Summer Kitchen Bake Shop

2944 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705, USA

Address:	2944 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705, USA
Phone:	+1 510-981-0538
Site:	summerkitchenbakeshop.com
Rating:	4.5
Working:	11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 23

Thorsten Claus

Chefs Charlene Reis and Paul Arenstam have a knack for combining the seasonal local organic ingredients into fantastic well rounded dishes that are up to the expectations of Berkeley food snobs but with the warmth and welcoming atmosphere of communal cooking and gathering. We have two smaller kids and are coming here for years because the simple but ever-changing menu has always a surprise and tasty treat for both parents and kids. The gourmet pizza, made to order in the warming open fire brick oven, has a delectable tomato sauce that breathes fresh Italian herbs and extra virgin olive oil into the thin crackling crust. This months "Organic Brown Beech Mushroom, Leek, Truffle Tartufata, Burrata Pizza" was an exceptional explosion of flavors and textures that complemented and balanced each other well, never sassy, and always bringing a smile to my face. Even seemingly simple dishes like "Organic Spaghetti with Hearst Ranch Meatballs" are wondrous concoctions that melt on your mouth into buttery bites of delight. The delicately grilled arctic char with zesty olive tapenade and changing sides is always a keeper, too. All meats are grown in a humane manner and are free of hormones and antibiotics, and all dishes are free of trans-fats and high fructose corn syrup. We sometimes just take some of the delightful picnic provisions like the curried chicken salad or the Orzo pasta salad with roasted peppers, feta cheese, and pickled onions up into Panoramic Hill to watch the sun set over the bay. Its always good to ask the pleasant and patient staff at the counter for a recommendation, especially with the changing local wines. Or sit directly at the kitchen counter and chat with Paul and his cooks about food, cooking, how to select kale, or how to get the freshly made Caesar salad dressing so smooth and scrumptious. Good places become great if owners work exceptionally hard to transform an inner vision into heartfelt reality, and Charlenes and Pauls modern interpretation of the classic idea of summer kitchen is no exception.

Matt Thomas

Good food. The pizza was really good. Thin crust--a cross between New York and Italian style - my favorite so that resonated well. The kids food was a hit with the kiddos but when they didnt finish, we ate it. Good sign there. Great salads. Cute place with seating the only drawback. Its a self seating place so that means you inherit a dirty table after youve descended like a vulture just to get it. I did like it but we entered when there wasnt a line. When we were eating, a line grew and then we were in the enviable position of being stared at from the line of vultures praying on our table. This is the downside to places like this. If there is a line, you may want to avoid entering as then you get your food with nowhere to site. Clearly, they need a bar for individual seating (they could do this as theres a long isle) or move to managed seating. I presume they dont want this as itll reduce business but again, Ill only enter if there is no line and tables are free. I dont have patience for the fight to sit places. 4 stars for the food and nice people that work there. If the food wasnt that good, it would be a solid 3 for the seating situation. Depends on you.

Natasha Nestor

Im a fan of the sandwiches and chocolate cupcakes. The service is also great... sometimes. Sometimes the service can be... not exactly rude... maybe leaving you feel like you were an insignificant passing stone? I guess its not really a big deal to be talking to someone else as youre handing my change back. Maybe I talk too softly and no one heard me say thanks when handed me my food with zero eye contact. I suppose its curt and to the point at times. Usually the cashiers are nice though and the food is great. Pricewise, expected for the area.

Esther Juarez

This review is only for their PASTRIES, which are heavenly. Smores brownie - An interesting combo of slightly brûléed marshmellow with a heavy & dense brownie. 4/5 Chocolate cupcake - DELICIOUS, I cant get enough of this. The cake is moist and goes really well with the cream cheese frosting. 5/5 would recommend :) SK is also really cute and has nice lighting -- but has limited seating. Ive been eyeing their fried chicken from behind the counter, so Ill definitely be swinging by again to give their entrées a try.

Jeff Aguero

Walked over here to try the pastries and was very disappointed to find that their pastry chef left so they had no sweets :( The (friendly) woman who was working the counter said that it was hit and miss in terms of predicting when exactly their baked goods would return, but that in general, weekends were the only days that were a real possibility. Its hard to be a bake shop without a pastry chef...

Ann Nguyen

Fantastic little place for lunch or dinner. They have great staff and every item on the menu is delicious. Our personal favorites are the mushroom burrata pizza, fried chicken sandwich, any of the dinner entrees, and their desserts! Weve been guilty of going there two days in a row. No shame at all.

Susan Aberg

This is my favorite GO-TO place when I want a delicious meal and dont have time to cook it myself. The dinners are fantastic. My faves right now are the burger and kale caesar salad. The chicken under a brick is amazing, too!

narjes mathlouthi

The sandwiches and pizza are good. However , I am disappointed by the dinner menu they have. The pork dish is just not worth ordering and definitely not worth the value.

Adam Glazier

Simple and delightful dishes and atmosphere. Many come for the fried chicken, but I go for the Turkey sandwich, virgin mojito and baked half chicken.

Carson Long

The food was pretty good, and the service was polite. Unfortunately it was kind of noisy and there werent many seating options.

John Crossley

Good brick-oven style pizzas. Also, the kale Cesar salad is pretty good, especially when you add crispy fried chicken.

Eyal Zilberman

Great, fresh sandwiches served every day. Really a nice additional lunch option in an area with a lot of competition.

Stefano DellaVigna

Great leek, mushroom, burrata pizza, various salads and egg sandwich. A foodie paradise for a simple lunch

Steve Salazar

Nice place with good atmosphere. The BEST fried chicken Ive had in the bay area. Very very good.