"Unadventurous" restaurants in the East Bay?

November 6, 2016 7:24 PM

My parents are visiting me in the East Bay this coming weekend, and once again I'm facing the prospect of finding restaurants that they'll like. I haven't had much luck in the past. Recommend some restaurants based on the criteria inside?

My parents live in a much cheaper part of the country than the Bay Area, and they are not used to the way restaurants work around here -- endless waits, tight seating, expensive prices. They are not very adventurous diners in terms of ethnic food but within the bounds of the kinds of cuisines they like they do appreciate good food. Here's a list of more specific criteria:

* unadventurous food (non-ethnic, Americanized Chinese or Thai maybe OK; 'new American' OK)
* ideally beer on tap
* in a non-sketchy neighborhood
* no/little wait (or takes reservations)
* entrees around $10-$20 (they don't like anything too upmarket OR too downmarket)
* comfortable seating (seats with backs a must, some space between tables)
* decent waiter service (or at least food brought to the table after ordering at counter)
* not too loud

Currently we're considering Portal, Tribune Tavern, Lake Chalet, Grand Lake Tavern, Mama Papa Lithuania Restaurant (Alameda), Brotzeit Lokal, and Golden Squirrel (new in Rockridge).

We have previously struck out with Chez Panisse (too upscale); Tigerlily (too ethnic and too upscale); Jong Ga House (too ethnic); Drake's (too loud, bad service); Shan Dong (too ethnic); Telegraph Beer Garden (no seat backs); Homeroom (too long a wait); Pizzaiolo (too upscale/hipstery); Abesha (Ethiopian, too ethnic); Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen (mediocre food).

Jupiter was OK but we'd prefer something new. On the Peninsula we've had success with Gourmet Haus Staudt and the Dutch Goose.

We're based in Uptown Oakland near 19th St. BART and are willing to drive as far north as El Cerrito, as far south as San Leandro, and as far east as Walnut Creek. We are not willing to go into SF.

posted by crazy with stars to Food & Drink (34 answers total)

Tribune Tavern is my go-to for parental meals out. Boring as hell, but predictably OK, and unless one of you is a vegan there will be something decent for everyone.
posted by jesourie at 7:32 PM on November 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Renee's on Solano in Albany would probably work; it's pretty Americanized Chinese. Doesn't have beer on tap, though.

Stella Nonna on San Pablo in North Berkeley is great and ticks off all your boxes, I think.
posted by asterix at 7:35 PM on November 6, 2016

Zachary's deep dish pizza? Genuinely great, and meets most of your criteria. A reservation & pre-order might be a good idea.
posted by eotvos at 7:37 PM on November 6, 2016 [8 favorites]

Best answer: Berkeley here. One of the Barney Burgers? That's like one step up from 'sysco truck'. Lots of salads too. Gaumenkitzel on San Pablo (German food). Paisan on San Pablo really fits the bill I think...Will try to think of others.
posted by The Toad at 7:37 PM on November 6, 2016 [2 favorites]

I ate at a real low key place called Crepevine at 1600 Shattuck Ave. It's the type of place where you order at the counter and they bring you the food but it's extremely tasty.
posted by bleep at 7:37 PM on November 6, 2016 [2 favorites]

Seconding Zachary's. This is your parent's place, and the food is amazing.
posted by arnicae at 7:42 PM on November 6, 2016

Yeah Crepevine is right next to Barney's on Shattuck...you could let your parents choose between those 'exciting' options.
posted by The Toad at 7:46 PM on November 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

T Rex down on Gilman would be another option they might like.
posted by The Toad at 7:48 PM on November 6, 2016

I only ate at PF Changs but maybe something in the Bay Street complex in Emeryville? That place is incredibly unadventurous looking.
posted by kitten magic at 7:52 PM on November 6, 2016

Holly's Mandarin on Piedmont. Table service, fast, cheap, good, friendly, plenty of seating, not loud, and not spicy.
posted by zippy at 7:53 PM on November 6, 2016

Maybe a restaurant in Jack London Square -- Boca Nova, Lungomare, Forge, etc.

Camino near Adams Point
posted by extramundane at 8:14 PM on November 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

If you want to push a little into the ethnic food realm, I've had good luck bringing very similar family members to Le Cheval in Oakland. It's a bit less Americanized than what you've described, but has lots of safe and inviting menu items and a very welcoming staff.
posted by eotvos at 8:34 PM on November 6, 2016 [2 favorites]

I'm a big fan of Lococos up on Piedmont Ave. They don't usually have a huge wait and they serve quality American/Italian food.
posted by thebigdeadwaltz at 8:40 PM on November 6, 2016

Belotti on College is pretty safe Italian and good.
posted by vunder at 8:43 PM on November 6, 2016

FatApple's is like the Platonic ideal of East Bay American food.
posted by deanc at 8:57 PM on November 6, 2016 [9 favorites]

Cato's Ale House on Piedmont always had pretty solid burgers for the price point ($12ish), a few other worthwhile pub specials, and a solid tap list. Trivia night (Mondays) is loud, but otherwise doable. Lococo's (mentioned above) is another worthwhile stop in the neighborhood.
posted by deludingmyself at 9:19 PM on November 6, 2016

I think Tribune and Lake Chalet will be good. I too thought of Crepevine and Barneys, for any meals where you would want to order at a counter. Maybe Kirin on Solano? (I'm not a good judge of what's "Americanized" Chinese, but it's good, and there hasn't been a line.) Oh, what about Umami Burger? If you want them to feel like they did something adventurous and fancy, you could maybe try Pican. It feels very fancy, but their lunch menu is like cornbread, fried chicken...
posted by salvia at 9:42 PM on November 6, 2016

Best answer: Lin Jia on Lakeshore could be good. It's sort of pan Asian, a little on the California lighter fare side, but the food is good.

Barlago on Grand might work for you, too. It's in the old Zza's spot.

The problem with Lake Chalet and (less so) Trubune Tavern, is that the food isn't good and it's also not cheap. My in-laws like Grand Lake Tavern, I think the menu is weird and the food is hit and miss.

Sukho Thai on College might work if Thai works. We get takeout and the food is good, I stopped in the other day and it was very pleasant inside.
posted by vunder at 9:51 PM on November 6, 2016

Best answer: This Chronicle review of Limewood at the Claremont Hotel, just published, might be of interest. Dinner entrees are closer to $25 (or consider lunch), but it looks like a bunch of stuff in the New American/California Cuisine family where you can get a fairly unadventurous steak or chicken or halibut. They take reservations.
posted by zachlipton at 10:07 PM on November 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

If Thai is OK, there's Thai Delight on Shattuck...relaxed, roomy, always free tables, food is made from fresh ingredients but relatively low key flavor profile (look how I'm not saying 'bland')...our 'unadventurous' friends have always liked it.
posted by The Toad at 10:20 PM on November 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

We just ate at Chop Bar and I think it might be a pretty good match for what you're looking for, plus it's really good. I'm not positive about reservations and most entrees clock in around $22, so if the $20 cap is strict, skip it. Definitely in the "New American" realm.
posted by Smearcase at 10:20 PM on November 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

Are you trying to avoid chain restaurants? 'Cause if I had to cater to less adventurous palettes, I'd probably go with something like Black Bear Diner, one of which is in Oakland.
posted by Aleyn at 10:21 PM on November 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

Bellanico. The Star on Grand. Anything in Swans Market. Pican.
posted by ch3ch2oh at 11:43 PM on November 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I ate at Limewood, very pleasant atmosphere and food was good.
posted by bleep at 11:53 PM on November 6, 2016

Speisekammer in Alameda. Great German beer plus live music.
posted by ch3ch2oh at 12:10 AM on November 7, 2016 [1 favorite]

Everett and Jones BBQ at Jack London Square has terrific barbecue at reasonable prices and a bar.
posted by jasper411 at 6:35 AM on November 7, 2016 [1 favorite]

What about Pizza Moda in Berkeley? They have beers on tap, not too expensive, pleasant interior, parking and their pastas and salads are good, in addition to their pizzas. It was not terribly crowded when I was there a few weeks ago.
posted by *s at 6:48 AM on November 7, 2016

Eureka in Berkeley is a burger and beer place. Should fit the bill.
I'm a fan of Elevation 66 A small brewery in El ceritto. And Triple Rock brewery in Berkeley is a bit nicer then Jupiter to me.
Sauls Deli in North Berkeley sometimes has a bit of a wait but is usually pretty safe.
posted by bitdamaged at 8:33 AM on November 7, 2016

Grazzy Burger / Albany Taproom. Nice burgers and 32 microbrews on tap, plus many more bottled. The two spaces are connected, you can sit at either and order from both.
posted by expialidocious at 8:53 AM on November 7, 2016

I miss Cafe Leila. The food is slightly-new-American (if they have lamb, I recommend it), you order at a counter (I think) but they bring it to your table, and it's not too expensive. Good desserts. It's a beatniks' coffeehouse for grownups, if they would like that at all -- brick walls and mismatched furniture but the chairs are far enough apart, and they are chairs, and the food is good.
posted by clew at 12:10 PM on November 7, 2016

Oh, oops, pretty sure Leila has no draft beer and it might not have a liquor license.
posted by clew at 12:15 PM on November 7, 2016

the star or boot and shoe service, both on grand! brotzeit is one of my favorite spots especially for brunch, but the area is a bit weird since it's kind of in the middle of nowhere right next to the brooklyn basin construction and if your folks want a nice neighborhood they might be weirded out by that.
posted by burgerrr at 2:25 PM on November 7, 2016

I think Paisan, Zachary's, Fat Apple, and Barney's are all very good suggestions. For a weekday lunch or breakfast (often lines on weekends) I'd also recommend Sam's Log Cabin on San Pablo. Depending on how 'ethnic' they consider Mexican food to be, Talavera on Solano is also very good and low-key/ parent-friendly.
posted by Owl of Athena at 11:41 PM on November 7, 2016

Response by poster: So what we did, and my parents' reactions:

Paisan: OK, but too long a wait on a Thursday night and too noisy.
Gaumenkitzel: Good. They liked our Spanish waiter. The Abendbrot didn't have enough bread.
Mama Papa Lithuanian: Perfect, A+. Restaurant was mostly empty (which they liked), good food, solid wooden chairs.
Stella Nonna: OK, fit the bill.
Limewood: Service sucked and it was difficult getting a table on the deck, but they liked the view ("can't get this in ").
Sukho Thai: Americanized enough for their tastes, restaurant quiet and spacious.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!
posted by crazy with stars at 4:59 PM on November 19, 2016 [3 favorites]