Gather

Gather is a celebrated farm-to-table restaurant located right in downtown Berkeley in an open, appealing, large corner space. Fresh ingredients are definitely on the menu, with a variety of sandwich, salad, pizza, and grain bowl options. Dinner adds starters and entrees. The inside feels like a cabin with lots of reclaimed wood, and the outdoors patio is covered to keep warm and flowing with plants. It’s quite inviting. I went at lunch, and it wasn’t immediately apparent that ordering at the register is how lunch operates as a podium with “wait to be seated” was stationed right at the entrance. Dinner is, indeed, seated with waitstaff. My friend ordered the soup of the day, which was white bean and potato. She thought it absolutely delicious, savoring each bite. I ordered the BBQ pulled pork sandwich, topped with a slaw and dill-cucumber yogurt and served up with fries. The coleslaw crunch made clear the quality of Gather’s ingredients, but I was surprised that the dish ended up tasting closer to a sloppy joe than I what I’d expected—this may partially be due to my eight years spent in North Carolina, where vinegar sauces on pork reign supreme. Or it may partially be that the tomato in the sauce was so fresh and bright, it simply dominated the dish. I was disappointed that the dill-cucumber sauce contributed little in terms of flavor. I love dill, so I was looking forward to it, but alas, it barely raised its head. The fries were solid. Definitely would go back but would probably skip the pulled pork sandwich.

Nice atmosphere, very slow service. Mediocre food for brunch — go elsewhere in Berkeley.

Came here for a group event and had a great experience. Attentive service and the spicy tomato pizza literally made me stop listening to a conversation and ask what was in it. Not a question I usually ask with pizza but this was really an amazing combo of flavors.

Casual dining experience for the grown ups next to the campus. Great after an event.

Used to be better, but still pretty good