Berkeley Summit Rethinks the Jewish Deli

Keri Miller/www.portlandmonthlymag.com

Ken Gordon of Portland's Kenny and Zuke's.

Where: Jewish Community Center of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut (at Rose), Berkeley

When: Thu., May 19, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6)

Cost: $10 in advance, $15 at the door; purchase at Brown Paper Tickets

The rundown: Believe it or not, Jewish deli is hot right now, and nowhere will the spotlight be brighter than at tomorrow night's summit, a panel of new-school deli owners moderated by Jewish cooking legend Joan Nathan (currently on tour here). Along with event organizer Peter Levitt of Saul's, panelists include Noah Bernamoff of Brooklyn's überpopular Mile End Deli, Ken Gordon of Portland's Kenny and Zuke's (SFoodie's most trusted pastrami lover thinks they've got the West Coast's best), and simultaneously representing the Mission and pop-up crowds, Wise Sons Deli's Evan Bloom. Discussion will focus on the role of sustainability in today's Jewish deli, a rethinking of portion size (this crowd doesn't love the half-pound sandwich), and the definition of a "real" deli. Lest you starve before all the talk of salted meats and fish even begins, Wise Sons plans to sell its house-baked bialys with smoked salmon and chive cream cheese beforehand.