New Wine & Dessert Bar on Shattuck @ Hearst?

[ggdweller]

Does anyone know anything about the wine and dessert bar that just put a "proposed development" sign up across the street and just south of the soon-to-be Corso (a Rivoli venture), in one of the brand new condo/retail spaces?

[abstractpoet]

This place came up in another thread, so I wanted to post here, where it won't be buried amongst unrelated discussions of other places.

We got a lemon tart to go from here the other night, and it was OK, though I like the simple, classic lemon bar from Bakesale Betty a lot more (and for like half the price). At $6.50, you're paying fancy restaurant dessert prices--you're paying for ambiance and service, which isn't the best deal if you're just grabbing something to go.

It does seem like a quaint little place to maybe have a light dinner with wine and dessert. I agree with habibi that the atmosphere seems quite pleasant (potentially romantic, even), and many of their small plate offerings sound appealing. The women we talked to (one of whom was the owner, I believe) spoke especially highly of their dessert wine selection. I'd like to go back sometime and give dining in a try.

They seem like nice people, and it'd be great if the place did well. Granted, it was a Tuesday night, but the entire place was empty when we went by...

[habibi]

I went there last night and greatly enjoyed the atmosphere, wine, and delicious dessert!. I highly recommend the lemon tart, ricotta tart, and blackberry cabernet sorbet.

[rworange]

Thanks for the report it is open. Have you been back ... anyone else been?

They website says they have hot chocolate drinks.

Has anyone tried any of the Italian dishes such as the frittata, sandwiches or soup?

The cheese and salami plates sound good

-Tre Formaggi
Robiola, Pecorino Brillo, Cambozola accompanied by figs, apricots in liqueur, herbed almonds, chestnut honey 12.50

Tre Carni
Bresaola, Prosciutto di Parma, Salame Finocchiona served with peperoni rossi e gialli, green Cerignola olives, dried Black Mission figs and roasted fennel 12.95

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Cioccolata di Vino
1801 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA

[Cioccolata Di Vino]

Thank you for your interest! I am the owner of the future Cioccolata Di Vino, a dessert and wine cafe. Offerings will include specialty desserts and a small plates menu. The wine list will be primarily Old World, with an Italian focus. I will also have a nice selection of dessert wines and ports, as well as a variety of specialty hot chocolates. I hope to begin construction in May and open over the summer.

I look forward to being part of a great neighborhood!

Rebecca Bernstein
Cioccolata Di Vino, L.L.C.

[Robert Lauriston]

Sort of a weird combination but might work in that neighborhood--there are a bunch of good cheap places to eat that don't have good wine or interesting desserts.

[ggdweller]

Hopefully Liaison, Corso and Cioccolata di Vino will bring enough critical mass to this section of Shattuck to make it buzz a little. I hope so, since I live just west of there!

[ggdweller]

www.cioccolatadivino.com