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    Vanessa's Bistro

    4.1 (553 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    VANESSA'S BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Vanessa's Bistro

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    Flan
    Liz B.

    Lots of space in here so the wait wasn't long. We were able to pick out our own table. Service was ok, they seemed really busy after we sat and had to be flagged down if we needed anything or wanted to order. The salad I got was ok. Missing something, just wasn't quite my taste, kind of plain tasting. I enjoyed the little dessert we shared. Lovely presentation. I'd probably order something different if I were to visit again.

    Chicken lettuce wraps
    Kelly B.

    First time eating at the popular Vanessa's Bistro. Enjoyed my refreshing Mint Cucumber Martini and the piping hot French onion soup the most. We ordered the Garlic Noodle Stir fry from the specials menu because of the low price and comes with 2 proteins and vegetables. Sadly the garlic noodles didn't have any garlic and it was lacking flavor over all. The chicken lettuce wraps were good but could use a little more sauce or vinegar to liven it up. Overall the service was fast and food tasted fresh. The bar was packed as we just missed happy hour (4-6pm) and the staff seemed to know a lot of the regular customers which is always a good sign. We will come back and try again!

    Kristin N.

    Everyone is sleeping on Vanessa's and I honestly don't know why. Happy hour EVERYDAY?! $10 cocktails and $10 select apps, including spicy crispy tofu? You'll want 2 spicy crispy tofus, it's THAT GOOD. Options for kids (garlic noodles and potstickers) that keeps them happy and excited to visit. My husband said the steak was the best he's ever had. So many specials that made us want to visit again very very soon. Honestly everything was so incredibly good, it was the best meal we've had in a looong time. Service was great, very sweet towards my kiddos. We will be back and you should go too!!!

    5 Spices Honey Marinated Crispy Quail and Spicy Tamarind Glazed Prawns
    Kikue H.

    It was a little pricey but the food was superb (crispy quail was hands down my favorite) and beautifully presented. The outdoor seating is really pleasant, but inside is just as great -- fun and friendly. The staff is super helpful and always willing to lend a hand with ordering. One tip we got from our waiter was if Vanessa's in the kitchen, you have to order something stir fried!

    Lemon drop
    Tracy D.

    Always appreciate going to Vanessa's walking distance and in our neighborhood. Tasty food and drinks that hit the spot. Service is friendly and attentive. We sat at the bar this time. A staple go to is the chicken wings and this time we tried the salads and sweet and sour soup. Salads were large portions and soup made for a nice warm meal on a cold rainy day. Inside there's enough seating for 1-2 larger groups and then mostly tables for 2-3. We'll be back!

    Filet and shrimp (surf and turf) veggies and mashed potatoes

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    15 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Sorry, wanted to like a local spot but just not a great dining experience, both food and atmosphere.

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    13 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    Vi N.

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    3 years ago

    great food at good prices, a local favorite...reconmended for dinners, asian fusion and good drinks and wine

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Bad service. Both the owner and the daughter are very rude. I've seen how rude they treat their spanish speaking employees.

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    3 years ago

    everything we've ordered here has been delicious! the servers are accommodating and the food comes out very fast. highly recommend!

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Vi N.

    I’m the owner and don’t recall ever speaking to you about this matter?

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    9 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

    A favorite of mine. Interesting food, good service, and amazing prices. Very much a neighborhood restaurant, which I appreciate.

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    Page 4 of 14

    Ask the Community - Vanessa's Bistro

    Does this place have outside heat lamps?

    I think they do have for the cold weather but not 100% sure.

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    310 Eatery - The "Detour" 405 Traffic Jam Burger!

    310 Eatery

    4.6(1.3k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    The food we ate at 310 Eatery really hit the spot. It's an Asian fusion restaurant that has an…read moreextensive menu! Everything we ordered was flavorful and the ingredients were so fresh. The owner and staff members were so personable. They made sure we were taken cared of. You just don't get that level of customer service very often! It's a casual space with tons of seating. My absolute fav part of the meal was the dessert. WOW. The peach and strawberry cobbler was so fresh. You can even smell the butter before taking a bite. The vanilla ice cream brought everything together. A bit pricey, but definitely worth the splurge!

    I think the owners of this place are amazing. They are so sweet and friendly from the moment you…read morewant into the door. Great options, burgers with an Asia twist, as well as some dimsum. It's never been busy whenever I go, even on the weekends. We usually are seated within seconds of walking in. The food is delicious! One thing I would note - anything you add obviously adds onto your bill, but sometimes you don't even notice you're adding stuff cause they're so smooth in upselling your burger don't get me wrong - they are the sweetest people ever! Just surprising seeing an additional 10 bucks being added for like an egg, or side sauce for fries. Will continue going here whenever visiting the area!

    Photos
    310 Eatery - The "Detour" Tokyo Po'Boy Sandwich!

    The "Detour" Tokyo Po'Boy Sandwich!

    310 Eatery - Mothers Day 2022 could easily look like this again - Accepting RSVPs by phone, text or email at 310eatery@gmail.com. Open by 10A Sun, May 8

    Mothers Day 2022 could easily look like this again - Accepting RSVPs by phone, text or email at 310eatery@gmail.com. Open by 10A Sun, May 8

    310 Eatery - Larger groups find The 310's space highly amenable at Brunch time or any time-One of Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat, in America - call to RSVP

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    Larger groups find The 310's space highly amenable at Brunch time or any time-One of Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat, in America - call to RSVP

    Bua Luang - Feel walm and cozy while dining.

    Bua Luang

    3.8(360 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Healthy dining

    Lunch Special $22 Chicken Satay appetizer and Cashew Nut with Tofu. $6 Thai iced tea with coconut…read more Tofu was well seasoned and surprisingly more delicious than the chicken satay which was already pretty decent. Really nice flavor profile with plenty of umami, spices, and oil to provide fullness. Thai Iced Tea tastes like the premade stuff I'm familiar with at many restaurants. Good food but not necessarily worth going out of your way to try.

    With such a plethora of excellent Thai options nearby, we never got around to trying Bua Luang…read moreuntil just recently. Walking in on a Friday evening, we were able to snag a table right away without any wait. They have both indoor and outdoor parklet dining options, and both are very nice options to choose from. The interior is very spacious with tables sufficiently spread out so you can have private conversations without feeling like you're intruding upon your neighbors. For our meal, we ordered the following: Fresh Rolls: Wrapped with tofu, shiitake mushroom, rice noodle, romaine, carrot, cucumber and cilantro. And comes with a side of sweet & sour and peanut sauces. We found this one really refreshing and light. And I really enjoyed the delicious sweet & sour sauce that was included (so much so that I used it as a sauce addition on my entrée as well). If you choose to, they are also willing to customize and add shrimps or other proteins of your choice for an additional charge. Pumpkin Curry w/ Chicken: Curry with pumpkin, green pea, bell pepper and sweet basil. My wife is a big fan of pumpkin so she really enjoyed this one. You have your choice of proteins (some with an additional charge) to choose from. My wife opted for the chicken. Pineapple Fried Rice w/ Beef: Fried rice with Pineapple, garlic, green peas, onions, egg, raisin and cashew nut. I'm a big fan of this dish overall and I found Bua Luang's version to be ok. A bit light on the flavor, but overall enjoyable. Overall portion sizes were on the smaller end. Service was excellent and they make sure to check in on you regularly throughout the meal.

    Photos
    Bua Luang - Patio area seating in the sunny day. Perfect for dining and drinking.

    Patio area seating in the sunny day. Perfect for dining and drinking.

    Bua Luang - Kao Mun Kai. One of the most popular Thai street food dish. Now available for everyone to enjoy.

    Kao Mun Kai. One of the most popular Thai street food dish. Now available for everyone to enjoy.

    Bua Luang - Pad Ta-Lay

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    Pad Ta-Lay

    The Hangout - Fried Crispy Chicken and Waffle: huge portion

    The Hangout

    4.5(1.3k reviews)
    12.0 mi
    $$

    Great, food was great, and service was friendly and on point. I look forward to going again soon. I…read morehad the one pancakes and eggs over easy. Planning to try the Thai pancakes next time.

    If you are looking for an amazing brunch spot for people of all ages, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE…read moreHANGOUT. My family and I ended up here randomly today (Saturday) after doing a yelp search for lunch. We arrived and it was BUSYYYY, but the wait time was said to be 11-20 minutes. So we decided to wait. Wait time ended up being OVER 30 minutes, but IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT. We almost decided to just walk right over to Kinders, after waiting 30 minutes. But we thought "wth, we've waited this long, let's just wait a bit longer". Finally after almost 40 minutes, we were seated inside. There is no patio seating here and the venue is really small. I wouldn't recommend for groups over 4-5 at the pleasant hill location unless you call to make a reservation in advanced. Though I'm not sure if they take reservations. Anyway, we ordered the following. Kids pancake and fruit. Kids fried chicken & fries + a side of extra crispy bacon. Both kids meals came with an apple juice. Crab Benedict. Chicken and wafffles. Ube pancakes Hot chocolate Thai Iced Tea & an alcohol beverage. The something sour. Can't remember the name but had grapefruit, soju, tajin rim. Damn never EVERYTHING was delicious!! We loved it alllll. Minus the hot chocolate. My kids did not like it, but it wasn't bad. Just not a favorite. On top of the food being yummy! It's all so decently priced. For everything mentioned above, our bill came out to $150. Which to me, in today's world, for 4 people, all of that?! Is not bad at all. I spend more on a less when grocery shopping for two days worth of groceries. We WILL be visiting again!

    Photos
    The Hangout - Crowded dining area.

    Crowded dining area.

    The Hangout - Crab Benedict

    Crab Benedict

    The Hangout - Pad kra pow

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    Pad kra pow

    Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar - Meat Platter

    Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar

    4.2(815 reviews)
    13.1 mi
    $$$

    Such a gem in this city. Was in love with their oxtail grits…read morewhen they were only a food truck. So glad I found them again and see them grow into a restaurant. Nice environment, decent service, high quality food. A must try place if you're a true foodie.

    I don't know what the hype is about …read more 1 you scan your food order - and then have to figure out how it works 2 inside or outside dining which is nice and the j side is nicely decorated and outdoor is one and airy- windy and cold today . Next time bring a jacket 3 there really isn't a server , just a person they " will be abound " . You order off the QR CODE and then run a tab- well- with some people today - that's what they accept. For all the Michelin notations I would suggest more customer interaction. 3 the food was ok- not great - not bad - I will say I did like the shoshito peppers and the bon mi sandwhich - it's a shame the rest of the evening menu was not available - for that's what I see mostly recommended on Yelp. The Vietnamese coffee was ok- There was nothing special about the place- nothing that really made me think- I will be back. Kinda fast foodish when you order at McDonalds On a screen.. and then figure it out .. it maybe ok for people today - but I won't harp on that - great for introverts - so I guess it's " ok" ... If I wanted to play on my phone I would have stayed at home .. Parking is thin on the street.. there is parking.. if it's busy then you will have to walk a bit. When we got there I was asked for a reservation - maybe it's standard - but it was at noon and there were only a few people seating and quieter a few tables outside - so next time ? Make a reservation ??? This place was suggested by a coworker he raved about it - about what ? I don't know ... try it for yourself- see what your opinion is - mine is a C ....

    Photos
    Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar - The bar area

    The bar area

    Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar - Sweet chili Baked oysters

    Sweet chili Baked oysters

    Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar - Pork belly

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    Pork belly

    La Marcha Tapas Bar - Close up of Paella Tres Cerditos ($52) - roasted pork shoulder, panceta, chorizo, cider, arugula. Good. A bit on the saltier side.

    La Marcha Tapas Bar

    4.0(1.6k reviews)
    1.7 miWest Berkeley
    $$$

    Met a friend for a very quick lunch and service was spectacular. Food came out fast and when we…read moretold her we were in a hurry, she made sure to grab check right away. Very kind! Food itself was pretty underwhelming. We had the brussel sprouts which were the best part of our meal- tangy and crispy. The calamari was yummy with the squid ink- perfectly cooked. The short rib was not to our liking- a bit too watery to be deep fried on the outside. The patatas bravas had a smoky taste we also did not enjoy. They also drenched it on the sauce so it was pretty unavoidable. Ambiance was cool! Def more casual than fancy!

    We were genuinely excited to eat at La Marcha and had specifically made a reservation for a…read more**table**.Unfortunately, what should have been an enjoyable evening started with some of the worst customer service we have experienced. When we arrived, we were told that our reservation was actually for seating at the bar. We explained that our booking showed **standard seating** and that we had reserved a table, not bar seating. Instead of acknowledging the discrepancy or trying to resolve it, the maître d' told us that the reservation was "open to interpretation" and that, to him, "standard seating" meant sitting at the bar. It was incredibly frustrating to be told that *we* were wrong about the reservation we had made and that the wording could simply be interpreted however they chose once we arrived. What made the experience particularly upsetting was the way we were treated. We came in excited to support this restaurant and enjoy a meal, but we left feeling as though we simply **weren't worthy of being given a table**, despite having made a reservation for one. There was no sense of hospitality, accountability, or genuine effort to make the situation right. Instead, we were made to feel as though expecting the seating we reserved was unreasonable. A reservation should mean something. If "standard seating" at La Marcha can mean bar seating rather than a standard table, that should be made explicitly clear when guests book--not reinterpreted at the door. We were really looking forward to dining here, which makes the experience even more disappointing. We ultimately felt unwelcome and as though we somehow weren't "good enough" to receive the table we had reserved. No guest should leave a restaurant feeling that way.

    Photos
    La Marcha Tapas Bar - Dining area

    Dining area

    La Marcha Tapas Bar - Piquillos

    Piquillos

    La Marcha Tapas Bar - Croqueta de Ternera

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    Croqueta de Ternera

    Vanessa's Bistro - vietnamese - Updated September 2026

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