Venus and the Casual-Cali dining trend
In foodie talk, Berkeley is synonymous with Chez Panisse: there’s hardly a writing of Bay Area cuisine without the mentioning of Alice Waters and her propriety. But as attractive as the local and sustainable idea sounds, places like Chez Panisse are clearly not in the accessible range for everyone’s weekly, or even monthly, savour. If it’s not what the locals regularly eat, how can it represent the local cuisine? The common Berkelers don’t make one month reservation to eat at a cafe, they instead would rather make a line on the sidewalk, waiting to be seated in 25 minutes or so-told by waiters with tattoos and spiky hair. Such casualness, though paired with obvious reduce in taste innovation and price, defines the Berkeley dining spectrum, with the holes in the wall like Razan’s Organic Kitchen and Gregoire at the cheaper end, to more comfortable sit-downs like Herbivore and Venus at the other.
I call it a sit-down because Venus is barely bigger than a classroom, and diners are spaced more snugly than students on exam day. Its rectangular base holds a kitchen-cashier combination and roughly 40 seats – an ok amount for lunch and dinner but not enough for the mornings. I’ve seen lines, and been in one myself, standing outside the door even on weekdays. The mornings here are cold, but Venus’s breakfasts are good.
Venus's scramble eggs with calabrese sausage , spinach and mushroom, with roasted potato and toasts - $11.00
Omelets and scrambled eggs are the main categories, with typical Californian blendings like chicken-and-apple sausage, fresh berries and chocolate chips in pancakes, and thick, fat, buttery French toasts accompanied by melons and oranges.
A Venus daily special - apple French toasts and sausage, to be dressed in blackberry syrup - $12.50
If you feel guilty about taking time to savor your toasts while others are shivering outside waiting to slip through that door, lunch proves a more comfortable choice. To boost, the hosts give you both the breakfast and lunch menus if you arrive around noon. The specials of the day are printed items with a simple twist, like my chicken salad with a load of watermelon cubes mixed in.
A Venus daily special - watermelon salad with grilled chicken breast and feta cheese - $13.00
The ingredients aren’t clamorous and the mixing isn’t adventurous, but such daily specials are nonetheless a refreshing attempt to harmonize flavors: sweet watermelon to temper tangy feta and vinaigrette, teeth-sinking jello crunch of the grilled chicken to pair with airy crustiness of newly baked bread. It isn’t the best salad I’ve ever had, but it bursts a mouthful of Casual-Cali aroma(*): healthy food can have attractive taste.
The atmosphere, too, is characteristic. Jazzy 60’s records reluctantly slip words one by one off the speaker like water dripping from a roof after some heavy rain. College students twirl their straws over a quiet chat by the windows. An old man with a cane and weak feet drags his steps to the table, clouding himself with a Degas’ look while waiting for his soup. Lone diners in spectacles spend an entire morning flipping through the news, occasionally take a bite of sandwich and a sip of coffee. Couples in their late fifties laugh and talk without constraint. Everyone is comfortable. It’s a noisy place, but oddly it’s full of solitude.
Venus restaurant, in some aspect, is just like their panna cotta: rich and smooth, with the occasional fresh and tart berries to boost.
Dessert at Venus - panna cotta with fresh berries - $8.00
Eating local and sustainable means spending unsustainably, or eating expensive in plain terms. Sure, breakfast for two or lunch plus dessert will rip you off about 25 dollars sans tip. But when the bill doesn’t absurdly boast $50 or more a person, the taste, the portion and the good feeling of eating healthy and local justify the self-indulgence. I guess.
Address: Venus Restaurant
2327 Shattuck Avenue,
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 540-5950
(*): This definition is made only on comparison with the cuisines of other states in America, as the fusion and local trend is by no means particular to California, but a growing fashion in high-end restaurants around the world.
Hi , I do believe this is an excellent blog. I stumbled upon it on Yahoo , i will come back once again. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and help other people.
1horse gelatin trick for men
2hello!,I like your writing so much! share we be in contact extra approximately your post on AOL? I require an expert on this house to resolve my problem. Maybe that is you! Having a look ahead to see you.
3Nice blog here! Also your web site loads up fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
4I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…
5Some truly superb info , Sword lily I found this. “Always be ready to speak your mind and a base man will avoid you.” by William Blake.
6The root of your writing while sounding reasonable initially, did not really sit properly with me after some time. Somewhere throughout the paragraphs you actually managed to make me a believer but just for a short while. I however have got a problem with your leaps in logic and you would do well to help fill in all those breaks. In the event that you actually can accomplish that, I could undoubtedly end up being amazed.
7I am no longer certain the place you’re getting your info, but good topic. I must spend some time finding out much more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent information I was on the lookout for this information for my mission.
8Absolutely composed content material, thankyou for information .
9Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
10Good 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?
11I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts in this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Studying this info So i’m satisfied to convey that I have a very excellent uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed. I so much without a doubt will make sure to do not forget this web site and provides it a look regularly.
12I’m now not positive where you are getting your info, but great topic. I must spend a while studying more or figuring out more. Thanks for magnificent info I used to be in search of this information for my mission.
13Some genuinely interesting details you have written.Aided me a lot, just what I was looking for :D.
14I think this is among the most vital information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The website style is wonderful, the articles is really great :D. Good job, cheers
15I truly appreciate your work, Great post.
16Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your post seem to be running off the screen in Firefox. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know. The layout look great though! Hope you get the problem fixed soon. Kudos
17Nice 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 site loaded up as fast as yours lol
18Good write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s blog, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
19Valuable info. Lucky me I found your website by accident, and I am shocked why this accident did not happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
20Thanks, I’ve recently been searching for information approximately this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I’ve found out so far. But, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you positive about the supply?
21I really like your writing style, superb information, thank you for posting :D. “The superfluous is very necessary.” by Francois Marie Arouet Voltaire.
22You have remarked very interesting details ! ps nice site.
23I will immediately take hold of your rss feed as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly let me know in order that I may just subscribe. Thanks.
24Hey very nice blog!! Guy .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also?KI am glad to search out so many useful info here in the submit, we want work out extra strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
25Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
26magnificent publish, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector do not realize this. You must proceed your writing. I am confident, you have a great readers’ base already!
27Just want to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your post is simply cool and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.
28Along with everything which seems to be building inside this particular subject material, many of your points of view are actually relatively stimulating. Even so, I am sorry, but I can not subscribe to your entire suggestion, all be it exciting none the less. It appears to me that your opinions are actually not entirely rationalized and in actuality you are your self not really thoroughly convinced of the assertion. In any event I did enjoy reading through it.
29Thanks for all your valuable labor on this web site. My aunt really likes conducting research and it is easy to see why. My partner and i hear all relating to the powerful manner you deliver efficient techniques through this website and as well foster contribution from the others about this concern plus our favorite princess is undoubtedly starting to learn so much. Enjoy the rest of the new year. You are always doing a superb job.
30Appreciate it for helping out, wonderful info. “If you would convince a man that he does wrong, do right. Men will believe what they see.” by Henry David Thoreau.
31Loving the info on this site, you have done great job on the blog posts.
32I am not rattling excellent with English but I find this really easygoing to understand.
33Excellent web site. Lots of useful information here. I’m sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks for your effort!
34I’ve read some excellent stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much effort you set to make this kind of magnificent informative site.
35I will right away seize your rss as I can’t to find your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly let me recognize so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
36Absolutely indited subject matter, appreciate it for information. “No human thing is of serious importance.” by Plato.
37I always was interested in this subject and still am, regards for putting up.
38I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
39HORSE GELATIN TRICK FOR MEN
40Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Cheers
41Respect to author, some good information .
42Electronic Business Card – The Smart Card. Create and share your professional electronic business card easily. In minutes. Choose from 100+ templates, connect with clients, and grow your business today!
43You can definitely see your skills in the work you write. The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always follow your heart.
44Hiya very nice blog!! Guy .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds also…I am satisfied to search out so many useful information here within the put up, we want develop extra strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing.
45Almost all of the things you assert happens to be astonishingly legitimate and it makes me wonder why I had not looked at this in this light before. This piece truly did turn the light on for me personally as far as this subject goes. Nonetheless at this time there is actually 1 factor I am not necessarily too cozy with and while I attempt to reconcile that with the actual central idea of your point, allow me observe exactly what all the rest of the readers have to point out.Well done.
46Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and everything. However just imagine if you added some great photos or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and videos, this site could undeniably be one of the most beneficial in its niche. Terrific blog!
47I’m not sure why but this blog is loading incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a problem on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
48Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
49I am glad to be a visitant of this staring website! , appreciate it for this rare info ! .
50