I grew up in Davis, and my memories of the Delta of Venus rely primarily on atmosphere. The food was very good, I know; the brownies were killer, there were cookie bars and awesome bagels with dill spread, there were omelettes and sandwiches of all kinds. We used to hang out there all day long when school was out, in between going to bookstores and running amok across downtown Davis. The gentle hippie-flavored atmosphere was more important to me than any menu item, because it represented the world into which I wanted to grow up.

The Delta of Venus is a casual cafe near campus with all the standard college amenities. It has the funky (and very comfortable) collection of secondhand chairs; the shelves full of used books (everything from old college texts to someone's favorite comic strip anthologies); the purple walls with prisms and local artwork (decor changes regularly); the local free papers outside; the Roommate Wanted and Punk Band Needs Drummer flyers outside. It even provides a home for various college clubs - the French club on Thursdays, the bisexual group on Tuesdays.

The Delta is like the Platonic ideal of a friendly coffeehouse and brunch joint. You can bring a huge group of friends there or just go to sulk in a corner with a book and a bottomless cup of chai tea. It's the perfect Davis establishment.    [02 Mar 2001 11:43:12]

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