Berkeley Official Visitors Guide 2008/2009 - (Page 30) » Shopping / North Shattuck North Berkeley’s “Gourmet Ghetto”: The restaurants, boutiques, and galleries along Shattuck Avenue and Vine Street in North Berkeley emphasize unique, artisan-production, and it’s bounty of sidewalk cafes, flower stands, and fine food purveyors lend the area a European ambience. Epicurian Delights The North Shattuck area is popularly known as the “Gourmet Ghetto” because of it’s concentration of innovative restauranteurs including Alice Waters, whose world renowned Chez Panisse Restaurant is considered the birthplace of California cuisine. Other pioneering busineses are the original Peet’s Coffee and Tea in historic Walnut Square, the collectively owned Cheeseboard bakery and cheese shop, and Poulet, offering distinctive roasted chicken and salads. Two Chez Panisse alums opened Cesar, a lively tapas restaurant and bar which stays open late. Gregoire offers fine French-inspired gourmet take-out items from a tiny shop on Cedar St., and Café Gratitude has joined the mix with a selection of raw, vegan foods and organic wines. More neighborhood favorites include the French Hotel Café, Masse’s Pastries, Saul’s Delicatessen, and Café de la Paz, which feature Nuevo Latino cuisine and nightlife including Flamenco and musical performances. Epicurious Gardens opened in 2006 and added a collection of gourmet take-out places, including Kirala Sushi, Picoso Taqueria, Soop, Ciao Bella Gelato, Alegio Chocolate, along with Imperial Tea Shop, Taste World Grill, and Kitchen on Fire cooking school upstairs. Artists & Artisans North Shattuck is known for it’s high quality shops, jewelers, and galleries with an emphasis on unique, artisan-produced wares. Twig and Fig specializes in custom letterpress printing and Terrestra offers artist-produced home décor. The A.C.C.I. Gallery presents the work of California artists and craftspersons and hosts lively monthly opening receptions. Handmade celtic jewelry and crafts are found at Celtic Inheritance, and the charming Zazu and Violets offers unique and custom hats. Baubles and Beads offers an array of beads from around the world, as well as beading and jewelry making classes. along with newborn care and birthing classes, and in Walnut Square, Holistic Hound offers homeopathic remedies and natural pet products. Elephant Pharmacy carries both western and holistic medicines, organic foodstuffs, and natural body care and beauty products and hosts an ongoing series of free lectures on a range of health topics. Events, Festivals, & Parks The annual Spice of Life Festival, held each October, closes Shattuck Ave from Rose to Virginia St. to offer a taste of the neighborhood. The event features a cooking demonstration stage with local chefs, gourmet food product sampling, restaurant food booths, yoga and bodywork demonstrations, and live music. Vine Street becomes a wine tasting garden for the day and over 100 artists and craftspeople have sales tents. Near Rose St. a special Farmers Market day is held, and a children’s carnival enlivens the street. Throughout the year, ACCI Gallery holds a monthly opening reception for it’s everchanging exhibitions featuring local and national artists. Vintage Berkeley Wine Shop hosts winemaker appearances and tastings each week in their Vine St. store. Nearby parks and venues include the Live Oak Park and Theatre, the Hillside Club, and the Jewish Community Center, which hosts the annual Jewish Music Festival. Please visit our website for more information about our businesses and special events including the annual Spice of Life Festival! – www.gourmetghetto.org Boutiques & Jewelry On and around Vine St., Earthly Goods, Molly B., Lobelia, Riki, Bryn Walker/Pacific Cotton, and the Walk Shop carry distinctive women and men’s clothing and shoes, while Claude Vell offers their signature line of children’s clothing. Next to Chez Panisse, M.Lowe & Co. offers an eclectic selection of fine jewelry including high carat gold and pearls. Mixed Pickles features vintage clothing, gifts, and jewelry. Ethnic clothing and jewelry can be found at several area shops, including Tibet Himalayan House near Rose St. Weekly Farmer’s Market On Thursday afternoons year-round, the North Shattuck Farmer’s Market features all organic produce, locally caught fish, and other specialties in a lively street market near Rose Street. The market is produced by Berkeley’s Ecology Center, and operates rain or shine! Health & Wellness North Shattuck is also home to many unusual health and wellness oriented businesses, including Shen’s Chinese Herbs and the YogaKula Healing Arts Center. At Waddle and Swaddle, children’s clothing and gifts are offered SHOPPING | 30 | WWW.VISITBERKELEY.COM http://www.gourmetghetto.org http://WWW.VISITBERKELEY.COM
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