Liaison (North Berkeley, Shattuck and Hearst)
Many of you have probably passed this quaint French Restaurant (located under the Berkeleyan Building, damn Panoramic Interests), without giving it a second thought. I, too, have passed it many a times but figured I should check out the place for the benefit of my stomach and all of you reading this.
A few girlfriends of mine and I decided to have dinner there a few weeks ago. Once inside the restaurant, we were pleasantly surprised to see a half-open kitchen, candlelit tables, French decor, and lots of people! Than God we made reservations (highly recommended). Even on a random Tuesday evening, the place was bustling with people and servers. Once seated, we were treated to a well-rounded menu that featured appetizers, a fromage (cheese) plate, entrees, desserts, etc. We started with steamed mussels in a garlic, wine, butter sauce that cost $12.75 and frites (fries) at $4 i believe. DELICIOUS! the appetizer was enough to wet the appetite of five college girls. Each of us ordered diffrent dishes in order to guarantee a taste of as much of the menu as we could. I ordered the bouillabaise- a seafood assortment (fish, mussels, clams, scallops) in a tomato sauce chalk full of different fresh herbs, served with a side of croutons and spiced mayonnaise. my dish ($19.75) was amazing!! I ordered a side of spinach ($4) that was sauteed with pine nuts and raisins. the balance of flavors was refreshing and soulful. One of my friends ordered a creamy crab dish that was excellent as well. I didn't get to sample my other friends' dishes as much as desired but they all gave their respective dishes a thumbs up as well.
After we enjoyed the entree portion, we requested a dessert menu from our server. To our surprise, the server cleared off our tables, wiped the crumbs off, and then stamped the dessert menu on to the paper table covering in front of each of us. Yes, she stamped the menu on there. Clever and charming I thought- saving paper is always a good thing. The dessert menu featured a chocolate parfait/mousse in a champagne glass, creme brulee ($5), and an assortment of sorbets and other items. Of course we opted for the creme brulee- the ultimate dessert, in my opinion. We could smell the chefs torching the sugar on top of the custard from the dining area. once our server brought it out, and we cracked through the crisp shell of burned sugar to reach the creamy and decadent custard, we were all smiles.
the bill ended up being about $25 to $30 for each of us. for above decent french food at a reasonable price, liaison is the place to go. check it out and let us know what you think!
til next restaurant,
melissa
p.s. check out gregoire's french take out next to dara's thai and elephant pharmacy when you're on northside. another one of my recommendations!!
Many of you have probably passed this quaint French Restaurant (located under the Berkeleyan Building, damn Panoramic Interests), without giving it a second thought. I, too, have passed it many a times but figured I should check out the place for the benefit of my stomach and all of you reading this.
A few girlfriends of mine and I decided to have dinner there a few weeks ago. Once inside the restaurant, we were pleasantly surprised to see a half-open kitchen, candlelit tables, French decor, and lots of people! Than God we made reservations (highly recommended). Even on a random Tuesday evening, the place was bustling with people and servers. Once seated, we were treated to a well-rounded menu that featured appetizers, a fromage (cheese) plate, entrees, desserts, etc. We started with steamed mussels in a garlic, wine, butter sauce that cost $12.75 and frites (fries) at $4 i believe. DELICIOUS! the appetizer was enough to wet the appetite of five college girls. Each of us ordered diffrent dishes in order to guarantee a taste of as much of the menu as we could. I ordered the bouillabaise- a seafood assortment (fish, mussels, clams, scallops) in a tomato sauce chalk full of different fresh herbs, served with a side of croutons and spiced mayonnaise. my dish ($19.75) was amazing!! I ordered a side of spinach ($4) that was sauteed with pine nuts and raisins. the balance of flavors was refreshing and soulful. One of my friends ordered a creamy crab dish that was excellent as well. I didn't get to sample my other friends' dishes as much as desired but they all gave their respective dishes a thumbs up as well.
After we enjoyed the entree portion, we requested a dessert menu from our server. To our surprise, the server cleared off our tables, wiped the crumbs off, and then stamped the dessert menu on to the paper table covering in front of each of us. Yes, she stamped the menu on there. Clever and charming I thought- saving paper is always a good thing. The dessert menu featured a chocolate parfait/mousse in a champagne glass, creme brulee ($5), and an assortment of sorbets and other items. Of course we opted for the creme brulee- the ultimate dessert, in my opinion. We could smell the chefs torching the sugar on top of the custard from the dining area. once our server brought it out, and we cracked through the crisp shell of burned sugar to reach the creamy and decadent custard, we were all smiles.
the bill ended up being about $25 to $30 for each of us. for above decent french food at a reasonable price, liaison is the place to go. check it out and let us know what you think!
til next restaurant,
melissa
p.s. check out gregoire's french take out next to dara's thai and elephant pharmacy when you're on northside. another one of my recommendations!!
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