by Wanda Hennig

photography by Judi Swinks


I CHALLENGE ANYONE TO GO TO GREENS (Building A, Fort Mason, 415-771-6222) in San Francisco and bemoan the fact that it doesn't serve meat. The same goes for patrons of Café Gratitude, a San Francisco-based organic, vegan restaurant chain that recently opened a location in Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto.
The menu, with its variety and flavors, was as agreeable to the person in our party who does not eat anything that ever had a mother as it was to those of us who don't care what our food's history is, if it tastes good. From the extensive list of options that play upon the "gratitude" theme, I ordered something called "I am abundant," a $12 sampler plate with nachos, a kale-sea veggie salad, stuffed mushrooms, olive tapenade, hummus and a mini Thai coconut soup. It came served with assorted crackers and almond toast. (Most dishes are "live," a term that refers to the raw food ethos that eschews cooked items.) Two friends recommended the "I am elated" enchilada of the day.  The fourth raved about her "I am adoring" tiramisu. The party atmosphere, which became more profound by the glass (of red wine), had us vowing to return-and soon.
Café Gratitude, 1730 Shattuck Ave., 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily,
(415) 824-4652, www.withthecurrent.com.



BERKELEY'S HIP NEW DINING EXPERIENCE is small, stylish and one block from the Scharffen Berger chocolate factory. When we visited, 900 Grayson was serving creative breakfasts like the Cheeky Monkey ($8), banana-stuffed French toast with shaved bittersweet chocolate, toasted pecans, Plugra butter and Vermont maple syrup. Equally enticing were the libations at the bar and the midday meals, including The Were-Rabbit ($11), a spinach, pea and Parmesan Reggiano bread pudding with saffron carrots and spring veggies sautéed in basil oil. Look for a dinner menu in the near future.
900 Grayson, 900 Grayson St., 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday,
(510) 704-9900, www.900grayson.com.