GELATERIA ITALIANA A new Italian gelato shop called Caravaggio is preparing to open at 1797 Shattuck Ave. (on the other side of the street from Corso, just north of Delaware) in the Hillside Village apartment building. The large space at street level is currently being built out, and the two owners — Mauro Bernocchi and Emiliano Cecchetti — appear to be the real deal in that they are Italian! Otherwise, details are scarce as we wait to hear the scoop from them. Stay tuned.
EL BURRO PICANTE The entrance to El Burro Picante, a new Mexican restaurant at 2021 University Ave. near Shattuck, features a gray donkey, a nod to the restaurant’s name. Inside, diners will find a large array of burrito and taco offerings, including eight meat and seven different salsa options, a burrito bowl made with lettuce, not tortillas, and “truck-style” tacos. There are three televisions for the sports- loving crowd and local microbrew beer and wine will be served soon. The owner, Masoud Fany, wants it to be “a hip place to sit down, relax, watch sports and eat great Mexican food.” El Burro Picante opened in early August and a Berkeleyside reader wrote in to declare the food “awesome!” and say there is already a regular following.
SAVVY REST NATURAL BEDROOM Michael Penny, a yoga instructor, started The Savvy Sleeper in Charlottesville, Va., in 2003 when he couldn’t get a good night’s sleep. He created a company that manufactured organic latex mattresses that could be customized for individuals’ sleep preferences. Customers can choose the number of layers they want, the types of latex, and the firmness/hardness of each mattress. The company has evolved since then and now also makes organic toppers, pillows, crib mattresses, pet beds and more. In 2011, the company name was changed to Savvy Rest Natural Bedroom and in 2012 it became employee-owned. The company is about to open its fourth retail location, in Telegraph Gardens at 3001 Telegraph Ave. The targeted opening date is September.
DOJO DOG Dojo Dog, one of the three food carts forced to leave its spots by Sproul Plaza because of construction, opened up at a new location on Bancroft and College last week, according to the Daily Californian. The owners, Michael Koh and Jason Chou, said they intend to try to move back to Sproul once construction is complete, but are happy about their new location for now.
Shop Talk is our regular column in which we post updates on Berkeley businesses — openings, closings, new directions, relaunches, relocations. If you’re a Berkeley business with news, or a Berkeleysider who has spotted a change in your neighborhood or on your travels, shoot us an email with the details. Read previous Shop Talk columns. Check out also our weekly Bites column, which provides food news for the whole East Bay.