Serkan Sozen, who operates Taksim in SoMa and Lokma in the Richmond District, opened his Berkeley debut Sunday at 1788 Fourth St. — the former Pollara Pizzeria space, dark for three years.

Divan opened for lunch Sunday at 1788 Fourth St. in Berkeley — the former Pollara Pizzeria space that has sat dark since Jon and Kayta Smulewitz closed the neighborhood favorite in June 2023 and relocated to New Jersey.

The restaurant is the Berkeley debut of Serkan Sozen, who operates two Turkish restaurants in San Francisco: Taksim in SoMa and Lokma in the Richmond District. The name refers to the central gathering area in a traditional Turkish home — a nod, per Sozen, to the hospitality premise behind the room.

The space has been fully redesigned and now features an open kitchen, a full bar, and a covered outdoor patio. Sozen secured a Type 47 full-spirits license for the address — the use permit cleared the City of Berkeley's Zoning Adjustments Board in April 2024, nearly two years before the room was ready — and the bar program includes house cocktails alongside Turkish and Mediterranean spirits.

The menu runs to pide, kebabs, mezze, roasted vegetables, Mediterranean sandwiches, and a Turkish breakfast-for-two available on weekends. Launch hours are lunch-only (Mon–Thu 11am–3pm, Fri–Sun 10am–3pm), with dinner service planned for the coming weeks. No price point has been released.

Also new in Berkeley this week: Serotonin Scoops, a high-protein, low-calorie, no-added-sugar ice cream shop with flavors like mint chip and coconut mango — fiber and prebiotics included — opened June 19 at Epicurious Garden, 1511 Shattuck Ave.