In true Spanish style, dinners are served late at César, whose kitchen closes at 11:30 pm on Friday and Saturday and at 11 pm the rest of the week. Couples spill out from its street-level windows on warm nights, or rub shoulders at the polished bar or center communal table. Founded by a trio of former Chez Panisse chefs, César is like a first cousin to that stalwart eatery right next door, each...
This Berkeley tapas spot is a "Gourmet Ghetto mainstay", plying "imaginative" "small plates", "well-seasoned" paella and some "tasty wines" (its Oakland sibling purveys a Pan-Latin menu and "great cocktails"); service is "attentive", and the space is "festive" (if "noisy"), with such a "community" vibe you may "make new friends by the end of the meal."
Cesar Restaurant Review:
A gregarious adult crowd packs this Gourmet Ghetto tapas bar, filling up the sand-colored room and spilling out onto the sidewalk patio. The afternoon sun that enters in through the French doors creates a sparkle on the blue mosaic accents. Since the restaurant doesn't take reservations, expect to spend some time at the bar perusing the drink list that hovers at around 15 pages. Traditional...
Sublime bar/restaurant combo on Gourmet Ghetto. Hip, elegant, down-to-earth. Is that your Prius parked out front? Penelope Cruz in America. Amazing tapas (ribs with fig and cinnamon glaze anyone?), endless stock of sherries, perfect French daiquiri, sneaky sangria, bread pudding for dessert. Huge doors that open onto sidewalk, or is that the Spanish seaside? Mojito with a view. Get drunk on...