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Berkeley's aggressive new wildfire plan | Rabid bat found | Last-minute camping | Get The Scene, our new arts + events newsletter

Melati Citrawireja

Melati Citrawireja is a writer, photographer and curious thinker about the underbelly of places. She began contributing to Berkeleyside after a summer internship in 2015 and earned a BA in Development Studies in 2016. Her work has also appeared in the East Bay Express, Made Local Magazine, Oakland Magazine, New Sincerity and more. Find her playing with light at Melati Photography.

melaticitrawireja@gmail.com
Posted inArts

After 94 years in Berkeley, Pettingell Book Bindery is shutting down

by Melati Citrawireja Dec. 02, 2020, 3:02 p.m.February 20, 2023

The downtown Berkeley book bindery, which Klaus-Ullrich Rötzscher has been operating since 1994, will close on Dec. 31.

Posted inCity

Lithuanian dumplings made by hand at Mama Papa Lithuania in Alameda

by Melati Citrawireja July 02, 2019, 7:39 p.m.September 29, 2020

Chef Danute Sukiene makes traditional Lithuanian homestyle cuisine at this charming, family-owned neighborhood spot.

Posted inCommunity

Bahá’ís of Berkeley celebrate Naw Ruz

by Melati Citrawireja April 15, 2019, 12:45 p.m.October 4, 2022

In a North Berkeley home, members of the Bahá’í faith, whose roots are in Iran, gathered on the eve of the spring equinox to break their 19-day fast and usher in a new year.

The Sorcerer and a tarragon shrub with mezcal sit on the bar at Bar Shiru in Oakland.
Posted inNightlife, Nosh

Bar Shiru, the Bay Area’s first hi-fi vinyl bar, is a haven for audiophiles

by Melati Citrawireja April 09, 2019, 2:25 p.m.October 4, 2022

Inspired by Tokyo’s vinyl cafés and their shared love of jazz, co-founders Daniel Gahr and Shirin Raza have opened their own high-fidelity analog music bar in Oakland.

Posted inNosh

Oakland spice company Diaspora Co. has a new love affair — wild-harvested cardamom

by Melati Citrawireja March 11, 2019, 10:31 a.m.October 4, 2022

The two-year-old company that won acclaim for its organically farmed, direct-trade turmeric is working to import an heirloom variety of pesticide-free, fair trade cardamom from Southwest India.

Posted inNosh

Flavorful, scratch-made pot pies worth seeking out in Hayward

by Melati Citrawireja Jan. 07, 2019, 12:00 p.m.August 4, 2022

Theresia Gunawan’s Pot Pie Paradise offers tried-and-true classics as well as uncommon pies filled with Hungarian beef goulash and spicy Javanese tempeh. She can be found at local farmers markets too.

Posted inNosh

Watch: Mesmerizing cocktail alchemy at the Hotsy Totsy in Albany

by Melati Citrawireja Oct. 01, 2018, 12:43 p.m.August 10, 2021

Bartender and co-owner Jessica Maria does her magic behind the bar.

Posted inNosh

This log cabin in Albany is home to one of the East Bay’s favorite breakfast spots

by Melati Citrawireja Aug. 17, 2018, 11:00 a.m.August 4, 2022

Once a former speakeasy and an off-track betting den, Sam’s Log Cabin serves hearty daytime meals with a focus on locally sourced ingredients and building community.

Posted inBusiness

Subway Guitars in Berkeley: This stomping ground for the greats has activist roots

by Melati Citrawireja Aug. 15, 2018, 1:03 p.m.October 4, 2022

A corner building covered in clouds was once the haunt for some of the world’s most influential musicians. Subway Guitars owner Fatdog still oversees a vibrant music community hub.

Posted inNosh, Video

Watch: Oaxacan mole made from scratch at Agave Uptown

by Melati Citrawireja Aug. 06, 2018, 9:45 a.m.October 4, 2022

In this edition of Handmade East Bay, chef-owner Octavio Diaz and his mother Juana Ramirez make the family recipe for this rich, flavorful Oaxacan sauce.

Posted inNosh

The best things we ate over the weekend at the NorCal Night Market

by Melati Citrawireja July 30, 2018, 12:45 p.m.October 4, 2022

We tried lobster with garlic noodles, a new take on Thai sticky rice with mango, Spam musubi with Hot Cheeto crumbles and more at the first installment of this Asian night market.

Posted inNosh

A family legacy continues in Berkeley with the reopening of KC’S BBQ

by Melati Citrawireja July 06, 2018, 9:00 a.m.August 4, 2022

Three generations of the Davis family have owned this Berkeley BBQ joint, which recently reopened after a fire destroyed the original location.

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