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| Berkeley: Downtown Restaurant |
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Berkeley: Downtown Restaurant
2102 Shattuck Avenue
Phone: (510) 649-3810
www.downtownrestaurant.com
Interesting menu, very good food, excellent service. Live (jazz) music occasionally in the evenings.
Friends and I have eaten at this restaurant several times -- usually before or after a play at Berkeley Rep; the theatres are just across the street. Downtown is very simply decorated in muted colors and with contemporary artwork on the walls. The entire front of the restaurant is glass; the window tables look onto Shattuck Avenue. A long dark oak bar, oak floors and white linen tablecloths complete the easy elegance of the interior.
There are two dining rooms: the large main dining room up front, and a smaller room (with maybe 8 tables) towards the rear. With all that glass, the restaurant can get noisy, so many times we'll choose the small dining area if given the option.
We usually start with an order of the marinated olives to share. The bus person will deliver a basket of excellent sourdough bread to the table. Everything I've eaten here has been good! For entrees, I especially like their risotto (ingredients depend on the season), the sauteed mussels and clams, or the salmon. On the appetizer menu is an excellent "Spring Salad" with ricotta, prosciutto, and cherries. It's big enough to enjoy as an entree.
The chef has a light touch with seasonings; just enough to make the dishes flavorful without overpowering the food. The wine list is varied and well priced. Servers are attentive, and helpful when asked questions about the menu or the wine list. The kitchen is always agreeable to special requests (no onions or no cheese, etc.).
For four, the total usually comes to between $35 and $40 per person (not including tip), including a bottle of wine and two or three cocktails.
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