Basic Cafe And Grill - Emeryville

If you appreciate a heavy dose of rosemary in your potatoes or a splash of Tabasco in your hollandaise sauce, you might enjoy brunch here. Unfortunately, we did not. The location is also a bit strange, as it backs onto a courtyard of an apartment building where residents pass by with their laundry baskets. The staff were friendly, but everything else felt quite unusual.

We visited for brunch last Sunday with a group of four. The ordering process requires you to go to the counter, and it was clear that the waitstaff were inexperienced, struggling with the cash register and appearing quite disorganized. Our orders arrived at different times; some drinks came quickly while others took a couple of reminders before they showed up. Special requests were overlooked, and when the grits finally arrived, they were cold. We waited 45 minutes for our egg dishes, and when they arrived, the eggs were undercooked. Even after sending them back, they returned overcooked, leading us to suspect they simply put the same eggs back in the pan. Overall, we felt that this place has potential—the food could be great, and the staff were eager and trying hard—but they really need better organization. A strong manager could help bring everything together. I genuinely hope they find one because I’d love to see this restaurant succeed.

This was my first visit, and I had the Huevos Rancheros, which featured some amazing chorizo—so delicious! The atmosphere is fantastic, both indoors and on the patio by the fountain. The service was excellent, the music was enjoyable, and the coffee was really good too. I can't wait to return!

Absolutely fantastic cafe! It's the perfect spot for a Sunday morning pick-me-up, with excellent tea and coffee. I noticed other customers enjoying breakfast, and I can't wait to try the waffle next time—it looked so appetizing with fresh berries on top!

Great breakfast, easy parking