I’ve been back to Cakes & Ale twice in the past two months, and it continues to be one of my favorite restaurants in the city. I’ve heard there might be plans to expand the restaurant into the (now vacant) boutique space next door. I’m torn, because I love the intimate feel of the place, but would also love to be able to get in there more often.
Favorite things to order:
- the arancini appetizer
- the soups (they had an amazing one with candied marcona almonds)
- the phatty cakes for dessert
- the pineapple habanero gimlet (no longer on the menu, but if you ask for it, they’ll still make it)
I recently talked to a friend who dined here and didn’t enjoy it. For her, it was the lack of selection that killed the place. I would say, due to the fact that they change their menu seasonally and keep things local (they grow their own veggies), the menu is limited. Picky eaters might have a hard time here. But I promise, everything on the menu is delicious. Chef Billy Allin spent time in the kitchen at Watershed and Chez Panisse in Berkeley. He doesn’t mess around.
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