Skates on the BayAnnviersary dinnerCouldn't be happier with the service and quality we experienced at Skates! The price was well worth the wonderful time we had!5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMSunday BrunchThe restaurant was highly recommended to me by my daughter when I described a water view location in the Berkeley/Oakland area. I discovered a great place to meet a friend for brunch. The restaurant is really busy for Sunday brunch which suited our agenda to have a beautiful setting to share a chat for a couple of hours over a good meal. We enjoyed ourselves very much and the food was wonderful. Service is friendly and good. If you like hovering service, this may not be the place for you. However, if you want attentive service that checks to see if all is well and if you need another drink, etc., it should be perfect. I requested a window table and that request was honored. I will definitely go back . The views are outstanding.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat viewAlthough I called and emailed requesting a window table, twice by phone and once by email, as requested in the website, we did not get a direct window table.
However, the view is so spectacular, that it didn't matter. We still saw the view, which was a delight for my NY relatives who were visiting.
We particularly wanted steak and it was delicious, as were the scallops and the squid appetizer. Service was excellent.
I was really happy as were my guests.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat grad night dinnerWe started with Pacific oysters which were fresh and delicious. I followed with prime rib, and my daughter had the seared scallops. Both were accompanied with potatoes and veggie--sweetpea potatoes for her, garlic mashed for me. The prime rib was perfectly cooked, but room temperature upon service. And although salt encrusted, it was surprisingly not as flavorful as I had hoped. The seared scallops (three) were expertly cooked. Paired well with the suggested Davis Bynum chardonnay. The passionfruit mojito was a nice accompaniment as well. Apart from the food, the service was fairly good. We waited long periods without seeing the waitress, but it was just as well that she was busy so we could relax and enjoy the evening. Gorgeous view.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMSunset DinnerOur out of town guests were so delighted! The view was perfect and the food was delicious! Pear Bread Pudding for dessert was fabulous! It's a new menu since the last time we were here, much better!5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMMother's Day BrunchThe food was very good, however I would have liked more entree options5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food with a spectacular viewCrab Artichoke dip is a must try dish. Seafood dishes are all excellent, well cooked with just the right amount of sauces and sides. The view anywhere in the restaurant is spectacular, even when it's foggy. Nothing to see after dark, but the food is worth it anyway. Make a reservation as this place can have quite the wait during peak meal times.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMBeautiful Day/Beautiful ViewLucky us to have an early dinner Mother's Day with a window seat and clear view of the Golden Gate in the sunset!
Our server was very nice and accommodating. The young lady who seated us was so kind as to get us an window seat.
We have have 4 or 5 nice experiences at Skates, though a little picey by the time you are out the door, well worth it for an occasion.
The food? Very good bisque, main dish was fish with very tasty onions on the plate. My wife had a filet, excellent and cooked just right.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and fabulous serviceI had not been to Skates in years and apparently I had really missed it. My daughter and I were there for Mother's Day and I enjoyed everything about it. We went dutch, had a bar drink and fresh crab Benedict (which neither of us could finish!) for a very reasonable price and the best part was the server! She was a young, African-American woman who was just talkative enough, very cheery and very accommodating. Could not have asked for more. I wish I could remember her name because she was great --- deserves a raise! Funny and smiling all the time.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved it! It was my firstLoved it! It was my first time there and the food was really good!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMShortage of serversWe waited a long time for initial service and were going to leave. Then Blake came to our rescue and provided excellent service throughout our meal. The food was very good, and I really liked the sushi.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMA terrific Mother's Day giftThe service was very good - greeted promptly, a friendly and happy waitress to our cocktail order taken within a couple of minutes, dinner order taken when the drinks arrived a few minutes later. The clam chowder was thick and delicious but not very many clam pieces. The steak was cooked perfectly rare which is unusual except at the top steak-houses. Major points for the chef - you made a woman very happy on Mother's Day!!! Overall it was well worth the cost of $100 in food, $40 in drinks and the $35 tip was well deserved for ending a very special day on a great note!!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMSkates is a Winner AgainThe combination of delicious food, great service and a wonderful window seat made for the perfect dining experience. The occasion was for Mother's Day and I'm so glad Skates was our choice. It was a great way to start off my Mother's Day celebration. Our server was Scott and he never wrote down a thing yet our order was perfect even with all of our customized entrees! We will DEFINITELY be back.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMTravelled a long distanceThe ambience of this restaurant was GREAT, I have wanted to bring my girl there for years. Food was better than last time, which I'll in turn call it delicious with a great portion.
I would recommend this restaurant to anyone wishing to share a special moment with great friends or a loved one.
***Don't forget a jacket, so as o enjoy a great walk on the wharf after dinner!***5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous viewI love Skates because of its nice view, good food and nice service, the only complain that I have is that it's impossible to get a window table!
I have been there many times, and every time requested a window table by calling them way in advance, but never got the chance to get what I asked for...
But overall it's a very nice restaurant specially if you stay there to watch the sunset :)5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat view and seafoodStopped in after watching the San Francisco Ballet. We live in Sacramento and it a great, relaxing stop. They have a well balance menu, but I love the seafood. I has a bowl of clam chowder and a couple dozen local muscles. That was a good meal, not to heavy to drive home on. Even my foodie daughter like Skates.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMmy favoriteI live in San Francisco and I always suggest Skates when making an East Bay date. It never fails.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat viewGreat place to have lunch; food is well-prepared and served. Lunch portions are about right for those who are not heavy eaters. Apple crisp dessert was delicious.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways GreatNot only is the staff very nice and the food exceptional but the view is world class.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMFavorite restaurant by the BayGreat restaurant, a favorite for at least 18 years. You can dress up or dress casually. Seating is also available in the bar area, so you can watch a game on TV there if so desired. Prices do seem to be creeping up ($15+ crab and artichoke dip? Didn't order it for the first time the other day). The cherry pork chop was delicious though, as was the bread pudding dessert!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat view and oysters!I came here on a reservation hoping to find a good seat saved for me and my girlfriend. It was our 1 1/2 year and we wanted a window seat and we pretty much got one of the best seats in the house, would come back for their oysters!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMMy recollection of SkatesMy recollection of Skates from many years ago was one of a noisy, crowded restaurant serving mediocre food in a very nice view. It is much changed now from memory. It was a great Sunday brunch spot for us to meet and visit for a couple of hours with out-of-town friends on their way to Napa. Food was very nice prepared and served, and ambiance very relaxed and conversationally pleasant. Very good wait service.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMMet friends visiting fromMet friends visiting from Florida to get a different perspective of our glorius Bay. Easy to get too, with plenty of parking. Servers were friendly and responsive. Food was very tasty with some interesting combinations - both fish and meat. Of course it could all be, location, location, location at sunset!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe love the food, serviceWe love the food, service and especially the view!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMA very special placeSkates is a fabulous find! My friend wanted to go there for her birthday lunch with our group of 4. From the moment we walked in the door, I knew this was a special place. The service is attentive and friendly without being overbearing; the menu listed both the name of the chef and sous chef which shows pride in their food (and rightfully so!) and the view is amazing!! Overall it was a delightful experience.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMTerrific happy hour - reallyTerrific happy hour - really good prices and selection on both food and drinks. Also a great place to take visitors to the Bay Area.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good service from theVery good service from the staff. Jeremy provided great service to our table. They raised the blinds to allow for a clear view of the sunset. Food was nicely prepared and tasted great. Perfect spot for a special occasion.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMA Lawbreaking Bread PuddingWe were there for lunch on this occassion and we ordered the Salmon from the lunch menu; it was absolutely delicious. The salmon was cooked to perfection (medium rare)and the pilaf and vegetables were well matched. Shamefully we have to admit that we totally cleaned our plates. The dining area with very large windows at water's edge is breathtaking. The view was gorgeous; we could see all three Bay area bridges and the SF skyline. An excellent and unbeatable value.
As for desert, the bread pudding was so delicious, mouthwatering and so out of this world that we felt it had to be breaking the "law". Word of caution to the Chef: You may have a warrant out for your arrest for creating such an incredibly additictive concoction. :-)4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMSkates by the Bay is the perfectSkates by the Bay is the perfect place to celebrate special occasions. Outstanding food, great service and a spectacular view!4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWe took my mother for herWe took my mother for her 94th birthday. The view and food, atmosphere...everything was top notch. I love this restaurant. It has a great menu with a lot of variety.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMThe salmon dish was just wierd.The salmon dish was just wierd. Fish great. Coating very strange.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMI have eeaten at Skates manyI have eeaten at Skates many times for lunch and dinner. We like the menu choices,and view of the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. Sunset make it very romantic.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMGood food and excellent view!I had lunch with a business colleague and again found the food to be consistent and good. The service was very good and they gave us a table along the window with the view of the city. My only complaint is that the restaurant is cold most of the time and I have to keep my jacket on; that may be partly due to the fact that I enjoy the view at window. I had the open face crab melt sandwich and it was very good. Our server was attentive but not overwhelming. The restaurant is very pretty and a gem right on the bay.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMSunset at Skates on the Bay, a ten!It was Marilyn's birthday and she chose Skates on the Bay. We were in Emeryville for a movie, so close by. There was a 10 minute wait even with reservation, but we were a few minutes early. Just before sunset, which was gorgeous out of their floor to ceiling windows facing the Golden Gate Bridge. The sky gave us a great light show as we sipped our martinis, up with olives, shaken, not stirred. Rashad, our server, was excellent. The host had seated us at a table which Marilyn wasn't comfortable at, but immediately gave us another table at her request. Marilyn had the scallops which were wonderful. I had the Alaskan King Salmon set on a bed of root vegetables, a great choice. I paired it with Erath Pinot Noir.4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMDining with a Million Dollar ViewThe food is good and fresh, and the service is very attentive, but it's really the wide view of the Bay across to the Golden Gate that makes this a wonderful place for an intimate dinner or a party with friends.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place to impress a dateGreat place to impress a date and relax with great views of the bay, bridge and San Francisco. The restaurant is comfortable and has great big windows for views from every table. The window seats may get a bit breezy but thats the price for the glass. Food was very good.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMMy boyfriend and I went toMy boyfriend and I went to celebrate his birthday. The host wished him a happy birthday right away and our Server did as well. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. This place knows good customer service! The food was great and the location is awesome. We had a great view. Fantastic ambience! We are looking forward to going back.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThe friendliness and at tentativeneThe friendliness and at tentativeness of the personnel was great, as always. Food was very good. Our server, Grace, was wonderful.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMReally enjoyed the lunch.Really enjoyed the lunch. Great food, great table, great service!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMLocation and view was exceptional.Location and view was exceptional. Fish and chips as well as the seafood Louie were great! A must to return.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went here to celebrateWe went here to celebrate our anniversary and we weren't disappointed! We got a table right next to the window. The view was spectacular and we really enjoyed the food. I had the Dungeness and Rock Crab with pasta, and it was delicious! My husband ordered the Rock Salt Roasted Prime Rib and he hardly talked the whole time he was eating it because he loved it so much! Would definitely return here again - great atmosphere and delicious food!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMSkate's is one of the a kind!!!We have dined many times at Skate's when we are in the Bay Area... Having lived near when we 1st discovered this gem of a restaurant, we continue to enjoy whenever we're in the area. One of our very favorite places... GREAT view, great food and just a priceless experience!!!4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMThe view alone makes it worth itThe expansive windows and bayfront location assure a good view even if your table is not windowside. The view has to be the best feature of this location. We dined beginning just before sunset. Almost wish the company and conversation hadn't been so interesting so I could have focused more on the changes in the sky and water.
The dining room is open and airy, with high ceilings. Great for those who don't like to feel enclosed. Not the spot if you want to feel cozy or private. There are some level changes, so watch out if your party includes those with mobility issues.
The food was competent but not amazing. I would definitely return.4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways enjoy the very goodAlways enjoy the very good food and breath taking views. The menu offers a wide selection making it very suitable for large groups. The wait staff were friendly and very accommodating. Our group of (9)-adults had plenty of room at the table.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMIt had been a while sinceIt had been a while since I last ate at Skate's. I was a bit surprised by the change in decor: gray replaced the warm wood tones, bot otherwise much like the Skate's I knew. The menue was simple and I don't know whether this is the "new" Skate's or because it was Easter Sunday. I had hoped for a few more choices, but what we had was very good, if a bit pricey, but again that may be because it was Easter Sunday. Over all, I would return again, if only for the spectacular view of the Bay at sunset--the perfect way to end a glorious Easter Day.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMA++ It is a wonderful placeA++ It is a wonderful place to dine!!!! Everything was perfect!3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfection on the BayEven though there were a lot of customers/guest at Skates on Easter Sunday for brunch, the restaurant never seemed crowded and the views across the pier to S.F. and the Golden Gate Bridge were spectacular.
The meals we ordered (me, prime rib (medium-well) was done to perfection and my son-in-law's eggs benedict and daughter's salad were amazing.
Thanks Skates for a great Easter treat
Dan Burk and Family3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMEaster Brunch-Enjoyed it!Easter brunch, seafood at 11:15. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive though obviously very busy.
Sour Dough rolls great, too be expected in the SF area.
Salmon bisque with added crab was very good as was the Seafood Louis salad.
Very tasty Apple Crisp rounded out the meal.
Always enjoy the view of the Berkeley pier, SF and the Berkeley Circle with sailboats going by.
Always a little expensive the time we get out of there but worth it on occasion.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMWe love the restaurant, TheWe love the restaurant, The staff is wonderful. We were disappointed in the Easter menu. I was looking forward to a crab cocktail and a fabulous steak, and neither were on the Easter menu.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMMy husband and I have beenMy husband and I have been to Skates numerous times, for lunch, brunch and dinner and have always loved the location and the service, plus the food selection. This last time was on Easter and the menu was modified, so this may not be true, but the menu appears to have been changed and some of our favorites are no longer there. The food is very attractively plated, friendly service and delicious, so we will still be back. This time we also enjoyed the sushi selection (served in the bar area between food service times) for appetizers and the Bloody Mary Bar, where you spice and dress your drink as you choose after getting the basic drink from the waitstaff. Even on a drizzly, rainy day, we loved it, as did our guests who had never experienced3/31/2013 12:00:00 AM