THE FOURTH STREET DISTRICT
GOURMET FAVES AND FABULOUS FINDS by Jane King
If you have some time before or after the conference and want to do some browsing, below are few of my favorite unique places to shop on Fourth Street, just across the freeway from the Doubletree (All descriptions and photos are from their websites). There's also an Anthropologie and Crate and Barrel Outlet for your shopping pleasure, plus multiple other boutiques of every kind. It's all very very Berkeley!! Here's a link to all the fourth street shops if you want to explore further: http://www.fourthstreet.com/shops.html
And below these delights of the material world, I've listed a few more local restaurants you might want to try. I'm guessing there's something here for everybody!
| Castle in the Air | |
| A Studio for the Imagination. Specializing in fine writing pens, stationery, calligraphy, albums, journals, art supplies, and whimsy. A magical shop full of creative materials and inspiration. (And they have a great website). | |
| Miki's Paper | |
Miki's Paper
specializes in high quality handmade and machine  | |
| The Gardener | |
| Unique home and garden lifestyle store. Distinctive dining tables, chairs and tabletop items such as Mexican linens, Italian ceramics and vases, furniture and artwork made by local artisans. Gardening section includes orchids, reference books, Japanese tools and sturdy gloves. Beautiful bath and body area featuring lines such as Neal's Yard, Diptyque and Santa Maria Novella. Wonderful selection of books and unique gifts. | |
| Sur La Table | |
| Sur La Table is a cook's paradise, offering an unsurpassed selection of top quality, authentic kitchen equipment including cookware, gadgets, serving pieces and more. Hard-to-find items from around the world are available, from Moroccan tagines, Portuguese cataplanas and Spanish paella pans to beautiful platters, bowls, and plates, Sur La Table has something for everyone | |
| Thousand Cranes Futon | |
| We opened our store on Fourth
street 1982, since then we have been handcrafting futons, comforters and
pillows,using pure cotton,organic cotton and lambswool. We also make
our own covers for these items with authentic Japanese fabrics. In addition
to beddings,we carry tansu, vintage silk kimonos, cotton kimonos,
Japanese fabrics, dinner wares ,iron tea pots,meditation benches, zafu.
FOURTH STREET DINING, PART 2
| |
The previous dining blog featured some of the more venerable Fourth Street area venues, but now I'm drawing your attention to some of the more trendy:
The Cafe Rouge:
| Cafe Rouge | |
| Cafe Rouge offers the rustic fare of France, Spain and Italy. American dishes are also featured. The restaurant's emphasis is on the preparation of fresh meats and charcuterie. All steaks on the menu have been dry-aged on premises. Produce is chosen in its season. The availability of the freshest fruits and vegetables influences the menu at Cafe Rouge which changes bi-weekly. Cafe Rouge meat market also affers 17 varieties of sausage. | |
1782 Fourth St.
(510) 525-1440
(510) 525-1440
Iyasare
| Iyasare | |
| Inspired by the artisanal ingredients and simple, rustic flavors of his native Tohoku region, chef-proprietor Shotaro Kamio blends the obscure with the familiar for surprisingly extraordinary tastes. Craft beer, wine and sake. Seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Comfortable, casual indoor and heated patio garden seating. | 1830 Fourth St. (510) 845-8100 iyasare-berkeley.com |
Zut! on Fourth |
|
| Zut! offers regional Mediterranean and New American dishes prepared
with locally sourced organic ingredients by Executive Chef Jim
Wimborough. Among the notable offerings at Zut! are fried brussels
sprouts, lamb meatballs, rotisserie chicken, and seasonal local fish.
Also, not to be missed are the restaurant's oven-fresh pizzas. For dessert, choose from house-made sorbets, muscovado pot de crème and other seasonal options created by Michele Wimborough. The Zut! wine list features an extensive selection of small production wines from California and abroad focused on grower producers, and sustainable wine practices. Several local wines on tap are offered by the glass and carafe. The Zut! bar specializes in handcrafted artisan and classic cocktails, along with an extensive selection of spirits, aperitifs, and amari. | |
1820 FOURTH STREET · TEL: 510.644.0444
| Let's not forget Sheila Lau's formidable list of places to go and things to do: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Monday, December 1, 2014
BERKELEY…Something for Everyone!
2020 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 644-2020
Great place to listen to a variety of
music/performers…everything from country to blues or rock and roll. Every seat in the house is decent and there
is also beer, wine and snacks to enjoy while you’re there. Street parking is available or you can park
in one of the nearby garages for about $10/night.
1100 Eastshore Highway, Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 559-7300
If you enjoy horse races, this is the place for you! A fun place to go get a buffet brunch, a few
drinks and bet on the horses. There is
parking available off of Gilman Street for $10 where you can self-park or valet
for a few bucks more.
Tilden Park Golf
Course
10 Golf Course Drive, Berkeley, CA 94708
(510) 848-7373
Golf anyone? Located
up in the hills, here’s a nice golfing facility with great views of the Bay. Facilities include, putting green, driving
range and a clubhouse. Call for pricing
and more details.
Wildcat Canyon Rd, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley, CA 94708
(510) 841-8732
Not far from the golf course, this garden is small but a
beautiful place to relax and enjoy nature.
See the local plants as well as plant from other areas; lots of exotic
botanicals to explore in the greenhouses. Be sure to check out the Japanese garden where
you’ll find a serene pool and more beauty to explore. Parking and admission is free.
201 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 981-6740
The Berkeley Marina is a beautiful place to go for a walk
and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Bay.
There’s plenty of free parking available too.
Places to EAT!
Angeline’s
Louisiana Kitchen (One of my personal favorites)
2261 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 548-6900
Serving gumbo, beignets & jambalaya, this casual eatery
brings New Orleans flavor to Berkeley.
Picante
(Mexican)
1328 6th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 525-3121
Housemade tortillas & local cheeses make up the Mexican
plates at this festive cafeteria-style spot.
Lalime’s (Menu)
(French)
1329 Gilman Street, Berkeley, CA 94706
(510) 527-9838
Seasonal menu of California-Mediterranean cuisine &
wines in a Craftsman-style bungalow.
Kiraku
(Japanese)
2566B Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704
(btwn Blake St & Parker St)
(510) 848-2758
Japanese, tapas/small plates…sourcing fresh local
ingredients, their menu is constantly changing with new items and specials on a
regular basis.
Riva Cucina
(Italian)
800 Heinz Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 841-7482
Delicious Italian fare including “tagleatelle Bolognese”…a perfectly
cooked pasta and the best Bolognese sauce; or try the squid ink pasta with
seafood and béchamel sauce…and let’s not forget the dessert: the panna cotta is heavenly!
And for your after the conference fun (if you're staying on for the weekend):
FREE, LIVE MUSIC
LOCATION
At base of ramp near Peet's Coffee
SATURDAY 3/28
12-2PM Laura Lackey's Rythm Revue, hot jazz
Fourth Street and Delaware (weather permitting)
At base of ramp near Peet's Coffee
SATURDAY 3/28
12-2PM Laura Lackey's Rythm Revue, hot jazz
Fourth Street and Delaware (weather permitting)
