Sprouts & Shutters: Townie Restaurant Open in Berkeley

Townie, a new restaurant and bar located in Berkeley, serves a small plates New American cuisine menu prepared by Executive Chef Dana Ryan using seasonal ingredients including the highest quality meats and seafood. The venue was previously home to Caffe Venezia.

Debut offerings ($5.00 to $15.00) include Potato Croquettes with Serrano ham and Manchego cheese, Tempura Green Beans, Grilled Caesar Salad, Pork Belly Bahn Mi and Mussels with chorizo sausage.

Chef Ryan, 27, is a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and most recently worked at State Bird Provisions in San Francisco. Previous professional experience also includes time at Gather in Berkeley and RN74 in San Francisco. Owner and manager Nima Shokat has run Berkeley’s Missouri Lounge since 2005.

The restaurant’s cocktail menu and international wine list has been curated by lead bartender Diana Krell. That cocktail menu showcases classic, contemporary and original libations. Popular signature drinks include The Ginger Thistle (Cynar, Citadelle gin, lemon juice, Bundaberg Ginger Beer and a lemon twist) and Barley Flower (Bols Genever, Lillet Blanc, St. Germain, orange bitters and a cherry). Sixteen domestic craft and imported beers are offered on draught.

Highlights of the simple, comfortable 75-seat dining room designed by Frank/Architects include multiple community tables, reclaimed wood tabletops and accents, art deco style chandeliers, a zinc topped bar, some built in bench seating, an original-construction exposed brick wall, lots of natural light, a polished concrete floor and a high ceiling.

Townie Restaurant is located at 1799 University Avenue, on the corner of Grant Street, in Berkeley, California, and is open six nights a week, Tuesday through Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Street parking is generally readily available and there is a free private off-street lot in the rear of the building. For reservations or more information, call (510) 356-4903. The web address (site under construction) is www.townie-bar.com.

—Information submitted by Townie