THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Townie Awards

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Townie Restaurant Review:

Outfitted with Art Deco-style chandeliers, salvaged-wood furniture, a zinc-topped bar and polished concrete floor, and offering Bulleit shots, pork belly banh mi and a stone fruit dessert entailing mascarpone, peanuts and absinthe, Townie is as close as Berkeley gets to a neighborhood pub. That means it's very big and exuberantly friendly and that it serves sophisticated versions of classic small plates from a seasonal grilled Caesar salad to Serrano-manchego potato croquettes. A braised pork croque madame and brioche french toast are brunch favorites. Lead bartender Diana Krell has curated an interesting international beer and wine list. Cocktails include La Floración (tequila, mezcal, lime juice, chamomile liqueur) and the Barley Flower (Bols Genever, Lillet Blanc, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, cherry).