Venus Restaurant
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: (510) 540-5950
- Cross Street:
- Durant Avenue
- Hours:
- Mon 8am-2:30pm, Tue-Thu 5pm-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 8am-2:15pm, 5pm-9:45pm, Sun 8am-2:15pm, 5pm-9pm
Editorial Review for Venus Restaurant – by Lea Jacobson
The Scene
With brick walls, a collection of art gathered with a personal touch and an open kitchen, this casual spot feels like a favorite hangout as soon as you walk through the door. The local crowd mixes students with downtown Berkeley professionals.
The Food
Co-owner and chef Amy Murray has a world-beat flair, but her menu--which changes every six to eight weeks--also shows off her knowledge of classic pairings. Although the cafe now serves dinner too, Venus' regulars mostly come for breakfast, which features lavishly overstuffed omelettes, French toast made with homemade bread, waffles baked up in antique waffle iron and pancakes like the aptly named "luxury flaps," oozing chunks of Belgian chocolate and fresh raspberries. A flank steak sandwich is drizzled with velvet blue-cheese mayonnaise, while a grilled turkey sandwich gets a shot of smoky chipotle. Curried chicken salad, served with greens and fruit, is subtly redolent of its promised spices.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoReservations are not accepted on weekends, but diners can call ahead to be put on the waiting list.
Save MoneyPrix-fixe specials are offered periodically, frequently in connection with holidays. Call for details.
User Reviews for Venus Restaurant
10/01/2006 Posted by josebove
I liked Venus, but two elements of the experience tainted our meal. First, the restaurant is very poorly ventilated. We came out smelling like we just had dinner at a roadside burger joint. It's not right to have a gourmet, high-end meal at a classy restaurant and then come out smelling like a smoked pork loin. Turn on the fans over the grill, please. Second, the owner/manager stood next to our table and carried on a conversation for several minutes with her friends who were sitting at the next table about how the summer was kind of slow, and how ... I don't even know, but it went on for a while and it was more like the kind of conversation you would expect people to have at home, or at a cafe, or... well, not at work, at a restaurant that is charging $7 for a glass of red wine. And not with your butt in my girlfriend's face and not within earshot of other patrons. That's all. Other than that, I liked the place.
Pros: Good presentation, good mashed potatoes
Cons: Poor ventilation (you might come out smellilng like a cooked steak)
08/26/2006 Posted by irenett
In reading some of the negative reviews of Venus, I can understand how bad service can taint an experience. But, I must say I haven't had any bad experiences at Venus. Every time I've gone, I've gotten great service and the food has been beyond terrific. It's a really cute place for a date! I would hate to go there when it's busy, though...(which means I don't go on the weekends.)
Pros: good food, good service
Cons: can be crowded, parking
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