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.
It’s laborious to search out educated people on this topic, however you sound like you recognize what you’re speaking about! Thanks
1I am so happy to read this. This is the type of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this best doc.
2Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your site is so 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 more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched all over the place and just couldn’t come across. What a perfect website.
3I enjoy your writing style truly enjoying this internet site.
4Thanks for another excellent post. Where else could anybody get that type of information in such an ideal way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such info.
5I am not certain the place you’re getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time finding out more or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent information I used to be searching for this information for my mission.
6Hello. Great job. I did not expect this. This is a splendid story. Thanks!
7Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
8It’s really a cool and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
9Superb blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely confused .. Any tips? Thanks!
10very nice submit, i actually love this website, keep on it
11I will right away clutch your rss as I can not to find your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly permit me recognise in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.
12Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
13Thanks , I have just been looking for information about this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?
14obviously like your web site but you need to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very troublesome to tell the truth nevertheless I will surely come back again.
15This web site is my inhalation, very fantastic design and style and perfect content material.
16I think this internet site holds some rattling fantastic info for everyone. “The penalty of success is to be bored by the attentions of people who formerly snubbed you.” by Mary Wilson Little.
17I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
18I found your blog web site on google and test a few of your early posts. Proceed to keep up the superb operate. I simply further up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. Seeking ahead to reading extra from you later on!…
19My brother recommended I might like this website. He used to be entirely right. This post actually made my day. You can not consider simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!
20you are really a good webmaster. The web site loading speed is incredible. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you have done a fantastic job on this topic!
21That is very attention-grabbing, You are an overly professional blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look ahead to seeking more of your excellent post. Additionally, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
22I have recently started a blog, the information you provide on this web site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
23Very interesting info!Perfect just what I was looking for!
24You have mentioned very interesting points! ps nice internet site.
25It’s arduous to seek out knowledgeable individuals on this subject, however you sound like you realize what you’re talking about! Thanks
26Enjoyed reading through this, very good stuff, thanks. “It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others.” by John Andrew Holmes.
27Hi! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Cheers
28Betrupi official giriş platformu ve resmi adresi
29Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I am very glad to see such magnificent info being shared freely out there.
30I’m still learning from you, as I’m improving myself. I certainly enjoy reading everything that is posted on your blog.Keep the posts coming. I liked it!
31Some genuinely excellent information, Glad I discovered this. “What we say is important for in most cases the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” by Jim Beggs.
32of course like your website however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very troublesome to tell the reality on the other hand I will definitely come again again.
33You really make it appear so easy along with your presentation but I in finding this topic to be really something that I believe I’d never understand. It seems too complex and very huge for me. I’m looking ahead to your next put up, I will attempt to get the grasp of it!
34Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.
35Thank you for another informative website. Where else could I get that kind of info written in such an ideal way? I’ve a project that I am just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such info.
36F*ckin’ amazing things here. I’m very glad to see your article. Thanks a lot and i’m looking forward to contact you. Will you please drop me a mail?
37Its like you learn my mind! You seem to grasp a lot about this, like you wrote the ebook in it or something. I feel that you simply could do with a few percent to drive the message house a bit, but instead of that, that is excellent blog. A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.
38Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was searching for!
39I think this is one of the most significant info for me. And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things, The website style is ideal, the articles is really nice :D. Good job, cheers
40I am so happy to read this. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this best doc.
41Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. And he just bought me lunch because I found it for him smile Therefore let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch! “How beautiful maleness is, if it finds its right expression.” by D. H. Lawrence.
42What i do not realize is if truth be told how you’re now not actually much more neatly-favored than you might be right now. You’re so intelligent. You know thus considerably relating to this subject, produced me individually believe it from numerous various angles. Its like men and women are not fascinated except it’s something to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs nice. Always handle it up!
43I got what you mean ,saved to favorites, very decent web site.
44Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your website is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched everywhere and just could not come across. What a perfect web site.
45I am really loving the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility issues? A number of my blog visitors have complained about my site not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any tips to help fix this issue?
46I was very happy to search out this web-site.I wished to thanks for your time for this glorious read!! I undoubtedly having fun with every little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
47Throughout the great pattern of things you actually get a B+ with regard to effort and hard work. Where you confused us ended up being in the facts. You know, they say, the devil is in the details… And that couldn’t be more true here. Having said that, allow me tell you what exactly did work. Your text can be very persuasive and this is most likely why I am making the effort in order to comment. I do not really make it a regular habit of doing that. Secondly, whilst I can easily notice a jumps in reasoning you come up with, I am not really convinced of just how you seem to connect the ideas which inturn help to make your final result. For now I will, no doubt subscribe to your point but wish in the near future you link the facts much better.
48Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
49Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.
50