Just as an acorn can grow into a mighty oak, that first step caught the attention of several local science museums, which have since invited the pair to collaborate in creative and educational exhibitions including those on traditional medicinal plants, the Chochenyo language, and historic shellmounds, as well as planetarium shows featuring ancient Ohlone astronomy.<\/p>\n
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Medina and Trevino\u2019s latest creation, an engaging new caf\u00e9 with an incomparable view of the Berkeley Hills and xu\u010dyun (the Bay), opened in mid-February. Its name, ‘ammatka, means “The Dining Place” in the traditional Chochenyo language, which is, itself undergoing a revival. The space, which sat unused for years, is spacious and inviting, with chairs in bright, primary colors. The walls sport questions in English, Spanish, and Chochenyo that serve as food for thought. Much more art is planned, including table covers that tell a story about highlighted ingredients to build an understanding of what people are eating and their specific meaning in Ohlone culture.<\/p>\n
‘ammatka\u2019s focus is affordable, seasonal, Ohlone-inspired fare with prices all under $15. The menu currently offers sandwiches, salads, snackable bites, desserts, and drinks, including a black sage tea gathered from the Outdoor Nature Lab at the LHS. Dishes like a stinging nettle pizza with chopped spring garlic will be added in the spring.<\/p>\n
Their other 25-seat dining space on the patio outside the Anthropology Building at UC Berkeley<\/a>, now called \u2018ottoytak\u2014the name of which comes from the Chochenyo word ottoy, \u201cto repair\u201d\u2014will reopen in the fall to serve elegant, luxurious meals.<\/p>\n Both spots promote what the pair call \u201cOhlone-forward\u201d cuisine, meaning they feature ingredients that are historically important combined with more timely tastes. The stand-out smoked duck sandwich at \u2018ammatka, for example, features traditional, responsibly sourced poultry and homemade rose hip jam, plus Mt. Tam Triple Cream cheese, which Medina says is enjoyed as part of the living Ohlone culture today.<\/p>\n Medina and Trevino\u2019s long relationship with the LHS is just one of those they\u2019ve forged with several local museums, making the Ohlone the first Indigenous community<\/a> in California to achieve such widespread exposure in institutions devoted to science.<\/p>\n In 2023, the pair devised the Exploratorium\u2019s \u00a1Pl\u00e1ntasticas!<\/a> exhibit, where they emphasized the cultural and medicinal significance of local plants such as valley oak acorns, bay laurel, mugwort, sagebrush, yerba buena, and dogbane, which is used for making twine.<\/p>\n Medina and Trevino\u2019s groundbreaking planetarium show, Ohlone Skies (Mur Taaraxtak) debuted the following year at the Chabot Space and Science Center<\/a> (10000 Skyline Blvd.), which illustrates how countless generations of Ohlone people have observed the night sky as a living universe by whose stars they kept time. The show still runs several times a month<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ohlone-salad-with-pine-nuts-blackberries-dried-strawberries-east-bay-greens-and-edible-flowers-at-am.jpeg\")
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Louis Trevino shows a basket in the