La Mediterranee

I've had the pleasure of featuring La Mediterranee Catering twice--once for a gathering with out-of-town colleagues and again for a fundraiser they generously contributed to. In both cases, they absolutely upleveled the experience. One guest, who had literally just flown in from Greece and was skeptical at first, was shocked at how delicious the food was! La Mediterranee takes a fresh twist on what you think of as Mediterranean--familiar yet elevated, and absolutely addictive (I'm salivating while writing this). The dolmas were fresh and vibrant, the hummus silky and perfectly spiced, and the Chicken Cilicia Fillos--with that subtle cinnamon twist in their melt-in-your-mouth filo--set a new standard for comfort food. NOM NOM. The spanakopita was flaky and savory, the Levant sandwiches were gorgeous and gone in minutes, and the falafel? Spot on. We couldn't stop there and included their baklavah and cake desert which you can see is super preety! Truly a spread that impresses every time. Beyond the food, the team is a joy to work with--professional, flexible, and genuinely kind. Their contribution elevated the entire atmosphere of our events and left guests raving. We are so grateful for their partnership and cannot recommend them highly enough!

Went here with a friend yesterday and I AM IN LOVE!!!!! I always love Mediterranean food, and this place itself was absolutely top tier! I got the veggie kebabs, and they were SOOOOO DELICIOUS! While the food was a little pricey, I'm not complaining since we got some pretty generous portions. I'm 100% coming back!

The pomegranate chicken… I’m sure on this earth there must be better chicken but I haven’t found it yet. Every childhood event, you’d open the tray and there would be the pomegranate chicken and the yellow rice. Nothing better. I was lucky then, and I’m luckier now that La Med is still here and is still so good! Tastes the same: perfect

The dolma was a disgrace to all Mediterranean cuisines that pride themselves on offering dolmas. Apart from the fact that it had meat in it - which is not unheard of, but definitely, right off the bat gives "I've no idea what I'm doing so I'm gonna slap something with a strong flavour to save face" vibes - everything else about it was objectively offensive. The leaves were thick and hard (and hardly cooked), with the texture of maple leaves, rather than vine leaves, and the bitter taste of grass. The leaf itself was chewy and indestructible, it's veins felt like wire. The leaves should be hand picked, thoroughly examined, and for the love of god, steamed before wrapping. The rice as well was undercooked, sticking with the "earthy tones" of the wrong kind, felt more like pebbles. It was clearly not sautéed before hand. The absence of mint and onion at this stage (or any stage for that matter) made sure that the rice will remain plain, flavourless and insulting. And since this step was skipped, there was clearly no need for olive oil. But I'm sure, since this is a "Mediterranean" restaurant it must have had it somewhere. But more like someone whispering above the pot "olive oil" rather than actually using it. The size of the dolma, which traditionally is meant to be bite size, was upsetting. I've never, in my happily dolma-full life of 28 years, had to cut a dolma in thirds to attempt eating it. The wrapping was surprisingly tight. Which came in handy after dinner, when we decided to play football. The dolma didn't not come undone. And all of this would be forgiven and forgotten. But they poked this Asia minor bear, yours truly, by committing the worst culinary crime of all. They added cinnamon.

Great place for family and friends reunion! Food is GREAT! Full of love and flavor! Get there early because it gets busy very fast!

My wife and I came here with friends who kept telling us how great it is. It was relatively busy and the service was quite good but the food was not. Maybe I’m just picky but I struggled to find things on the menu and what we ended up ordering was so forgettable that I cannot recall anything we ate that night. The restaurant is fairly clean and certainly fits the area but I sat there all dinner wishing we had gone to the spot around the corner instead. Our friends will definitely be back. I won’t.

I got a party tray for my birthday today and it was awesome! Everyone loved the food and it served the entire party, even had a few leftovers! Cole, the manager was so kind to let me customize my food! Great service and yummy food! Will order again!

A local favorite. Their hummus is incredible. Kind of a comfortable and homey place on college avenue with reasonable prices and some good specialties, especially the pomegranate chicken. Lots of different businesses around, including a dessert shop down the street, movie theater next block over parking right behind the buildings. Great for a night out.

When was the last time I came here... I think almost 10yrs ago... and yes, I came to have a good dinner. First, food never change from what I expected, the same tastes and servings... I enjoyed the small plates and shareable. Check my pics for reference...every bite brings me back to the old days I used to come here. Second, the ambiance is still carries the old family feel, the old homey feeling of getting dinner. Now, I'm alittle sad, how the service changed, the new servers are not as welcoming or pleasant anymore.. I didn't get that feeling of family welcome... I remember how old times, servers here used to talk to you and make you feel home and make you feel the dinner they served you is the same food you get at home. But, it's the food that matters most, maybe next time I'll just get a take out.

Came here for lunch with a large group of friends and got seated immediately. We all ordered Middle Eastern plates with similar selections. I got the plate with lamb lule, a levant sandwich, and chicken cilicia fillo. The food came out quickly and tasted solid, but considering the portion size and price, it didn't feel worth it. There are definitely better options for better value than coming here.

We came here for dinner and were immediately seated! The place has a lot of tables, both indoor and outdoor, and had a rustic, ceramic vibe. We place our orders, and received the food very quickly! I had the chicken pomegranate dish, and it was very well portioned. The chicken itself was very tender and flavorful. The rice was also well cooked. I think the dish, as a whole, was just a little too oily. My friend had the middle eastern dish, and it gave a good variety of foods. However, I think their fillo pastries were a little too dry. I had decent service, and good food! Glad I got to try it.

Always get a good meal here! I especially love the filo rolls. Best humus around. Lots of outdoor seating

The presentation of the food made me question it. My food was Luke warm and looked tampered with upon receiving it. It looked like someone ate out of it

La Mediterranee is a colorful, spacious cafe offering Middle Eastern eats. Their lunch specials were a great deal, and the Middle Eastern Plate came with salad, hummus, and pita bread, along with a selection of three entrees. I tried the crispy falafel topped with tahini, which went perfectly with the warm pita bread and hummus. But perhaps the two items La Mediterranee is most known for are the Chicken Cilicia Fillo, a flaky pastry stuffed with shredded chicken with cinnamon and sugar, similar to a Moroccan bastilla; and the Chicken Pomegranate, a fall-apart tender chicken drumstick seasoned with a sweet and acidic pomegranate marinade, served over a yellow rice pilaf. These two items were must-try dishes, but everything here was flavorful and delicious!

This is a comfy neighborhood restaurant where you can have a quick no-fuss lunch with a friend. I've been coming here for years and usually can walk right in and be seated immediately. On my latest visit I ordered the Middle Eastern plate which has a nice variety of tasty little morsels - not haute cuisine but perfectly fine for a casual lunch. The egg lemon soup was even more delicious than usual on a cold rainy day and the pita bread was fresh and warm. La Med is a reliably decent lunch spot when you're hungry in the Elmwood.

Went to have lunch today, blonde young man stops us as we open the door, told us they were closed, having a staff meeting, I told my friend oh no! (It was a special occasion) the guy said LOWER YOUR VOICE, he yelled at us! SO MEAN AND RUDE! I've been going there for special occasions for 30yrs I was embarrassed and angry. I wonder if their employee meeting talked about customer service. Won't go back EVER, sad about it.

Delicious food! I first tried this restaurant in San Francisco and I was very excited to find out there was a Berkeley location that is closer to me. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating. The restaurant is clean and nicely decorated. Now for the food! I've been here during lunch time which is my favorite because you can get soup or salad with your meal. My go to is the Middle Eastern Plate. It comes with hummus and you can choose between soup or potato salad. The lemon chicken soup is always my choice since it is delicious. With the plate, you can get 3 choices from their menu. I always make sure to get their pomegranate chicken, and the levant sandwich. I try something different for my third choice but the fillo never disappoints. I came with my daughter and she chose the Chicken Shawarma Plate and the meat was very good! Everything is fresh, and flavorful. It is a lot of food too! This is one of the best restaurants in the area. If you are around, give them a try!

Came here and had the chicken kebab dinner. It took a while for the food to come, but it was hot and tasted fresh. The portion size was huge. All in all pretty tasty, but i've had better mediterranean cuisine for less $$

We came here for The Saturday brunch vibes and La Med did deliver with the nice outdoor seating and central College Ave location, but unfortunately their food was just okay. We got their lunch plate and I got their rice with chicken pomegranate, chicken filo, hummus, falafel, and a side of pita. The chicken pomegranate was tender and fall off the bone. Their hummus wasn't bad, but a little salty. I felt like the rest of the items were mediocre and too sour. I wasn't a super big fan. Overall, the vibes were nice but the food was okay.

Air fried falafels- excellent! I enjoyed the falafel sandwich. Friendly staff. Nice vibe in the patio.

Friendly service although not the fastest, food has been the same since I first came over 20 years ago. Solid Mediterranean food that isn't specific to any one region. Good sized portions. Falafel was kinda bready and my favorite, the Mediterranean platter was a good appetizer though to share. Cozy seatin and outdoor possible as well. Street parking can be tough.

Still standing by my old review - I'm always going to support any and all Armenian-owned business but with that said, this isn't a 10/10 establishment. I went here again tonight and ordered the veggie kebab platter, it was good! It's my go-to order, and i love the way they cook the pilaf. The veggies didn't have much flavor though, and would have benefitted from a few more minutes on the grill. We also ordered the vegetarian middle eastern platter which is always a hit. HOWEVER, take a look at the picture for reference, but the "platter" was tiny in comparison to how much green salad was on the plate. I used to order this frequently, and the "side" would be the size of a normal side rather than taking up half of the plate and taking away from more content of the actual platter. This platter only had one single dolma, one single roulade pastry and a little bit of hummus. It felt like this is just what they had leftover so they put it on the plate. Not worth it. The desserts were OK. The mouse tasted a little bit like melted chocolate rather than a creamy mousse-like texture, but it was pretty good. The pistacho best was far too dry and needed much much more rose water. Although the rose water had very little aroma and flavor, and felt more like diluted honey. Maybe that's just because of how little was on the actual plate. Their menu has changed a lot since I've last been here. Their old pomegranate sangria/mimosa is no longer on the menu, and neither is their vegan chocolate cake. Lastly.. Their service has taken a turn for the worse. Our server never checked in on us and we waited 30 minutes between them giving us our check and picking up payment. I had to flag our server down to actually get to pay and leave. I'll still come back here for as long as I live in the Bay, but it's just a shame to see a beloved business make changes for the worse.

The food was jot that good . The rice was very greasy ! From the plate I mostly just liked the skewer kebob but the shawarma was not so good! I preferred if the hummus wasn't mixed with the rice as well!

Weekday late lunch at Le Med. I hadn't been here in forever when we decided to come; I remembered the tile table tops from decades ago! We were offered a choice of seating, a nice day encouraged us to sit outside. We enjoyed the parade of passersby, noticing the area seems to be a great neighborhood for senior strolling. Prompt water, utensils and menu brought to table. We ordered the house chardonnay which was good. A short wait brought the mains: pomegranate chicken and chicken shawarma. Both very good, with a large portion for the pomegranate chicken. Got the veg-lentil soup with the shawarma, it was excellent. It also came with a yogurt dipping sauce and hummus. The hummus is superb, so smooth and creamy with a lingering garlic finish, well done Le Med! Good food, a pleasant ambiance and a nice chat; we'll be back!

We had La Med cater my (Egyptian) husband's birthday party for 80+ people. We had a variety of finger food platters, dips, bread, salads, and hot entrees too. The food was great. Ordering was easy and they helped me adjust the menu right up until the week before. They delivered to Walnut Creek and even helped set up. The chicken kabobs were especially delicious! Thank you Le Med team! I didn't take any photos because the party was hopping and we forgot...then it was all gone!

The hummus! Oh my god, the hummus!! THE HUMMUS! It is amazing. This place has convinced me to give hummus a second try, though no other hummus I have tried came close. The pomegranate chicken was so soft, and cooked to perfection, and the salad added a much-needed crunch to a wonderful dish. The extra side of rice was flavorful and it tasted amazing all round with the hummus. The staff was also so so sweet, I'll definitely be coming back. TIPS: 1. Parking is pretty hard to find on the main street, park in the neighborhood. 2. They are on TooGoodToGo fighting food waste though it sells out quick! 3. HUMMUS, POMEGRANATE chicken!

Meh, ordered the lauded meza and the Avogolomena soup. The latter was gluey, not the light bright soup one would expect, also not hot... maybe cake from a microwave? In fact all the food that should have been hot. Felt microwaved, tasted stale. The only thing remotely warm was the tiny chicken drumstick. I'm not sure what went wrong but won't be trying again. Yuck.

Great local spot for lunch or dinner. Get the mezlah Plate for a ton of food, perfect for sharing. It lets you try all their favorites.

Came here for lunch! Got the falafel lunch special with lentil soup. Shared the hummus app with friends. That was the major highlight! Hummus for all! Everything else was solid but nothing amazing. I think the fish kabob my friends got was enjoyed greatly.

We had a reservation and came early. They were accommodating and sat us right away. The food is good but not great. Hoping for more authentic preparation. The restaurant has a nice patio area and the restaurant was full by the time we left.

This is one of my go to places for Mediterranean food - I do both eat in and take out here and have even had it Door Dashed when I am desperate for a fix. This food is delicious. Their hummus is smooth and amazing and I love their salad dressing and have no idea what is in it. They should bottle that and sell it. I usually get chicken kebabs but have also had the pomegranate chicken too. Portions are generous and tasty. You cannot go wrong here. Also - as an event planner - I have catered events from here and the food is always plentiful and delicious - my guests have enjoyed it too.

Enjoyed a meal with family and visiting friends tonight! The food came very fast, which some of us felt was a bit rushed, but some were happy about~ the dolmas were very large and slightly unflavorful, and the baba ganoush was very VERY smoky (some of us didn't eat it due to the overpowering flavor). Overall, everything was yummy! The chicken fell off the bone, hummus was very smooth, falafels were soft (a little dry), and everything was fresh. A yummy, casual option for a night out!

Delicious Mediterranean flavors! The lamb kebabs are a must-try. Cozy atmosphere and great service!

I love the place. It is my go to for Mediterranean food. My favorite dishes are the filo plates: 2 cheese and 2 spinach served with hummus and potato salad. Yum!!!! I really mean it when I say I could eat here every day. The quality is great at the Berkeley and the San Francisco locations.

Here's an enhanced version of your text: --- The food was beyond mediocre. I'm not sure what cuisine they were aiming for, but it definitely wasn't Mediterranean. The avgolemono soup tasted like old chicken, and the kibbeh was a jumbled mess. The shawarma consisted mostly of iceberg lettuce from a salad mix, and the shredded chicken tasted like tuna. Do not put the dressing on your salad--you will regret it. It tastes like watered-down marinara sauce. While the seating and location were nice, it didn't make up for the food. The staff was pleasant, but the food took nearly an hour to come out. Enough said, I will not be returning.

We always get the chicken cilicia dinner and the chicken pomegranate dinner, but today we got the lamb lule dinner instead of the chicken. Everything was delicious. We always get the salad for one dinner and the soup for the other. The baba ghanoush is also one of our favorites. We arrived just before the dinner rush, so it was quiet and romantic, then the place was bustling with activity. Service is great too.

Just had the vegetarian middle eastern plate ! I was in heaven So filling and satisfying!

The food here is delicious. The chicken pomegranate is great but do NOT sleep on the baklava here. It is phenomenal. Always come here for the Persian coffee as well.

Been going here since the late 90's! It has not changed and is always consistent, tasty, and plenty of food. When I return back home in the East Bay from Europe I make it a point for my partner and I to patronage this family business.

4.8 stars Omg! What a delicious meal at La Mediterranee! Outdoor dinning was so relaxing! The food was phenomenal, and super friendly staff. The hummus, Baba Ghanoush, Armenian Potato Salad, Falafel, Chicken, Lamb + Rice Pilaf, and Chocolate Mousse were delicious! I'm still dreaming of the warm and crispy Baklava with some Tea! Though the Sangria and white Wine were delicious! The perfect compliment to any meal... Amazing food and awesome service! What more can you ask! We can't NOT wait to come back to La Mediterranee!

La Mediterranee Berkeley CA Fri 9/23/22 Biz lunch! Autumn vibes! Summer temps! Salute e questo è quanto! © And that's it! Middle-Eastern comfort food. It says, Anoush Ella! May It Be Sweet! This is a casual restaurant, please set your expectations right. You know what I mean. Compare apples to apples and pumpkins to pumpkins please:-) Keep your sense of humor! Friendly? Yes! Tasty? Yes! Fine dining? Probably no:) Hospitality? Yes! Don't expect a refined service and impeccable atmosphere, and you'll be fine. There are two more La Mediterranee locations in San Francisco on Fillmore and on Noe St, this one on College Ave is in Berkeley. Reservations for six easily made online. Seated by a hostess. A scene from an imaginary movie. Nails recently done? Loving the imagery, it's fun. All good! Waldo is our server. Job well done, no complaints! Electric heater, built-in the ceiling, for colder months, I thought it was very interesting fixture. A couple dozen or so checkered tile top tables with wooden chairs. Bar/Kitchen at the far end of the dining area. Outside patio. It's a permanent patio like part of the restaurant now, plus another outdoor area is set up. Most patrons sit outside. Yep, they keep their "staging area" on a chef's rack to the side, visible. Dishes, cleared from tables, on a bottom rack. A table with cleaning supplies, spray bottles and vinyl gloves, courtesy of the pandemic. They work with the space they've got. Kotayk Lager, Armenia. Quality & traditions! Chicken Pomegranate | three local & sustainably sourced drumsticks marinated in pomegranate sauce, served over rice pilaf Beef Kafta Kebab | Marin Sun Farms pasture raised beef meatball skewer, grilled & served with rice pilaf Grilled Lamb Shawarma | Spiced and baked Superior Farms halal lamb Middle-Eastern coffee, brewed in traditional copper carafe, is known for its culture and history. It's a symbol of hospitality in the Middle Eastern countries. The coffee beans are ground into a fine, tiny powder for the brewing, and once it poured over into your cup and you thoroughly enjoy it, there's a thick remainder in your cup that according to superstition, may foretell the future. To use the grounds that remain in your cup in that manner, the cup is covered with a saucer before being turned upside-down. The coffee reader then looks at the horizontal halves of the cup. In the bottom half, the symbols are supposed to relate to the past. The top half of the cup is supposed to show the future. Would you like to know?:-) Desserts Datil Amandra, organic dates & nuts in fillo Muhalabiye, rose water pudding with pistachios Pistachio Nest, pistachio nuts in fillo topped with rose water Baklava, with organic walnuts Chocolate Mousse We tried them all! LOL *I would climb any mountain Sail across a stormy sea If that's what it takes me baby To show you how much you mean to me And I guess it's just the woman in you That brings out the man in me [ Review #725 posted with 10 pics on Sep 29, 2022 ] Kotayk Lager, Armenia. Quality & traditions! @La Mediterranee Berkeley CA Fri 9/23/22 Appetizers platter @La Mediterranee Berkeley CA Fri 9/23/22 Chicken Pomegranate @La Mediterranee Berkeley CA Fri 9/23/22 Beef Kafta Kebab @La Mediterranee Berkeley CA Fri 9/23/22 Grilled Lamb Shawarma @La Mediterranee Berkeley CA Fri 9/23/22 Middle-Eastern coffee! @La Mediterranee Berkeley CA Fri 9/23/22 May it foretell the future? Thick remnants of fine coffee powder! @La Mediterranee Berkeley CA Fri 9/23/22 Anticipating your comments:) @La Mediterranee Berkeley CA Fri 9/23/22 Where's Waldo! @La Mediterranee Berkeley CA Fri 9/23/22 Hostess! @La Mediterranee Berkeley CA Fri 9/23/22

Enjoyed an impromptu dinner on the outside patio with my daughter. She's been there before and has enjoyed each meal. The home made potato salad is probably the best surprise of all! Whatever you order - beef or salmon kabobs - you won't be disappointed!

The food is delicious, filling, and so affordable! My favorite part is feeling like everything is fresh and homemade. My favorite is the combo plate because I love to dabble in a bit of everything! I usually get the pomegranate chicken and lamb meatball. You can also choose a side of salad, soup, or potato salad-- I always get the potato salad...it's tangy and so refreshing! Service is fast. Ambiance is old school and hip vibe. I love coming here to get my Mediterranean food fix!! Super yums!!!

Got to try this place recently and it did not disappoint! I'll start by saying the hummus is DELICIOUS. Seriously some of the best i've had. It was super fresh and creamy and paired perfectly with pita. The falafel wrap was also great. The lavash bread was thin and soft which allowed the falafel to be the star of the dish. The falafel itself was very flavorful and cooked perfectly (not mushy). I didn't love the sauces that came with it (they were a bit too sour for my liking), but I didn't find that my dish needed them.

Decent chicken kebab, nothing special, service was fine nice lady. The location in SF has always been better to me but I live on this side so don't make it to Fillmore St often.

Great food, atmosphere, and service. I had the pomegranate chicken. Also, I left my backpack, they saved it for me and got it back to me safely. Very helpful staff. Would go again

Delicious dishes and Good service with a smile. Convenient parking lot behind restaurant.

Just had lunch here today - table of 2 - so admittedly we didn't explore much of the menu, and we won't be returning to try anything else. With that caveat in mind, here are my impressions: The good - front patio is nice. Servers were fine (though kitchen was slow). The bad - the food. E.g. the falafel was TERRIBLE, mushy outside, dry interior, and flavorless. How can a "Mediterranean restaurant" serve falafel that is worse than a packaged falafel mix made at home? It's not that difficult. Salad consisted of wilted spring mix, and rice was a tepid, mushy glob of something that was once a grain. Food generally lacked seasoning and freshness. The ugly - the (open) kitchen is dirty and disorganized, e.g. cardboard boxes lying around everywhere and on shelves. Cleaning products out in the open, visible dust on the stove hood. Inside dining room seemed tired. Owners should give Gordon Ramsay and the Kitchen Nightmares crew a call. This place is not well run and I don't trust the quality of the food and it's preparation.

Literally my favorite place to go in Berkeley. Service is so-so. Location is awesome and food is so delicious. I love the philo dishes.... They're the best ever!!! Recommended.

Unfortunately, our Mezza Family Meal was described as a meal for "2 or more people." This is all we received and when we called the restaurant they indicated that a family Mezza meal is just for one person (despite the picture and description saying otherwise).

I AM GREEK AND IT IS VERY GOOD, you should eat here. I get the soup and the filo pastries and the hummus.

I have been going to the various locations of this restaurant since 1987. They have solidly good food with good service. It was very nice to sit outside, but the interior is cute too. I almost always get the small fillo filled things as a combination plate. They're always delicious.

More like a 3.5. Can't believe that in all my years at Berkeley I've never explored this far down College Ave to find this place. We got here around 6 and got seated at one of the last open tables left outside (the inside was super empty). My friend and I both ordered the Middle Eastern Plate except I got Lamb Lule while he got the Chicken Pomegranate. For the side, we both got the soup of the day which was a lemon chicken soup. For one entree, there was a ton of food and they were all so different from each other. My pita bread was kind of stale, guessing it might have been from the day before, so that was a bit of a turn off. The two fillos were really good. I liked the chicken one more, but the pastry portion was super flaky and delicious. The lamb lule was kind of like a meatball and went well with the tomato sauce and rice. The levant sandwich was like a wrap, with a lot of cheese inside. Overall, pretty decent and big enough that I could only eat the lamb, rice, soup, and hummus. The server was super nice and brought us some ice for our water because it was pretty hot outside, but he only came to us maybe twice the entire meal.

I ordered the middle eastern plate and the small combinations dips. For the middle eastern plate, the chicken was very overcooked and the cilicia fillo tasted almost exactly like the food I give my dog. For the combination dip, the tabuleh hummus tasted like it had expired yogurt in jt. Lentil soup was pretty good. Service was pretty good. Water was of the highest quality.

Solid seating, good food, touch pricey, rushed service. I came here for brunch with a few friends recently and it's definitely one of the nicer places you see while driving down College Avenue. If you're not super familiar with middle eastern food like me, I recommend springing for the Middle Eastern Plate: modest price point and comes with multiple items. The soup wasn't too flavorful, but everything else was pretty good. I really enjoyed the hummus in particular. Serving size did feel a little small overall though. As far as service, the staff was nice but they were definitely rushing us halfway through our meals. I know it was lunch hour but still not the greatest experience. Nonetheless, would recommend this place and will likely be back!

Great food! A little different than your standard Mediterranean food. Try their Mediterranean plate- the chicken cilicia is delicious! My family ordered take out from there recently-it was very good but it's better at the restaurant. This place has been there forever with various owners, and the food has remained consistent. I'm glad it's still there!

I was planning to stop by again soon to see if the food is still ok, but perhaps I wont after all, because .... I remember it being ok but not great, but more importantly I just heard that an African American man was recently refused service (allowed to sit at a table but not served or approached by a waiter while others were being served around him). I wont name this gentleman, but he is a scholar and published author, and I have known him for many years. I attended UCB and got my MA and PhD there, and I am well aware of the racial tensions in the Bay. I am deeply disappointed to hear that this restaurant disrespected such a fine individual, and a distinguished intellectual, because of his race, and I will inform my many East Bay friends to reconsider patronizing such a place.