Rick and Ann's A-
I'm afraid that my review of this Berkeley brunch establishment cannot be completley unbiased, since this place has been talked up by everyone from my roommates to my coworkers. However, I've avoided the tiny restaurant by the Claremont Hotel due to my phobia of restaurant waits which clouds my love of breakfast goods. But with a rare lunch off from work, I decided to finally give the place a try.
Let me say, I love breakfast food. For around $8-9 dollars each, Rick and Ann's offers a variety of breakfast specials that involve pancakes, sausage, and eggs. I got the Down South special: two buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs, and turkey sausage. My dining companion Jason got a special with a waffle, two eggs over easy, and chicken apple sausage. Other specials on the menu included omlets and hashes, which Rick and Ann's is famous for. I regret not getting the home fries, which looked great on the dishes of those around me. When you're seated, take a minute to look around the crowded quarters and feel free to ask those around you what they ordered if it looks good.
A small freshly squeezed orange juice goes for $2.50, tomato juice for about $2.00. We went on a Wednesday, and there was a short wait at around 11:30. Rick and Ann's is an insanely small space, so be prepared to be up close and personal with those around you, especially at the community table where you are seated at a long table with others. The small kitchen also means quite a wait for your food, so be prepared for that as well (there is a small bakery next door if you simply cannot hold out). I recommend that you try the place at least once, but on a weekday where it is worth the wait.
For obsessive brunchers, try Rockridge Cafe (College just past Claremont). Melissa and I tried it out a few months ago after attempting to go to Crepevine. The crowd is VERY local and the nice people in line highly recommended the place. Not only was our breakfast delicious, the lunch food I saw on the tables around me (food envy) also looked great. Prices were a little cheaper than Rick and Ann's and I'd rate the quality about the same. Melissa loved her scone. ;)
Raleigh's B
Surprise, surprise, this Telegraph bar also serves bar food. French fries were crispy, onion rings were nicely battered, hamburger was huge, and a dozen plus beers on tap. The avocado, swiss and bacon burger (as do all burgers) comes on a great sourdough bun with a choice of sides ($7.75). Accompanied by a glass of Bass Ale (3.50) and a Guiness for the boy ($3.75), it's filling bar and good quality bar food to enjoy while watching assorted sporting events.
I'm afraid that my review of this Berkeley brunch establishment cannot be completley unbiased, since this place has been talked up by everyone from my roommates to my coworkers. However, I've avoided the tiny restaurant by the Claremont Hotel due to my phobia of restaurant waits which clouds my love of breakfast goods. But with a rare lunch off from work, I decided to finally give the place a try.
Let me say, I love breakfast food. For around $8-9 dollars each, Rick and Ann's offers a variety of breakfast specials that involve pancakes, sausage, and eggs. I got the Down South special: two buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs, and turkey sausage. My dining companion Jason got a special with a waffle, two eggs over easy, and chicken apple sausage. Other specials on the menu included omlets and hashes, which Rick and Ann's is famous for. I regret not getting the home fries, which looked great on the dishes of those around me. When you're seated, take a minute to look around the crowded quarters and feel free to ask those around you what they ordered if it looks good.
A small freshly squeezed orange juice goes for $2.50, tomato juice for about $2.00. We went on a Wednesday, and there was a short wait at around 11:30. Rick and Ann's is an insanely small space, so be prepared to be up close and personal with those around you, especially at the community table where you are seated at a long table with others. The small kitchen also means quite a wait for your food, so be prepared for that as well (there is a small bakery next door if you simply cannot hold out). I recommend that you try the place at least once, but on a weekday where it is worth the wait.
For obsessive brunchers, try Rockridge Cafe (College just past Claremont). Melissa and I tried it out a few months ago after attempting to go to Crepevine. The crowd is VERY local and the nice people in line highly recommended the place. Not only was our breakfast delicious, the lunch food I saw on the tables around me (food envy) also looked great. Prices were a little cheaper than Rick and Ann's and I'd rate the quality about the same. Melissa loved her scone. ;)
Raleigh's B
Surprise, surprise, this Telegraph bar also serves bar food. French fries were crispy, onion rings were nicely battered, hamburger was huge, and a dozen plus beers on tap. The avocado, swiss and bacon burger (as do all burgers) comes on a great sourdough bun with a choice of sides ($7.75). Accompanied by a glass of Bass Ale (3.50) and a Guiness for the boy ($3.75), it's filling bar and good quality bar food to enjoy while watching assorted sporting events.
