Second time trying to write this review since the algorithm won't allow it to post with degrading…read morecomments about our beloved governor and his hand in destroying restaurants during the unnecessary "the vid" hysteria. Dropped in here while my car was getting worked on.  Not sure why the less than stellar reviews 'cause I thought it was great. Also for a restaurant to be open this long is an achievement especially after what occured needlessly. I had the Spinach and Artichoke Frittata on a bed of potatoes and greens off of the Spring Specials menu. In my opinion this needs to be on the daily menu. I love a good fritatta and this was probably the best I can remember as far back as I can recall. It was packed with spinach and artichokes and just enough egg and cheeses to hold the whole thing together. Very filling. The dried tomato pesto on top was a very nice touch. Coffee was great and service perfect. Even though there is a  self serve coffee and water refill station staff continually came by to fill coffee and water and just check on me. They also have beer and wine and for the ladies....Momos!!!!! There is a parklet on Dwight as well as seating against the building. Next time I need to wait for my car or find myself hungry in Berkeley I'm coming here. And great music. Side note: Originally opened in 1979 and sold to Collin in 2011 who used to be a customer growing up in the area and actually worked here before owning it and still runs daily operations. So the story goes.

Gave this place a chance even though we love Tanzies which is next door…read more Ordered some of their lattes: the lavender latte and cardamom latte. The lavender latte was so bad...had to throw it away. The cardamom latte was okay...but just tasted like a latte. No taste of cardamom and no complex flavors within the coffee brewed. For these two items, we paid $16. Complete waste of money.

Great place to R&R when near Berkeley Marina! Hard to…read morebelieve that we hadn't previously stopped here. Delicious lunch and coffees after an energetic dog walk. Clean, friendly, good food and beverage options, plus friendly service. Obviously well known by continuous stream of customers of all ages and lifestyles.

It's not the same I been going to Sea Breeze for 3 decades now there is new owners one day me & my…read morehusband ate there about a month ago food was delicious. But ' went on last Thursday it was terrible the oyster look like baby chicken McNuggets no oyster just batter smdh shrimp cooked to hard I guess that will be my last time eating there $53 bucks wasted

Delicious! Fresh bread that's crispy outside and soft inside. The Persian burger was so yummy.read more

The food is the same as it was at the former Center Street location, which I belatedly fell in love…read morewith after stupidly avoiding it for so many years. There's even the familiar smell of the grill and the site of the larger-than-life carrots waiting to be juiced. But the ambiance. I don't know, man. I've dined in twice, but since then, I've only ordered ahead and brought food back to the office. The Center Street location didn't look like much, but it was a fun, busy place either to wait for or to enjoy your food. This location? It feels crowded. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I miss the lovely Iranian woman who often helped my coworkers and me at the Center Street location. I sometimes think about her when I hear about violent crackdowns in Iran and obviously this most recent, pointless war. I hope she's OK. She is a very sweet, intelligent person, and I often enjoyed hearing her takes on politics and the news of the day, even if I didn't always agree with her. The service I've had at this location has been fine. Efficient and mildly friendly, but once you've experienced the warmth of a familiar nice person, anything less is a letdown.

900 Grayson has been around for so long. Been coming here for ages! Classic spot…read more Came here recently and ordered something different for once. I usually get the chicken and waffles, but he ordered it anyways so I got lucky to be able to still have a few bites. I ordered the "Breakfast" which came with 2 eggs however you want (I got mine over easy), hash browns, toast and either bacon or chicken sausage. I got the chicken sausage. For a drink, I had the Aquatic Park Sunrise. It was good. Not too sweet and strong enough that I wanted another lol My friend just had coffee which the staff made sure to always ask if he wanted refilled. Breakfast came quick. The chicken and waffles is a classic. I always order it when I come. Chicken was thick and juicy. I didn't try the waffle this time since I had my own food to eat (plus I've had it so many times before). This plate comes with either gravy or syrup but definitely pay the extra fee to get both. My dish was simple and delicious. Can't go wrong with eggs, hash browns and sausage. Love coming here and so happy they don't try to switch up anything too much. Came in and didn't have to wait for a table which is not always the case cause it's a busy place. Everyone is always so nice. Great place to come, great service and great food.

The service is always friendly, attentive and helpful. There are several dishes on the menu that…read morewe always go to, the waffle fries, the time life cookbook, demon lover, and the luncheon salad with shrimp, and chopped Cobb salad.. One of our "go to" spots!

Had to try out this popular lunch spot in Berkeley before leaving the area for good. I ordered the…read morebraised lamb wrap, and my boyfriend got the chicken plate. Of course, I also had to order a tahini chocolate cookie, which ended up being the star of the show. The braised lamb itself was tender and juicy, but to be honest there were way too many herbs on top (dill, parsley, mint). I enjoyed the wrap and purple cabbage. The chicken plate was just okay...the chicken was a little dry and the rest of the ingredients didn't feel the most cohesive. Tahini chocolate cookie was thin but massive in surface area. Great nutty flavor, enhanced by the dark chocolate. It was the perfect in between of slightly crispy exterior and soft, dense interior. Would come back just for this cookie.

Fava is an excellent grab and go lunch spot in the Gourmet Ghetto. Run by two Chez Panisse alums,…read moreit somehow manages to feel thoughtful but also, unfussy. Order at the counter, grab a seat at orange cafe seating outside. Their puffy flatbread is made in-house daily with whole wheat flour and finished on a plancha. The pita is airy, chewy, crisped at the edges, and has a toasty flavor. It's the base of an excellent falafel sandwich with flash-pickled purple cabbage, yogurt, hot sauce, and a top layer of fresh mint, parsley, and dill. (They also have lamb and chicken versions of this sandwich.) The line moves fast, the staff is warm and genuinely friendly and engaging. The mango lassi was delicious. One of the better casual lunches I've had recently, at around $22.

Kind service, made special exception for me and delicious empanadas! Also they often have live…read moremusic which really brings life to the experience.

I seriously love this place. Every time I go there, I have a blast. From live music on the weekends…read moreto an amazing lomo saltado and any kind of sauce you can imagine, this place is amazing. Their flan is to die for, and the owner is pretty nice. Now, the only gripes that I have with this place are: - Sometimes there are certain staff members that are less than friendly. If it wasn't for the amazing food and the integrity I've known the owner to have, that would have completely ruined my experience. - I don't know what it is, but sometimes it takes a little longer to get my order, so I wouldn't come here if you're absolutely starving. - Lastly, I wish I could place an order on the phone. It would save a lot of time. Overall, though, this place still deserves a 5 star because the food is absolutely amazing, and the vibes make you feel amazing.

I just ate here today for the first time and it was absolutely wonderful! Split an 8 piece fried…read morechicken with all cabbage and added rice ($22). They gave us a very generous amount of cabbage, and while I was a little surprised that it wasn't dressed at all, it was still fun to dip in the delicious miso ranch (I was the one who modified the order bc I didn't want other greens, they probably would have been dressed). We selected dry garlic miso & habanero miso and that was a great combo. Next time I'll probably try another side and get all rice with the chicken. We also got a couple of lagers on draft at $6 each. The inside of Spats was much more charming than I thought it would be. So nice to be in an old wooden paneled bar enjoying an afternoon meal. There is plenty of seating. We were in the same room as their other patrons, and we didn't realize until after our meal there was another huge room in the back. The food came out way faster than I expected. Definitely fast enough for folks trying to fit in a workday lunch. I hope people keep them busy so they keep serving out of Spats!

Ordered the oyakodon. Staff were super friendly and service was fast. One of the best oyakodon I've…read morehad in my life; every ingredient is high quality and truly highlights the chicken. For the quality at this price point, the oyakodon is more than worth it. Bonus: they have a rewards system to reward regulars.

A true hidden gem right at the bottom of Solano Ave in Albany!…read more I'm embarrassed to admit that Picnic has been around for about 5 years in the east bay and I've just tried it for the first time this week. But I'm so glad I was finally introduced to it. The staff greet you promptly when you enter and you can even watch them work effortlessly together in the open prep-station behind the counter. They have a gorgeous display of deli items, wines, cheeses, cold sides, and even some cute candles & house made croutons. They've got everything you would need for an elevated picnic or even a barbecue with the family. They have an intriguing selection of house made sausages-- the Chicken Tikka Masala sausage caught my eye and I can't wait to try it. They also sell whole smoked quail that are seasoned heavily yet each bite has just the right amount of smokiness, spices, and salt. Their hot food items and sandwiches are perfect for a quick lunch during your break from work or on your way home. There are also a few counter seats if you want to enjoy your meal there. So far I've tried the smoked quail, the Muffaletta sandwich, and their green lentil soup with chicken + veg. The sandwich was filled to the brim and each bite was a flavor bomb. The lentil soup was very comforting & paired well with the smoked quail. I'm looking forward to trying everything they have to offer.

I really wanted to love this place. Very small and quirky, limited menu. I'm not really a "salad is…read morea meal" person, although my two best friends are. They were very happy with their arugula salads. I ordered the mac n cheese which was okay. Even though I grew up in El Cerrito, I sometimes feel like my NorCal green card has expired. I've lost touch with my small batch, organic self. (Although I have never liked arugula) This store is adorable and just the kind of independent neighborhood place that should be frequented and appreciated. Unfortunately I also had to use the bathroom and they don't have one for customers. So they recommended walking a block away to the BevMo. So I guess that added some negative feelings.