Annie Chang/Staff

Walking down Shattuck Avenue, I’ve passed Venus many times, but it never stood out to me, because I was always in a rush to go elsewhere. It wasn’t until my roommate gushed about how delicious brunch there was that I made a point to go there. Having arrived early, I peered inside and was surprised to see how small the restaurant really was. At first glance, it looks like a diner because of the different sauces and bottles on each table. I decided to wait inside and ordered a cappuccino before delving into menu. The cappuccino tasted similar to any other average cappuccino: a deep, roasted flavor that was slightly acidic. The taste of coffee pierced through, unmasked by milk and foam, but I had hoped for a stronger and purer taste with more layers and flavor profiles. My preferences go to full-bodied, rich cappuccinos with fruity and acidic notes, which this cappuccino did not have enough of.

Glancing at the menu, I had difficulty sifting through the numerous selections. There were brunch dishes, such as a chicken-and-sausage scramble, the “Venus Benedict” and an apricot almond chicken salad. In the end, I went for the lemon ricotta hotcakes, which I hadn’t seen anywhere else. The choice turned out to be amazingly satisfying even before I took a bite, as the fruity aroma rose up through the steam and into my nostrils. One bite in, I started gushing to my roommate, who was dining with me, about how quickly it melted in my mouth. The softness from the ricotta cheese that was smoothly mixed into the hotcake batter enhanced the melty texture, and chewing was almost unnecessary. Because ricotta is so mild and creamy, it only added moisture to the hotcakes, all the while preserving the pure sweetness of hotcakes that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The hotcakes also came with small servings of lemon curd and homemade blackberry sauce. The lemon curd was a bit too sweet, but when mixed with the tangy homemade blackberry sauce, the combination perfectly complemented the hotcakes. I will definitely be back for more of these lemon ricotta hotcakes, and I have high hopes for the other tantalizing names on Venus’ menus.

Venus is located at 2327 Shattuck Ave. Call 510-540-5950 for reservations.

Contact Annie Chang at achang@dailycal.org

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Brenna Alexander/Staff

The sustainability of food is something that weighs heavily on the minds of many Berkeley residents when they choose where to dine out. The term refers to food produced in a way that does not diminish its finite supply. What is most important in defining the scope of sustainability is the degree to which foods come from the sun as opposed to being cultivated through the use of fossil fuels.

These are four Berkeley restaurants that live up to this definition. The food that is served actually comes from the idyllic farms of fresh produce and happy animals that we envisioned as children, and it benefits both hungry diners and the environment.

Slow

Located on University Avenue, Slow not only epitomizes the food movement that shares its name, but it’s also unafraid to let you know about it.

“Information on menus is a bigger thing in Berkeley than it is nationwide, but people are becoming more aware and want to know what they’re putting in their bodies,” said Slow chef Kyle Anderson.

A glance at a menu reveals the locations and manner of growth of the organic meats used in their dishes with meat coming from Niman Ranch and chicken from Mary’s Free Range Chicken.

“We try to find vendors who work for us that are reliable and meet our principles of no antibiotics,” Anderson said.

Cancun Tacqueria

Cancun Tacqueria on Allston Way is another restaurant that seeks to maximize the power of the sun by bringing food directly from their farm to the plate. Originally opened in 1990, ownership bought a farm outside of Vacaville, Calif., to connect the Mexican dishes they serve to the land that spawned it.

General Manager Eric Saldana said that since the farm was purchased in 2000, he has seen an increase in consciousness about health and environmental standards from questioning customers.

“I definitely think that this model of farming and cooking is going to move nationwide,” said Salanda, who is planning an expansion of the restaurant to other cities. “I believe that it’s going to be a movement not just for Mexican food.”

Venus

Venus Restaurant on Shattuck Avenue doesn’t have its own farm, but it buys from local farms with sustainable practices.

“We look to build relationships with farmers from within 100 miles as well as with wild foragers of mushrooms and small herbs,” said Venus owner David Korman.

According to Korman, the restaurant receives its produce from 10 to 12 local partners who sell at the Berkeley Farmer’s Market. He said the vegetables used in the dishes bring out the stellar goodness of a Venus dish.

Cafe Gratitude

For a cafe experience that both your body and the rest of the planet will thank you for, Cafe Gratitude is one of the best Berkeley has to offer. According to General Manager Candice Youngman, the restaurant grows more than 70 different crops on their farm located near Vacaville, which accounts for 60 percent of all ingredients used at the cafe.

“When customers eat here, they can have a clear conscience and know that we’ve taken the high road in treating people and the earth in a respectable manner,” Youngman said.

As someone leading by example in the farm-to-table movement, Youngman said she hopes to see vendors place a similar emphasis on workers’ control and connection to the land.

“We consider ourselves a ‘Sacred Commerce Company,’ which means we don’t just look at profitability as a dollar sign but also what impact we have on our environment,” Youngman said.

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Best Brunch:

1. La Note

I’m a big brunch person, and La Note is one of the best brunch places. It has the cute and quaint ambience, friendly wait staff and that delectable Frenchness to it. It’s the only place in Berkeley where I feel delighted to bring my girlfriends, dates and parents. La Note provides the regular brunch-goer a wide variety of options: lemon gingerbread pancakes with poached pears, hot chocolate in big bowls topped with whipped cream, fresh baked pastry baskets. This is not just brunch; it’s an event.

— Cecilia Wong

2. The Sunny Side Cafe

While walking on the western side of campus the other day, an unruly craving for breakfast food came over me. It was 2 p.m. and fatefully, I saw The Sunny Side Cafe. Feeling adventurous, and gluttonous, The Alameda was my choice. It is essentially country ham, tomatoes, and mushrooms sandwiched by two pieces of French toast — complemented with eggs and hollandaise sauce. When the server brought me the dish  I was hooked at the first bite. For those on the adventurous side this is a great dish that requires an appetite.

— Sybil Lewis

3. Venus

Named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty, the Downtown Berkeley restaurant Venus lives up to its affectionate name.
This warm and cozy restaurant is filled with bustling staff and plates of Harajuku scrambles, farmer omelets and French toasts galore passing every second. I ordered a plate of Luxury Flapjacks, complete with Scharffen Berger chocolates and fresh raspberries. With a menu to delight, an atmosphere of yummy smells and plates to fulfill all, I advise any brunch-goers to experience the delights of  Venus.

— Alex Berryhill

Best Lunch Under $5

1. Heavenly Foods

While virtually any type of sandwich is available within a few blocks of campus — deli, panini, hoagie and more — only one place offers banh mi, Vietnamese sandwiches that feature a choice of meat or tofu topped with pickled vegetables, cilantro and jalapeno. Students seeking a quick and tasty lunch need only travel to the intersection of Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue, where the Heavenly Foods cart can be found on weekdays. The sandwiches, packed with fresh grilled chicken, beef, pork or tofu, are a steal at $3 each.

— Christopher Yee

2. Top Dog

No list of inexpensive lunches is complete without Berkeley institution Top Dog. Regardless of how good other hot dogs are, nothing ever seems to live up to any of Top Dog’s tasty offerings served up in pretzel buns for $3 apiece. The people who work the grills are master multitaskers, remembering countless orders at a time and serving them up when they’re perfectly grilled. While there are options for every taste, including vegetarians, the namesake dog is still my favorite, dressed perfectly with mustard and sauerkraut.

— Christopher Yee

Best Dinner Under $10

1. Crepevine

Just a short walk down to the corner of Cedar Street and Shattuck Avenue, Crepevine boasts a far-reaching selection extending well beyond its namesake, including pastas and sandwiches. My favorite is the Sante Fe, $9.50, a savory crepe bursting with grilled chicken apple sausage, scrambled eggs, green onions and provolone, topped with salsa fresca.

— Andrew Steinsapir

2. Vinnie’s

Having visited Philadelphia and had the pleasure of chowing down on an authentic Philly cheesesteak, I know the standards of quality. Vinnie’s cheesesteaks are the best west coast sister to those fabulous hoagies in the east. Buns are grilled, with steak, mixed with peppers and onions topped with melted cheese. Hearty and full of flavor, you can’t go wrong with a $6.03 cheesesteak, tax included.

— Shanna Holako

Best On-the-Go Meal

1. Yali’s

From Oxford Street to Stanley Hall, to the Valley Life Sciences Building, you can find Yali’s all over campus. For a meal on the go, their Greek salad is my favorite. With cucumbers, tomato, kalamata olives and feta cheese, it’s light and filled with great texture. It is definitely one of those meals that make you feel wholesome and satisfied from every bite. The salad is $5.75, and if you have the extra cash, their fruit smoothies are to die for. Topped with whipped crème, they offer mango, strawberry banana, peach, pear and apricot, for $3.50.

— Shanna Holako

2. Crepes-a-Go-Go

Fast foods were invented because the average person has become busier and busier. As a student, a sit-down meal is no longer a viable daily option. However, just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you have to forego taste and nutrition. Crepes-A-Go-Go takes the conventional, somewhat tedious-to-eat crepe and turns it into a eat-and-walk commodity. Sweet and savory crepes filled with fresh fruits, vegetables and meats are freshly hand-made right in front of you and prepared within a few minutes

— Cecilia Wong

3. SF Soup Co.

Need a quick meal between your late afternoon lectures? Stuck in studio and craving a bite to eat? Heading up to Greek row from the gym? Here’s your go-to on-the-go restaurant: the SF Soup Company. First, it’s cheap. For about $5 you can get a warm bowl of freshly made soups and a perfect hunk of sourdough bread. Second, it’s quick. With their secured soup bowl lids, sturdy paper bags and pre-prepared soup all day, Soup Co. employees ensure you can be in and out in a second. Lastly, SF Soup Co. is just plain good.

— Alex Berryhill

Best Date Restaurant

1. Filippo’s

Filippo’s also receives an A-plus for romantic setting. The first thing you want to ensure when taking out the crush across from you in Demography 220 is that you will feel comfortable enough to eventually make a move. Filippo’s ensures just this (well, not that you can make a move, but you at least can’t blame the atmosphere). Secondly, the fact that Filippo’s is approximately 5 seconds away from Ici Ice Cream, along with an array of other cute boutiques, art collections, and bookstores allows your dinner date to extend into a romantic stroll around the neighborhood. Sound like a picture-perfect evening yet?

— Alex Berryhill

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