San Francisco - October 28, 2009

Endless Summer

Summer Kitchen Bake Shop Opens

Warning: This winter, Seasonal Affective Disorder may approach pandemic proportions. (Early symptoms include waking up and leaving work in the dark.)

Get your vaccination in the form of new Summer Kitchen Bake Shop in Berkeley.

Americano chef Paul Arenstam and his wife, Charlene Reis, opened the spot as an homage to Martha’s Vineyard, where Arenstam used to cook during the bustling summer season. Naturally, the teensy space resembles the area’s classic New England farmhouse kitchens.

Chef Greer Nuttall uses produce culled from local farms to whip up luscious carry-out items like homemade thin-crust pizzas; fried chicken; and farro with leeks, delicata squash, walnuts, and sage. Dinner sees slow-braised beef short ribs and sides like herb-stuffed tomatoes.

Pastries in the a.m. and seasonal fruit tarts for dessert lift the spirits.

And are just what the doctor ordered.

Summer Kitchen Bake Shop, 2944 College Avenue, at Ashby Avenue, Berkeley (510-981-0538 or summerkitchenbakeshop.com).

Photo: Paul Arenstam / Courtesy of Summer Kitchen Bake Shop

  Artisanal, Farm Fresh, Takeout