Keep up the excellent piece of work, I read few articles on this internet site and I conceive that your web blog is very interesting and has lots of excellent info .
31Tetap saja, terima kasih untuk poin yang luar biasa ini dan walaupun saya tidak benar-benar setuju sepenuhnya, saya menghormati perspektif.
32You can certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart.
33Tulis lebih banyak, hanya itu yang ingin saya katakan. Secara harfiah, sepertinya Anda mengandalkan video untuk menyampaikan poin Anda. Anda jelas tahu apa yang Anda bicarakan, mengapa membuang kecerdasan Anda hanya dengan memposting video ke blog ketika Anda bisa memberi kami sesuatu yang mencerahkan untuk dibaca?
34I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Reading this information So i am happy to convey that I’ve a very good uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed. I most certainly will make sure to do not forget this web site and give it a glance regularly.
35you’re really a good webmaster. The web site loading speed is incredible. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Also, The contents are masterpiece. you have done a great job on this topic!
36I am not very superb with English but I get hold this real easy to interpret.
37Its great as your other posts : D, appreciate it for putting up.
38Simply wish to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity on your put up is simply cool and i could think you are a professional in this subject. Fine along with your permission let me to seize your RSS feed to stay up to date with forthcoming post. Thank you a million and please continue the enjoyable work.
39Great, I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs and related information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Nice task.
40I intended to send you a little observation to be able to thank you very much again considering the spectacular techniques you’ve documented here. It is simply extremely generous of people like you to present freely what a lot of folks could possibly have supplied as an e book to help with making some bucks for themselves, primarily now that you might well have tried it in the event you desired. Those ideas as well served as the easy way to recognize that other individuals have the identical eagerness just like my personal own to understand much more with regards to this issue. I am sure there are some more enjoyable instances ahead for individuals that scan through your website.
41Excellent blog here! Also your site lots up very fast! What host are you the usage of? Can I am getting your affiliate hyperlink to your host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
42My parttner annd I stumgled over herre diferent wweb addrss andd thought
43I might ass welll chrck thinfs out. I like wht I seee
soo nnow i’m foplowing you. Lookk forward tto cheking ouut yyour webb age yeet again.xnxx
I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thx again
44Rattling informative and great bodily structure of subject material, now that’s user pleasant (:.
45I am no longer sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I must spend some time finding out much more or working out more. Thanks for magnificent information I used to be looking for this information for my mission.
46Valuable information. Lucky me I found your website by chance, and I’m stunned why this coincidence did not happened in advance! I bookmarked it.
47you are really a just right webmaster. The web site loading velocity is incredible. It kind of feels that you are doing any unique trick. Furthermore, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve done a excellent process in this subject!
48Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
49It’s in point of fact a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m happy that you shared this useful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
50