Lalime's - Feedback

My boyfriend and I were very disappointed in the food. The Cesar salad leaves were very large and difficult to cut in the bowl they were served in and the dress... read more My boyfriend and I were very disappointed in the food. The Cesar salad leaves were very large and difficult to cut in the bowl they were served in and the dressing did not taste homemade. The leek and beet salad was ok not very flavorful. The lamb chop was supposed to be cooked medium and was well done and poorly seasoned. The Egyptian bean stew was ok, nothing to write home about. The apple gallette was boring with poor presentation where the crust was folded over the apples too much , low flavor and the lava cake again not very flavorful. All food seemed to lack seasoning and because my boyfriend has been coming for maybe years he could not believe that everything was either average or poor tasting. The service was good and the atmosphere was nice and sound level nice so you could hear your table mate. Doubtful we will return and will not recommend to any friends. Not sure if it was a bad night or the quality has just gone downhill overall. What a shame

Our salad came without dressing and the Brussels spits were cold. Both had to be sent back. read more Our salad came without dressing and the Brussels spits were cold. Both had to be sent back.

My boyfriend and I were very disappointed in the food. The Cesar salad leaves were very large and difficult to cut in the bowl they were served in and the dress... read more My boyfriend and I were very disappointed in the food. The Cesar salad leaves were very large and difficult to cut in the bowl they were served in and the dressing did not taste homemade. The leek and beet salad was ok not very flavorful. The lamb chop was supposed to be cooked medium and was well done and poorly seasoned. The Egyptian bean stew was ok, nothing to write home about. The apple gallette was boring with poor presentation where the crust was folded over the apples too much , low flavor and the lava cake again not very flavorful. All food seemed to lack seasoning and because my boyfriend has been coming for maybe 20 years he could not believe that everything was either average or poor tasting. The service was good and the atmosphere was nice and sound level nice so you could hear your table mate. Doubtful we will return and will not recommend to any friends. Not sure if it was a bad night or the quality has just gone downhill overall. What a shame.

Food was tasteless and frozen fish Terrible experience. Won’t return read more Food was tasteless and frozen fish Terrible experience. Won’t return

The food was very uneven. I was enthusiastic about the middle eastern focus, but most of the food lacked flavor even extra salt couldn’t help. My fettuccine dis... read more The food was very uneven. I was enthusiastic about the middle eastern focus, but most of the food lacked flavor even extra salt couldn’t help. My fettuccine dish was bland and mushy, even the pasta itself was poor quality. My husband ordered the lamb kebabs and was shocked to receive two small lamb patties on flatbread with unremarkable sauces for $29 way overpriced. The cesar salad had no flavor, even after requesting extra dressing. babaganoush and butternut squash were good. We also enjoyed the desserts especially poached pears with lemon pudding. It left us wondering what was going on in the kitchen. Too bad!

While the food was outstanding we felt that for the money we did not get a fair portion. The service wa fabulous and bus boys ere spot on to clear table. Was di... read more While the food was outstanding we felt that for the money we did not get a fair portion. The service wa fabulous and bus boys ere spot on to clear table. Was disappointed that we could not get a bottle of wine and had to purchase by the glass.

There were five of us dining at the restaurant. Two of us found the food to be so bad that they only ate less than half of their meals, which were also small po... read more There were five of us dining at the restaurant. Two of us found the food to be so bad that they only ate less than half of their meals, which were also small portions. I ordered halibut in a broth with vegetables, but the vegetables were overcooked and lacked texture and flavor. The halibut was also flavorless. The other two meals were mediocre. However, the lava cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert was enjoyable. Despite good service, we do not plan on returning to this restaurant due to the overall disappointing dining experience.

We returned to Lalime's after many years away. It was no fault of theirs: life, kids and distance got in the way. It remains as lovely as ever. It has a relaxin... read more We returned to Lalime's after many years away. It was no fault of theirs: life, kids and distance got in the way. It remains as lovely as ever. It has a relaxing atmosphere, knowledgeable servers, delicious, flavorful and beautifully presented food. We split the osso bucco on polenta, a mushroom stuffed pepper vegan dish, a lovely winter friseé salad. They all were flavorful and delicious. They have a very interesting, varied selection of wines to pair with the Mediterranean flavors. Wine service was very accommodating. Our server wasn't expert about the flavor profiles of the two wines we were interested in so she brought us samples of both. It's so nice when they do that! It's a drive for us to go to Berkeley, but we'll be back more often. It's definitely worth the trip.

Deliciously prepared dishes using high-quality ingredients. The house-made flatbread and freshly squeezed orange juice are a must-try. Lalime's has become a fav... read more Deliciously prepared dishes using high-quality ingredients. The house-made flatbread and freshly squeezed orange juice are a must-try. Lalime's has become a favorite spot for our Saturday brunches.

The food here used to be wonderful. No more. Our meal wasn't exactly terrible, but disappointing. If my wife and I spend $40 or $50 on the same meal at a neighb... read more The food here used to be wonderful. No more. Our meal wasn't exactly terrible, but disappointing. If my wife and I spend $40 or $50 on the same meal at a neighborhood place, we'd say the food was fine not great, not terrible. But at $200, it seems offensive. The ambience at Lamine's remains pleasant. But unless we hear there's been a significant turnaround in meal quality, we won't be back

Excellent neighborhood restaurant, with delicious food and attentive service. We went to a birthday meal and had a great time. My halibut with corn was perfectl... read more Excellent neighborhood restaurant, with delicious food and attentive service. We went to a birthday meal and had a great time. My halibut with corn was perfectly prepared and was worth the red list once a year. Others shaved over their duck and lamb dishes. The weak point was Dessert. The chocolate, walnut and caramel tart was more like a thick block of chocolate and nuts, not the tender desolation I was hoping for. I think I should have pampered a cocktail instead.

We had a nice meal. Everything was delicious, service was attentive, although the restaurant was full. We tried some of their breads that were very nice. The de... read more We had a nice meal. Everything was delicious, service was attentive, although the restaurant was full. We tried some of their breads that were very nice. The deserts were good. I would say it was more a 4.5 experience as it was all very beautiful, but not exceptional.

Loved their food. Today they might have been short handed so service was a bit slow but I wasn't in a hurry read more Loved their food. Today they might have been short handed so service was a bit slow but I wasn't in a hurry

Very good, original meals and interesting wine list in a somewhat out-of-the-way restaurant in West Berkeley. For a special occasion. read more Very good, original meals and interesting wine list in a somewhat out-of-the-way restaurant in West Berkeley. For a special occasion.

Mix feeling about this restaurant as a long term customer there. The lady who checked us in last night was cold and we really felt unwelcome there, but luckily... read more Mix feeling about this restaurant as a long term customer there. The lady who checked us in last night was cold and we really felt unwelcome there, but luckily the waitress serving us was very friendly and helpful. The foods quality is also not consistent, sometimes the foods were amazing, but not last night. I ordered seafood stew and it tasted horrible. After the first bite, I already can see $29 flushed down to toilet. Not sure if I will come back anytime soon

What's to tell? We have been eating and drinking at Lalime's since 1985. Delicious food with a changing menu, a great staff and wonderful owners have earned a f... read more What's to tell? We have been eating and drinking at Lalime's since 1985. Delicious food with a changing menu, a great staff and wonderful owners have earned a following.

Just a wonderful intimate restaurant. Try the chicken biscuits with maple butter. Fantastic atmosphere and dining. read more Just a wonderful intimate restaurant. Try the chicken biscuits with maple butter. Fantastic atmosphere and dining.

Love this place. Made many good memories here over the years. read more Love this place. Made many good memories here over the years.