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GOURMET GHETTO. Alice Waters' legendary restaurant offers not only exquisite cuisine fashioned from the freshest ingredients but a friendly waitstaff and consistency without compare. The restaurant's prix fixe menu features 3-4 courses that depend on each season's bounty. The cafe, located above the restaurant, serves à la carte items throughout the day. A spacious kitchen and wood-burning oven confirm the prominence of the cuisine, which includes baked Sonoma goat cheese, Dijon-sauteed rabbit, and strozzapreti pasta with wild mushroom ragù. Vegetarian choices are available, along with tempting desserts. Multi-course prix fixe dinner $50-85. Reservations are essential.
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DOWNTOWN BERKELEY. California-French may not be a "new" cuisine anymore, but sometimes a chef can make it seem so. Such is the case at La Rose, a family owned bistro headed up by veteran chef Vanessa Dang. A seamless melding of American and Asian ingredients prepared with French sensibility brings out the best of seasonal produce, and Dang has a deft hand with fresh herbs, sauces, and even garnishes. Seafood is often the star attraction, but then steaks are often sublimely tender and especially indulgent when topped with truffle butter. Don't skip dessert – you simply can't go wrong with any of them.
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Lalime's
1329 Gilman St, Berkeley, CA 94706 · 510-527-9838
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WESTBRAE. A longtime Berkeley favorite, Lalime's looks like a tidy, unassuming residence from the outside, with flowering vines and healthy foliage sprucing up the gardens. Once inside, the two-level dining room continues the quiet but appealing feel, creating the perfect setting for a romantic date or relaxed dinner with friends. True to French-Californian style, the menu focuses on the freshest seasonal ingredients. Starters could be a brilliant pheasant consommé or grilled prosciutto-wrapped asparagus. Entrees have included goat cheese-stuffed artichokes, a grilled pork chop atop chile verde, and grilled duck breast with port cherries. Deserts are extravagant – lemon brioche bread pudding, or even coffee ice cream profiteroles with chocolate sauce.
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TELEGRAPH AVENUE. The Drunken Boat has legions of adoring fans, who appreciate the rustic yet elegant décor and flawless service as much as they love the fresh Californian cuisine. Alongside escargot in a sauce Pernod you might find starters such as house cured salmon or a composed salad of endive, pears, and bleu cheese. Cassoulet makes a regular appearance amongst other entrees such as roasted Pacific salmon, vegetarian pastas, and mesquite grilled meats. In addition to the main dining room, there is a café with an espresso bar which is open all day – they serve a similar menu, and reservations are not required.
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Venus
2327 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704 · 510-540-5950
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DOWNTOWN BERKELEY. This respected and popular restaurant has a well-deserved reputation, especially when it comes to brunch. Whether you're an "eggs and bacon" type or a pancakes person, Venus has got you covered. Fresh fruits and veggies play a role in many breakfast dishes, as do homemade sausages and breads. There's even a vegetarian tofu scramble that will knock your socks off – it's brimming with mushrooms, peas, cauliflower, and other good things. Dinner is a surprisingly enchanting affair, replete with innovative salads, succulent roasted meats, and unusual sides. And everything is organic and free-range, to boot. Dinner reservations may be made for Thursday through Saturday. No weekend brunch reservations but lunch or breakfast reservations may be made for parties of 6 or more.
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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