Comment Archives: Locations: 4 Stars
Re: “Victory Burger”
I liked it too! But the bathrooms...could have asked for a little more.
http://tableandthrone.tumblr.com/post/4325…
Re: “Borgo Italia”
That Twitter account is incorrect. I don't think they have a Twitter account. They do have a Facebook page though.
https://www.facebook.com/BorgoItaliaBarCaf…
Re: “Spice Monkey Cafe”
Great time.. Great food.. Great music..
Re: “Wally's Cafe”
Wally's is awesome. It's really unlikely to find good Lebanese food. This hits home pretty close.
Re: “Nature Vegetarian Restaurant”
Nature Vegetarian serves tasty, skillfully prepared and reasonably priced dishes a la the "monk's food" or vegetarian cuisine developed by Chinese chefs thousands of years ago. At last one can enjoy "roast pork" without worrying about the carcinogen content of the pork fat! Vegetables and "seafood" over pan fried, Cantonese noodles were also good. It's also a plus that N. V. is open for dinner in an Oakland neighborhood with mostly daytime only establishments.
Re: “The Avenue”
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Re: “Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe”
Always a comfy favorite. Great food and service at both Rudy's.
Re: “Uncle Yu’s at the Vineyard”
Really great food. I ordered from the pre menu and it was really good. The place has a nice patio.
Re: “JD's Restaurant and Pies”
If you want a great Reuben or french dip, you have found the place. This is not the oily metallic looking meat you can get at some chain restaurant. The meat is delish and tasty!
Re: “Skates on the Bay”
I loved the clams and mussels at happy hour. And the Margharita was sweet and potent. Long live happy hour. Seeing sailing and motor boats as well as birds and people gliding by on their gliding apparatus was a wonderful plus.
Re: “Miss Pearl's Restaurant & Lounge (at the Waterfront Hotel)”
We went with a group of friends a few weeks ago. Very funny comedians. Laughed like crazy. Easy to get to, great dinner first, service wonderful. drinks during show. Looking forward to going back!
Re: “Thai Delight Cuisine”
Thai Delight is a place for Authentic Thai food. The decor is very attractive, and waterside alike.
Re: “Miss Pearl's Restaurant & Lounge (at the Waterfront Hotel)”
Went to the comedy show last week, had a blast the comics were very funny small venue good food and drinks.... Will definately put this one on a rotation for the weekend..
Re: “Giovanni Restaurant”
It was one of those rainy, windswept days in Berkeley - when the cold went through your coat, lodging deeply in your bones.
I didn't care because my friend and I were sitting comfortably warm next to a roaring fireplace at the ORIGINAL GIOVANNI's, a glass of amazing Sangiovese in our hands, dipping pieces of fresh-baked focaccia into a bowl of extra-virgin olive oil & balsamic vinegar...
For those unaware, Giovanni and his family founded this restaurant in 1961 and quickly forged a reputation as being one of the premier Southern Italian (the family is Calabrese) restaurants in the Bay Area. About 17 yrs ago Giovanni decided to retire early and new owners continued the tradition quite successfully until a few years ago, when everything went downhill. Approx 6 months ago Giovanni's daughters, Sara and Anastasia, decided to take on the daunting task of reopening Giovanni themselves, and managed to talk their Dad and Mom (Anna) into helping out.
I personally think they hit a home run! The music of Sinatra, Buble' and Ella softly great you as you enter. There is a full list of great Italian wines - something for every taste at true value... and at lunch you get a free glass of wine (or beer) of your choice. Cool! Like the focaccia, the pasta is made in-house daily, and served simply with olive oil and fresh parmesan. If you prefer, rich and tasty sauces such as Alfredo, White Wine, Vodka and classic Red are all available and well worth trying (I've tasted them all).
On this particular day I had the Chicken Parmesan w/Penne Pasta and Alfredo sauce. I passed on the veggies and asked for a little extra garlic on the pasta. Being lunch my friend first considered the sausage & peppers on a role or the grilled eggplant sandwich, but finally ordered the Veal Marsala with Roasted Potatoes & Sautéed Veggies. The cheese on my chicken was soft, flavorful and not tough or stringy like so many places serve... the chicken was so moist and tender you literally could cut it with your fork. Pasta was to die for. I managed to get a taste of the veal marsala before it was gone - real, tasty veal (not the "imitation" so often passed-off as veal to save money). Well, I know that's my next meal here...
By the way, service is both welcoming and attentive, and either Mom or Dad are present at lunch or dinner, and the beautiful Sara or the dazzling Anastasia are always present --greeting you, making sure orders are right, and generally overseeing the smooth running of the restaurant.
Now back to the important part: Dessert! With more wine firmly in hand we ordered both the Cannoli and the Tiramisu... I don't normally eat cannoli in restaurants because I'm always comparing it to my Grandmother's (who originally was from Calabria before settling in New Jersey). I know some of the desserts are made in-house, and since this cannoli was like I remember Grandma's -- just so damn good -- I have to believe that Anna had a hand in making this! Oh, and the Tiramisu? I did what I always do: eat my share at lunch and then order another to take home for that late-night snack with my lady friend (I mean... what girl could resist mascarpone cheese, raw eggs, sugar, espresso coffee, ladyfingers, dark rum, chocolate shavings and whipped cream... light, creamy, smooth, the rich aroma of strong coffee and the tantalizing hint of the liquor? How seductive is that?)
ORIGINAL GIOVANNI may not be the perfect restaurant nor have a trend-setting, Northern Italian fusion-style kitchen that many Bay Area diners seem to prefer after watching the latest episode of Top Chef... BUT, if you want a place that's both fun and romantic, good for business meetings or relaxing with friends... a place where you get good ingredients in classic dishes, prepared simply and where the presentation is not more important then the taste, and where everything is done with true love and caring - then ORIGINAL GIOVANNI is for you!
Re: “Massimo's”
This is a real gem. It's in a strip mall. Table side preparation of some of the dishes are great. Best warm spinach salad I've ever had.
Re: “Giovanni Restaurant”
I’m really happy Giovanni’s has reopened again….new menu, fresh homemade pasta and keeping the best parts of the past, the pizza and foccacia bread. The service is warm and friendly, the decor has been up dated but it’s not a total make over. I still feel at home.
Re: “El Cerrito Plaza”
was wonderful when I had my store there,the house of Butterflies, where we played D and D in the Bluebird meeting room, hope it is doing even better now. Hi Jeff, Brian, and Tony et all.
Re: “Monterey Fish Market”
Excellent place for fresh fish. I bought sardines there and they were perfect. I w/ return for more fish soon.
Re: “Al's Big Burger”
This is your basic burger and fries joint, and they have good onion rings. Well-made and served hot, and inexpensive as well. I'd be careful about straying from their standard fare, though: one time I ordered a BLT and it was mediocre at best.
Re: “Starbucks”
Off the beaten trails. Nice place to relax, write, spend time that's usually not so crowded and has a decent view of trees.