Revival Bar & Kitchen- Berkeley
By
Carol & Joe Davis
Dining Detectives
We
enjoy dining and drinking in downtown Berkeley as we
always feel the good vibes and have had many lively discussions
with the mix of foodies, students and Cal fans. Revival
Bar & Kitchen located in an historic 1901 building
with its Saloon/Bordello atmosphere is the perfect fit for the
neighborhood.
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Executive
Chef/Owner Amy Murray offers a seasonally inspired
menu using locally sourced and mostly organic ingredients. They
are proud of their close relationships with local producers, farmers,
ranchers, coffee roasters and winemakers and Chef de Cuisine /
Master Butcher Travis McConnell makes all of
their Charcuterie, sausage and bacon in-house. There is a large
bar area where Head Mixologist Nat Harry loves to create Modern
Interpretations of classic cocktails. You can also have Premium
Liquor Flights which is a great way to sample and decide side
by side which you like best. We ordered cocktails and enjoyed
James Bond's classic "Shaken not Stirred" Vesper that
went down easy and a perfectly refreshing Cosmopolitan.
Our
first course was the Charcuterie Small Plate which included
pork rillette, smoked duck breast, speck and a fabulous pork and
pistachio pate. Next we loved the Roasted California Squid
Flatbread made with anchovy, garlic and oregano pesto, squid
ink aioli and pickled peppers. It was tasty but be advised that
the squid ink will make you look like you have black lipstick
on. Next we had a delicious and unique Sformatino made
with spring onion, fennel, green garlic, and house made ricotta
with arugula-fava salad and a pink peppercorn Meyer lemon vinaigrette.
We highly recommend this dish. We also enjoyed the piping hot
Roasted Turnip Soup with green garlic, chive blossom
and crème fraiche which was subtle, silky and had excellent
flavors.
The
entrees were both delicious and hearty portions. The McFarland
Springs Trout with tarragon cream, grapefruit gastrique,
toasted walnuts and braised chard was delicate, sweet and light.
The Long & Bailey Farm Grilled Pork Chop with grilled
artichokes, salt roasted fingerling potatoes and bourbon butter
was extra tender and juicy. The Grilled Asparagus with
sauce gribiche was some of the tastiest we've ever had and was
an excellent side.
Revival
Bar & Kitchen has an International Wine List with
quite a few wines by the glass. We enjoyed the 2008 Spanish
Lila Brut Cava with our starters and the 2010 Sonoma
County Three Vineyard Stomping Girl Pinot Noir which paired
perfectly with the pork chop.
We
picked two perfect desserts. The Coconut Panna Cotta with
Mango, passion fruit coulis, pistachio dust and a citrus
tuile had a superior lemon taste. The Backyard Meyer lemon
and Chocolate Mousse Cake with cocoa tangerine meringue,
cocoa Chantilly, chocolate ganache and cocoa dust was just our
style as it was rich yet light. An Old Codger Tawny Port
and a Blue Bottle Coffee Espresso was the perfect finish
to our excellent dinner.
Revival
Bar & Kitchen is a fun, lively and friendly place.
It is close to the Berkeley Repertory Theatre and is perfect for
pre or post show dinner or drinks. There is Live Music on Thursday
nights and Special Events through the year. We look forward to
returning soon.
Revival
Bar & Kitchen
2102 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA. 94704
510-549-9950
www.RevivalBarandKitchen.com
