We hosted a private event at Best Friends. They did a good job communicating with us and getting…read moreready for the event. Our guests loved the space and the staff was great! Separately, we also bought more wine for another event. They have such knowledgeable staff and guided us toward wines that we loved and helped us get them down in price to our budget. Overall, a really thoughtful crew, would recommend!

Strolling through Solano Ave, our group stopped here for a drink and to chill. Located at the…read morecorner of Solano Ave and San Pablo, Best Friends is a cozy wine bar where you can have a drink at the bar or at one of the bar tables and tables. Their logo on their sign is a dog drinking from wine glass. Yes, they are a dog friendly shop and several customers had their dogs including our friend. Their wine offerings consist of international wines and wines from local small wineries. They also had two craft beers and some light bites. The wine pourer was helpful and answered questions about the wines and gave samples for you to try before ordering. We also ordered marinated olives and Marcona almonds to have with our drinks. Nice place to relax and to have a glass of wine, beer or non-alcoholic offerings where you an bring man's best friend.

I don't write a lot of reviews, but I had SUCH a beautiful experience at Banter that I needed to…read morepost this. I live in San Francisco and don't get over to El Cerrito much, but clearly I need to plan more friend dates there just for an excuse to hang at Banter. The wine was delicious - thoughtful and fun list of by-the-glass options, plus lots of bottles that looked super interesting. The ambiance was perfection - analog all the way, with stacks of VHS tapes and vinyl playing on the sound system. It felt homey and comforting and nostalgic and indulgent. But the service was the best part - it's not often that you get a staff person who understands that a wine bar like this provides an essential space for friend therapy sessions and catch-ups, and sometimes those moments spill past closing time. Thank you for so graciously staying open for us, making us feel welcome, and providing the mot wonderful customer service.

Overall 4.5 Food /…read moreWine 5 Service 4 Ambiance 5 I was looking for a cozy wine bar north of Berkeley and Yelp did not disappoint. Banter sits alongside the main road, close to a market and record store. They have a nice selection of natural wines, including some local ones that I wasn't familiar with. Food / Wine: I did a flight ($24 for 3 half-pours). I went with a sparkling rose, a springy white, and finished with a gamay. All were delicious, especially the sparkling rose. I also ordered the anchovy plate. The bread, butter, and pepper spread were great. I imagine their larger charcuterie board would be perfect for a party of 2 or more. Service: There was one person working and four customers at the bar. I was greeted and everything came out quick enough. My only knock is that in a place called Banter you'd think the staff would have a bit of banter, at least an introduction in an effort to create some regulars. Ambiance: This was my favorite part of the experience. There's a nice collection of vinyl along with VHS tapes. The combination of the Psychedelic Furs on vinyl while Mannequin was playing on some very small old TVs was definitely a delightful throwback... and yes, I recognized Andrew McCarthy and named the movie in less than 3-minutes Clean restroom, great actually vintage decor, and a pinball machine that will get some attention from me next time!

Books and wine in a cute location with velvet, green, and gold touches. Really my dream place!…read more I liked the library card self-service pour system. You can choose a taste, half glass, or full glass from about 8-10 selections (at least one non-alcoholic). It was a pleasant way to spend time without any sales pressure (or not even a tip option). All three wines I tasted were really good. I went with a friend, but I can imagine coming solo to read books. Note when I first walked in, it seemed really intimidating because I had never been in a place like this, and my anxious brain was telling me spin around and leave. But the woman working there was very helpful. I am glad we stayed.

This place is adorable! I would have loved to stay for my friend's book launch but had to leave…read morebecause I had my 7 year old in tow. I was sad to leave but understand their limitations as a business with a liquor license. I will definitely be back with friends and no kids.

A fine, and even devenir experience. Went when it rained last December. The bartender was kind,…read moreendearing and very knowledgeable about wine. I had a delightful Italian Chardonnay (yes Italian). I even got educated about the relative cost of some higher end champagnes (was imparted with a value proposition about wine cost which I consider invaluable). Ambience was very much svelte and chic! Great 1st or 104th date spot! Wine so Cru, wine so cool, South Berkelean vino school.

"You telling me that wine is better than Pepsi? Huh, no way wine is better than Pepsi." - George…read moreCostanza, Seinfeld da Scene: Yelped them for pre-dinner spot. Kinda hidden on a corner right off University & 5th; make the right onto 6th & scoot around to park on 5th or University. They buzz you in, best to make a res., but seems like walk-ins are ok. Very modern, yet welcoming feel, tables spaced well for intimate encounters and a bar with Hightop seating. da Grub & Libation: I had res. for a buddy & I and belly up to the bar; they offered a table, but we're bar flies by nature. Very diverse wines by the glass & bottle so we had 4 different glasses w/ a modest charcuterie plate. da Service: Excellent, warm, friendly and genuinely so. I look forward to my next visit, whether it's for a contemplative glass in solitude or with the wife on a pre-dinner excursion. Hidden Gem, find them and enjoy!

What a wonderful dining experience! The incredible grilled lamb chops are not to be missed! It's…read morerare to find grilled lamb chops on a restaurant menu, and these were absolutely delicious, accompanied by a choice of flavorful basmati rice or roasted potatoes and a fresh, delicious salad with a wonderful light dressing. The grilled salmon was equally delicious, as was the fabulous roasted cauliflower with roasted garlic and a delicate sauce. Everything was so fresh, healthy, and flavorful! The portions were generous enough that we even enjoyed leftovers! The wine list by the glass or bottle is great and the Russian River Pinot Noir was fantastic! The ambiance is equally special. Located in a beautiful historic building with high ceilings, a lovely wood bar, gorgeous lighting, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, this restaurant is truly a sanctuary on Solano Avenue in Albany! The friendly chef/owner and his wife made the experience even more enjoyable. There was a birthday party scheduled after our dinner, and I can certainly see why this would be a fabulous place for a celebration, gathering with friends, or a quiet, romantic dinner. Be sure to check their entertainment schedule, too! The atmosphere has a wonderful European feel, and the excellent selection of wines is another highlight, which makes perfect sense since it's also a wine bar! I've always loved the Solano Avenue area, going back to my college days several decades ago, and discovering this restaurant made me appreciate it even more. Outstanding Mediterranean cuisine, beautiful surroundings, wonderful hospitality, and fantastic wines. We can't wait to return! Highly recommended!

We went to Chez Mansour expecting to eat because, well, it says "RESTAURANT" in large letters right…read moreoutside the window. Apparently, this was our first mistake. We sat down and the server who is also the chef's wife, a fact she made sure we understood throughout the evening, asked what we wanted to order. We asked how many lamb chops came with the lamb chop plate. She explained that they were priced by weight and that, because it was dinner, they could only serve us a large plate. Fine. We ordered the large plate. She then began repeatedly reminding us that they are not a restaurant. Despite the giant "RESTAURANT" sign behind her. According to her, it is a wine bar. This distinction became particularly important because we had five people in our party, including a two kids. We tried to order an item off of the kids menu and were told they don't serve it at dinner because, again, this is a wine bar, not a restaurant. Okay. We ordered beef, lamb and chicken shawarma, a chicken kebab plate, and the large plate of lamb chops. Then things got weird. The chef, the husband, came out with a plate of 3 small lamb chops. I had read a previous review mentioning that someone felt they'd been shorted on the portion size by the wife, so I very specifically asked him whether the plate was the small or large portion. Without hesitation, he said small. I told him we had ordered the large. He looked confused and said, "I can get you whatever you want." At this point, the wife came storming outside and insisted that it was a large portion. She then proceeded to show me photographs of the raw lamb chops placed on a cutting board on her phone as visual evidence of the weight of the meat. All while I was eating. I suggested she speak with the chef about it, at which point she very aggressively said: "HE'S MY HUSBAND!" And I said, "Well, I never denied that fact." I was no longer sure if I was at dinner, witnessing a marital dispute, or participating in an episode of reality television. The food, unfortunately, did not redeem the experience. It was terrible, even for a wine bar that insists it is not a restaurant. The vibes were completely unhinged. And, as if the evening hadn't already provided enough entertainment, at one point a baby fell down at the bar. Five stars for the experience if you enjoy chaos and confusion. One star for the food and hospitality. I still have no idea whether we ate at a restaurant or a wine bar. One thing is for sure, I'm not going back!

I've been buying from Solano Cellars online since 2018 and since we were in the area, decided to…read morestop in to see if they had a wine they listed in Wine Searcher in the store. As others have discovered, the physical store doesn't carry anywhere near what they list online, which makes sense once you see the store, which is quite small (so honestly should not have been that surprising). I'm happy that I didn't make a special trip out! Contrary to what others have mentioned, we found the staff extremely helpful in making a selection and explaining how the wine bar works. They were extremely busy, but doing an incredible job running between the wine bar and the retail to help people out. I'm not sure if they were understaffed that night but two people to run an almost full wine bar + fill wine club/online orders + help retail customers - it honestly seems a bit much for two people. The wine bar offers flights and BTG, but you can also select a bottle off the floor to open and enjoy for a modest corkage fee (I think it was $10 or $15). We opted to do the latter. Although the shop doesn't have everything that's listed online, there is still quite a good selection of wines - interesting varietals and regions, but also all the more well-known varietals and regions. Based on the selection of wines in the shop, their style definitely tends toward fresher styles over wines wines with super high alcohol and tons of oak. I didn't see any Rombauer Chardonnay or Caymus :) Next time we're in the area and looking for a special bottle or just to enjoy a glass, we'll definitely be stopping in again!

Knowledgeable team. Well curated selection. Fun rotation of classes and events. Great wine bar…read morespace in the evenings. LOVE THIS SHOP!

Dolly's is a great local eatery for me. While I can't comment on the wine & beer selections, I can…read morelet you all know I've never had a bad meal or experience here. Tonight was no different. With the bay area temps running high i was in no mood to cook. I also wasn't overly hungry. Driving southbound on San Pablo Avenue, I decided to make a u-turn at Central Ave and go back to Dolly's. It had been a minute since I was last there. When I walked in I was surprised to find no patrons seated. My previous experiences here led me to believe Dolly's should be busy on an early Saturday evening. It wasn't. I decided to start with the beet salad. It was a 10/10 and probably made my top 2 beet salads of all time. If you know me and my obsession with beets, that's a pretty hefty, but well-deserved rating. I also ordered the (4) meatballs and a side of bread. All great! Dolly's serves delicious food. Once those were finished, i kept it going with dessert. What could I possibly order next? Their imported and world-famous mango panna cotta!! It is smooth, silky, creamy!! I really enjoy Dolly's. The staff is courteous, kind, and friendly. Dolly? I promise I will be back. Wish you and your family nothing but the best!

Visited Dolly for a Yelp Event and immediately needed more!…read more Dolly is one of the nicest businesses I have ever met. She is kind and makes you feel like family right away. Inside, you'll find a small but mighty space, with the giant cheese wheels as the main attraction. I ordered the Beet salad, added anchovies, and had a glass of Zin! Delicious and fresh. Visit Dolly; you will not regret it.

Right around the corner from Cheeseboard Collective, this is the perfect spot to grab a glass--or a…read morecouple glasses--of wine and enjoy their cute outdoor patio. Inside, you'll find a fun selection of unique wines and a super laid-back vibe. The staff were incredibly helpful and even let us sample what they had for the day before making our final choice. I also had to take a few photos because the whole spot is so Instagrammable. Highly recommend, and I'd definitely come back!

If you are looking for exquisitely curated wines from around the world, with special attention paid…read moreto affordability (huge selection of great wines under $30) then this is your place. I've been a patron of Vintage for years, and what's not to like? The location is gorgeous (a former pumping plant thats been transformed into a cozy, intimate space with a garden out front that changes with the seasons). And the shop is nestled right in the heart of Berkeley's Gourmet District with Peets, Saul's Deli, Cheeseboard Coop and Pizza, Andronico's, and Chez Panisse as next door neighbors. Inside you will find wines by color, grape, and region. It's not an enormous collection, but a lot of thought and experience has gone into presenting customers with something new and surprising. If I can't find myself making an easy decision, the staff have always been patient and helpful in finding the right bottle for my needs. Vintage also offers several different wine clubs for people who like a monthly or bimonthly grab bag of adult grape juice (including the occasional bubbles!). This is the wine store I wish I had as a neighborhood shop. For now, it's a well deserved destination (along with Kermit Lynch Wine Shop) that has yet to disappoint. Give it a try!

If you've ever been to Les Deux Magots in St. Germain, this is the spot to check out, hang out,…read moresip, while snacking on something freshly made in front of you. The ambiance will get you first, the attention to detail say's a lot about the love put into La Loulou. The service is fabulous, they will remember your last drink. I'm a quirky 'orderer' and they remembered the nuance of how I like my drink. Also, don't forget to checkout the bathroom. Merci!!!

I visited La Loulou several months ago and wanted to give it some time before writing a review…read more After recently having a wonderful experience at another wine bar, I realized the difference in hospitality was too significant not to mention. I really wanted to like this place. I'd walked by several times and loved the interior design, and the videos on Instagram made it seem like such a great spot. I stopped in one evening by myself, ordered a glass of wine and the warm olives (which were delicious), and was looking forward to a relaxing night. Unfortunately, the service was the biggest disappointment. The restaurant was packed, and the atmosphere felt more concerned with maintaining an image than making guests feel welcome. I understand some restaurants embrace a more reserved European style of service, but this came across as cold and pretentious rather than intentional hospitality. As a solo diner especially, I didn't feel acknowledged or valued as a guest. It also didn't help that the dining room had a noticeable body odor smell that took away from the experience. On a positive note, the bathroom was clean and beautifully designed. I originally thought this would become my go-to place to grab a glass of wine while waiting for a table at the ramen spot next door, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. Reading through other reviews, it seems I'm not the only one who had this impression. Oakland's charm has always been its people. You can open a French-inspired wine bar, but hospitality translates into every language. If you're going to bring a Parisian aesthetic to Oakland, don't mistake indifference for sophistication. Guests should leave feeling welcomed, not judged.

Love their organic wine, and so many options!! I stopped by here after seeing them on Instagram,…read moreand 1 wine tasting later- instantly sighed up for their wine club!

Very nice staff, fun location with a really nice outdoor seating area, interesting wines!…read more We didn't try any of the snacks, but they had some that we might try next time. We did teo flights of wine and they were very light and crisp. The staff was super nice and walked us through the wine selections and helped us to an outside seating area where we got to enjoy the sunshine. The outdoor seating area looks to be great for groups as it's large and covered!