EAST BAY INSOMNIAC

À Côté

5478 College Ave, Oakland • 655-6469

SERVING:

• seasonal Mediterranean cuisine in small plates formation (see menu)
• wine and cocktails (see menu)
• desserts, cheese and ports (see menu)

OPEN UNTIL: midnight (Fri-Sat) • 11PM (Wed-Thurs) • 10PM Mon-Tue/Sun

PRICE RANGE: $$$

PARKING: street

REVIEWS & PHOTOS: yelp

KINGMAN’S IVY ROOM

860 San Pablo Ave @Solano, Albany • 526-5888

I haven’t been here since it was reinvented, so I’m quoting the following Yelp reviews. Apparently, there is no more live music, no cover charge, no beer on tap and better restrooms. A sampling:

• “I’m sorry, but I loved the original Ivy.  This one bites.” 
• “The place is excellent, and it’s nice to not have to go to SF for a decent bar.”
• “I miss the shuffle board, and the sticky floors, and the jazz band that played in the other room.”
• “A PIER 1 IMPORTS WITH A BAR.”
• “They know how to make Mojitos and Martinis… they have an entire Martini menu…”

Perhaps “Sophia C.” sums it up best: “In order to appreciate the new Ivy Room, you can’t compare it to the old–the two are like night and day.  The only recognizable remnant of the old Ivy Room is the sign outside.  Old clientele will be disappointed by the change and will probably never set foot in the new version, except maybe to use the (clean) restroom.”

OPEN UNTIL: 2AM

PARKING: street

WEBSITE (splash page): Kingman’s Cocktails

REVIEWS:

The Ivy Room past and present…

PARAGON BAR AT THE CLAREMONT RESORT

41 Tunnel Road (in the Claremont), Berkeley • 843-3000

A swank, yet casual dining spot with some of the Bay Area’s best views. Paragon features American bistro cuisine by Chef Josh Ladd, a large selection of hand-shaken cocktails, an extensive local wine selection, heated outdoor deck seating and live jazz Wednesday to Saturday. Located at the Claremont Resort & Spa.

OPEN UNTIL: 2AM. Kitchen service (upscale bar food) until 11PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

PARKING: lot (free with validation)

WEBSITES: Paragon Restaurant and Claremont Resort

THE EBI MINI REVIEW: I like this place. They serve Bonny Doon wines, my favorite Santa Cruz winery. I had a good Mojito here and sat on the outdoor patio, feeling like I was ontop of the world. Or at least the Bay Area. Same thing.

REVIEWS:

BLAKE’S ON TELEGRAPH

2637 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley • 848-0886

“eat. drink. rock.”

FOOD:

• burgers and sandwiches (see menu)
• soups, salads, pizza, burritos (see menu)
• bar food and appetizers (see menu)

DRINKS (3 floors, 3 bars):

• beer, wine, specialty drinks, top shelf treats (see list)

LIVE MUSIC (calendar):

• modern rock
• punk
• ska
• jazz
• funk and hip-hop

HOURS: 11-2AM (Mon-Fri) • 12PM-2AM (Sat-Sun)

PARKING: street

(more…)

CATO’S ALE HOUSE

3891 Piedmont Ave, Oakland • 655-3349

BAR FOOD (see menu)

• burgers
• vegetarian burgers (tofu and portabello)
• sandwiches
• soup and salad
• pizza
• catatoes

BEVERAGES

• beer
• cocktails
• wine

MUSIC (see calendar)

(more…)