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Categories: French, Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area
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This is an enchanting house-turned-French cafe. When my friend suggested we go to a "cute cafe" this was the first place that came to mind. I mean, house-turned-cafe, does it get any cuter than that? You enter into a hallway, with rooms left & right. You get to sit wherever you want, most people like to find a seat next to the fireplace during the cold. Starting from the cute turqouise old-school vintage cash register to the sounds of the coffee being prepared, this cafe is as cozy as you're gonna get.
But for brunch it's just average. Their prices are steep, just for bagels and eggs. I kept thinking about the fact that I could probably get double the portion at Ann's Kitchen just down the street for the same price. Definitely not a place I'd frequent being a broke college student. My friend and I agreed that that was the case because the only other people at the cafe were older middle-aged men and women.
But I can say that I've accidentally spotted a few acquaintances on dates here, probably a good first-date place if you're trying to impress someone with your taste.
Le Bateau Ivre is somewhere I'd come for a nice cup of coffee while writing a paper. It seems like a quaint old cafe, but the best part is they have free wifi. It's almost surprising.
The Drunken Boat is at this point the furthest we've gone on our Eating up Telegraph project, and we were excited to be so close to campus - if a little afraid of a French place that's probably been around for 30 years, with one neon sign half-out and the other boasting brunch, lunch and dinner - could they really do all three well?
We went in after 9 for dinner and were pleasantly surprised by the atmo. This apparently used to be a house and reminded me of being in Europe somehow, and since Partner in Chow and I both love classical music we enjoyed the soundtrack. We sat in the restaurant side, which is apparently different than the Cafe side.
We were seated right away and had no issues with service, but of course we went in pretty late and there were only a couple other tables (though there was a big wedding party in the back). Our waiter was super nice and really attentive, and though the Yelp folks are noting some incredibly bad service (which I myself have zero patience for) we had a great experience here.
What we ordered: crabcakes, lobster bisque, cheese baked in a pastry thing (this is named something en croute or some such), red trout spread with bread, Chimay (bonus points for having Chimay on the menu)
Service: attentive, friendly
Atmo: sparse but Euro-friendly - tablecloths, but it's in an old house and it feels like it.
Crowd: old-School Berkeley - this seems like a place that kids who grow up in Berkeley frequented with their parents or grandparents, and then bring their kids to when they grow up.
Spent: around $50.00
Overall rating: 4 sporks
We really enjoyed Le Bateau Ivre, though we didn't order an entree. I'm a person who enjoys doing Appetizer Explosion rather than meals, and this menu made that possible. Also, this place was really reasonably priced - the crabcake plate had 2 huge cakes on there with big chunks of crab and fennel over salad, and they were like $9. These were the single best plate of crabcakes I've had in California, ever. They may be the best crabcakes I've ever had period, and I've eaten them in D.C. and Maryland and in various other places where crabcakes are supposed to be great.
The reason they were so good was threefold: (1) The crab was extremely fresh, (2) The crab was the star of the show and in big lumps, (3) I love fennel, and it paired well with the crab. These were rustic, homestyle crabcakes that fell apart when you put a fork in them. Fine by me - that just means there's a shit-ton of crab in there.
The smoked red trout spread was really salty and trout-y. It was a little intensely flavored for me (kinda just too fishy), but smoked fish in general is just a little fishy for me, and I knew that going in so I'm hesitant to fault the spread. We lucked out and got super fresh bread straight out of the oven (mmm) so we used that rather than the toasties that came with it.
The lobster bisque tasted like LOBSTER. Big capital letters. This was not your watered-or-creamed-down version that tastes like generic cream base with a hint of lobster; this tasted more like a lobster than lobster meat. Impressive.
So the bisque was freaking delicious, but right on the cusp of being more like a sauce than a soup. PIC has bad memories of the generally well-loved Martini House due to them over-concentrating their flavors and serving soups that tasted like sauces, but this one was just soup-y enough to pass with her.
Brie baked in pastry: hard not to enjoy this calorie explosion, if you're into that sort of thing. PIC is most definitely into that sort of thing and enjoyed this quite a lot.
Overall, the food here has concentrated flavor and good-sized portions for what you're paying, at least on the appetizer menu. The plates were overflowing with salad, etc and could have easily been much larger plates.
I really like eating in restaurants that have been around for a long time, the same way I enjoy living in Victorians and buying mid-century furniture. We didn't know what we were in the mood for that night, so finding an old-school Berkeley institution that happened to serve quality French food for reasonable prices was a nice surprise. We sat in the front window and had a nice cozy late supper, listening to classical music and enjoying a strong Belgian beer. That's just good eats.
We'll be back. I'm interested in trying brunch on the patio, as brunch outside is a hard thing to find in Oakland.
I am not sure why people complain about this place because it is the best deal in Berkeley and maybe even in whole Bay Area. You get to sit in the patio and enjoy the sun. You can also sit under the trees if it is too hot. You can sit in the front room, backroom, side room and each of them is a little bit different. It is a great place for lunch, brunch or dinner. You can even come with a book or laptop and use their free wifi. The music is classical, not too loud and perfect for the place. The decor is great and the menu... can you get anything better for the price that they offer??? I don't think so. Just another day we had an excellent dish of trout (with rice and veggies) and it was only $9.50!!
Lunch specials are the best items on the menu. Unfortunately, they only serve them until 2:30. For the rest of it, not all dishes are great, some of them are better than others but it is definitely fine for the price that you are paying! As for service, I have been there many many times and never had a bad service. It is not always great but no one's ever been rude to us.
I just realized that most of the times when I have been to Le Bateau Ivre was during lunch or brunch. So I cannot tell much about dinner, and the dinner menu and pricing must be different. But I will tell you one thing. This place is great for a lazy Sunday afternoon!! Grab a book or a laptop and definitely check out Le Bateau Ivre!
Small, small portions. My date ordered a small bird of some sort which was thrown away when we asked for a to-go box. The service comes with a pompous attitude and a nose to the sky which causes me to purposefully mispronounce French. Food is good though. It should be for the price they charge. I am always tempted to get fast food after eating here because the service is just as good and the hunger in my stomach acts as a void that still needs filling.
I always remember this place when the season comes towards winter. Had the beet salad and pear pie, both were nice. The space is lovely as ever: warm, quiet classical, candles in the evening. Service was fine.
I was last here in Aug 2008 and recall being somewhat put off by the service. In Oct 2008 there was an obit for the husband/co-owner in the local paper. That might go a ways towards explaining uneven service.
Anyhow I'm pleased they didn't shut and I'll keep this on the short list for a quiet catching-up-on-the-paper spot during the winter rains.
The food is fair. The outdoor patio is kind of nice.
The wait staff isn't that friendly. Almost felt like a burden while ordering. Smile you bastards, it's good for you. Meh, indeed. I probably won't be back for a long time.. or ever.
Came here for lunch. There was a squashed bug on the rim of my water cup. The waters were never re-filled. The fettucini dish we ordered was clumped together. The sole was ok, it came with avocado that was blackened. Kinda sad that for the price, they don't even serve complimentary bread & butter.
Run down . . . . . . . hit or miss. They go through chefs and cooks like underwear. Expensive for what it has to offer. Food often not fresh. Employees constantly complain about the management/owner. Food outdated and unimpressive.
The short story: Fuck you, Le Bateau. I hope your pathetically bad service drives you out of business.
The longer story:
Dear Le Bateau:
For seven years, I recommended you to everyone as my "go to" brunch place -- I could always get a table without waiting, and the food and coffee were good.
Service was good, too. No longer. I'm never coming back.
Two visits in a row, with two different servers, yielded the same pathetically slow, time-wasting disappointment. The restaurant was hardly full or busy, but it took 15 minutes just to flag down a waitress to take our order. Our food took 30 more minutes, followed by total neglect until the waitress brought our check.
We waited 10 minutes for her to pick up the check and bring change; no dice, so we walked to the counter to pay. The counter person said "hi" and then WALKED AWAY. I scrounged through my wallet and thankfully found appropriate bills.
While walking to my car, I spied our waitress, who was enjoying a cell phone call. I usually tip 20%, but you're lucky I left a $2 tip on $26, you waste of life. I should have walked out without paying.
Lynne and Lu's on Grand Ave. is the heavyweight champion of service. I'd rather give my cash to an Oakland business anyway, particularly in a recession.
The Drunken Boat is a lovely place if you want to impress. It's homey and cozy for the following reasons:
1. The tables and chairs are rickety.
2. It is in a house.
The portions are a little small, but the price isn't too expensive. The pot of tea is really small, but they refill the hot water. The drip coffees are surprisingly weak. The eggs florentine and puff pastry are good.
Free wi-fi! You don't have to eat a meal here. This place is also good for just enjoying a cup of coffee.
Don't even bother.. Seriously, it isn't worth it. My wife and I went there on Valentines day at 4pm to have a nice relaxing coffee and tea. Here is what happened.
*Sets the stage*
Its late afternoon, on the most romantic day of the year. It's gloomy and raining but the trees and air smell wonderful. We drive up and magically find parking right infront of the restaurant.
*Stage set, lets see what happened*
We walk in and go to the desk. My wife starts the conversation with the waiter.
"We would like to sit for a moment and get some coffee"
Waiter : "Ok, but it will get crazy here in an hour"
Wife : "Um, ok, but like we said, we only want coffee"
Waiter : "Heh.. well, ok I guess"
*Waiter seats us*
(We wait 20 minutes)
Waiter : "Have you decided?"
Me : "Yes, I would like a darjeeling tea and some shortbread"
Waiter : "We have biscotti"
Me : "Fine"
Waiter : *to wife* "And you?"
Wife : "Cafe ole' please"
Waiter : "Ok"
(delivers food/coffee/tea 10 minutes later)
At this point, this is the last we see of him. At 5:30 we have to nearly pull out the signal flairs to get his attention for the check...
Meanwhile, I sit patiently waiting for a water refill of my tea.. Never got it.
The waiter never asked us if we needed anything, had to be asked for the bill.. (On a night that you would think he would want to get us the heck out of there)
The entire time, the staff makes you think that you are a burden upon them. You are a pain to them and they would rather you not be there.
Well, for our part, we will never go back...
I used Bateau Ivre for a reception for around 50 people and I was very pleased. The event was an afternoon affair serving a variety of finger food, wine, beer and non alcoholic beverages.
The food was terrific and the wait staff very helpful. Prior to the event, working with the chef and with Arlene, the owner, , was simple and easy. I had done a lot of searching for a place and the charges were very reasonable, in fact, a real deal.
I love this place. It's a class act and I've always had a good time here. You can walk in any time of the day and sit down for a coffee in a damn charming, candle-lit, yet chill setting (with free wifi!).
Tonight we splurged and got alkie coffee drinks. Adam had the Parisian coffee (brandy -- none for me, thanks, bad memories from college) and I had the Menthe Hot Chocolate. They hooked me up with whipped cream and man was it good. In fact, I'm still a little drunk right now. Cheap date, I know. Service was sweet and it capped a perfect early Valentine's night.
I don't know when exactly it happened, but Drunken Boat's ego has really gotten out of hand. Normally you go to a classy restaurant and the food is so incredible and the setting is so magical, that no matter how rude or slow the wait staff is the experience levitates above customer service. Unfortunately the Drunken Boat isn't delicious enough to merit such awful treatment. It took forever to get our food and drinks. It took another forever to get the check. And the worst part is their employees were so smug and nonchalant about it, which implies that's how they must always act.
Drunken Boat seems like it should be just as charming as its brick fireplace adorned interior, but the people in there are cold as ice. Maybe its because my group and I didn't look like old, rich Berkeley farts. Too bad, because we're excellent tippers when it's deserved.
Nothing here was particularly impressive and in concordance with other reviews, the service was fantastically sub-par.
Friend ordered artichoke scramble; I ordered the Denver Omelette and a cup of coffee which was brought to me prior to our meal. I was offered a refill when the waiter came to clear out empty plates. Well played, sir.
None of the food was spectacular. Home fries or the omelette or both were oily. As in, I could see the oil lake created on my plate. It was disheartening. Neither were bad, but neither were delicious. Doesn't warrant a return trip.
Also, the atmosphere is a bit creepy on a weekday morning. It's quiet, fairly empty with maybe 2-3 tables occupied at a given time, and the phone in the room rings quite shrilly and loudly. It's...strange. Not really my preferred breakfast spot. For comparable prices, I'd rather go to La Note or Rockridge Cafe for better food and better atmosphere.
If you enjoy being ignored go to Le Bateau Ivre. Reconsider going to Jack- In- the Box instead. You'll receive better service.
I've had the unfortunate experience watching an appalling movie but I'm accustom to readily walking out. However, I've never had an incident where service at a restaurant was so mind-numbing that I couldn't even move. Perhaps it was the atmosphere that kept me anchored or the hope that the service would get better. Wishful thinking! My optimism was plucked out like malicious tweezers.
Le Bateau Ivre aka Le Beteau Crap shame on you! Customers are drawn in by your charming ambiance but that's the only positive quality you have. You're food may be good but let's face it, cardboard taste good if you are kept waiting long enough!
You will continue receiving piss poor reviews until you shut down or by some miracle actually read these reviews and change your act.
We came to Le Bateau Ivre for a very late brunch on the weekend. I know, it was my fault; as usual, I showed up at your place *a bit* too late...
Just like what you had read from the reviews, the decor of this cafe was nice. It was converted from a house and the ambiance made people feel really relaxed.
You ordered an artichoke scramble (two eggs scrambled with artichoke hearts, mushrooms and herbs) while I had a mushroom omelette. My omelette was good/standard. However, I was really impressed by the strawberry jelly spread; it had chucks of strawberries in it and was not too sweet (haha or maybe it was :P). I ate more toasts just because of the jelly! Also, the fruit that came with the breakfast was very fresh.
The service was good at the beginning, but turned out to be so-so later. For most of the time, the waiter was not there, which was okay. So we went up to the front to pay. But the waiter did not look too friendly. He did not even exchange eye contacts with us, and just sort of threw your credit card onto the tray for you to sign. I was a bit surprised by his attitude because I would expect more decent service at this type of cafe.
Not sure. Perhaps he had a bad day. But I had a good day --
On the way back to your car, we had to cross a street. You probably did not notice, but I secretly held your arm when we were walking across the street. :) I loved to hold your hand or arm. Because it made me feel safe and belonged.
When I lived in Berkeley and was still freeloading wireless I used to come to Le Bateau Ivre to enjoy a long cup of coffee while send out out job apps. I always liked the atmosphere and was curious about the menu, but never got the chance to eat here until yesterday, now four years later.
A large group of us gathered for a Sunday Birthday Brunch and Le Bateau Ivre was a great setting for it. They were able to accommodate all 15 of us in the spacious back room, which smelled of firewood and had a great rustic feeling.
I had the Peasant Omelet which was real nice, with sausage, potatoes, tomatoes and onions. While usually like a huge helping of home fries on the side, the crispy potatoes in the omelet was a delicious and special touch. And in the end a healthier breakfast with fruit on the side instead.
My only complaint was the drink service. It took nearly 15 minutes for our drinks to come. You can't leave that many architects without their coffee for that long. The Irish Coffee was tasty, but not nearly Irish enough for my tastes.
I haven't been here since I was a teenager (mid 70s to 80s) but I wanted to write a review anyway.
My Mom would take me here for special celebrations: my treat was an italian soda (Blackberry) and a cup of their chocolate mousse or my very favorite (but sometimes they were out) creme caramel! My Mom would always have a cappuccino and eat what I couldn't finish.
We never ate here - always just an afternoon dessert with my Mom. It inspired me to learn how to make the mousse and creme caramel myself.
Had a group brunch here today. Cool atmosphere, but mediocre food and service.
I liked the space. Turn of the century building with multiple dining areas. I thought they ought to patch up those holes in the ceiling, though (yes, plural) . . .
The food was just so-so. My better half got the Eggs Benedict and the yolk of the poached egg was fully cooked. The home fries on her plate were almost all peppers and onions. I had the "Special" Omelet which was salmon with pesto, onion, and parmesan cheese. The salmon was dry, the pesto had an odd flavor and no discernible cheese to be had. I had almost all potatoes and no peppers in my home fries so not good consistency in their service, even to the same table.
Another person had the salmon omelet too and another had an egg-white scramble which she though was good. Fifth person had a dish I can't remember; it was that memorable. I do remember her commenting on wanting a waffle with nuts so I wasn't completely out of it!!
Service was spotty. We all had the impression that this was our server's first waitressing job . . . at least I hope it was because that would provide some excuse for her performance. She seemed extremely nervous when talking to us, forgot things we asked for a few times, and in general seemed completely overwhelmed. She disappeared for long stretches of time and kept apologizing over and over to us and the table next to us. We theorized that she had several other tables in the other dining rooms keeping her busy because it was not pretty.
The area around the bathrooms (centrally located between the bar, the kitchen and 2 dining rooms) was a little smelly too!!
Slow service. Okay pasta.
Food is ok. It is cozy inside. I had breakfast there with my mother. However, the server was horrible and a jerk.
From the moment we walked in you could tell how the service was going to be for the rest of the meal. It took the server forever to seat us though there were probably only two other groups in the place and once we were seated he absolutely ignored us.
I ordered fresh squeezed orange juice for my mom. She showed me there was an ant in it. My mom doesn't speak good English so I spoke to the waiter about it. When I did he didn't believe me and I had to physically pick the ant out of my mother's drink and point it to him before I could get her another drink.
Then when our food arrived my mom wanted some butter. I requested butter and he told me there was already butter on the toast in a very rude manner.
I just wanted to have a nice time with my mom and I was very cordial about everything but he wasn't.
My friends took me here for a birthday lunch (to get brunch food) on a Sunday afternoon. Service started out well, food was good, and the environment's just cute! We were seated outside and since it was a beautiful day, we didn't mind.
The only reason this place isn't a 4-star for me is because from the time we finished our lunch to when we actually left was about 40 minutes. The bill took FOREVER and it was slightly bizarre, because we had no issues with service before we were done eating.
This is a gem of a romantic spot in Berkeley. I love this place. Its fireplace dining and mixture of French and California Cuisine make it a great place to take that special someone. Also, it's a favorite place for students, writers, professors, and lawyers like me to grab a coffee and type away on our laptops.
Great food and a fun place to listen to music. Check out their musical calendar. And the owners are the kindest people you'll ever meet. Heartily recommend it!
This restaurant will always have a special place in my heart because it's one of those places where my husband and I frequented when we first moved to Northern California. We lived right behind the restaurant and Andronico's at the time. We used to have brunch there all the time and the food was always good. Their french toast is fantastic. Eggs Benedict is also superb.
We also had our wedding rehearsal dinner there ten years ago and the staff was so accommodating and helpful. Everyone invited to the dinner had a great meal and a truly wonderful time. We felt right at home, not stuck in a upscale and stiff restaurant where you couldn't just hang out and relax with your family and friends (we did block off a whole section/closed off room in the restaurant so that helped). All of their steak entrees are great. I don't think I've ever had a bad meal there. Oh, their coffee is also good.
We are planning on going back there with the kids tomorrow for brunch! :)
ok, i can see why this wonderful place got 3.5 stars. I vaguely recall dinner kinda sucking
But the EGGS BENEDICT deserves 4 stars on its own! Best ever! And the atmosphere is peaceful with the sun glowing through the windows in the morning. Nice tableware. Come here and have a charming, lovely morning.
The key to my heart is through brunch. I'm telling you, a few mimosas and Eggs Benedict and I'm yours.
Have had several lovely Sunday brunches here in the outside seating area where you can sip your legitimate alcoholic morning beverages, eat some good food, and enjoy the people-watching in the colorful Telegraph area. Coffee drinks are good here too if you can't hang with the hooch in the am (sheeish). Sometimes the service is a tad slow, but chill out....it's brunch.
On balance, this is the worst restaurant in the East Bay, if not the entire Bay Area, if not the state of California, and so forth.
The food is disgusting and criminally overpriced. Expect to wait hours to eat cold, vomitous slurry. Prepare to be insulted and ignored by the staff. Be confident that they will try to cheat you on your bill. Tragically, I've been forced to eat here twice. I would rather slay and spit roast a pigeon and dine on it in People's Park than return one more time to this glistening turd.
I go here frequently and I highly recommend the table in the window!
Everything I've had has been very good there, besides the silly name I can NEVER pronounce correctly, I really like this place.
The staff is very sincere and always give my friend and I our favorite seat in the window when we come in. The atmosphere is always "quiet and intimate" and sometimes seems a bit too "quiet" but it's never dissuaded me!
They have GREAT drinks too!
Came for breakfast. There was a good atmosphere and good service, but the food seemed a little on the overcooked side. A few small changes could have changed a decent meal to something truly mouth watering.
I would say I wouldn't bother coming back, but the bar seems to have a 45oz beer, so...
I went here once:
The food was mediocre to crummy.
They got the order wrong.
Didn't come by very often at all.
The "restaurant" is in an old house and separated into four different front rooms, so the server can see you only 1/4 of the time.
Ambiance not so great.
Quite overpriced for the quality of the food provided. The atmosphere is nice because it was an old French house and I suppose candlelight dinners are nice, but I do enjoy some electric light so I can actually see what I'm eating. The appetizers were pleasant (vegetarian quiche and goat cheese puff pastry) but we were only able to order from the cafe menu because the dinner chef went home sick. For dessert we had chocolate mousse and cappuccino. The chocolate mousse, despite being chocolate, was horrible with an almost chewy consistency closer to old store bought pudding. The cappuccino was also sub-par, comparatively.
After appetizers, it took over half an hour to flag down a waiter so that we could order dessert and get a glass of water. Granted, we were talking most of the time, but the lack of attentive service greatly takes away from the appetizer quality. When our waiter had not come near our table, we asked the hostess at the front of the restaurant to retrieve our waiter, and he STILL took over ten minutes to come to our table. I can understand if the restaurant was busy, but we were one of the few people inside.
Although it may be nice as a romantic evening when you really click and REALLY have lots to talk about and when you really aren't hungry and don't want the restaurant staff bothering you, it's not the sort of place you want to go for any other occasion.
The one plus about The Drunken Boat (aside from the name) is the free wi-fi within the coffeehouse area of the restaurant. All in all, mediocre food, poor lighting and excruciatingly slow service.
I like this place a lot, its a nice date spot. I haven't been here for dinner, but I've been by several times for coffee and brunch. The alcoholic coffee drinks are pretty fun & strong. Home fries were lacking, but the eggs benedict are good. & goddamn, the french toast is fabulous.
You know how when you're hanging out with your other GI Joe buddies, and you've been looking for Cobra Commander all day while fighting bad guys. Then, right before the episode, I mean day, is over you find Cobra Commander and he evades your grasp in his jet-powered escape pod. Remember how bummed you felt. A real let down, huh?
That's how I felt after dining at this place. I heard great things about the food and the setting. Both under delivered big time. The food was fine bordering on mediocre and the atmosphere was similar to a library. It's a good thing I didn't bring my friend Billy, because he has narcolepsy and this place would have been dangerous for him.
To recap....
Food=ehh.
Atmosphere=ehh.
Me=bummed.
Cobra Commander=still at large. Bastard.
La Bateau Ivre, located in an old Victorian-style house, is a throwback to another age. Once upon a time polite American families would raise young children and impress upon them the importance of saying please and thank you, of working hard to make something of yourself in life, that littering and trashing your community was wrong, and a sense of pride and duty with respect to one's country and community were staples of good citizenship. The young children would grow up to become adults, and they would raise their young men and women in the same way. Nice people lived in nice houses on nice streets and raised nice children that cared about the nice little town they grew up in.
Then the great unwashed hippie hordes arrived, promoting peace through riots and violence and carrying with them a general disdain for good behavior (not to mention good hygiene). The nice people fled in terror and the hippie hordes took over the nice house, trashing it and trying to erase the sense of civic and personal pride the nice people had taken in decorating their house and tending to their garden.
Fast forward several decades, the hordes have calmed but have not left. Property values in some of the old neighborhoods have never recovered, and while some houses are hacked into marginally livable sublets, others are turned into quaint little restaurants. Enter LA BATEAU IVRE.
The atmosphere here is absolutely fantastic: there are several delightful rooms to the interior of the house, as well as a gorgeous outdoor patio. The service is often a tad slow as their floor space is often larger than required for the number patrons present. The food is quite good, and the prices are (somewhat) reasonable. Unfortunately, competition in this area is severe, and food that you would write home about in Connecticut is merely par for the course in California.
This place ruined my Valentine's Day last year. I always thought it was the cutest little restaurant that I have ever seen in my life, and when I made reservations for Valentine's Day last year I was so excited.
Fast forward... boyfriend and I are seated in the restaurant, have menus, everything is going well... waiter comes, gives us bread and water...
Waiter... never re-fills water...
Waiter took our order, delivered our food and never checked back again... and seemed to be avoiding eye contact! What the hell!
He even visited all the neighboring tables, and seemed to deliberately skip ours throughout the entire meal!
I was so upset I didn't even want to eat the mediocre pasta I ordered. We ate a couple bites and almost left without paying... I doubt he would have noticed! I felt totally discriminated against, and I'm wondering if it was because we were younger and didn't LOOK like we would be big tippers or something.
Um, well we definitely weren't going to tip big after the complete and utter lack of service that we received.
Will never go there again, period.
I have eaten here three times really wanting to like the place because of the atmosphere and its proximity to my work. The food is pretty good too, but each time the service has ruined the experience.
The last time it took me literally 1 hour to have the waitress take my order. After waiting awhile I flagged her down twice and each time she said she would be right with me. She even came by to fill the water at the table next to me and the patrons at that table mentioned that I had clearly been waiting along time, and she turned and walked away! About 10 minutes later she took my order, but it was another 1 hour before my food arrived. By the time I left it had taken 2 and 1/2 hours for lunch on a workday. The other 2 times were similar, but not as extreme.
I am not a pushy customer and never in my time there did I feel like I treated them hostilely or did anything to attract their ire. Maybe the service is just bad, maybe I catch the wait staff on bad days, or maybe they just don't like me, but either way I won't be returning.
My story... review begins on a cold and stormy night. My friend and I were on our way to Tahoe and had just spent almost two hours driving from San Francisco to Berkeley (no really). Traffic was bad. We decided to pull off and find some place to eat in Berkeley.
I don't know Berkeley very well. My friend called up someone and got a tip on a the Le Bateau Ivre.
We arrived early for dinner. The place was empty save two groups of diners. A waiter brought us to the formal dining room in the back and sat us near the fireplace. My friend and I looked at eachother. Le Bateau Ivre is a very cosy romantic restaurant. Let me state that I'm not gay, but by the end of the meal I had to remind myself that offering marriage was out of the question. Ok, maybe I didn't go that far, but seriously this is definitely a place where I could take a date and have a nice quiet meal.
I had the filet mignon and the soup du jour (brocolli & cheese that day). They were both magnificent. The filet was cooked to perfection and had a wonderful mushroom sauce. There was a small medley of vegetables that accompanied it.
I didn't drink. We were driving after all. They did appear to have an impression array of liquor though.
What is odd about the place is that apparently it is a coffee house too. I was in the formal dining room and didn't see the rest of the place, so I can't really comment on it.
I found the whole experience comfortable and I'm happy we turned off to go. I would certainly go back though next time I think I'll bring a girl instead.
I worked here for a semester in college, and let me tell you, this place makes some amazing, amazing food. The cafe menu is really good and more affordable than the dinner... its like a fancy-schmancy breakfast/brunch place along the lines of La Note or Rick and Ann's.
The cafe is nice for working and chatting with friends. There's free wifi, but its kinda dark so if you don't have a computer at night maybe you will strain your eyeballs.
But if you really want the full experience, take a date here for a special date night. You'll get the whole fireplace-candlelight-schmoozy deal and the real food at dinner is really the best. I mean, I can cook a mean breakfast, but there's no way in hell I could create dinners like ones prepared by the chefs at LBI.
My suggestions: get a dinner item and don't bother with soup or salad. They're not going to blow your mind.
Also, any meat plate should be rare. Or med rare. Mmmmm its so good.
It can get hectic on game days and weekends in general, so I regretfully admit to some slower service. But the fresh squeezed OJ is to die for and they can do some wonderful thigns with coffee/alcohol drinks. Your dog can sit on the patio and they'll bring him some water. Very nice.
This place is the French grandmother I never had!
The food is simple, but always great. Impressive variety of typical to very unusual cheeses, and a TERRIFIC list of hot coffees with every possible type of alcohol. The waiters are attentive regardless of whether you look like student scum or distingushed post-doc material.
Although this place is just around the corner from my house, I insist on wearing gloves during the walk there just so I could take them off as I walk in the door.
Mostly the word QUAINT comes to mind.
Prix Fixe Menu $28 with wine
Neighborhood: Gourmet Ghetto
Now Serving Fall Flavors!
Neighborhood: Downtown Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Gourmet Ghetto
Category: French
Neighborhood: North Berkeley Hills
Category: Churches
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area
Category: French
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area
Category: French
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