Fellini responds...

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

I'm posting to clarify some very serious distortions that have been made

regarding myself

and Fellini Restaurant. For anyone who is interested in this issue, I encourage

you to read

on and consider the whole story…

 

I opened Fellini in December of 2003 with the goal of creating a fun, funky and

approachable place for diverse groups of people to gather, hang-out and dine. I

developed

a progressive menu offering a unique twist on Italian cuisine, with lots of

vegetarian and

vegan options. The response has been extremely positive, and with great

gratitude and

pleasure, we've continued to expand our vegan menu. Many members of the local

vegan

community have embraced us, and are often seen enjoying a vegan pizza in the

corner.

I've made lots of new vegan pals…

 

For the record, I'll address the inaccuracies in the SFBAVEG and BAARN postings:

1) The eggs we use are " Uncle Eddies " from free range chickens. Don't believe

the lies.

Come take a tour of our walk-in. No appointment necessary.

2) The statement that Fellini " violates workers rights and labor laws " is

inflammatory and

patently absurd. Guests to Fellini often comment on how positive and content

Fellini

employees appear to be in their jobs. Many members of our staff have been

working here

since we opened, and have brought in friends and family members to fill

openings. I

encourage anyone to look into the official places where administrators keep

records of

those businesses who " violate workers rights and labor laws " . They'll find no

mention of

myself or Fellini Restaurant in the files.

3) The line that reads " They make employees work a full 7 or 8 hour shift with

no break. "

is preposterous to the point of hilarity. Fellini employees are free to take

breaks whenever

they deem necessary. Generally speaking, employees have the good sense to not

take a

break in the middle of a dinner-rush, unless absolutely necessary, but at any

other time,

you'll find Fellini employees having a coffee, a meal, or outside having a

smoke. This

ridiculous charge has NEVER been leveled at us before. If ya need a break, ya

take a break!

A real non-issue there, Sheesh!…

4) The line that reads " They are also not wanting to give me my check for the

hours

worked " is also completely delusional. We mailed this person's check

immediately. If it

hasn't been received, we'll be happy to stop payment and issue a new one in

person. Let

us know…

5) We've never claimed to be a purely vegetarian reataurant (although we have

never and

will never offer any type of red meat) so for the present, there will be eggs,

fish and fowl

here. However, I am eager to learn more about consientious purchasing of these

types of

products, as well as any animal rights issues where I can have an affect. I am

constantly

trying to evolve Fellini in all ways. The assertion that I was advised by

somebody re:

poultry purchases, and ignored their suggestions is simply false. I welcome

meaningful

input.

 

I have tried to create something positive here. A restaurant where people of all

stripes can

gather for a good meal and a good time. A place where veg-curious guests can

experiment with some friendly-sounding veggie options. A place where vegan

activists

from Berkeley can enjoy brunch with their grandparents from Akron, and everyone

can be

happy. Maybe Grandpa will even try the Tofu Scramble…

 

Everything doesn't ALWAYS work out, but everything always WORKS OUT. We're all

working

towards the same goal here. More consciousness. More communication. Less

cruelty.

Good food. A better world.

 

Be real. Be Nice.

 

Peace.

 

Jeff Davis

Fellini

1401 University Ave.

Berkeley, Ca 94702

 

www.fellinirestaurant.net

510-841-5200