In a food processor or blender, puree 1¾ cups of the berries, reserving the remaining ¼ cup to use as a garnish. Pour through a fine strainer into a bowl; discard seeds.

To prepare gastrique: In a 1- to 2-quart pan, mix sugar with ¼ cup water; cook, uncovered, over medium-high heat until reduced to a thick caramel-colored syrup, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat; carefully add vinegar.

Return to low heat and stir until caramel is dissolved. Remove from pan and set aside. Rinse pan.

In the same pan, melt butter over medium-high heat; add shallot and cook, stirring often, until just golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine and cook, uncovered, until most of the liquid evaporates (watch carefully), about 5 minutes.

Add berry puree and cook, uncovered, until reduced by half, about 6 minutes. Add the gastrique to pan. Add salt and pepper to taste; set aside.

Rinse fish; pat dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Mix thyme and cloves; spread on a large plate. Set fillets on thyme mixture; press to adhere and let stand a few minutes. Turn over; repeat to coat all sides.

Add oil to a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over high heat. When pan is hot, cook fish until lightly brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side; transfer to oven in same pan if handle is ovenproof (or transfer fillets to a baking pan).

Bake fish in a 375 degrees oven until fish is barely opaque in thickest part, 4 to 6 minutes. Spoon 2 tablespoons of sauce onto each of 4 heated plates; place a fillet on top. Place whole berries on top of and around fillet. Garnish with thyme sprigs.