Dera Cafe: Berkeley's brand new Pakistani-inspired cafe!

-

Pistachio Rose Cake and Mocha Latte from Dera Cafe


Dera Cafe

There’s a new coffee shop in downtown Berkeley that has been winning hearts. It’s called Dera, and it is a place that many people are starting to discover.

Dera is a new, aesthetically pleasing, and impeccably clean cafe that brings an unparalleled Pakistani flair to your classic local coffee shop. Offering chai, matcha, lattes, coffee, lassis, plus pastries, waffles, and cakes, as well as savory options, including fries,omelets, samosas, and chaat, this menu has something for everyone, whether you are a picky or adventuresome eater.
The interior has clean white marble tiles with deep brown wooden and leather accents that exude simplicity, cleanliness, and elegance. Soft instrumental music offers a soothing touch, and the chairs are soft and comfortable. It’s a place you will want to stay for a while. The tables are spaced just far enough apart for privacy, making it a great place to come with friends, colleagues, or family. It’s an appetizing and inviting ambiance.
The service is very good here. The staff are patient and will answer your questions about the menu and pricing. They work tirelessly and without complaint in the small kitchenette and coffee bar to keep the business running seamlessly. It’s nice to see how much this small business means to them.
Everything on the menu is high-quality and sold for moderate prices (nothing you wouldn’t expect to pay at a Bay Area coffee shop), which makes it  tempting to keep coming back to sample more items. The food and drinks come out served on gorgeous white china with gold accents and gold silverware.
After much deliberation, I decided to try the mocha latte and the pistachio rose cake. The mocha latte came very warm with a perfect heart in the latte art. It was thick and creamy with a slightly bitter, sophisticated chocolate flavor that blended with the milky sweetness. It was soothing even as it gave me a slight caffeine kick. It was a well-made drink, but the real star of the show was the pistachio rose cake, which might be the most unique pastry I’ve ever had at a coffee shop. Decorated with edible flower petals, it was a delicate and attractive piece of cake. It was sweet but not too sweet, in a very sophisticated and nutty way. It was tender but had a bit of crunch from the crusty frosting and nuts mixed in. I found it very satisfying to eat and savor.
I loved what I got, so I’m excited to come back and try some more options!

Location: 1620 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Noodle: Downtown Berkeley's small, fast, and casual take on yummy Thai food?!

-
Image
The Noodle The Noodle is one of Berkeley's hidden gems nestled into the downtown area serving lunch and dinner every day of the week except for Monday. A small, casual and down-to-earth Thai eatery that make flavor-packed food at a snappy pace, this is the place to go when you are hungry and craving an exotic yet still homey and comforting plate of Thai food. The lunch and dinner menu is extensive; you will find a variety of salads, soups, stir-fries, appetizers, and noodle dishes, all created in their signature authentic Thai style. You can customize the spiciness of the dishes to your own spice tolerance. The freshly prepared food will be served hot in an aesthetically pleasing style.  Because of the welcoming environment and quality of the food, it's a great place to branch out and try new dishes. I am always finding new favorites. For example, my long-time favorites at this restaurant were the larb and the Pad Thai, but then I tried the Pad See Ew and fell in love. My favor...
Read more

Dessert N Spice: Who in Berkeley wants coffee and delightful sweet treats?

-
Image
Dessert N Spice This cute little bakery can be found along University Avenue in Berkeley. The bakery is not large, so there are only about three tables and a few more stools along the bar against the wall. It's a nice place to stop for or pick up a sweet treat. Entering the bakery, you will see sunlight streaming through the big windows and three big glass cases illuminated by bright lights. Inside these cases are premium pastries like specialty cakes, muffins, baklava, croissants, cookies, and macaroons. Each one looks like a work of art.  They also serve caffeinated beverages. They have an americano, a caramel macchiato, a latte, a caramel latte, a dark mocha, a white chocolate mocha, steamed milk, hot chocolate, and chai tea. They also have a selection of canned sodas.  When you have decided which of the pastries you want from behind the glass, you can order and pay at the counter, where they accept contactless payment. The service is very good; the people are polite, and ...
Read more

iniBurger: Juicy and Halal burger chain capturing the hearts of the SF Bay?

-
Image
iniBurger I enjoyed my trip to iniBurger, the Halal burger chain that has several locations around Northern California. It was my first time trying this place, and I was very impressed. It is a brightly colored restaurant where you can order and pay either at the counter or on one of their kiosks. They serve burgers, chicken sandwiches, wings, and fries. The prices are not displayed on the menus on display behind the counter, but they stay in a reasonable range, for the most part between $10 and $20.  There is room to sit in their brightly colored restaurant or outside. The music is relatively loud inside, and the atmosphere is lively and fun.   I ordered the Americano burger and had to admit it was a succulent and enticing creation. It was a juicy burger with a special sauce that tasted like pepper. I could taste the charred edges of the patty and the salty, savory seasonings on it. The cheese was gooey, salty, and sweet while the lettuce and pickles were slightly crunch...
Read more