Revival To Breathe New Life Into Berkeley Space; Public House Moves Ahead; Elmwood Cafe Splits Its Profits

Elmwood Cafe, Berkeley. Photo courtesy of Berkeleyside.
BERKELEY--Revival Bar and Kitchen, a modern California bistro set in an architecturally rich corner of Berkeley, is chef/owner Amy Murray's newest project that will hopefully open in May (liquor licenses permitting). It sounds like the space is something about which ambitious chefs dream; it boasts 130 seats plus 20 at the bar - a big contrast to the 1,000 square foot, 44-seat Venus that she also owns - and has a 3,000 square foot kitchen in the basement. It is there that Murray says she envisions being able to break down whole animals and utilize all their parts, peel persimmons for tarts then use the remains to make syrup for artisanal cocktails, and showcase all the seasonal, local and organic ingredients that the community has to offer in a "refreshing way." Eventually, Murray also hopes to start her own garden nearby to grow herbs and vegetables. More on Revival soon. [Eaterwire]

SOUTH BEACH--Traci Des Jardin's Public House, assuming the former ACME Chophouse space, is scheduled to open in the next three weeks. SFoodie talks to John Epperheimer, ACME alum and operations director at Public House, about future plans which include serving a pared down wine list and an abundance of beer in its place. Epperheimer knows that chef Thom Fox's fare will be a significant lure for diners, but he also hopes that the beer menu will "add to Public's status as a destination on non-game days." [SFoodie]

BERKELEY--Elmwood Cafe, where a manager and pastry chef hail from Alice Water's Cafe Fanny, is operating on a benevolent business model. Half of its profits are being donated to charities, and customers have input as to which ones. [Berkeleyside]