BERKELEY, OAKLAND, AND OTHER EAST BAY RESTAURANTS

STEVE SUGARMAN'S

BOALT HALL DINING GUIDE

Please send comments/additions to:
sugarman@law.berkeley.edu

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Table of Contents

East Bay Dining

Alphabetical List

A. Good Choices

B. Options By Neighborhood

1. College Avenue and Telegraph Avenue

2. Oakland Hills

3. Downtown Oakland/Jack London Square/Chinatown

4. Piedmont Avenue/Grand Avenue

5. Solano Avenue Area

6. Emeryville/West Berkeley

7. Downtown Berkeley

Steve Sugarman's Boalt Hall Dining Guide

I. East Bay Dining (area code 510)

Alphabetical List

Adesso -- 4395 Piedmont, Oakland (601-0305)

A Cote -- 5478 College, Oakland (655-6469)

Adagia -- 2700 Bancroft, Berkeley (647-2300)

Ajanta -- 1888 Solano, Berkeley (526-4373)

B Restaurant -- 499 9th Street, Oakland (251-8770)

Barlata -- 4901 Telegraph, Oakland (450-0678)

Barney's -- 5819 College, Oakland (601-0444)

Ba Vo -- 416 13th Street, Oakland (832-1429)

Bay Wolf -- 3853 Piedmont, Oakland (655-6004)

Bellanico -- 4236 Park Blvd, Oakland (336-1180)

Breads of India -- 2448 Sacramento, Berkeley (848-7684); and 948 Clay, Oakland (834-7684)

Bocanova -- 55 Webster, Oakland (444-1233)

Bucci's -- 6121 Hollis, Emeryville (547-4725)

Burma Superstar -- 4721 Telegraph, Oakland (652-2900)

Cafe Fanny -- 1603 San Pablo, Berkeley (524-5447)

Cafe Rouge -- 1782 Fourth St., Berkeley (525-1440)

Cafe Rustica -- 5422 College, Oakland (654-1601)

Caffe 817 -- on Washington Oakland (271-7965)

Camino -- 3917 Grand, Oakland (547-5035)

Cesar -- 1515 Shattuck, Berkeley (883-0222); and 4039 Piedmont, Oakland (985-1200)

Cha Am Thai -- 1543 Shattuck, Berkeley (848-9664)

Chez Panisse Cafe -- 1517 Shattuck, Berkeley (548-5049); the Restaurant (548-5525)

Commis -- 3859 Piedmont, Oakland (653-3902)

Corso Trattoria -- 1786 Shattuck, Berkeley (704-8004)

Digs Bistro -- 1453 Dwight, Berkeley (548-2322)

Dona Tomas -- 5004 Telegraph, Oakland(450-0522)

Dopo -- 4293 Piedmont, Oakland (652-3676)

eVe -- 1960 University Avenue, Berkeley (868-0735)

Filippo's Pastaria -- 5400 College, Oakland (601-8646); 2930 College (644-3848)

Flora -- 1900 Telegraph, Oakland (286-0100)

Fonda -- 1501 Solano, Albany (559-9006)

Gather -- 2150 Alston Way (in the David Brower Center) 809-0400

900 Grayson -- 900 Grayson, Berkeley (704-9900)

Garibaldis -- 5356 College, Oakland (595-4000)

Gordo Taqueria -- 2989 College, Berkeley (204-9027)

Great China -- 2115 Kittredge, Berkeley (843-7996)

Gregoire -- 2109 Cedar, Berkeley (883-1893)

Hong Kong East Ocean -- 3199 Powell, Emeryville (655-3388)

Ichiro -- 412 15th Street, Oakland (452-1994)

Italian Colors -- 2220 Mountain Blvd, Oakland (482-8094)

Kabana Restaurant -- 1106 University, Berkeley (845-3355)

Khana Peena --5326 College, Oakland (658-2300)

King Yen -- 2995 College, Berkeley (845-1286)

Kirala -- 2100 Ward, Berkeley (549-3486)

Lake Chalet -- 1520 Lakeside Dr, Oakland (208-5253)

Lalime's -- 1329 Gilman, Berkeley (527-9838)

La Mediterranee -- 2936 College, Berkeley (540-7773)

La Note -- 2377 Shattuck, Berkeley (843-1535)

Le Cheval -- 1007 Clay Street, Oakland (763-8495)

Liaison -- 1849 Shattuck, Berkeley (849-2155)

Lo Coco's -- 4270 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland(652-6222)

Luka's Tap Room and Lounge -- 2221 Broadway (Grand), Oakland (451-4677)

Marica Seafood -- 5301 College Avenue, Oakland (985-8388)

Marzano -- 4214 Park Blvd., Oakland (531-4500); and 5356 College, Oakland (595-4058)

Mezze -- 3407 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland (663-2500)

Milano Restaurant -- 3425 Grand, Oakland (763-0300)

Montclair Bistro -- 6118 Medau Place, Oakland (482-8282)

Mua -- 2442 Webster, Oakland (238-1100)

Nan Yang -- 6048 College, Oakland (655-3298)

Ninna -- 4066 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland (601-6441)

Nizza La Bella -- 825 San Pablo, Albany (526-2552)

O Chame -- 1830 Fourth St., Berkeley (841-8783)

Oliveto -- 5655 College, Oakland (547-5356)

Ozumo -- 2251 Broadway, Oakland (286-9866)

Pappo -- 2320 Central, Alameda (337-9100)

Pho 84 --354 17th, Oakland (832-1338)

Paragon Bar and Cafe -- in the Claremont Hotel (549-8585)

Pican -- 2295 Broadway, Oakland (834-1000)

Pizzaiola -- 5008 Telegraph, Oakland (652-4888)

Plearn Thai -- 2050 University, Berkeley (841-2148)

Post Meridian -- 1568 Oakview, Kensington (525-1350)

Revival -- 2102 Shattuck, Berkeley (549-9950)

Riva Cucina -- 800 Heinz, Berkeley (841-7482)

Rivoli -- 1539 Solano, Berkeley (526-2542)

Scott's -- 2 Broadway, Oakland (444-3456)

Sea Salt -- 2512 San Pablo, Berkeley (883-1720)

Shen Hua -- 2914 College, Berkeley (883-1777)

Sidebar -- 542 Grand, Oakland (452-9500)

Six Degrees on Solano -- 1403 Solano, Albany (528-1237)

Skates -- 100 Seawall Drive, Berkeley (549-1900)

Soi4 Bangkok Eatery -- 5421 College, Oakland (655-0889)

Soizic Bistro-Cafe -- 300 Broadway, Oakland (251-8100)

Somerset – 5912 College, Oakland (428-1823)

Spengers -- 4th and Hearst, Berkeley (845-7771)

Spettro -- 3355 Lakeshore, Oakland (465-8320)

SR 24 -- 5179 Telegraph (in the Telegraph Triangle) (655-9300)

Tachibana -- 5812 College, Oakland (654-3668)

Tamarindo -- 468 8th St., Oakland (444-1944)

Townhouse Bar & Grill -- 5862 Doyle, Emeryville (652-6151)

T-Rex -- 1300 10th St, Berkeley (527-0099)

Trattoria La Siciliana -- 2993 College, Berkeley (704-1474)

Uzen -- 5415 College, Oakland (654-7753)

Vanessa's -- 1715 Solano, Berkeley (525-8300)

Venezia -- 1799 University, Berkeley (849-4681)

Venus -- 2327 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, (540-5950)

Verbena -- 14th and Broadway, Oakland (465-9300)

Vien Huong -- 712 Franklin, Oakland (465-5938)

Vik's -- 2390 4th St, Berkeley (644-4412)

Viva Voce Cafe -- 5761 Thornhill, Oakland (339-0990)

Wood Tavern -- 6317 College, Oakland (654-6607)

Yoshi's -- 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland (238-9200)

Zachary's -- 5801 College, Oakland (655-6385); 1853 Solano, Berkeley (525-5950)

A. Good Choices

Wood Tavern 6317 College (Alcatraz), Oakland (654-6607) Lively local with a nicely varied menu. Very popular. Very tasty food. Very welcoming hosts. Excellent bar, if you can get a seat.

A Cote -- 5478 College (Lawton), Oakland (655-6469) Lively French/American tapas place. Full Bar. Very tasty. Festive. Charming outdoor back patio.

Adesso -- 4395 Piedmont, Oakland (601-0305). Wonderful Italian treats from the Dopo crew. One of the best places now for drinks and tapas. Wonderfully lively scene, open late.

Chez Panisse Cafe -- 1517 Shattuck (Cedar), Berkeley (548-5049) Chez Panisse's regular restaurant downstairs is marvelous, but it has long become a "destination" place where we rarely eat anymore. Upstairs in the cafe remains a local favorite.

Flora -- 1900 Telegraph (19th), Oakland (286-0100) Jazzy-look place from the Dona Tomas folks. Lively and noisy. Very good food.

Oliveto -- 5655 College (Rockridge BART), Oakland (547-5356) Our local has become a "destination" restaurant. The downstairs cafe is good with a fine, but small, bar.

Townhouse Bar & Grill -- 5862 Doyle, Emeryville (652-6151) Go for a good time, good food, good drinks, maybe even sit outside in warm weather. Good bar. Not pretentious.

Bay Wolf -- 3853 Piedmont, Oakland (655-6004) Usually delicious. Nice heated patio, especially in warmer weather.

O Chame -- 1830 Fourth St., Berkeley (841-8783) An East Bay treasure; unusual Japanese food in charming setting.

B. Options By Neighborhood

College Avenue and Telegraph/Temescal Avenue

A Cote - see above

Adagia -- at the UC Campus, 2700 Bancroft at College (in Westminster House)(647-2300). Very attractive. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Inventive menu. Very lively at lunch; calmer in the evening.

Barlata -- 4901 Telegraph, Oakland (450-0678) Spanish Tapas in a lively setting. Tasty food, nice service. No reservations .

Barney's Hamburgers -- 5819 College (OceanView), Oakland (601-0444) Popular chain, but not my favorite.

Burma Superstar -- 4721 Telegraph, Oakland (652-2900) Classy Burmese in an attractive setting.

Cafe Rustica -- 5422 College (Hudson), Oakland (654-1601) Good pizza.

Dona Tomas 5004 Telegraph (51st), Oakland(450-0522), a very pleasant Mexican restaurant with a good bar and wonderful outside seating, especially in warm weather.-

Filippo's Pastaria -- 5400 College (Taft), Oakland (601-8646) Cheap, casual, Italian. Another Filippo's is in the Elmwood at 2930College (644-3848)-- nicer looking; similar menu.

Garibaldis -- 5356 College (Hudson), Oakland (595-4000) (next to the Rockridge Library) Some fine dishes. Recently sub-divided with part becoming Marzano (595-4058) (more informal, lots of pizza, not special). This change is quite disappointing. as the part left for Girabaldis is unattractive, whereas the old space was quite appealing. Plus the "rustic" feel of the Marzano portion is a miss.

Gordo Taqueria -- 2989 College (Ashby), Berkeley (204-9027) Great take out burritos.

Khana Peena --5326 College (near Broadway), Oakland (658-2300) Good enough Indian food (mixed reviews) in attractive surroundings.

King Yen -- 2995 College (Ashby), Berkeley (845-1286) Old reliable Chinese.

La Mediterranee -- 2936 College (Ashby), Berkeley (540-7773) Informal, Middle-Eastern(ish).

Marica -- 5301 College Avenue (near Broadway), Oakland (985-8388). Seafood restaurant. Attractive setting. Some excellent dishes. Bargain pricing.

Nan Yang -- 6048 College (Claremont), Oakland (655-3298) Pleasing Burmese.

Oliveto - see above

Paragon Bar and Cafe -- not on College, but in the Claremont Hotel (549-8585) Great views, an outdoor patio where you can eat, slick bar, good enough food.

Pizzaiola -- 5008 Telegraph (51st), Oakland (652-4888) Good pizza and more place. No reservations. Very crowded. Lots of fun, but very noisy.

Shen Hua -- 2914 College (Ashby), Berkeley (883-1777). Large attractive Chinese in the Elmwood. Noisy

Somerset -- 5912 College (Chabot), Oakland (428-1823). Oakland Neighborhood place. Mixed quality, but some tasty items. Wonderful outdoor patio in back for lunch.

Soi4 Bangkok Eatery -- 5421 College (Hudson/Manila), Oakland (655-0889). Nice Thai food in Rockridge. Quite popular.

SR 24 -- 5179 Telegraph (in the Telegraph Triangle) (655-9300). Terrific contemporary food. Pleasant setting. Good ambience.

Tachibana -- 5812 College (Chabot), Oakland (654-3668) Very good sushi. Friendly service. Sit at the sushi bar for the most fun and ask the main chef to prepare what he likes best: "omakase shimas"

Trattoria La Siciliana -- 2993 College (Ashby), Berkeley (704-1474) Home style fairly simple food, nicely prepared. Informal.

Uzen -- 5415 College (Hudson), Oakland (654-7753) Can be fine sushi. Simple.

Wood Tavern - see above

Zachary's -- 5801 College (OceanView), Oakland (655-6385) Midwest-style deep dish pizza (but not as good as the original). A second Zach's is located on Solano Ave.

Oakland Hills

Bellanico -- 4236 Park Blvd, Oakland (336-1180) Italian neighborhood place with very good food and gracious service.

Italian Colors -- 2220 Mountain Blvd (Montclair) (482-8094). Ok Italian. Good enough food.

Marzano -- 4214 Park Blvd., Oakland (531-4500) Pizza, small plates, and good ambience from the Girabaldi team.

Montclair Bistro -- 6118 Medau Place, Oakland (482-8282) Nice bar. Good food. Friendly service.

Piedmont Ave/Grand Ave

Adesso -- see above

BayWolf -- see above

Camino -- 3917 Grand, Oakland (547-5035). Limited menu very nicely done. Shared long tables. Attractive enough setting. Ambitious. Go with four people and share pretty much everything on the menu.

Cesar -- 4039 Piedmont Avenue (40th), Oakland (883-0222) Oakland. Sister to the well-established Berkeley boite, but now shifting to Latin food.

Commis -- 3859 Piedmont (Mac Arthur), Oakland (653-3902). New emphasizing price fixed (expensive) meals. Ambitious. Untried by us.

Dopo -- 4293 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland (652-3676). Very tasty pizza and other Italian items. Attractive place with some outside seating; great for lunch. Very popular.

Lake Chalet -- 1520 Lakeside Dr, Oakland (208-5253). New and large effort on Lake Merritt. Outdoor weekend brunch.

Lo Coco's -- 4270 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland (652-6222). Friendly pasta place.

Mezze -- 3407 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland (663-2500) Appealing Mediterranean place. Attractive. Ambitous and tasty food. Very friendly service. Nice bar.

Milano Restaurant -- 3425 Grand, Oakland (763-0300) Pleasant Italian.

Ninna -- 4066 Piedmont Avenue (near the cinema), Oakland (601-6441). Semi-fusion, new American food with Thai overtones. Friendly service. Good food. Quiet.

Sidebar -- 542 Grand, Oakland (452-9500). Comfortable food in a nice Lake Merritt locale by the former Zax people. Good bar scene.

Spettro -- 3355 Lakeshore Avenue, Oakland (465-8320) A very popular, somewhat zany, casual Italian place with OK food.

Downtown Oakland/Jack London Square/Chinatown

B Restaurant -- 499 9th Street (Washington) in Old Oakland (251-8770) Some ambitious cooking in a very nice space.

Ba Vo -- 416 13th Street, Oakland (832-1429) Trendy Vientnamese untried by us.

Bocanova -- 55 Webster Oakland (444-1233) Latin American tapas on the water at Jack London Square. Attractive. Lively. Good food.

Breads of India -- 948 Clay Oakland (834-7684) Good indian food. Said to be (even) better than the original Berkeley locale.

Caffe 817 Washington Oakland (271-7965) Friendly Italian cafe for breakfast and lunch in Old Oakland.

Flora -- see above

Ichiro -- 412 15th Street (Franklin),Oakland (452-1994 ). Terrific and low priced Japanese food (sushi, sashimi and more) in the heard of downtown Oakland. Friendly host,some unusual dishes, & good sake list.

Le Cheval -- 1007 Clay Street, Oakland (763-8495) Good Vietnamese, but noisy.

Luka's Tap Room and Lounge -- 2221 Broadway (Grand), Oakland (451-4677). Revitalized, even hip place in Oakland's "updown" district. Very lively at lunch. Good enough food.

Mua -- 2442 Webster, Oakland (238-1100) new trendy lounge, good food and more. From the Soizic people. In what looks like a former car bodyshop, very Brooklyn.

Ozumo -- 2251 Broadway (Grand), Oakland (286-9866)We had a terrific meal at this attractive upscale Japanese place with a large and jumping bar scene in the front.  Share a number of the small plates (like Hanabi and Me Kabetsu), skewers from the Robata Grill (like Buta and Hotate), a platter of mixed sashimi, and inventive dazzlingly presented sushi rolls.

Pho 84 -- 354 17th St, Downtown Oakland. Good Vietnamese food.  Occasionally you have to wait for a table.

Pican -- 2295 Broadway (Grand), Oakland (834-1000). Southern food in an attractive setting. Dressy. On our one visit so far there was a long wait for our table and slow service but the food was tasty and how nice to have unusual things on the menu.

Scott's -- 2 Broadway (Jack London Square), Oakland (444-3456), and other locations. Nice for a drink and view; pretty good fish.

Soizic -- 300 Broadway (3rd St.), Oakland (251-8100) Comfortable, tasty and an appealing menu.

Tamarindo -- 468 8th St in Old Oakland (444-1944). Terrific family run, Mexican tapas place. Charming and popular. No reservations.

Verbena In the APL building at 14th and Broadway (465-9300), very handsome downtown Oakland place to eat with good enough Italian cooking.

Vien Huong 712 Franklin (Chinatown), Oakland (465-5938) Authentic, casual, Vietnamese place

Yoshi's -- 510 Embarcadero West (Jack London Square), Oakland (238-9200) Said to now offer first rate Japanese food. Jazz club next to the restaurant has great music.

Solano Avenue Area

Ajanta -- 1888 Solano, Berkeley (526-4373) Good Indian food.

Fonda 1501 Solano Avenue, Albany (559-9006). Tapas and bar scene. Much praised by locals.

Lalime's -- 1329 Gilman, Berkeley (527-9838) Very popular. Many say it is their very favorite in the East Bay.

Nizza La Bella -- 825 San Pablo (just North of Solano), Albany (526-2552). French/italian riveria bistro sort of place. Attractive appearance; some pretty good dishes.

Rivoli -- 1539 Solano Ave. (Nielson & Peralta), Berkeley (526-2542) Physically attractive, Rivoli is uneven in my opinion. Many praise it as among the very best in the East Bay.

Vanessa's -- 1715 Solano, Berkeley(525-8300). Small, lively, Vietnamese tapas place with a French twist offers a huge number of mouth-watering small plate options.

Zachary's -- 1853 Solano, Berkeley (525-5950) See College Avenue.

Emeryville/West Berkeley

Breads of India -- 2448 Sacramento (Dwight), Berkeley (848-7684)Nice Indian cuisine.

Bucci's -- 6121 Hollis, Emeryville (547-4725) Hip Italian, sometimes with an attitude.

Cafe Fanny -- 1603 San Pablo (Cedar), Berkeley (524-5447) Fabulous egg salad sandwiches, charming, breakfast/lunch.

Cafe Rouge -- 1782 Fourth St., Berkeley(525-1440) We find that sitting at the bar for burgers and fries can be marvelous.

Digs Bistro -- 1453 Dwight, Berkeley (548-2322) A nice replacement for the much enjoyed Olivia. Very good food.

Hong Kong East Ocean -- 3199 Powell, Emeryville (655-3388) On the Emeryville spit, some great views, some great food, huge.

Kabana Restaurant, 1106 University (San Pablo), Berkeley (845-3355). Very unassuming Pakistani eatery with friendly host and good food.

O Chame -- see above

Riva Cucina -- 800 Heinz, Berkeley (841-7482) Hidden away Italian place. Attractive. Tasty. Noisy. You can sit outside at lunch. Very friendly service.

Sea Salt 2512 San Pablo (Dwight Way),Berkeley (883-1720). Excellent seafood in a hip block. Mixed service.

Skates -- 100 Seawall Drive (Berkeley Marina), Berkeley (549-1900) Good views and drinks, mixed qualty food, great variety.

Spengers -- 4th and Hearst, Berkeley (845-7771). Huge. Famous. Mixed reviews.

Townhouse -- see above

T-Rex 1300 10th St (Gilman) Berkeley(527-0099). Bar-b-que (ribs, etc.) place by the LaLime group. Goregous space. Uneven food quality. Many have been disappointed.

Vik's 726 Allston, Berkeley (644-4412). New Locale. Casual Indian food, best for lunch, lots more choices (and crowds) on weekends. MOVED?

Downtown Berkeley

Bar Cesar -- 1515 Shattuck, Berkeley (883-0222) Very animated tapas and bar scene next to Chez Panisse. Lots of fun. Noisy. The newer Piedmont Avenue version is even better.

Cha Am Thai -- 1543 Shattuck, Berkeley (848-9664) Good Thai, but disappointing to some.

Chez Panisse -- see above

Corso Trattoria -- 1786 Shattuck, Berkeley (704-8004). Authentic Florentine food. Very tasty. Nice wines. Noisy.

eVe -- 1960 University Avenue, Berkeley (868-0735). Very ambitious and delicious cooking in a simple setting. Helpful service. Limited but inventive menu.

Gather -- 2150 Alston Way (in the David Brower Center) 809-0400. A somewhat confused menu, but lots of nice items in an attractive setting..

Great China -- 2115 Kittredge St (Oxford), Berkeley (843-7996). A modestly unassuming place with terrific Peking Duck, plus some marvelous specials.

Gregoire -- 2109 Cedar (Shattuck), Berkeley (883-1893). Take way (or two outside tables) of terrific french-inspired snack food at lunch; also dinner take-away.

Kirala -- 2100 Ward (Shattuck), Berkeley (549-3486). Some call this the best Japanese restaurant outside of Japan (not me). Long lines all the time.

La Note -- 2377 Shattuck, Downtown Berkeley (843-1535) Charming outdoor back garden. Tasty lunches.

Liaison -- 1849 Shattuck (Hearst) Berkeley (849-2155). Another pleasing option near campus. Bistro food in a nice setting.

Revival -- 2102 Shattuck, Berkeley (549-9950). A replacement for Downtown, so far untried by us. Nice reviews..

Plearn Thai -- 2050 University, Berkeley (841-2148) Good Thai

Venezia -- 1799 University, Berkeley (849-4681) Enjoyable Italian, amusing interior.

Venus -- 2327 Shattuck Avenue (near Durant), Downtown Berkeley, (540-5950) Nice enough for a quick, simple meal before the movies or theater or for lunch.