Amy Murray, the chef/owner of Venus on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley is stepping in to revive the former Downtown restaurant space near Berkeley Rep under the name Revival Bar and Kitchen. As she tells the Chron, the name refers to the era in which the building was constructed, 1901, when Berkeley was called the Athens of the West. Revival will be yet another farm-to-table eatery, with a focus on using whole animals, artisanal cocktails, and, obviously, seasonality. Venus will keep chugging along as-is, and Murray hopes to have Revival open by May.
Also, tucked back in the quaint Elmwood district of Berkeley, the former Ozzie’s soda fountain has come alive again as the Elmwood Café. As Berkeleyside reports, former Café Fanny folks Kara Hammond and pastry chef Mark Chacon join partner Rachel Ericsen (formerly of Camino) in this new breakfast, lunch, and dinner venue, featuring pastries, paninis, and currently just one dinner item per night. The Elmwood Café is open seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and if the opening weekend crowds are any indication, it should continue packing them in.
Elmwood Café Makes an Immediate Impact [Berkeleyside]
Downtown Berkeley Restaurant Gets Revived [Chron]
