Smorgasbord

Vive la Revolution

    By the time you read this, 33 Revolutions in El Cerrito will most likely be as much of a neighborhood hit as the El Cerrito Speakeasy three doors away. The cafe-cum-record shop is a longtime dream come true for partners Dave Chavez, a former Whole Foods tea and supplements buyer, and Dave Kloski, who also worked for a while at Whole Foods and before that, in the music business. Kloski, who plays acoustic guitar, has been collecting jazz and soul on vinyl since he was a teenager. Now you can buy them from him, and he will buy from you. Watch their Web site for their upcoming live music schedule. Food-wise, their fresh fruit breakfasts ($2.50 to $5.99) were instantly popular as was their large sandwich range ($5.99 to $8.99). They brew Ritual coffee and Numi tea, which they also sell along with a range of Livity eco-textile hats and magazines. The beer and wine license is pending.
    33 Revolutions Record Shop & Cafe, 10086 San Pablo Ave., (510) 898-1836. Open 9 a.m.–9 p.m. daily (for light breakfasts, lunches and dinners), www.33revolutions.com.

***


    Rendez-Vous Cafe Bistro on Solano Avenue is worth a visit for the decor alone. There’s nothing subtle about the Paris murals, if one can call them that when they’re not actually painted onto the walls. The Eiffel tower and other landmarks are on a shiny vinyl that’s been wallpapered on. Then there are awnings sectioning off tables, each named for a different arrondisement. Chef-owner Laurent Mais adds to the ambience with his accent, a French wine list and such dinner specialties as daube (tender braised beef in a deep red wine sauce, $15), ratatouille ($12), French onion soup ($6.50), crepes and cassoulet. The lighter lunchtime menu offers a croque monsieur ($7) and, presuming a diverse local clientele, such standards as a hamburger ($7.50) and a steak sandwich ($8).
    Rendez-Vous Cafe Bistro, 1111 Solano Ave., (510) 527-4111. Open 8 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.–10 p.m. Tue.–Sun., www.rendezvouscafebistro.com.

—By Wanda Hennig

—Photography by Lori Eanes