No Need to Hurry… Just Meander and Enjoy

Kensington Circle is a perfect day-cation

BY Janis Hashe

Like the serene and regal oak that stands in its center, the Kensington Circle community has seen many changes over the years, endured and flourished. Though most online searches list the small, neighborly village as “Berkeley,” it lies where Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito and unincorporated Kensington share borders. Colusa Avenue makes a ring around the oak, then continues on in both directions, and the village also extends a little way into connecting Oak View Avenue. A leisurely stroll will introduce many great finds.

When the Kensington Farmers’ Market set up tents 12 years ago, it quickly established itself as a resource for fresh, locally grown produce, and has since expanded to host up to 40 vendors, selling everything from seafood, poultry and meats, to bagels, French pastries, cheeses and foods to go. Live music makes the market a party every Sunday from 9am to 2pm.

(Note: Many other local merchants are not open on Sunday, or not open until later in the day.) 379-389 Colusa Ave. www. kensingtonfarmersmarket.org

Fitness, Wellness, Rejuvenation

Fuse Fitness, where co-founder Pascha Brown and fellow trainers teach clients of all ages and fitness levels, o ers classes every day. Drop-ins are welcome to book online. They o er full-body training, focusing on strength, mobility and balance, using TRX suspension weight training, bosu balls, rowing machines, bands, squat racks and more. Private and semi-private training is also available, but a consultation must be booked in advance. “We love our clients, and really get to know them,” said Brown. 370 and 377 Colusa Ave. thefusefitnessstudio.com

BODY ROCK Clients at Fuse Fitness studio get access to TRX suspension weight training, bosu balls, rowing machines and more.

At Nubo Spa, clients find cuttingedge skincare, rejuvenation solutions, injectables and more under the guidance of founder Jen Guthrie. This physician-owned med spa prides itself on blending science, art and medicine in its treatments, along with a focus on superb service. 379 Colusa Ave. nubospa.com

“Ancient meets avant-garde” at Natura Health & Wellness, where owner Jane Gajano-Blythe is a licensed acupuncturist, and the studio specializes in “functional medicine” for skincare and overall wellness. Chinese medicine treatments are available, along with hydrafacials and an extensive apothecary product selection. 396 Colusa Ave. hellonatura.com

Fleurs and Galleries

Owner Janet Johnson of Freshly Cut florist was a mainstay in Berkeley for decades before moving her business to Kensington a year-and-a-half ago. No “paint-by-number” arrangements here; she creates custom floral designs with seasonal flowers. In March, she’ll feature tulips, lilacs, peonies, plum and quince blossoms, and more. One may drop in for an onsite-created bouquet, or order online for special occasions. 378 Colusa Ave. freshlycut.com

Walking into Nan Phelps Photography, one can see that the quality of the blackand-white, gelatin silver prints on the wall makes a statement. Phelps explains that she uses museum and archivalquality paper, printing her own images for the family, mother-and-child, solo and pet portraits that often become family heirlooms. “I love photographing people in their homes,” she said, and enjoys documenting a family’s evolution, from new babies to grandparents. “There is a lifetime of learning in photography,” she noted, “the mystery of people and animals, the infinite personality of light, the nuances of the camera andthe darkroom.” 398 Colusa Ave. nanphelps.com

Ceramicist Carolyn Hiersoux is nolonger creating new work. But accordingto her daughter, Karen Hiersoux, herHiersoux Gallery is continuing to sellher remaining pieces, as well as a bookdocumenting her 60 years of clayartworks, Herein Lies the Magic ($95).Hiersoux is known for her woodfiredsculptural pieces, using Japanesetechniques. The gallery space is also beingused for exhibits of other artists’ work.On March 4, a show by watercolor painterPam Johnson opens. Open Saturdaysnoon-5pm, or call Karen Hiersoux for anappointment, 510.517.8596. 437 Colusa Ave.hiersoux.com

Where the Eatin’

Is GoodFor those strolling around theneighborhood during the day, they maystop into bakery Semifreddi’s for analmond croissant, or a ginger cookie anda take-out coffee. The tiny shop has noinside seating, but there are benchesnearby. One won’t be able to resist takinghome one of their sourdough loaves,and maybe also a bag of kalamata olivecroutons. Closes at 3pm. 372 Colusa Ave.semifreddis.com

Another option for daytime noshing isBenchmark Portavia, the “grab-and-go”outlet opened last September by theowners of nearby Benchmark Pizza. Hereone will find prepared sandwiches, soupsand salads, alongside a range of Italiancooking essentials. 380 Colusa Ave.benchmarkportavia.com

For evening pub grub, one mayhead straight for Kensington CircusPub. Alongside classic Brit fare such asbangers & mash and shepherd’s pie, theyalso feature entrees such as fish tacos,New York steak and an assortment ofpastas. Drinks motto is “Best of Britainand Ireland On Tap.” Adventurous?One may try a “Black Velvet,” madefrom Guinness and cider. On Friday andSaturday nights, the pub rocks out withlive music. It’s sure to be extra-livelyon St. Patrick’s Day, with music by theMissing Man Quartet. 389 Colusa Ave.kensingtoncircuspub.com

Benchmark Pizza has been widelypraised by critics and foodies for itsinnovative takes on pizza and othertime-honored Italian dishes. Personalexperience recommends the Fried SagePizza, made with fresh mozzarella,brown butter, lemon and shaved garlic,while sipping a very European AperolSpritz. Or one may choose from a widerange of salads and entrees, whichchange weekly, according to co-founderMelissa Swanson, who describes therestaurant’s food as having a “truesense of terroir.” Benchmark is aCertified Green Business, using 100%renewable energy. 1568 Oak View Ave.benchmarkpizza.com

Last, but certainly not least, one maystop in at the Colusa Market for a tasteof what neighborhood markets usedto be, and still are inside this homeystore, which has served locals for morethan 35 years. Organic produce nestlesnext to a fine selection of Asian noodlesand sauces, alongside carefully chosenmeats and poultry. It’s one of thoseplaces shoppers walk in for one thing,and come out with five… or 10. And goback to, just like the Kensington Circleneighborhood itself. 406 Colusa Ave. Nowebsite; 510.527.7035. ❤