Le Bateau Ivre
| Address: | 2629 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA |
| Phone: | +1 510-849-1100 |
| Site: | lebateauivre.net |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | Closed 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–11PM 9AM–11PM 9AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 27
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Conor Carroll
I waited until trying their dinner menu and not just their brunch menu to write a review. I was not disappointed in the quality of their dinner menu. Similar in quality to their brunch menu (all the food is delectable, and I was stuffed after eating their Pasta aux Champignons), I would highly recommend this restaurant for nice occasions, like dates, visiting family, or treating yourself. The menu is quite expensive for everyday meals (although I highly recommend the coffee). The price being one of two things I would criticize this restaurant on, the other would be the service. While I understand that its a European-styled restaurant, the waiter seemed rather unnecessarily rude. My friend was refused alcohol after providing three forms of identification (he is French) proving he was well over the drinking age. It seems quite bizarre that they wouldnt accept any form besides a California ID or a passport. Additionally, the food was quite slowly prepared, and in fact quite a bit of time was taken before even the waiter took our orders. What was supposed to be maybe an hour and half meal turned into two and a half hours. However, if youre in good company, I suppose such waiting wouldnt necessarily be a bad thing. It couldve just been that waiter, however, because when I went for brunch another time, the service was quite prompt and friendly. Or maybe its a dinner, thing, I dont know. TL;DR: kinda slow service, pricey, but absolutely delicious.
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Elizabeth Reeds
Our food was generally dismal. Service was very slow. Our penne was very undercooked, and when we complained they insisted it was proper "al dente." Im sorry, this is 2017 in Berkeley. We know how pasta is supposed to be cooked. Perhaps in this restaurants glory days (aprox 30 years ago?) you could have that kind of misplaced arrogance. If an elderly relative suggests going here, find another option and suggest it fast!
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Aaron Leong
Food: Completely French and absolutely delicious. Servings are between small and large - just right, IMHO. Price: Spot on, for what it is. Ambiance: Cool historical house built around an old (and tiny) cinema. The fixtures and decor are rustic that borders on feeling like youre at grandmas house, but not offensively so. Location/Parking: For a Berkeley spot, parking is relatively easy to find around here.
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Jason Haines
Cozy little place. Limited menu options. Mushroom soup was good. Steak was overcooked (asked for medium rare and part of the steak was medium and part of it was well done (no pink)). Fairly certain the mushroom sauce on the steak was basically the same as my mushroom soup. Chocolate mousse was pretty good but had likely been sitting too long or stored at too cold a temperature (a little too firm).
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Tim Malone
This was my favorite cafe when I lived in Berkeley. They have great coffee and wonderful atmosphere. From cozy, dimly lit areas in the back to their sunny patio. It all has a classical elegance as well. I never had dinner there, but the breakfast was always good. They also have a nicely stocked bar and will Irish, Mexican, or French up your coffee.
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Victoria Shea Murrow
I dont even know how to tell you how much I love this place. The setting is idyllic and serene, their boozy coffee menu is extensive and expertly executed, the parmesan and mushroom pasta I ordered was fresh and perfect and my waiter was polite, prompt, and adorable. This is one of my favorite spots on Telegraph, and thats saying something.
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A Private User
Ive been coming to this restaurant for 20 yrs. every sunday, out on the patio, with this dog friendly place. they have a regular menu that u can rely on, always. On sunday the bunch is always good with many specials. Prices are reasonable and i find the service great. I highly recommend this restaurant, bring your pet and sit outside.
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A Private User
I found this cafe when I was in desperate need of WIFI and have been a loyal customer since. Their food is a little expensive for my budget but I have never found a mocha as amazing as the one they make. The friendly staff will let you linger over a coffee all day and their farmhouse feel is a world apart from the hussle outside.
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zaviolyn
Marvelous French restaurant. Wonderful attentive service, delicious food at very reasonable prices. I can share an entree with my husband since the portions are so generous. The classical background music and general ambiance are charming. We enjoy Sunday brunch as well as dinners at Le Bateau Ivre.
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Steven Du
Lovely little place that has live music on occasion. The food is good and the staff are very nice. Being a college student though, this is about 1.5-2x what I would normally spend. They also just have coffee and drinks too if you arent here for dinner.
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J Lee
One of the dirtiest places I have been to. This explains the great Amazon coupon you can get for this place. High price nasty food. We got cold bread. I ordered lamp chops that were soaked in oil. Server had dirty long nails. Simply yucky. Avoid.
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Jordan Sullivan
Lovely spot. Their French toast is some the best Ive had: crispy, rich baguette with a delicious soft center. Having lived in Frnace, i can say that I highly reccomend the food for its authenticity and quality.
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regina jackson
great coffee. VERY DISCRIMATING TOWARDS AFRICAN AMERICANS. TREAT YOU LIKE YOUR MONEY MEANS LESS IF YOU ARE NOT A WHITE COLLAR WORKER. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE UNLESS YOU WANT TO DEAL WITH RUDE PEOPLE.
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niv yaari
We just stopped for a quick coffee and dessert, which is not the place classic offering, as a quality looking restaurant, but the atmosphere was so nice and the service was so good, we had to recommend it.
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A Private User
I had a wonderful dinner with a friend on April 13, 2011. (He is one of the best mathematicians in the world.) The food and service were amazing, and well as Haydn piano sonatas in the background.
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John Crossman
For breakfast, I had the Artichoke Scramble with a Doppio Con Panna. Delicious! The atmosphere is charming and quiet. We came back in the evening and had drinks from a good set of beer choices.
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Diana S
A beautiful small establishment thats been in Berkeley for a long time. Its cozy, romantic with excellent service. They have live music on certain evenings. The menu is not long and elegant
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Yulia Veger
The service is slow and both times I went their menu was different from the one on their website as well as wrong. Everyone I tried to order food I was politely told," oh, were out of that."
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Ryan Brock
Rude service, mediocre food. Criticized by an older gentleman waiter multiple times without prompt, then we were moved to another table halfway through our meal. Not recommended.
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A Private User
The two best things about Le Bateau Ivre are (1) theres never a wait for weekend brunch and (2) the back room with the brick walls and fireplace is very cozy on cold days.
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Desviking Hansdatter
Ambience/ Adam the waiter/ real candles vreat food even vegetarian we came here because my girlfriend from liverpool used to come here when she attended Berkeley
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A Private User
Best latte presentation Ive seen in California! Just had a snack, but can recommend both latte and the bran muffin (crisp on outside, moist inside).
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Marty D
food is usually good but when i pointed out a health code violation, the host did not correct it coz it was at the owners table
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A Private User
Mediocre food, mediocre service, and a witch of an owner. What more could you possibly ask for?
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Vance Umphrey
Loved the vibes here, live music every Wednesday night. One of the coolest spots on Telegraph.
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edward holtz
They have excellent French toast done in a traditional style. Highly recommended.
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Toya Jackson
The atmosphere is charming and cozy, inexpensive for the quality of food you get.
