"In September, the fate of Berkeley’s Café La Méditerranée was uncertain to say the least. Its managing partner Garbis Baghdassarian wanted to retire, and La Méditerranée’s founder Levon Der Bedrossian didn’t want to assume operations since he still runs the two locations in San Francisco. But there’s been a twist: While Baghdassarian will still retire at the end of the year, Der Bedrossian’s son Vanick Der Bedrossian will take over the 36-year-old Berkeley restaurant along with longtime San Francisco business partner Alicia Vanden Heuvel. La Med’s veteran staff is expected to stay as the new managers usher in a few changes in 2019, including a new paint job, touching up the cozy interior, and adding some new dishes, such as salmon kebabs, homemade falafel, chicken shawarma wraps, and shakshuka for brunch." - Janelle Bitker
