(510) 540-5950
2327 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley,
CA
94704
37.8672
-122.2676
Neighborhood: South Berkeley
Last updated 6.20.11
Category:
Payment Methods:
Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Breakfast, Special Occasion Dining
Cuisine:
What People Are Saying About Venus Restaurant
Featured Review
Contributor
Contributor
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…
Editor's Tips
- Know Before You Go:
- Reservations are not accepted on weekends, but diners can call ahead to be put on the waiting list.
- Save Money:
- Prix-fixe specials are offered periodically, frequently in connection with holidays. Call for details.
Terrible Service
by nycbumm at Citysearch
Three of us go for dinner and have a reservation. My daughter and son-in-law both ordered the butternut squash soup and she ordered a gnocchi appetizer and a latte. I ordered a fettucini dish. Both soups arrive and they are luke warm. They're taken back and reheated. My pasta dish arrives with my daughter's appetizer. The latte never comes until I ask for it during the middle of the meal. Our waitress seems to be ignoring us and another waitress takes our dessert order and brings us the bill. What's up with that? Food was good once it was served with the right temperature. Service was terrible.
- Pros: Food was good at the right temperature.
- Cons: Service was terrible.
Great Idea, Pretty Good Experience
by josebove at Citysearch
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)
Cute! Good food.
by irenett at Citysearch
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
Brunch is yummy! Lemon ricotta pancakes are divine.
by oakelle at Citysearch
I would go back for the lemon ricotta pancakes any time. There's quite a wait on weekends, but the brunches are worth it. Been for dinner and I have to say I prefer Venus for brunch.
- Pros: French toast, lemon ricotta pancakes
- Cons: Very crowded on weekends
My All-Time Favorite Brunch
by risac_us at Citysearch
This place is fantastic. I start salivating just thinking about the food. Not only do they have the best french toast I have ever tasted (made with Challah bread and occasionally stuffed with ricotta), but everything I have ever tasted has been great. Their food is different, somewhat healthy (are belgian chocolate pancakes diet food?), and they always have great specials that change every week(around the holidays, pumpkin pancakes w/ creme fresh, a great dish called a "veggie nest"--it's a salad with 2 soft poached eggs, mushrooms, and other good stuff). The dinner is also great. Also, I have never had a bad service experience. The waiters/waitresses are always friendly (as they are in most places if you're not a jerk). It is crowded for brunch, but that's because it's good. No crowd = bad restuarant. I highly recommend this restuarant for some great food and a good experience.
- Pros: Food, Service
- Cons: Crowded (for brunch)


@VenusRestaurant |