The Ups and Downs of Breakfast @ Café Leila in Berkeley

[BeanBoy]

After reading rworange's review, ( http://www.chowhound.com/topics/439672 ) I stopped in there this morning and must say that they have some kinks to iron out. When you walk in the door, they have menus and numbers set out at the register, as if you would order up front, take a number then head out back and sit down. Some customers ordered this way, we were directed to the back. I got over it.

Our sever was attentive and friendly, really cared about what she was doing but a bit distracted.

"Can I have some cream?" I asked for example.

"Sure. It's over there on the table." She pointed and ran off.

I was still a little confused, trying to navigate Cafe Leila's blend of counter/table service. I went along with it and checked out the old wood-oven now used as a bus-station and found some lovely water pitchers and a pitcher full of milk. No cream. As picky as I am about my coffee, I just decided to drink my coffee black today.

When I got my scrambled eggs they were so soft they were liquidy and lukewarm. I sucked it up and at them -- but if eggs are going to be THIS runny, shouldn't they warn you? I suppose we are all supposed to like our eggs this way (Bette's assumes as much, but still warns classless heathens like myself that their scrambled eggs are going to be runny unless you tell them otherwise.

)

My partner's omelet was sitting in a pool of egg/oil-liquid, but they were kind enough to make it again. The cook even came out and delivered it himself and apologized.

We ate and admired the mix of modern/hip art with a few middle-eastern trinkets like the hooka on the way to the restroom, mixed with old black and white photos. Can't say why, but it all works. The decor is unique and homey in it's own way.

As we were about to get our check I reluctantly reminded the waitress that my eggs came with an orange juice. She apologized again then popped back with a glass of fresh squeezed.

This place is like many new place. The staff awkward, but haven't yet settled into their routines, the cafe hasn't yet sorted out the best systems for customers to order, and the cooks are still learning their jobs.

They seem eager to please and I'm sure they'll sort stuff out. They did ask us for suggestions before we paid and left. But as I climbed into my car I noticed that the underside of the table I sat at had deposited a brown layer of sawdust onto my pants.

Even with this lack of attention to details, I liked this place enough to try back for lunch in a couple of weeks and maybe breakfast with a little more time too. Cafe Leila charmed me. I will definately come back to at least sit and read a book and drink their fabulous beverages. (I forgot to say that the tea, coffee and OJ we got were some of the best I've had in Berkeley.)

It's the kind of place I'm definitely rooting for. They have everything in place to become a great, neighborhoody spot, like a less pretentious Cafe Fanny, with meal sized portions and much fairer prices. Just hope Cafe Leila can focus on the boring details next.

[rworange]

They finally figured out whether to take orders at the register or at the table?

Well, the service has improved. When I was there the manager and server had a discussion about what to do ...

Yeah, the service is pleasant but definately scattered. However the food I had was very good. Maybe its good this cold has kept me from getting out of the house and back there.

They dropped a bad omelet at the table and apolized? They didn't just make a new one? What's that all about?

Sorry your trip wasn't as good as mine. I hope they work to get it together as I really like the atmosphere ... and at least the food I had.

Couldn't get the owner to give up who the coffee roaster was.

They really need to fix that business about the cream. Once I'm feeling human again ... probably days off ... when I drop by there I'm going to mention that if the cream is going to be put out on a counter (stove) rather than served at the table, they need to put a counter in the back area too.

That was the one thing that really bugged me is that you have to go from the back of the restaurant to the very front to get cream and sugar.

I get the feeling that the orginal plan was to place the order at the counter and then they would call out the number to pick it up. I think they geared themselves up to be a coffee / tea house. So that whole thing would work ... place order ... get beverage/pastry ... add milk/sugar sit down.

Thanks for the update and cautionary story. Was it busy?

[BeanBoy]

Nope. Slow with a few more people as it approached lunchtime.

Did you try the muffins and pastries? They kind of looked like Espresso Roma "quality," presentation like they were made by a 6-year-old. Maybe they ought to think about a deal with Acme, up the street, or a new pastry chef.

[rworange]

Nope. On my visit the pastries looked fine, actually pretty good, but the bagels ... not so much. They were humoungous and looked ... fluffy.

[Glencora]

We went to Casa Latina for tortas instead -- cheaper and very good. My friend also had coffee at Cafe Leila and said it was pleasant but also very crowded, not too surprising on such a nice day.

[lintygmom]

I stopped by just a short while ago and asked if we could make this a destination dog walk dining spot as there is a gate from the parking lot to the back seating area. The girl there said, "No. Service dogs only." Seems silly as the inside is so large.

And yes, the muffins looked carelessly homemade. Usual lemon-poppyseed, possible banana. Smooth topped, uninteresting. Shame as it is a gorgeous space in an underserved area. I was more tempted to go back to Casa Latina for something flakey.

[susancinsf]

Why is it silly: It isn't against city or county regulations to have a dog inside (other than service dog)? Or are you saying there is an outside area?

[lintygmom]

Yes, as I thought I said but must not have clearly, there is a huge outside area behind the restaurant which can be accessed through a gate to the left as you stand on San Pablo. Dogs could be led in without going through the restaurant, which is large enough to accomodate all those who don't want to be near dogs--and the outside area is also. The reason this is important to me is that my husband and I work and though the dog has daytime walks with a walker, we don't like to come home at night or go out too much in the daytime on weekends without taking him--it just didn't seem fair to adopt him and then leave him home. So we take long walks to doggie-destination eateriers and Leila would have fit the bill IF it was dog-friendly and the food good.

[foodseek]

I agree with you, many restaurants with outdoor seating areas could turn said patio into a huge selling feature by welcoming dog owners and their dog. I would go so far as to say I would be forgiving of some flaws if Fido could join me out on the patio. I love to be able to stop on walks even if it is just for a cup of coffee.

[MizBee]

Restaurants don't have this option, unfortunately. Health Department regulations prohibit dogs joining their people in outdoor dining areas, and the Health Department can and will shut the restaurant down on the spot if the inspector decides to do so. That's not a viable economic strategy for any business owner. As a dog person and a business owner, I can't help but marvel that the entire continent of Europe hasn't succumbed to some dreadful disease due to the prevalence of dogs everywhere in cafes, pubs, restaurants and the like....and not just outdoors on some terrace, but indoors quietly tucked under tables near their person's feet. This state of affairs has been going on for (literally) centuries. Truly amazing, isn't it ;-)

[lintygmom]

Dogs accompany their owners at Barney's, Cugini's, Sunnyside, and Curry Cafe on Solano and many other places in Berkeley. These people just don't seem to want dogs.

[Morton the Mousse]

I will not return to Cafe Leila. Though they pay lip service to organics, I think the ingredient quality is poor enough that no improvement in execution will compensate.

I took one bit of the California sandwich with rancid avocado and what appeared to be Kraft Singles "cheese." I took two bites of the dense, bland "Belgian" waffle with syrupy blueberries. I took three bites of the dry, flavorless home fries. Then I paid the bill (only $13! The low prices are definitely the biggest draw) and went to Gregoire.

I rarely write negative reviews, particularly for new restaurants. Yet I can't remember the last time I had to leave an eatery hungry, because I could not eat the food. It also bothers me that Leila touts using organics whenever possible, but serves feedlot meat and pre-processed ingredients. I feel that this approach does a disservice to the sustainable foods movement.

(With all due respect to rworange - your recs consistently lead me to great meals).

[rworange]

Yikes. Sorry guys, I really did have a good breakfast so sorry they have been consistant on the other end for eveyrone else. Glad you guys are sharing so others don't have to deal with this. Actually, my home fries bordered on being over oiled. I wonder if they have a new cook. Still can't believe anyone would send out an omelet with the chef and an apology.

That being said, I probably still go back for the tea at least.

[MorganSF]

Am I missing something? I thought the OP said the chef brought out a re-made omelet with an apology.

[Bananna A.]

I dropped by today and tried out a veggie-based option.
So, they were willing to make a (lunch) wrap at breakfast (hurrah!). I didn't require it to be _officially_ vegan, just mostly so.
The grilled tofu wrap and is, by appearance, vegan, though I can't vouch that the bread-portion of the wrap isn't hiding some bonus animal-derived something. However, the tofu is tender, topped with a tiny bit of siracha-tomato-like relish, and nestled in delicate greens and an assortment of veggies. Beware and woe to all careful menu-readers/picky eaters, though, since the menu does not mention that you may also get hummus and eggplant in your wrap. The menu also mentions that the sandwich comes with a pesto-based sauce/spread, but that may or may not actually materialize. This is my pet peeve.
If your menu lists what is on the sandwich, that sets an expection that other items are NOT on the sandwich. Change the details to "assortment of vegetables" if you cannot be consistent. Then I'll know to ask you what today's assortment is! Arrrgg!
I mean, I don't order a steak burrito expecting to have a few prawns thrown in, so why is this different? To be fair, far, far too many places in the bay area do this, so don't think that Cafe L. is alone.
When my nicely toasty wrap appeared, there was a beige sauce in it that I did not expect. I took it back up to the counter and asked where the pesto was. They took it back and gave me a new wrap or possibly the same wrap again, but with pesto added. The counter/server guy told me that the chef is used to putting hummus on all the wraps and just forgot the pesto. As a human, I get it. As a customer, I don't care why it is wrong, I just want what the menu promised. The menu did not mention hummus, and something very hummus-y was still on the bread, and pesto was on top. I ate it anyway, but I found it irritating that the server told me "no, there isn't any hummus" on the second/remade one.
I'd say, just like most restraunts, don't go here if you are allergic to something and aren't willing to dissect, inspect and lab-test your food before eating it.
Other than that, it was a gentle, calm place to start the morning. Cozy enough, fresh air in the indoor dining area, quiet folks at the other tables all munching away.

Sounded like they had an employee that didn't show up today and thus were a little short-handed... Maybe the regular counter-person?

Had a tiny nibble of my friend's falafel wrap, too. Just had a little forkful of the falafel ball and found it to be a good balance of tender and toothsome. Not spicy, but the individual grains/particles stood out pleasantly on the tounge. A delicate little snack of a falafel. Worth trying!

So, good attitude about making lunch-ish food at breakfast-time, good intentions and flavors in the actual meals, bad menu description to final product correlation, questionable repair/response when something is amiss.

[dailia]

I think you guys are really picky. I went to Cafe Leila with my 7 month old baby and I had a good experience. Nothing atypical of Berkeley. I think Berkeley (and in general, most part of the Bay Area) notion of customer service isn't the best in general(I love the Bay Area but I have to say this isn't one of the area's strengths). Even if you go to fancy restaurants like Chez Panisse, you won't get great service either. That being said, yes, the service isn't the absolute most wondrous thing about this cafe. It took me a while to wait at the counter (only less than a minute, which I guess in this fast pace world is too long), but that's because the counter guy wasn't there and the guy who was there tried to help but he's the juicer guy so he can't really take over. When the counter guy came back, he was very nice and friendly and he was really great with greeting the baby.

I like it they leave me alone when I'm eating and only come if asked. Nothing worse than people hovering above you as you eat. I went there for a snack and will be going back for lunch today. The coffee was great! Strong, distinctive, aromatic flavor. And the cake was wonderful. Very moist and just right for sweetness-- not too much and not too little. When I asked what the kinds of cake there were, the counter guy was helpful. I saw the omelett that my neighboring diners were eating. It looks fantastic.

The whole place looks real clean and beautiful and airy. Very quiet for a cafe restaurant, especially one on a busy street like San Pablo. I was sitting by the storefront and I couldn't hear the traffic outside at all! Good selection of music. I like the huge outdoor patio and the dining room (I looked at it before I settled in the cafe part).

Anyway, all in all, I think the whole experience is good for what it is. This is after all a neighborhood cafe, not a fancy restaurant. Moreover, it's a new cafe. We got to give it some slack in settling into the whole business and routine of things. No one is perfect on their first job or first day of work (not that it's their first day but it's still in early days).

As for the dog part, I don't own a dog but I love dogs, and personally I can see why they might not be allowed, even outside. Sometimes some dogs are not trained well and can be a nuisance to diners, especially with begging, or barking, or just plain moving around. Since they can't single out only certain dogs, they might as well not allow any. As a diner, I wouldn't want to be disturbed by some animal as I eat and trying to relax and have conversation.

I'll return to comment once I eat their lunch, which I'm sure is great, because I saw the cooks in the kitchen preparing the food and they seemed quite focused and organized and clean.

[Glencora]

Anyone been back lately? I'm meeting someone stuck in traffic school tomorrow (across the street) and thought lunch might cheer him up. Has anyone tried the pizza? Burgers?

[Nina]

Actually, I was there for the first time yesterday. I was on the point of getting the lamb burger, which was well-reviewed in another thread, and then was lured by a delicious-looking chocolate cake into getting a Caesar salad....and a piece of cake. This was a mistake; the cake was dry and not very tasty, and the salad was okay -- more anchovy taste than many cafe Caesars -- but not memorable. The green apricot iced tea was refreshing but had sort of a coconut note to it which I found confusing. I saw a couple of burgers on neighboring tables that looked tasty. The rooms and the garden are very pleasant and my salad was brought very quickly.

[BeanBoy]

Has the service and the attitude of the owner improved (ie. become more welcoming) at all?

[adrienne156]

I would be very interested in knowing as well. I took a day class at Berkeley Adult some months ago and the wait for my to-go order was so long (about 40 minutes), I had to cancel my order and rush back to be on time. Even worse was that I then had to go back after class to have my money refunded because I had paid with a credit card and the owner was "too busy" to deal with it the first time around.

[Nina]

I was there again today -- the staff are not unfriendly, but they still give the impression of being slightly surprised and confused about what it is that they're supposed to be doing for customers. The joint was jumping in the middle of the afternoon -- two business meetings and a number of conversations as well as the usual laptop-using crowd. So my friend and I headed for the patio out back which was quiet on this breezy day. One of the largest outdoor eating spaces I've ever seen -- there must be 16-18 tables, a couple of which seat 5-6 people, and very pretty with lots of plants including some lovely aromatic
jasmine. Most tables have umbrellas. We shared a slice of lemon cake (excellent) and zucchini bread (good, but a little dry).

[MissVeg]

I had a yummy bagel with tomatoes and a lovely pot of chai (with no milk...I had to ask at the counter to get a little pitcher of milk). Just from standing at the counter, it seemed like the kitchen got just about every order a little bit wrong, but I think the woman at the counter corrected most of the mistakes before the food went out to tables. My bagel actually came out with cucumbers and onions in addition to tomatoes. Oops. All told, I thought it was a little pricey (it came to $8 and change) but the place is so sunny and delightful that I didn't mind. By the way, I asked at the counter if I could bring my dog on the patio next time I came, and they said it was fine. Not sure if the policy has changed, but I'll let everyone know what happens when the critter and I next venture to Cafe Leila.