Insider Pages Reviews for Le Bateau Ivre

5 Stars: My Favorite Restaurant (by Jennifer Carrington)

Jennifer Carrington — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:00:00 GMT

I love this place......I work 3 blocks away and have been coming to Le Bateau for lunch 2-3 days a week for the past 7 years. My only wish would be that they were open on Mondays! The food always amazes me, with a large variety of dishes, different from day to day, and they are all prepared elegantly, down to the decorative flowers placed with care on many plates. Compared to the other local spots serving lunch (breakfast-dinner-brunch) they are at the top of my list, and I must say I have tried almost all of them. I don't find the prices outrageous - yes, it's more expensive than McDonalds or Subway but the quality of the food is well worth the price. I can go to lunch by myself, read my book and not feel uncomfortable - the service, on my many visits, has always been friendly and prompt. I was appalled that anyone could find any negative aspects of this fantastic little gem right here in Berkeley.

5 Stars: Home. (by rwpinsacto)

rwpinsacto — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Started coming to Le Bateau as a Berkeley student in the early 70s. This wonderful place has always been an important part of my life, a place to come back to for its tranquility and to share with new friends. Conversation over coffee or wine, great dinners, wonderful long Sunday brunches, or just a pastry, a capp and the newspaper. I've always had great service, everyone is friendly, and the prices are absurdly reasonable, even for a college student budget. Please take the negative reviews here with a grain of salt -- the self-righteous and self-important don't deserve the attention. This is a little bit of French countryside heaven, and Berkeley is lucky to have such a great institution. --RP

4 Stars: Great for brunch (by Jason M.)

Jason M. — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:58:00 GMT

What a cozy place for brunch! You're basically seated in a room in a house; the one we were in had a fireplace (which kept on dumping smoke into the room, but they did try their best to fix the flue problem).

The food was surprisingly good. I had a Spanish omelette, and they made their own sauce (even though it's all too easy to use canned) and it was fantastic. The omelette and home fries were absolutely delicious.

I gave it 4 stars because the prices could have been more reasonable (even though this is overpriced Berkeley) and they really should have fixed that flue...

5 Stars: It's FRENCH (by Heather E.)

Heather E. — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:14:00 GMT

Along with being FRENCH, you should EXPECT that the service is slow and the lattes are fabulous. The whole point of eating here is to enjoy the company you are with. The food takes a long time because it is made to order, beginning AFTER you have finished your first drink. This is the French way. THE FOOD IS SO GOOD.

If you are looking for fast food, go to McDonald's. There is one on Shattuck and University.

If not, go to The Drunken Boat! Yum!

4 Stars: Great place for dinner... (by eteniram)

eteniram — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I have been there with some friends for a birthday dinner. Was very good, the taste of the food is perfect.
Good selection on the bar and great servers. The food take time but is perfect.
The place looks very good. Like as Europe. Old place and old style.
If you like great food, have time and money go there.
The food is not expensive but is not a Mc donals.
So, see you there...

****

4 Stars: Wonderful dinner party/banquet venue (by mommiedearest)

mommiedearest — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT

This charming European restaurant provided the perfect setting for my son and daughter-in-laws wedding rehearsal dinner. The owners we very helpful and available to me in planning this event. The list of food options for the individualized event menu were extensive providing something for all diners. The wait staff was
pleasant and interactive. My only suggestion would be that waiters be a bit more attentive to the tables between courses to be sure guest requests, drink orders etc. are readily addressed. The food was delicious and presented well. Many positive comments about the food by all in attendance. I would recommend Le Bateau Iver to anyone planning a dinner or banquet event.

1 Stars: Good food, but you will wait and wait and wait and...... (by Tom R.)

Tom R. — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 11:38:00 GMT

I wouldn't chose to go back to this place. The food was excellent when it arrived, but it took over 45 minutes to arrive. We would have ordered more, but you only have one life and I didn't want to waste more of mine sitting waiting. It was difficult to enjoy the food much as we were all so fed up with the wait by this the time it arrived.

Our server seemed to think that the best way to explain their slow service was to pretend we were invisible from the time he took our order to the time (45 minutes later) when it finally turned up - despite attempts to catch him as he ignored us. I would have thought it was just basic courtesy to apologize for a long wait and ask us if we wanted more drinks, but nothing, not even more water!

I finally cracked after 45 minutes and grabbed my nearest server, but he had a very bad attitude, seemed to not care less, he said as he was not our server there was nothing he could do.

A very boring and frustrating way to spend a Sunday lunchtime, I recommend you avoid this place unless you like long waits, being ignored and the staff seeming not to care less.

1 Stars: Good food, but you will wait and wait and the staff will ignore you (by Lochardil)

Lochardil — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I finally cracked after 45 minutes and grabbed my nearest server, but he had a very bad attitude, seemed to not care less, he said as he was not our server there was nothing he could do.

A very boring and frustrating way to spend a Sunday lunchtime, I recommend you avoid this place unless you like long waits, being ignored and the staff seeming not to care less.

5 Stars: Best Neighborhood Bistro in the Bay Area (by roofus)

roofus — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Le Bateau Ivre -- This place is the greatest gem in the Bay Area. Food is excellent. But the ambience is what makes it special -- very continental and Bohemian -- like a neighborhood bistro in France. This isn't a restaurant experience -- it's family. Very comfortable furnishings like a country farmhouse. We've been coming here since it opened in the 70's. Our favorite place to go with friends or to be alone. On Mondays they feature live music at 7 pm Like a caberet/dining experience. Breakfast is inventive as well as traditional, fare is light but satisfying. Ingredients are fresh. Check it out!

5 Stars: Great food, staff and owners! (by lindsaygun)

lindsaygun — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Bateau Ivre is a little gem of a place. It is:

1. A cozy breakfast nook;
2. A superb place to meet clients for lunch;
3. An all-around wonderful coffee and snack cafe (with free wireless);
4. A romantic dining spot complete with fireplace; and
5. A special place to hear live music on Monday evenings.

The friendly staff and the owners treat everyone like family. if you're ever in Berkeley, check it out! You won't be disappointed!

5 Stars: Best brunch and Dinner. Wonderful variety of live music on several Monday nights too! (by bluemoya)

bluemoya — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I feel this is styled more like a country Bistro with some California flare and twists. Brunch is always a pleasure and specials for dinner vary and are quite well done. French onion soup is great. Brunch with Eggs benedict with house smoked salmon is great! Lunch salad composee' always tasty. One of my favorites is the pork chop over spinach salad. Meats are always carefully done to perfection and if you like drinks try their well stocked bar or just splurge on a amarreto shake. Finish off dinner with chocolate sundae or the cheese plate to help you on your way to food bliss. Atmosphere is highly dependant on where you sit. Bruch on the outside patio for fresh air. Dine in the sunny southside room and feel like your in a warm cafe. Dine in the back cosy fireplace room and feel nestled in and romantic. Ooops did I forget to mention you can eat and WiFi the afternoon away if you want too? If your really interested chat up the owner about music or the crazy plans of how Cal Trans is gonna ruin east 14th to telegraph avenue. Or chat up the lady of the house about her latest cookie baking or what she put in the display case to celebrate Bastile day. It is a family run place since the 70's. So longevity comes with some great benefits. Its a fixture and highly involved with the neighborhood. Passionate about the food the area and the future. See you all there soon.

4 Stars: Lovely hangout, wifi (by cafe_hound)

cafe_hound — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I like this place a lot, I find the staff really nice, a great place to bring friends and sit at the fireplace or alone with my laptop. They have two bathrooms now, also. Perfect outdoor setting also for brunch especially, or dinners when it's warm.
[Editing my earlier review: I am very confused by the several horrible prior reviews by users with numbers in their names. Their reviews don't fit with my experience. I notice they have written only one review each ... makes me wonder if it's the same person under a different name? I don't know, those reviews just seem extreme.]

1 Stars: Terrible Food & Service...No Cleanliness (by babyboo0309)

babyboo0309 — Tue, 15 May 2007 09:00:00 GMT

This is far from the BOC brunch...it's terrible. Our waitress was so rude and never attended to our table. I had to continually get up to request things. Took 20 minutes to even get my coffee. Food was terrible, overcooked eggs and cold. Overpriced! Do not eat here!

1 Stars: Just bad.. (by berkeleylover)

berkeleylover — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Food is not great in both quality and quantity. Price is high. Service is slow. Restaurant is not really clean. I dont like to eat while looking at the spiderwebs!

1 Stars: Bad service, overpriced, snooty service (by jack94709)

jack94709 — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I went there for lunch with my bf who wanted a light meal so we decided to split one entree and one desert between the both of us. After placing the order, the waiter looked at us like we were crazy because we did not want to stuff our faces. In any case, after the food was brought out, we asked the waiter to bring out our desert about 15 mins later. The entree was extremely SMALL and the chicken was dry. Our waiter did not attend to us at any other point during our meal. Our desert was not brought out until we can up to him to ask him to bring it out for us. We then asked for the check. After waiting for about 020 minutes, we decide to just go up to the main counter to pay for our meal. We did not have a good experience at this place. I don't know what the hype is all about. Had much better food elsewhere for the same price. Definitely will not be coming back here. Bad, slow, snooty service on top of bad overpriced food.

1 Stars: 9.6????? are u out of ur mind??? (by nausicaachan)

nausicaachan — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I read the reviews for this place and was eagerly looking forward to trying it. However... i went there on Sunday for breakfast and wellto say i was disappointed would be an understatement. The atmosphere was lacking, it looked like they had taken old thrift store chair and tables into the restraunt. and the back room that we were in was boring and dark. The food was average (thats still being generous) my french toast was imaginativly plated with... more french toast. My companions had egg with sausage. One was too salty and the other had no flavor. Our server looked depressed and hardly said a word to us. All the glasses on the table had lipstick marks on them. Don't go here. its not even worth the time.

5 Stars: Great brunch. (by everitt4)

everitt4 — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Love it here. Outdoor seating on sunny days, ample indoor seating, no rush to get you out. Brunch here is divine. The eggs benedict can be slightly flooded with the sauce, so on the side is best. Amazing scrambles. Tons of coffee beverages, yummy mimosas.

4 Stars: cute, but not all that (by lindsey_anne)

lindsey_anne — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

its a cute place to take your visiting grandmother if youre a student at cal. the service isnt great, its a bit cramped, and the food is decent but not spectacular. worth checking out once, though, especially in the summer when then patio is open.

5 Stars: Best Romantic Fine Dining (by clevy)

clevy — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I have been coming happily to Le Bateau Ivre for years. After dancing we would stop off here for a lively nightcap, conversing with the intelligent, amusing waiters. I have lovely memories.
Recently, we brought a group here for two guests from New York City. They loved the place so much, they returned to eat here without us! The Valentine's day dinner here was romantic and very imaginative. The ambience is like a fine home, the waiters are kind and very good at taking our order and delivering food promptly. I love this place. It is comforting, the music is
calming, and the food good. Thank you, Bateau Ivre! You are the coolest place in Berkeley!

5 Stars: Delightful spot (by keivnallen)

keivnallen — Tue, 02 May 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I live in the neighborhood by Le Bateau Ivre and have the opportunity to dine there often, or just stop by for a cup of excellent coffee or a stein of really cold beer. I have always experienced great service. The dining room is enchanting. The outdoor area is nice with lots of people going by to watch. The food is good / and fairly priced for the area. The owners are often there and always charming.

2 Stars: inconsistent (by vonling)

vonling — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 09:00:00 GMT

My sister and I went for brunch on a saturday morning and both the service and food were great. I went again with my boyfriend because I was so impressed by my first experirence. This time the server was rude and brought out our dishes so far apart that I after waiting a few minutes my boyfriend suggested i start eating before my food got cold. Only after I was done with my meal did he receive his. Horrible service and inconsistent food quality!

1 Stars: poor food for such high price (by f00dcritic)

f00dcritic — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 09:00:00 GMT

i would never come back to this restaurant. i could cook better than the chefs. they charge too for a mediocre food. don't be fooled by the ambiance... it's not worth it!

1 Stars: Combative Waiter (by badcatholicgirl)

badcatholicgirl — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 09:00:00 GMT

My husband used to go to this restaurant to wait out his commute, and he really enjoyed the ambiance. We visited it a few months ago, and I found the cuisine to be pretty ho-hum. After all, this is Berkeley...a town with some pretty great restaurants.

Bizarrely, one of the waiters became combative with me about the position of my chair. I moved in accordance with his demand, and yet several times over the course of our meal he bumped me pretty hard. Even one of the diners at another table commented about his rude behavior.

We won't be returning.

3 Stars: How is the Steak Au Poivre? (by traveling_bookseller)

traveling_bookseller — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 09:00:00 GMT

As a sometimes visitor to Berekely, I am always looking for a good restaurants; a number of reviews led me here. For dinner I ordered the Steak Au Poivre. When the entree arrived, the steak was covered in a watery-brown sauce and mushrooms without any significant flavors (despite the menu which stated that it was cooked in a sauce -reduction, I assumed- made from cognac). There were only a few peppercorns scattered on one side of the steak - and the steak itself was a very cheap cut of meat - obviously "Select" grade only, with a lackluster flavor. At $24, you expect a little better cut of meat. But a cheap cut of steak wouldn't have been so bad, if the sauce had been delicious or at least tasty. It was something like how I imagine a steak boiled in a poorly flavored, watery gravy would taste.

5 Stars: Extraordinaire! (by stephenlanger)

stephenlanger — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Le Bateau Ivre is hands down the best restaurant in the East Bay.
The food is is fresh,the preparation impeccable,the flavors a taste delight,the service attentive,the atmosphere country French (close your eyes and you're in a four star French Bistro).
I'm jealous of everyone who's dicovering Le Bateau for the first time.
Bon appetit!

5 Stars: Sunday brunch (by drfriedberg)

drfriedberg — Wed, 08 Jun 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I don't know what happened to the two most recent reviewers but they're not describing the Bateau Ivre I've known and loved for years.

This restaurant - which btw is most definitely not expensive - patrons can hang out and wifi all day for next to nothing if they choose which many do - is as close to perfect as a restaurant gets with friendly service, committed owners for whom it is a labor of love, flexibility in every way - indoor or outdoor, cozy fire or spare coffee house - and consistently good food.

If you're looking for the latest new thing; if you like loud conversations in your ear and elbows in your food and a line around the block and don't care if your pupu place is still there tomorrow, then by all means leave the Bateau Ivre for those who love it just as it is: wonderful.

John Friedberg

5 Stars: You belong here (by vdescalzo)

vdescalzo — Tue, 07 Jun 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Le Bateau Ivre is a special experience with wonderful warmth and a feeling of belonging. Le Bateau Ivre has the perfect atmosphere to celebrate those special moments with friends. Excellent food dining or brunch always adds a special touch.

5 Stars: Like going home... (by lucienmd)

lucienmd — Tue, 07 Jun 2005 09:00:00 GMT

This is the most most charming coffeehouse I've ever been in. It's like going to a friend's home in a small town in France. Coffee and goodies are excellent. Free internet.

5 Stars: Stellar Coffee--Brewed Dark & Yummy! (by msluder)

msluder — Tue, 07 Jun 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Coffee, great breakfast and wireless internet--how can you go wrong?!

5 Stars: Too well kept secret in Berkeley (by hcourtais)

hcourtais — Mon, 06 Jun 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Best lunch spot for business and leasure. Romantic setting for dinner. Out door brunch, lunch and dinner on sunny worm days. Well executed classic French fare and California cuisine specials. Dog friendly (and kids too). Berkeley institution for more than 30 years. Attentive service from longtimer waiter(s). Rear dinning room real fire place is a must. Greatest coffee drinks (with or without alcohol) in the Bay Area. Flower arrangements are allways beautifull. Former wall-inserted cigarette machine with monthly amazing displays.

5 Stars: Romance, ah, so sweet! (by pskiii)

pskiii — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Le Bateau Ivre is such a romantic restaurant not to mention the food with candlelight and fabulous music for which I am forever asking "what is the name of this song?" Lace curtains in the sunny front rooms with brick patio for sunny days. But my favorite is the brick back room with the roaring fire going on a chilly night. In the daytime the skylight gives wonderful lighting and no one is pushy with trying to get you out so it's so European. A favorite time is Christmas with the 3 decorated trees in one of the front rooms, on a buffet, and in the back dining room. Anyone we ask to meet us there always ends up coming back too.

5 Stars: For over 25 years! (by dlpughe)

dlpughe — Fri, 27 May 2005 09:00:00 GMT

The Bateau Ivre is a charming cafe/restaurant in what appears to be a French chateau transplanted on Telegraph Avenue, with a terrace for sunny days, two chambers for coffee, and a back dining room complete with a fireplace for true Bay Area summer days! I've been coming here since grad school, for 25 years now, and the ambience is always wonderful, the perfect place to meet a friend for long conversations, excellent food including my favorite creme caramel, an amazing list of coffees and the unusual amaretto milkshake, and it has kept its standard of atmosphere for a phenomenal run. Even if you've never read Rimbaud's poem Le Bateau Ivre, you can feel transported to a moment in time where conversation is prized, with excellent gastronimic acoutrement.

5 Stars: Best Place for a Date (by chxit34)

chxit34 — Wed, 25 May 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I had a truly great experience here recently. The staff was very attentive, and friendly. They made my date and I feel very special. The food was very good. We had the filet and the pasta. This is the best romantic restaurant I've been to. We were both overwhelmed by the fact that everyone at the restaurant went "above and beyond" to make our special occassion that much more special. I highly recommend Le Bateau. If you live in SF, make the short trip over the bridge...it's well worth it.

5 Stars: Why I love this place (by patrickpurtle)

patrickpurtle — Wed, 18 May 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I have been going to Le Bateau Ivre for 15 years now, and have never been disappointed. The owners are fantastic, wait staff excellanct, Food supurb, ambiance outstanding. Super romantic, especialy the back room with the wood fire place, this is a sure fire spot for excellant food, service and decor for that special date and evening. If you like french provicncal and romantic candle lite dinners then look no farther. This place has rejuvinated my marraige several times!!! Stay at the Rose Garden Inn down the street, did my honey moon there, romantic victorian. See for youself

5 Stars: Gem of a Place (by lorklorkii)

lorklorkii — Mon, 16 May 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Like the other reviewer, my partner and I have made this one of our few regular "go to" restaurants in the bay area. The building and ambiance are wonderful, the food very good and quite reasonably priced. Particularly worth noting are:
- Best weekend brunch in Berkeley; especially pleasant when the patio's open
- French onion soup (best in the bay area, & we've tried many)
- Back dining room with wood fire and amazing (& romantic!) ambiance
- Cafe is a great place to work, but not overrun by students. Classy, good date place.
- Cafe menu (continental) is well done, and prices very reasonable given the venue.

5 Stars: The best-kept secret in the East Bay (by atombee)

atombee — Sun, 15 May 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I've been going to the Bateau Ivre for a long time. Great brunch on weekends. Perfect romantic date spot (it never fails). Great afternoon cafe w/wifi. Oh, love the food too.

5 Stars: My favorite Berkeley place (by lionda)

lionda — Sun, 15 May 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Fine food, fine service, aesthetically lovely, reasonable prices--take these for granted. What I look for beyond all this is a place where I can have a wonderful conversation with family or friends, or sit peacefully by myself. Bateau Ivre has never failed. It is now my standby. I take people there when I really want to relate, in a wonderful atmosphere. I'm a devoted fan.

4 Stars: great brunch spotworth NOT waiting for (by chiaroesemplice)

chiaroesemplice — Fri, 05 Jul 2002 09:00:00 GMT

As a native of the Bay who moved away, I visit this restaurant for brunch every time I roll into town. They have the best eggs and potatoes...and the coffee is strong and fragrant. Even better, there's rarely a waiting-list (unlike some other brunch spots where you have to stand around for an hour or so).