I received a note from Monica Rocchino that she and her husband, Aaron Rocchino, have opened THE LOCAL BUTCHER SHOP in Berkeley. Aaron was at Chez Panisse for the last five years, while Monica worked for Paula LeDuc Catering, so you can also get some good cooking tips with your purchase. They are buying whole animals directly from farmers located within 150 miles of Berkeley, and all of the animals are 100% pasture raised. Since they buy the whole animal, they cut to order and use the remainder to make sausages, pâtés, stocks, rendered fats, and sauces. (Tasting Table also mentions some delicious tallow-fried potato chips. Open Tue-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm. 1600 Shattuck Ave. at Cedar, Berkeley, 510-845-6328.
The counter; photo by Zoe Zeitlin.
