Lalime'sMother's Day brunchHaven't been out for a mother's day brunch in many years and our visit here reminded me why. While the spread was impressive and the service very attentive, it seemed way overpriced. I'm sure some patrons heaped their plates high but we were not looking to gorge ourselves and thus the price tag was hefty.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMNeighborhood GemFood is always good here. On our last visit we felt that the sauces were a little lighter, portions smaller and prices lower - which was fine with us. Service was excellent and friendly. It was a bit noisy in the lower dining area.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMOnly one problemThe food was delicious, as always, and the service impeccable. But it was 7:00 on a Sunday evening and they were already out of my entree choice AND my dessert choice AND our wine choice.
Otherwise, Lalime's is a wonderful place to dine.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome FoodWe were group of four and tasted about 1/2 the menu. Everything was just right down to the seasoning. Our only reject we were too full for desert.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent preparation forExcellent preparation for the mussels. The tagliatelle were first class: homemade, perfectly cooked, the rabbit was tender and tasty. Service was excellent: careful and always available to pour wine and to take orders. Highly recommended.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMDinner at Lalime'sThe food and service were very good. The location feels cozy, since it's in a small neighborhood shopping area. However, the menu is not only limited, but the choices are mostly designed for very ecclectic tastes. That's great if you don't have any picky eaters in your group.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had the cod and the braisedWe had the cod and the braised lamb, both of which were wonderful. I had been to Lalime's several years ago and it was great to find that they are still fabulous.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMUnique starters and entree's.Unique starters and entree's. Quite good Brussels Sprouts and warm Spinach salad. Two rabbit entree's.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMA Delightful ExperienceWe received a warm welcome and friendly, attentive service throughout our dinner at Lalime's. The menu is straightforward, and offers a good range of choices - it's not confusing or mysterious, yet interesting.The food is really good, appealing, attractively served. It's wonderful that there is no music to drown out conversation, and this makes it easy to talk with and hear your dinner companion. People at other tables are not forced to yell at one another to be heard over other conversations, so it is all together a pleasant atmosphere. This was a Wednesday night, and not crowded, but I have been there when it was busy and would write the same comments. Nice neighborhood to be in, safe, easy parking.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was my second dinnerThis was my second dinner at Lalime's in a month. I had the sweetbreads both times and both were excellent, but completely different. We had the pinot noir the waitress recommended and it was perfect. She'd told us that she wouldn't let us order a different pinot - and I appreciated her frankness.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMOur group of four was veryOur group of four was very happy with everything we had. Lalime's is one of our favorite go-to restaurants for a celebration or special occasion.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMThe entrees weren't as imaginativeThe entrees weren't as imaginative or prepared as well as they've been in the past, but overall, quite enjoyable.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMAll four of us enjoyed ourAll four of us enjoyed our supper at Lalime's immensely. Two of our party come every two months or so and always enjoy our dining experience. We shall return soon.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMAte there Sunday night. FoodAte there Sunday night. Food and service were quite good, but they had run out of the first two entrees which we ordered. our waitress said they frequently ran out of things by Sunday. To me, not acceptable.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious and original dishes,Delicious and original dishes, as always. We eat here several times a year when the urge for a predictably wonderful meal becomes too strong to resist. I've always hated brussels sprouts, but after a taste of my husband's appetizer, I kept going back to his dish for more.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat gem of a restaurantYummy early celebration of our anniversary at Lalime's. Great delicious local seasonal food with excellent service right around the corner in Berkeley. We happened upon this gem which was just right & perfect for a special dinner. Loved loved love the frizzled brussel sprouts!4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent manhattan cocktailExcellent manhattan cocktail (think it was the Templeton). And everything we ordered was terrific.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMA Place to VisitI have dietary needs and Lalime's menu came through, which is not always the case. Our group had varied choices from the menu and everyone was delighted. Their food is always excellent, although my choices are limited.
The noise level was awful as the place was packed. I tend to think of Lalime's as a quieter restaurant, it was not the case on Saturday--brimming with life.
The "team" who work and run the restaurant are wonderful and worth getting to know. The service and attention to detail, superb.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were surprised by the newWe were surprised by the new menu. Love everything we had but miss the pork.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place for a SPECIALGreat place for a SPECIAL dinner & nice atmosphere. I can always count on really good food & service.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have dined at Lalime'sWe have dined at Lalime's when it first openend over 20 years ago and recently returned to find that it is still as charming and welcoming as it was then!
The food was fantastic and the service was very competent. Whenever we thanked our server, he/she always responded with
"you're welcome"....how refreshing that was!
I would recommend that the restaurant consider changing their champagne offering. It was terrible! I know they could find another French for the same money ... a cremant from Alsace .... or even a CA sparkling wine that would be a much better match for their
food and reputation.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMWe celebrated birthdays here,We celebrated birthdays here, and Lalime was just right, with very attentive service and delicious food.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMThe menu choices were varied.The menu choices were varied. The food was yummy. The ambiance and service helpful and excellent. We asked for a special table because of hearing difficulties and got it. We asked for items not on the menu and got them. There was no rush. We were there for over 2 hours. Everything about the evening was lovely... and the pasta dish was delicious.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMI had a very nice Friday dinnerI had a very nice Friday dinner at Lalimes. The food, Brussels Sprouts appetizer and Rock Cod main course. was expertly and deliciously prepared. Another member of our small party had Hangar Steak and salad and she was well satisfied with the meal as well. The restaurant is laid out to give diners more privacy than is typical in a small space and that facilitated great conversation at dinner even though the house was buzzing behind us. Service was good but not outstanding. We changed our party from 4 to 3 at the last minute and while we explained this to the hostess when we arrived, this was never communicated to the waiter and seemed to disrupt the flow more in minor but noticeable ways. I will definitely return!3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a pleasureWe had a group of 10 on a Friday night for a birthday dinner. The staff went out of their way to make it feel festive and special. They accommodated our vegan friends easily and everyone complimented the food.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMAs local residents, we findAs local residents, we find ourselves in Lalimes a couple of times a year, and most recently for my birthday dinner (...will you still feed me, when I'm 64?).
The menu is varied but not panoramic... I think they'd rather do fewer dishes really well, than try to do too many. That said, each of our party found something to their liking.
The wine list has depth, and we saluted the new Pope with a Chateau-neuf-de-pape!3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThe menu was limited but theThe menu was limited but the food was excellent It was more pricey than we remembered. The appetizers - salt cod fritters and scallops were delicious with an unusual combination of flavors. However, they only served you three of each and they were 14 and 15 dollars apiece respectively. The entrees- hanger steak and guinea hen were excellent and well priced with appropriate portions. We had the bread pudding for dessert which was also delicious. The wines by the glass were quite good but again, a little pricey. The service was attentive. All in all an enjoyable dining experience.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AM3 out of 4 of us enjoyed their3 out of 4 of us enjoyed their meal.The 4th person was disappointed with 2 dishes. The lentil soup was watery; unfortunately the menu did not say that the lentils were whole rather than pureed, thereby deluding the flavor.The scallop appetizer was rather expensive ($17) for 3 very small servings.
The waiter was excellent, rather new to Lalimes, coming from Farallon...friendly but not intrusive and attentive to our needs without having to be called over to our table.
We were the 1st to arrive so obviously, it was quiet. Yet when the restaurant filled, it remained easy to have a conversation.3/9/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food is always wonderfulThe food is always wonderful here. I especially like the way they prepare sweetbreads. There was a little hiccup in getting the dessert to our table. My mother, who loves her sweets, was concerned it had been forgotten. But it eventually arrived and was excellent.3/2/2013 12:00:00 AMToo Much PretentsionWe have been fans of Lalimes for years. My husband chose to go here for his birthday and we were very surprised, not thrilled, with the changes in the food preparation. We shared a salad which had starfruit, watermelon radishes & cocoa ash. We were not impressed. It looked very nice...nothing special to taste. My husband enjoyed his crab carbonara and my chickpea crepes were okay...not great. He chose the bread pudding for dessert. I thought it was AWFUL. The smoked walnuts overpowered every flavor and made me drink numerous glasses of water to try to erase their taste. Too much pretension with not much return....sorry, because we live nearby and have always enjoyed Lalimes....now we will find another place to celebrate.1/13/2013 12:00:00 AM