Lipsmackin' breakfasts at Rick & Ann's
Written: Jun 14 '02 (Updated Jan 03 '07)
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Pros: Fantabulous breakfasts in a beautiful setting.
Cons: Long waits
The Bottom Line: A great breakfast spot with a pleasant atmosphere and a menu that can accommodate any dietary preference you can throw at it.
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| lyagushka's Full Review: Rick & Ann's |
Despite the fact that epinions has listed this restaurant under Oakland restaurants it is actually in the adjacent city of Berkeley.
Rick and Ann's is a charming little restaurant nestled up against the Berkeley hills and the grand Claremont Hotel. It occupies a wonderful space right next to one of the (locally famous) Peet's Coffee and Tea locations. Between the two establishments is a lovely little patio area with hardwood benches. This is a wonderful place to get to early in the morning when the fog is just burning off. Grab a cuppa joe or tea and a little pastry, put your name on the waiting list at Rick and Ann's and sit outside throwing your crumbs to the half-tamed sparrows that thrive on the benevolence of patrons.
The earlier you get to Rick and Ann's, especially on a weekend, the better. If you arrive after 10am on a weekend expect to wait at least half an hour. After 11 all the layabouts will be shuffling over and it'll probably be an hour. They don't take reservations for breakfast and they won't seat you until everyone in your party is present. For the record, Rick and Ann won't have any objections if you bring your Peet's latte into breakfast with you.
The main deal at Rick and Ann's is breakfast. They serve lunch too, but I've only ever been there for breakfast. The food walks a fine line between trendy California cuisine and no-nonsense, all-American farmer's breakfasts. There are of course the usual eggs any style, pancakes, sausage, bacon, homefries and toast. But Rick and Ann's also offers specialty plates named for regions of the US. The Down South for instance features cornmeal pancakes and patty style sausages with tomatillo relish and cheddar scrambled eggs. The Midwestern plate features two eggs any style, potato-cheese pancakes, grilled tomatoes and a pork chop. These are hearty servings!
The more "California" end of the spectrum is represented by light offerings such as slow cooked oatmeal, a bowl of granola, yogurt with jam and mixed fruit plates. The daily specials tend to be more California style as well. Usually there's a fruit pancake (pear, nectarine) and a special omelet (chevre, smoked salmon). Many of their specialty items are available as side orders, which is great when you're feeling picky or want to sample several things.
I've eaten here many times and I've always been satisfied by the quality of the food. Some menu items change slightly over the course of the year to reflect what is in season. This also helps keep prices in check since Rick and Ann's won't be paying a premium to serve you an asparagus omelet in November. The menu is diverse enough to provide for carnivores, vegetarians, vegans, the lactose intolerant, cholesterol watchers and even the wheat intolerant.
The ambiance of the place is light and airy, with lots of windows and walls painted with pale colors. The walls also feature a changing display of naive style art that looks like the art projects of a very talented group of grade schoolers. Last time I was there it was a collection of beautifully painted construction paper butterflies. This being Berkeley and breakfast, attire is of course casual. But then again, this being Berkeley, one never can tell.
Seating is somewhat closely spaced as demand is high. There are many individual tables as well as one long communal style table and a couple of outdoor tables used in good weather. There is also a counter facing the diner-style open kitchen line.
Service is casual but fairly efficient and friendly. Mostly the staff seems like college students working part-time, but they're knowledgeable about the menu and competent. Noise levels vary considerably depending on how full the place gets, but I've never been there when it was difficult to have a conversation.
A beverage and a specialty plate will usually run about $10 (plus tip). You can get out of the place for less than that if you order something simple like granola or oatmeal along with a side order.
Overall the place just works on every level, which must be why it's so consistently packed on the weekends. I recommend you check it out if you're in Berkeley; preferably on a weekday.
I can also recommend a meal at any of these restaurants:
East Bay
• A Coté - lively pan-Mediterranean tapas in a sleek but fun atmosphere
• Cafe Rouge - best choice for steak or high quality meats in the East Bay
• Cha-ya - vegetarian Japanese restaurant in the Gourmet Ghetto
• Chez Panisse Café - Alice Waters' sumptuous fare at about half the price
• La Note - another excellent choice for breakfast
• Lalime's - superb New American fare in an intimate setting
• Manpuku - a cheap and simple ramen bar in the Elmwood
• Nan Yang - fantastic Burmese in north Rockridge
• Oliveto - exquisite Italian in Rockridge
• Pho 84 - paradigm-shifting (really!) Vietnamese in downtown Oakland
• Shen Hua - great Chinese in Berkeley's Elmwood neighborhood
San Francisco
• Boulevard - hands down, the best restaurant in San Francisco
• Woodward's Garden, which is almost as good as Boulevard
• Betelnut - highly recommended for a fun night with a group
• Helmand - little known but excellent Afghan place and a great value
• Suppenkuche - unpretentious German bierhaus charm in Hayes Valley
On the other hand, I can't recommend Cafe Cacao, which is part of the Scharffen Berger chocolate empire, nor Pizzaiolo which features pretentious, outrageously priced pizza served by hipper-than-thou servers.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Best Suited For: Friends
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