Bartavelle / Cookbooks Recipe
Bartavelle is a sweet little spot nestled into a venerable corner in Berkeley, California. I stumbled on their cookbook shelf while having breakfast there recently.
Bartavelle is a sweet little spot nestled into a venerable corner in Berkeley, California. It's tucked into a pocket just to the right of Acme Bread, to the left of Kermit Lynch, in the space Cafe Fanny used to be. It's my favorite size - not too big, not too small, with a menu to match - breakfast, lunch & later. Breakfast was a wonderland of avocado toast, slow-cooked porridge, nearly-but not-quite hard cooked eggs (which you really should enjoy with labneh, cucumbers, and feta as part of a beautiful Persian breakfast board). Throughout the day there's great coffee and wine to be had, and outdoor space to enjoy. When I was there a couple of weeks back, I noticed their sweet little cookbook shelf, and couldn't resist taking a few photos. I thought it would be a nice followup to the series I kicked off a while back with Le Bal Cafe.
Locals represent on the shelf - David Tanis, Alice Waters, Kermit Lynch, with a peppering of Euro-based classics from Patricia Wells, Richard Olney, Rose Carrarini, and Sam & Sam Clark - A few selects: Heart of the Artichoke, The Art of Simple Food, Casa Moro, Bistro Cooking, Simple French Food, and Room for Dessert. For a closer look, there's a larger image posted here. You can't go wrong with any book on the shelf - it's one of the most edited, usable collections I've seen. The kind of books that make you want to cook.
If you find yourself in Berkeley, be sure to stop in. It's the sort of place any neighborhood would be lucky to have, I only wish it was closer to my front door. Thanks to Suzanne and the Bartavelle crew for an inspiring start to my day!
Bartavelle
1603 San Pablo Avenue
Berkeley, California 94702
1.510.524.BIRD
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Bartavelle is a great place to hangout. They serve some of the best coffees I have ever had. I just love that place.
I was so sad when Cafe Fanny closed, but Bartavelle is a worthy successor and a welcome addition to our neighborhood. The coffee is fantastic, the avocado toast delicious (that pepper!), and the people are super friendly. I still miss Fanny’s open-faced egg salad sandwiches, but Bartavelle makes up for the loss!
Yes! Heidi, I love Bartavelle – I’m going to meet a friend there this afternoon in fact. Cafe Fanny was a beloved spot for us and I was skeptical that any new venture could replace it. Happily, Suzanne has proven me wrong with her beautiful food!
xo
E
The scones at Bartavelle are the best I’ve found in the Bay Area, I can’t recommend them highly enough.
Look at the bookshelf I just found on Houzz!
HS: Hah! Good eye Lori 🙂 xo
Their menu sounds delicious! I love the Persian board & the interesting variations on the hard cooked egg.
I’m fairly nearby – in Mill Valley – and will need to check Bartavelle out. It looks like a wonderful place to relax.
My mom used to work at Cafe Fanny in the 80’s when I was in elementary school. I remember coming by after school to see her and getting to drink freshly squeezed blood orange juice at the counter while watching her work. I think the exposure to that style of food altered the whole course of my life! Thank you for bringing back such great memories Heidi.
Ooh I would love to go there. Pity I live in Australia.
How lovely to see my neighborhood spot featured here… just a couple of blocks away from home! A very nice intimate setting.
If anyone visits them, be sure to check out Acme. The Walnut Levain is my personal favorite. On Saturdays, try the Buckwheat Raisin.
Will do another reason to visit Berkeley! Happy Nesting.
I love your cookbook recommendations. A chance to seek further inspiration – you can never have too many.
We stopped for Acme’s cinnamon raisin bread and ran in to Bartavelle for a cup of their coffee. Next time, it will be our destination!
Despite my penchant for finding recipes on the internet (your blog in particular, Heidi), I love my collection of cookbooks and love perusing them on a snowy day (we’ve had a lot here in Boston lately!). I’m glad people still read them, as evidenced by this photo.
The Heart of the Artichoke is so lovely, he shares little anecdotes and stories throughout. Plus the photos are gorgeous. Thank you for sharing – one of my teachers was just in Berkley this past weekend!
Lovely. Looking forward to a lazy weekend so I can try this place.
So many cookbooks on my wish list there! Looks like a great spot
Sounds like the perfect spot to have a warming cup of chai tea and nibbling on something delicious. I just wish I was on the right coast…
I have dozens of fond memories of Cafe Fanny (warm goat cheese salad, buckwheat crepes with yogurt and berries, lattes in giant bowls…) My parents used to take me there during vacations when I was a teen (we lived in LA) and I always felt that it was exactly the sort of cafe that I dreamed of opening. I was so sad when it was sold, and got away from Alice Waters’ original focus on seasonality. It sounds like Bartavelle is honoring the spirit of the original Fanny’s. I can’t wait to go there and try something from that wonderful sounding menu. Thank you for sharing, Heidi.
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