Well Fed On the Town

In a quiet little neighbor hood of cottages and small natural markets, LaLime’s is a destination for local cognoscenti. Once a post-war working class area, the California cottages now sell for upwards of $700 a square foot (for example a 2 bedroom 900 square foot house sold recently for $600,000).

Just like being in NY, but we’re in the Bay, there is Chez Panisse, Freedom of Speech movement, The Avenue. Berkeley is an urban bohemian mecca.

Take a look at LaLine’s mission statement:

We at LaLime’s try to be an all organic and ecologically sound restaurant. Our vegetables and fruits are either from the local farmers markets or delivered to us by small local gardeners.The restaurant’s cuisine is based on the availability of these ingredients, seasonality, sustainable agriculture, fishery and farming. We hope with this ideology we can contribute on a very small scale to the betterment of the world around us.

There is a well appointed wine list and a variety of offals offered, such as Sweetbreads Grenobloise, seared foie gras on brioche bun with Mandarin marmalade or a simpler seafood appetizer of Dungeness crab chalupas with smoked chile crema and avocado.

Seasonal menus offer more substantial dishes, including roast rack of lamb with lavender and olive oil mashed potatoes, grilled Liberty duck breast with sweet potato gnocchi and vegetarian crêpes of Bellwether ricotta and wild mushrooms with beet and carrot sauces.

Not to be missed are the homemade desserts such as the Meyer lemon tart with blood orange granite, pomegranate sorbet and satsuma frozen yogurt and an impressive chocolate and malt crème brûlée.

It’s all in a very nice, laid back, Berkeley atmosphere where you can eat well with friends or colleagues. Definitely a nice neighborhood find that’s tucked away, but only 20 minutes from the glitz and glamour of San Francisco.

Also notable, open on Sundays.

Hours: M-Th 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat 5:30 - 10:00 p.m.
Sun 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.