InBerkeley

Dear InBerkeley,

Two days ago I was walking out to my car and I noticed a huge pile of garden debris, dirt, branches, leaves, etc piled up in the street in front of my house. I have no idea who put it there. It looks like it was cleared from my neighbor’s property, but he says it isn’t his. I have to believe him.

Who do I call? What do I do? I want this stuff out of there. But there’s way too much to fit in the trash. It has to be hauled away.

Sincerely,

AnnoyedByTrash

General

I’ve been following chef Chef Scott Howard (@ChefScottHoward) on twitter for a couple of months, enjoying a behind the scenes look at FIVE as he worked through the Health Department sign-off, product arrival, menu testing and the construction of the adjoining Hotel Shattuck Plaza. He tweeted about his excitement and candidly thanked the restaurant industry for supporting him while recognizing that the success of the restaurant relies on the interest of the LOCALS. That’s me. A local.

So I had to check it out.

Reservations were easy to obtain and when my friend and I arrived we were seated at a more than comfortable table for four near the window. The atmosphere: old-fashioned ice cream parlor meets sophisticated martini bar; black and white with shiny red accents. A glorious marble bar sits proudly in the middle of the space, a central gathering spot.

Oh and the food … immediately upon sitting we were served a basket of biscuits with a house-made cheese spread. Delicious, though rich, we took a couple of bites and decided to save our appetite for the meal. Our first course was a shared arugula salad with goat cheese and the sweetest organic nectarines. The dressing was light and flavorful. The kitchen split the dish onto two plates (a touch that I always appreciate.)

For my main meal I had skirt steak. The meat was cooked perfectly (I requested medium and-get this-it was medium!) and the organic haricot verts and carrots were delicious. My friend had the duck confit served on a bed of pureed sunchokes with crisp mini dumpling-like bites. I was so consumed by my own meal (did I mention the thinly sliced lightly fried onion crisps?) that I didn’t want to be distracted by even a taste of hers, but it must have been good because, as was true with me, there were no leftovers.

The wine list seemed plentiful, but I didn’t really study it – she ordered for the two of us. We started with a bubbly rose and continued with a perfect pinot. Too full for desert, I ordered a cappuccino. It arrived frothy and hot. We sat for a while talking … the staff gave us our privacy while making sure our water glasses and coffee cups were full.

After supper we explored the lobby of the Hotel Shattuck Plaza a little more carefully -taking special note of the marble peace sign carved into the floor, greeting guests as they walk through the door. When we asked to see a room the attendant graciously said he was the only one on duty, but we could leave our ID and he’d give us a key.

My grandparents stayed at the Shattuck hotel while visiting in 1993. My memories include warped floorboards, grimy bathrooms and dirty carpets. I recall feeling badly for having arranged their stay at the embarrassing facility. Now, the gentleman at the front desk told us, the hotel has been completely gutted and re-done. Indeed, the transformation is impressive

The room, on the fifth floor overlooking the Bay Bridge, was beautiful. Somehow the designers succeeded in maintaining old-world Berkeley charm (right down to the “privacy” door hanger which, in keeping with the spirit of the city, say “peace,” and are embellished with the familiar symbol) while offering a dignified grace.

The room we looked at is one of the the hotel’s more expensive (about $200 on the day we inquired). There were rooms for less on lower floors without views.

Future plans for the hotel/restaurant (owned and managed by the same team) include a ballroom and exercise facility. The employee I spoke with admitted there may be problems with parking (there is an unaffiliated garage across the street.) however, with BART around the corner, public transport is a breeze.

This new downtown duo – FIVE and the Hotel Shattuck Plaza – seems poised for success. The food at the restaurant was excellent; the service – flawless. Would I book it for a visiting relative or suggest it for my brother-in-law’s upcoming fraternity reunion? – ABSOLUTELY! I may even search for an excuse to stay there myself ….

Food Berkeley, five, hotel, plaza, scott howard, shattuck