Book Society is such a great little spot in Berkeley. I've been a few times now, and it's easily…read moreone of my favorite places when I want to browse books and relax for a bit. The owners are super nice and genuinely helpful, and the whole place feels welcoming the second you walk in. The book selection is also really solid. I always end up finding something (often have to reign myself in), especially in the thriller section, but they also have classics mixed in, too, which I love. One of my favorite parts is that you can actually sit and read while having a glass of wine. The wine selection is really fun, and they have some unique varietals that you don't see everywhere, which makes it even better. I also love that they do book and wine pairings each month. It's such a cool idea and makes it feel like there's always something new to check out. You can also join their book club, which includes a new book and a paired bottle of wine. Also, you need one of their bags. Trust me. If you love books and want a cozy little place to hang out, I definitely recommend stopping in.

Came here on my own after being in the area for something else…read more Good: - There is a large selection of books - it's beautiful inside too! - The staff are super friendly and attentive. - A good place to rest after a lot of walking all day - I liked the non alcoholic sparkling water and having a drink while reading books Bad: - The place is a bit smaller than expected and can get a bit noisy when too many parties are inside Overall this was a super unique concept! I liked how it was a safe haven but differentiated from a library and more upscale

What a charming place. I've been here a few times now and it's one of my favorite spots when I'm in…read moreAlbany/Berkeley. Perfect to relax and converse over good wine selection and tasty bites. Pups are welcome! Grab a book or a friend, bring your pup and enjoy!

Ambiance was good, but it's tiny. Service was fair, guests on the patio do not seem to get as much…read moreattention. The food was horrible. It did not taste Brazilian in the least, and it did not taste good. Wish I had read the description as the advertisement is focused on wine bar and not a restaurant or food. That being said, if you wanna high price glass of wine go for it, but I would not recommend eating there. It is very pricey as well.

Came here while waiting for a table at Mencho and came back to bring my roommates because it's such…read morea cute spot! You order at the bar and get handed your drink(s) right away and are free to sit wherever. Both inside and outside seating available - there's heaters outside. Ordered the flight of three and got to choose what I wanted to try, I felt that the pours were generous. The bathroom, wow, they outdid themselves, love the decor!

The ambiance is beautiful and the wine selection is solid, but unfortunately the service really…read moremissed the mark. We started at the bar and mentioned it was our first visit, but were met with a blank stare, no welcome, no guidance on how things worked. At first, I thought it might have just been that one interaction, but when we ordered a second round with a different server, the same cold and unwelcoming service continued. It's a shame, because the space itself is incredibly charming and inviting. Customer service feels like such an easy fix here, especially given that many other reviews mention the same issue. You'd hope management would take note and make the necessary improvements to match the quality of the setting.

Amazing place. Very comfy, elegant, and the owner is an amazing person that understands a lot about…read morewine and has amazing recommendations. You definitely need to come and have a good end of the day relaxing with good wine.

"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!

A little urban winery with back and front patios. They offer really unique and well-produced wine…read more Came for a break between jobs near by and enjoyed two glasses of the Greco Bianco. This was s totally new varietal for me and its so unique with beautiful color. They do offer little snacks but its more of a curation of prepackaged things that they them bring to you to open and enjoy vs a kitchen where they're producing the food themselves. Prices a little steep but I think thats just bay area things....

We used to like this place enough that we were actually members for several years, but definitely…read morenot anymore. The biggest reason is how extremely unwelcoming most of the staff are. We regularly felt ignored, talked down to, or just uncomfortable. We also got repeatedly over charged for things and would have to get it fixed. We went back for an event today for the first time in 5 or 6 months, and were reminded of why we stopped all over again. We got 2 glasses and the pours were tiny, and we got over charged TWICE. Even after catching it the first time, they messed it up a 2nd time that we noticed once we saw the emailed receipt. I just can't go back counting on an unpleasant or frustrating experience almost every time at this point.

Great service. Varied wine selection. Nice vibe. And our dog dug the hell out of it. We'll be back!read more

I love the vibe here. It's very open, warm and bright. A nice contrast to the busy traffic on…read moreSolano and San Pablo. I'm not a wine expert. I like it and I drink it. If you're a wine expert, my guess is you'll enjoy the unique selection. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable.

Now that I have a lot more experience with Noria, I wanted to update my review. We've visited many…read moretimes and joined the wine club as well. First, these are the nicest people in the wine business. Warm and gracious and extremely knowledgable about the wine and vineyards. When we first qwnt to Noria, it was mostly superb Pinots and Chardonnay. Since, they've added a wonderful Gewürztraminer and a bomb Sauvignon Blanc as well. These are finely crafted wines from some of the best vineyards in Sonoma and beyond (no, they don't have rows of vines in Berkeley) and the bang for the buck is off the charts. I'm mostly a red drinker and only enjoy Pinots occasionally and Noria was my go-to. The addition of more white wines (and rosé) combined with my move to a warmer climate have made Noria indespensible for me. Absolutely check them out. Do yourself a favor and start at Noria, go across the street to Broc Cellars and then Donkey and Goat for a perfect wine tasting day right in Berkeley.

Nestled in an unexpected location, Noria Wines, a Japanese-owned winery, is a true hidden gem that…read moresurpasses all expectations. From its modest façade, you'd never guess the incredible wine that awaits within. Stepping inside, I was greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere that harmoniously blends Japanese elegance with classic winery charm. The selection of wines is nothing short of impressive, offering a diverse range that caters to both red and white wine lovers. Each wine I sampled showcased unique flavors and a refined balance that spoke volumes! The barrel room and outdoor seating area made the winery cozy and comfortable! Definitely will be returning to try out more of their wines

The one thing I'm always looking for when I go out with my fiancé is good food, good drinks, and a…read morecozy vibe with great ambiance. And what a nice surprise it was to have Roses on Adeline hitting the mark on all 3. We've been to Roses on Adeline twice now, once as a walk in and the second time with reservations. Both times we went for happy hour. Their drinks are creative and yummy. The smash burger here is absolutely delicious. The fries w/ sriracha aioli is also the perfect light bite. But beyond the good food & drinks, the ambiance here is really what brings us back. I love the vibe this place has and am so excited to have this as our new local staple for a date night. But be warned this place fills up quickly - I would recommend making reservations if you can!

I was very pleasantly surprised this place. I had eaten dinner with the fam before meeting up with…read morefriends for drinks here so didn't get to experience too much, but I was very happy with the things I did get. The spring milk punch was SO GOOD. Like, way too drinkable. I usually like to try multiple drinks on a menu, but I just kept ordering this one. For a snack, I decided to get the crudite platter even though when I asked the server, she said it would just be lettuce, radishes, and something else... it turned out to be so much more! Endive, super sweet purple snap peas (which I've never seen before??? and now want to grow in my garden because they were like the best peas I've had in a while!!!), radishes, and some carrots. I'm still thinking about those snap peas haha.

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!

Great wine tasting service! Alex was very patient with my indecision lol!…read moreWe selected tasting the Thanksgiving table, $35 And Fox Hill harvest $30 Loved the 2014 Sunshine Rosato! Since it was a cold night we finished our night with hot tea Genamaicha

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!

Staff here is very friendly. Lot of wine varieties and they are always willing to help you find a…read morebottle you're looking for!