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Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhoods: Lower Hills, Grand Lake
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Cafe DiBartolo is a very happy place. My favorite place in the Lake Merritt area, in fact, to take my laptop to go be productive.
First, the food: delicious, reasonably-sized sandwiches. Tasty baked goods. Excellent drinks (I recommend the honey-lemon iced tea...like lemonade with fewer calories). You won't be disappointed.
But the best part about this place is the vibe. From the spacious, warm back patio to the airy interior with almost-always-solid music playing, this is a place you can sit down and relax. They seem to have a fair amount of traffic but there is always somewhere to settle in (assuming you follow the posted signs and avoid grumbling or internet-camping with a $1.50 tea purchase).
Not your Peet's or Starbucks: Cafe DiBartolo is a place to get comfortable with a laptop and a delicious egg/bacon/croissant sandwich.
I (mostly) like this place.
It's in my 'hood, and I love to support local businesses - although I can definitely say the service has been hit-or-miss at times.
I've had some good drinks, and some pretty great (although extremely pricey) breakfast sandwiches here.
That being said, it always rubs me the wrong way when establishments post snide, bitchy signage about their personal customer pet peeves. Case in point:
"NO MUMBLING"
(complete with cartoon sketch of mumbling customer)
and
"think HERE" (arrow pointing away from cashier)
"order HERE" (arrow pointing towards cashier)
"yes, REALLY"
Sorry, I (mostly) like you DiBartolo...but that's just annoying.
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Disclaimer: this review is based solely on THE PATIO.
One day soon, probably like tomorrow, I will go back to Cafe DiBartolo and actually get some coffee. Maybe one day I will actually get some food.
4 stars just for a nice patio. Yup. For real. Oh, and free wireless internet with no strings attached! No password, and as I sat for at least 1.5 hours on it I'm guessing no time limit either.
Completely chill atmosphere. And I did order SOMEthing - no, I'm not just a bum who sits around in random cafes. I got a blackberry italian soda, which was completely delightful and the perfectly appropriate complement to a gorgeous afternoon spent on the patio here.
My favorite Bay Area coffee. the patio is nice (and quiet) and John (the owner) is one of the "know what you want when you walk in the front door" types. He's no "B.S." but is really a super nice guy when you get to know him. He knows an awful lot about music too.
I've read reviews on the arrogance of the staff and signage but it adds character to the place.
The sandwiches are really well made also.
I recommend this place highly.
I really would like to make this place into a favorite and give them the 5 stars that their drinks deserve. Alas, I cannot. Their pretenciousness and arrogance do not allow me to frequent this establishment on a regular basis. Every once in a while I will go in while hoping the moody owner is not around (more often than not, he is around and in an unfriendly mood).
Their drinks are very good. The lattes are the right mix of creamy coffee and frothy milk and their Italian sodas are decadent. Their pastries are also pretty good.
I would like to give them more stars and I will if the quality of their service improves AND if they post their hours!
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I would like to recommend this place. I've hung out here a few times with friends and had coffee which was great but here's why I can't recommend it: Today I ordered food for the first time. Turkey and Brie sandwich which comes grilled.
Everything's OK until I bite down on something hard and remove from my mouth a small stiff steel wire (about 3/4 of an inch long and bent in the middle at a 45 degree angle) that had been cooked into my grilled sandwich - WTF !
So I took it to the counter pretty horrified and Soooo! glad that I didn't swallow it . The counter girl seemed pretty horrified but the girl working the grill asked if she could see it at which point she took it out of my hands and mumbled something and ran away to the grill and disappeared! The cook said to the counter girl that it was probably from the wire brush that they cleaned the grill with. The cook seemed more interested in covering her behind by getting rid of the steel wire then in apologizing to me about. And she didn't seem particularly surprised either,
Make no mistake - if I had swallowed this thing it would have caused some serious damage. To me, the Cook being so interested in covering it up means she'll probably make the mistake again because she just doesn't care . The counter girl did offer me an immediate refund by the way that I accepted. Small good that would have done me if I had swallowed that steel wire.
So with an attitude like the Cooks I'm not going to risk my health by patronizing this place - at least until that particular cook is out of there. I asked for the manager but both the counter girl and the cook never gave me his number so I'm writing this here - else I would be contacting him to let him know.
Bottom line - don't eat here if you value your health.
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Best chai latte in town!
Although, they have this "No mumbling" sign by the cash register that always makes me nervous so I mumble when I order.
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Stepping into this feels like you have been on a road trip forever, and you stop at the 3rd or 4th place because you're just done trying to choose.
The first thing you notice is lack of chairs and tables, it's small. Then you notice at how horrible the drinks are being made (I am a former Barista trained by the best).
Then I ask for chocolate chip cookies, but they have peanut butter chocola.te chip. This is a good thing. But then the barista says, "it's gluten-free, if you care about that sort of thing." Like I'm an ass if I don't.
I don't. Cookie was really good though.
Also the americano was horrendous. I don't think I've ever had an americano that was messed up. This one was. I threw it in the trash outside immediately. Undrinkable
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Not a big coffee drinker, but it was a nice day out and I saw this woman walking down the street with something that looked tasty, so I asked where she got it.
I'd been to DiBartolo's before (and promptly forgot whatever non-exciting drink I'd had) and ordered their fairly tasty iced-coffee thing. I ordered by explaining what I'd seen and they obliged. It's a simple-looking little place- but if it's during the daytime, why would you want to be indoors?
I had a few bad experiences here and kept trying again since it LOOKED like it should be good and it is close the The Nail Shop. But after giving it several chances, I've decided I'm right. This place sucks.
It's expensive for what they offer. They charge more than anywhere else around for beverages and sandwiches. They think ALOT of themselves, as if there is no other place to get coffee, pastries, or sandwiches nearby. Hence, they charge inflated prices for things like refills on iced tea (who does that?) and are never gracious.
Last time I was in I asked for 2 different things on the menu and they were out of both. I mentioned that this happened the last time I was there, too. The woman behind the counter replied "and yet, you returned" as if they were trying to tell me not to come back.
OK, I get it. They are RUDE to customers. Glad I no longer fall into this category.
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Ah yes...the best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup.
Too bad I didn't have Folgers, but I had a cup of Bartolo on this gloomy morning. This spot is across the street from Coffee Mill & Bakery, it's a nice quaint cafe. Very roomy, and plenty of seats offered including a backyard, with tables and chairs in the front to accommodate the customers. Jake the Snake and I came here for a morning rendezvous for some drinks which were the following:
-1 small cup of Cafe Mocha
-1 medium cup of Hot Chocolate.
Spent overall a total of $5.50 with tax included. The service was excellent and the patrons of the place were really friendly. On top of that they offer wi-fi which is a definitely a plus with any cafe. The catch? No outlets to plug in your laptop to Yelp, conduct Business, and get college work done in a timely manner. Other than that, it's definitely another spot to check out on a moment's notice. Cheers!
P.S. The Bathroom is a bit cramped so if you have the case of claustrophobia I highly suggest getting over it quickly to take care of your bathroom manners.
P.P.S. They can also shape the milk in your mocha with little illustrations like an autumn leaf (the same offerings that Gaylord's in Piedmont does for its patrons as well).
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One of the first things I try to do when moving to a new neighborhood is find a good coffeeshop within walking distance. DiBartolo seems to be my best bet around the Grand Lake area (as in, it's not a damn chain). A few fantastic things about it:
1. YEEEEAAAAH JET FUEL COFFEE
2. Super cute fenced-in courtyard makes for an excellent place to read a book and get wired up on the aforementioned jet fuel
3. Free wi-fi
The bad thing: only open until about 6pm most days. What's up with that?
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I have enjoyed the panini, orange juice and tea at DiBartolo during the eight years I've had a business on Grand. The patio in the rear is a relaxing respite. The tables in front are a community gathering place where I enjoy seeing my Grand buddies.
A couple of weeks ago John DiBartolo outdid himself by co-hosting a surprise birthday party for Arvy Dorsey, a Grand Avenue community leader. John kept the food and drink flowing for the guests that included our past and present city council persons, the city attorney, and several business and community people who, along with Arvy, volunteer countless hours to create this Grand community.
I've been faithful to DiBartolo since I move to the neighborhood 8 years ago. Coffee is great, if just a little strong. Make mama jittery. Love John and his take no s*** attitude. Smokers are lame.
Try their home-made honey-mint ice tea. it is their own recipe and has the slightest bit of sweertness and the mint really takes it up a notch in refreshment.
Wifi: yes - I hope they update the description soon! I was on my way to check out Cafe 504 - my weekend falls midweek and I try to get away from the house and from errands for at least a couple of hours - but they were closed due to electrical issues, according to the sign. (?)
Love; the back patio, with umbrellas. Sit out in the sun, get some shade for your laptop, and enjoy sun and wifi with just enough people noise to be a good background, but not intrusive. Usually. Read on.
Screaming kids on the back patio: sadness. I'm sure on some other day I'll come and it'll be 5 stars, for relaxing in the sun with a great coffee and some wireless, but the relaxation just ain't there . . .
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In an extremely RARE moment of charity, I gave my last $2 to Michael, a man standing steps away from Cafe DiBartolo and selling Street Sheet, "a publication of the Coalition of Homlessness San Francisco since 1989."
In a not-so-rare moment of impulsiveness, I decided immediately thereafter that I needed a nonfat cappuccino while I waited for my car to be serviced. I don't even think I like cappuccinos....I just keep hoping one will taste like the pure, sweet goodness that is Blue Bottle, but I digress.
So, I had already ordered when I realized that I probably had 72 cents in my wallet. I tried to stop the barista (think he's also the owner) from making my drink due to my lack of funds, but without flinching, he just said "no problem, just pay the next time you come in." I told him I'd come back later that day, and he just casually said, "no rush, just whenever."
Good guy, nice place, and if I let myself get a lowfat (instead of nonfat) capp, I know it would taste more like heave....i mean Blue Bottle.
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If only they would have Wifi, (don't know why others say there is) they would be the best cafe in town.
The coffee is strong and delicious.
The make a decent cappuccino.
The iced tea is a blend of earl grey and peppermint, WONDERFUL
The back garden is cozy and a gem to enjoy with friends.
Other complaint is they need new chairs in the cafe.
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I don't often venture over to "that side" of Grand Ave., save for occasional trips to the GL Theater, Mijori, Silver Screen Video and the infamous Alley. I'm not sure why - one of those not-so-interesting life mysteries. Regardless, I actually stopped at Cafe diBartolo and therefore found another reason that Grand Ave. is just the place to be.
It's pricey - but the coffee is GOOD. Like, Peet's coffee good. My breakfast sandwich (croissant, egg, bacon) was HUGE. I wasn't even hungry for lunch after that bad boy. Whoa dang. And the atmosphere was nice and mellow, perfect for hanging with a book or a friend over a strong-ass cup o' joe.
Take THAT, Lakeshore Ave., with your stroller-infested tiny Peet's and overly-expensive Vine Wine and silly Starbucks and never-actually-set-foot-inside Noah's Bagels. But, you still have Arizmendi and Trader Joe's, so I guess the battle continues.
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Ive only had a cafe o lait and plain latte here before. So far so good.
Really strong tasting coffee. Good tasting strong coffee.
I'm really glad to have found Cafe DiBartolo.
Things I like about it:
-Rustic Turkey Panini
-Delicious iced tea
-jet fuel coffee
-played dolly parton the whole time I was there last wednesday.
-ambiance. I like the odd assortment of old kitschy things and mismatched chairs. some of the photos are good too.
-those signs up front. anyone who's ever worked a counter job can relate- "do your thinking there, and your ordering here...." awesome.
Things I am less than crazy about:
- paying for iced tea refills
- the less comfy of the kitschy chairs
- what's up with that corn chowder? no, really. It was like somebody took a bunch of corn off the cob, pummeled it, poured some water on it and served it with garlic bread. for real. I love corn chowder, but I couldn't finish that stuff....
The chocolate cookies are to die for seriously I saved a piece from a few days ago and just found it in my pocket - yum! it made my day that tiny little 2x2 inch morsel of goodness! what is the recipe please?
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They want like $9.50 for a panini? I know rent is high on Grand but that's not happening. I settled on a $4.50 bagel with "the works" (why is this more expensive than the FiDi?) It tasted fine. I was reminded of why I don't go there, I think they over charge for teabag tea too.
The decor is cute but there's no wireless. For me, it's kinda pointless to go there.
People do seem to love this place though. Maybe you have to be a coffee drinker to appreciate it. Maybe the tasty coffee seduces people with its awesomeness to pay $10 (with tax) for a sandwich. Dunno.
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1st off, this is way too sheshe for my taste. The food wasn't bad, but nothing that impressive. I had pizza and it was overpriced. Plus the staff was your typical snotty nosed sheshe staff.
They'd only get 2 stars except that while having a drink in the bar, I saw some old fat dude falling asleep in his martini. (See pictures). When he woke up, he started yelling at me about how come we weren't eating at the bar. My 1st inclination was to poke his eye out with a cute little drink umbrella. But then I decided to take the mature approach. Wait for him to fall back asleep in his drink, get photographic evidence, and then immortalize him forever on the internet for being a drunk old fat fuck. Ahhhh...now I feel better.
The best part was, I'm pretty sure he's the guy from the Round Table Pizza commercials. YOU BE THE JUDGE.
It's not every day you get yelled at by the Round Table PIzza guy. 3 stars.
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If you've never been to DiBartolo and you're thinking of going, go now. NOW. The flowering vine in the back patio is flowering, Bowie is coming out of the speakers, and good times abound. Note to those with babies: I tolerated your toddler making "music" with her little toy drumstick on the glass tabletop...once. Next time, you may not be so lucky.
And to those with "mainstream" tastes: Don't be stupid and ask for a frappucino. Next time, YOU may not be so lucky either.
Edited to add: Cafe DiBartolo is SEPARATE from the restaurant/bar DiBartolo (though next door and obviously owned by the same owner, two very different vibes, kids). I just don't want reviews for the restaurant keeping my baby down. Nobody puts baby in the corner, biotch!
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I think I'm becoming Generic Man. Last time I was in here, the foxy girl w/ the interesting ink behind the counter did a double-take when she saw me. "Sorry...You look just like my ex-husband." Fortunately, from what I could tell, she's still on good terms with the guy, cuz she didn't poison my Joe.
But this was like the 3rd time THIS WEEK someone told me that I looked just like someone else. Wtf? Do i have that many doppelgangers in the hood? Is one of my other personalites making friends (and marrying people) while I'm asleep? Or am I just f'n everyman? Any way you slice it, its not good...
DiBart's is a rootsy little Oakland coffee shop with some cafe-style seating on the sidewalk and in a nuggy little back patio so you can enjoy the sunshine. Cool-ass staff, and close to beautiful Lake Merritt (when the wind comes up, you can catch a whiff of the goose shit and burning sherm).
Negative one star for closing @ 6P and for not having A SINGLE electrical outlet ANYWHERE in the place (nevermind WiFi). That's a huge bummer, but i guess it keeps laptop dorks like me away.
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Great coffee shop -- delicious beverages, friendly staff, good local art, often good music, lovely patio in back.... I personally find the slight attitude to be more indicative of independent coffeeshopness than of something more sinister.
Yelp mix-up alert: there's an adjoining restaurant, DiBartolo, that is it's own thang -- so please move your reviews to this page: http://www.yelp.com/bi.... :)
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Not expecting much but a quick bite to eat before a movie at the Grand, Cafe Dibartolo surprised me with a wholesome, fulfilling meal and with delicious espresso to keep me going.
Upon entry, as other reviewers have pointed out, it's not the cleanest nor coziest nor inviting atmosphere one could ask for, especially on the type of rainy or cold day that warrants the comfort of the movies and other indoor activities. What they lack in interior flare though, they make up for in flavor.
The excellent sandwiches (especially on croissant!) made to order, might make you impatient - since the wait staff doesn't always seem to be in any particular rush to bring it to you; and especially if you're in a rush to get to the theater to see a show. But once it's on your table, you can forgive their lack of haste. If you're late for your show, bring it with you - it's worth the risk of being caught sneaking it in.
There's no free wi-fi here, so you're just going to have slow down and enjoy your food without checking Yelp or Craigslist every 45 seconds. There will be plenty of previews in the movie for you to watch without having to pre-pre-screen them on Youtube from your iPhone. So relax and disconnect for a minute.
Grab a pastry or cookie or something too, for the road. They're really good.
Or you can always come back after the movie!
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This place is cute. And it's not slanted on the inside, the first cafe I ever went into in Oakland was all slanted and while I was eating in there my first impression period was "wow, it's going to suck everywhere." You know, because it's super hilly.
But onto the food, we hit this place for breakfast one morning. Their menu isn't really that big, and after all it is just a baby cafe, most people strolling in were getting coffee, but my boyfriend got this crasaunt with egg and cheese in it and my friend got this bagel sandwich with cream cheese and lettuce and tomato, so it was basically a salad on a bagel and it looked really amazingly delicious. (Correct me if I'm remembering things wrong Nikki!!!) I was on a crappy medical diet that morning so I couldn't eat anything from there but my friend has been there a few times and really likes the bagel sandwich.
They take your order and you can sit down and when it's up they'll let you know so you can come and grab it.
My boyfriends milk was warm, they poured it from a gallon which was cool but he said it was kind of disgusting because it wasn't in a real refrigerator or freezer or anything, it was just being kept a little cool, and that was the beginning of the day too, so its assumable all through the night it wasn't being kept cold. He said that the crasaunt too was just whatever as well.
This super adorable cafe is a great coffee shop to take someone to if you want to actually have a conversation. I've found many coffee shops in the area to be just too damn loud and busy for my taste.
When you walk into the cafe from the street, there are a few tables and chairs out front and someone usually has a pooch or two sleeping on the sidewalk next to them while they chat away. The cafe also has a cute little patio out back with some umbrellas to shade you from the sun-vines creeping over the high fences surrounding the place.
I basically stick to the best morning drink of all time (second to the bloody mary if you're including alcoholic beverages)-the soy latte. Di Bartolo knows their soy lattes because I've never been disappointed. Their menu also boasts quite a few different vegetarian options that I have yet to try but I can taste with my eyes and assure you that the breakfast sandwiches are delicious.
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I love going in for a latte or chai. The staff are friendly! Their back patio is fantastic and people often sit back there and read. There is internet there and the owner doesn't mind if you hang out for a good long while.
Oh, and their side salad is awesome!
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The new restaurant next to Cafe DiBartolo -- di bartolo -- is a welcome addition to the Grand Ave. area.
We stopped in early on a sweltering Saturday night and had a much better meal than we bargained for. The New York Steak with frites was delicious, as was the rack of lamb. The service was smooth and conscientious, and the desserts were a perfect and complementary end to the meal. I highly recommend the sorbet, which came served in a martini glass, with three scoops -- one meyer lemon, one champagne peach, and one Cabernet berry. The pear tart with calvados was also quite tasty. We'll definitely be going back (and hopefully they will have gotten their creme brulee torch fixed -- though they kindly comped one of our desserts once they discovered the problem!)
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One of my most favorite spots to go for a coffee.. the flavor is so delicious! They make my Double Hazelnut Low Fat Latte taste like it was made by the good lord himself. I dont know what it is, but it just tastes like that.
I dont really like Starbucks coffee... it tastes like barky dirt, and Peets is ok.. yet, my delicate palette can taste the difference.
Love this little coffee shop with its ever so relaxing environment complete with back patio. I sit in sun drenched chairs and sip a provocative lattes with such pleasure.... oooh and dont forget about the breakfast sandwiches... my favorite: eggs with a generous helping of bacon a toasted croissant!
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I have very recently become a fan of the lattes at Cafe DiBartolo. Today I even took time to enjoy mine on the outside back patio. I also had one of their 2 egg, cheese, and bacon on a fresh bagel sandwiches for my breakfast/lunch. Next time I would forgo the bacon. It was bit too crispy for my taste. I might even ask if they could limit it to only one egg instead of two. If I was really feeling it, I would have it on a croissant.
Another day...
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LOVE THIS PLACE! It makes me want to move to Oakland (along with Zza's). The coffee and teas are amazing, the service is wonderful, and the staff are mostly hotties. I don't know what all this talk about the snotty staff is about... I'm unassuming, direct and completely non-local, and they've always been really awesome to me.
The food, I don't know much about. I've only ever had typical coffeeshop fare like pastries (delicious) and breakfast bagel sandwiches (with sprouts and tomatoes... awesome!!). I've always liked it, but have never had any hot food offerings.
The music is always rad and the atmosphere is lovely (particularly the patios). I could stay there all day in nice weather.
A truly beautiful and inviting place.
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When I'm living in Oakland, which is 9 months out of the year, this is my coffee shop. The lattes are rich, but not too sweet. In addition there's free wi-fi and a cute little fenced in terrace in the back.
Not a coffee drinker so I can't add to the praise that others seem to be lavishing on that, but the food is yummy - sandwiches are on the pricey side, but are large and come with a nice side salad. I particularly like the field greens salad - mixed greens, dried cranberries, walnuts, apples, and a scoop of goat cheese served with warm focaccia, for less then 6 bucks.
The restaurant next door is not nearly as good.
Update:
Boyfriend tried the coffee; says possibly it's the best he's ever had.
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O, DiBartolo, how I do miss thee! With aching heart, I long for those summery days past when Ren and Luke and I would make the happy trek over the rolling Oakland hills to complain over coffee about how much we hated the Bay Area (how much better things look in memory), when Jes and I would smoke and brainstorm out front, when I would take all of my out-of-town guests to chill and catch up on the gorgeous, sunny patio.
That patio alone is to die for! But also, the coffee is delicious and so is that panini thing I used to have sometimes! The staff is amazing - I even invited Jeff to my 23rd birthday party way back in the day, and he totally showed up! Sigh...it will always have a special place in my heart.
Good panini, great lemony-minty ice tea, and a perfect spot for afternoon studying. The quiet and sunny back patio area was nice and breezy.
There is a fancy restaurant with the same name next door that some folks have reviewed here. Check out the reviews for some fancy schmanz pizza and $9 cocktails here:
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
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What is more appealing than a New York style hidden bar with a friendly tender and a comfortable atmosphere in which to wait for a friend over a dirty martini? Well, I think I have found a jewel in the East Bay. Don't I love "little holes in the wall": little-known joints to promote to friends and consider it "yours" by simply being a "regular"?
That's what I found in Di Bartolo.
The food was great, too. Perhaps a tiny bit on the expensive side; but that's a choice one makes. The service is friendly and there are still some areas to improve, such as wine temperature, right cutlery for the food served, etc. But, that's always a work in progress when the restaurant is still finding its own balance.
Overall, highly commendable and an experience I would like to repeat.
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Neighborhood: Lower Hills
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Lower Hills
Category: Coffee & Tea
Oakland, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Lower Hills
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Rockridge
Category: Coffee & Tea
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