All Time Favs in Berkeley Oakland?

[ayeletw]

Hey folks. We're a little tired of our usual Berkeley/Oakland restaurants. We're looking for new ideas. We eat all the time at Pizzaiolo (awesome), chez P, Dopo, Great China, to name just a few. Our standards are high high high, but only in terms of food. Ambiance can be dreadful, service can be hostile (Great China!), as long as the food is good, all sins are forgiven. Give me your favorites.

[tanglenet]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Bellanico on Park Blvd. We think it's one of the best in Oakland. The wine list is priced well with obscure foreign imports that are everyday drinkers. That's my only complaint.

We were unimpressed with Bocanova and Olivetos has gone way down hill. Never been that impressed with A Cote or Citron.

Lalimes and Wood Tavern are favorites. We also like Sidebar, but have only been a few times. We also like Marzano's on College and the one on Park Blvd.

[nicedragonboy]

swinging towards Albany side, there's Ajanta, Vanessa's, Zaki's.

By downtown Berkeley, there's Eve, Five, Anh Hong, Bobby G's, Angeline's, Meridian for beer and pubfare.

[zin1953]

In addition to the strong recommendations you've already received . . . (with some repetition):

Boconova
Comis
Everett & Jones
Fonda
Lalime's (George Marrone has taken a very good restaurant and made it great!)
Oliveto
Pícan
Sea Salt
T-Rex
Wood Tavern
Yoshi's (although the SF location is better, the food is wonderful here, too)

Cheers,
Jason

[abstractpoet]

Also: Adesso. Rotten City Pizza (buying by the slice and eating them at the counter is a great way to go here). Pican. Rico's Diner. La Bedaine (for prepared dinners, pastries, sausages, etc.). Gum Wah (for the roast duck wonton noodle soup). Sura. Indus Village.

If you can go northward a bit (but no more so than La Bedaine) to Solano Ave., then China Village and brunch at Sunny Side Cafe.

[Robert Lauriston]

Besides those already mentioned, A Cote, B Restaurant, Barlata, Bocanova, Chai Thai, Chef Yu's, Champa Garden, Corso, Green Papaya, Lanesplitter (whole small pie, not slices), Ohgane, Sea Salt, Shanghai, Sidebar, Wood Tavern. Damn, what an embarrassment of riches.

I think most service issues at Great China reflect some servers' limited English. James Yu, the chef's son and sommelier, is friendly and helpful. I had him put together a group dinner with wine pairings and it was great.

[skwid]

Camino in Oakland, particularly for bruch on Saturday/Sunday.

[Michael Rodriguez]

Commis. Oliveto. Shandong.

[Janet]

We love Soi 4 in Rockridge.