A couple weeks back, I finally made it out Berkeley to hang out with d and check out her new digs. Her place was dope; one of those "houses" we don't see too often in SF.
We decided to try Fonda, a Latin American tapas restaurant on Solano Avenue in Albany. It was bustling for a Tue night: downstairs was crowded with locals enjoying cocktails, wine, and tapas as we climbed upstairs to enjoy our meal in a quieter area.
The food was great. d and I shared some quesadillas with mushrooms, epazote and salsa cruda and I devoured the grilled skirt steak with Manchego onion rings and mojo colorado (a delicious savory sauce blended from tomatoes, garlic, cayenne and a touch of cumen). The steak was a perfect medium-rare, something so many restaurants fail to get right so it's worth giving them credit. We finished our meal with an outstanding warm chocolate cake, simple but rich and it was the perfect end to a solid meal.
The service was also friendly and warm, I recommend you check out Fonda if you're in the Berkeley hood.
Oct 11, 2009
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Rob S
Taco Tuesday. Seated right away. Waited for a server for 5-10 minutes only to have the hostess greet us again. Drinks came in a normal timeframe and had to ask for water 3 times before finally brought to our table. That was the last time we saw our “server” during our meal. Water was never refilled and we had no communication with a server until I received the check. Tacos were good size and generous portions. Chips and guacamole, small portions and had to ask a food runner twice for more salsa. I doubt I’ll return, but if so, I’ll sit at the bar!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Brian Aquinto
Been coming here for over a decade. Still good vibes and good food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Colin Bashor
While the setting is nice and the staff is always friendly, the food is very much just "meh"
It can be very greasy and not super flavorful. We got the brusselsprouts and they were supposed to be crispy but were really just half cooked. Similar experiences multiple times with multiple menu dishes just being okay. Nothing awful but nothing great. We got a chocolate lava cake that was the least chocolatey version I've ever had.
Their drinks are decent and the happy hour (5 to 6) prices can be a good deal if you see spnething you like.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
ariadokht jahanbakhshan
Every thing was good expect the waiter that wanted to be nice .he asked us 10 times every thing is ok .we were in important meeting and he dropped off us
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christopher Perry
I typically eat at their bar. The bar manager is the bartender. Quite a mixologist.
Very nice place, a cosy room with a large bar and a mezzanine, plenty of different layouts for eating or drinking. Nice menu with Mexican-style tapas, wines, cocktails. Great service. Only caveat which is embarrassing for a restaurant: we found the food to be very meh. Ingredients are not high-quality (terrible prawns), and recipes are not very subtle. We could come back for a drink and a quick bite, not for a good meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Mehdi Saghafi
Quality of food is not consistent. Bar service is terrible but drinks are good. Often drink show up after the food. Kitchen does not have the discipline of serving the order in a logical manner. If you don’t care about this a good place to go.
Great food, great atmosphere. Chef Juan Chel has been able to keep the flavor of the food consistent throughout the years. I highly recommend it!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eric Ontiveros
I’ve been like 4 times now and am impressed every time by the food and drinks. Happy hour is a steal and the nachos are so good and such a big portion.Can’t recommend enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Simon Tompson
Sorry to say this was a disappointing experience. Literally the worst margarita I’ve ever had, weak and watered down, and my girlfriend’s mojito was no better. The food was ok, but really nothing special. Honestly the best thing about this place is the atmosphere. Perhaps we just hit a bad night, but I won’t be returning any time soon.
Fonda is the gem of Solano Ave! Go!
A couple weeks back, I finally made it out Berkeley to hang out with d and check out her new digs. Her place was dope; one of those "houses" we don't see too often in SF.
We decided to try Fonda, a Latin American tapas restaurant on Solano Avenue in Albany. It was bustling for a Tue night: downstairs was crowded with locals enjoying cocktails, wine, and tapas as we climbed upstairs to enjoy our meal in a quieter area.
The food was great. d and I shared some quesadillas with mushrooms, epazote and salsa cruda and I devoured the grilled skirt steak with Manchego onion rings and mojo colorado (a delicious savory sauce blended from tomatoes, garlic, cayenne and a touch of cumen). The steak was a perfect medium-rare, something so many restaurants fail to get right so it's worth giving them credit. We finished our meal with an outstanding warm chocolate cake, simple but rich and it was the perfect end to a solid meal.
The service was also friendly and warm, I recommend you check out Fonda if you're in the Berkeley hood.
Oct 11, 2009
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Taco Tuesday. Seated right away. Waited for a server for 5-10 minutes only to have the hostess greet us again. Drinks came in a normal timeframe and had to ask for water 3 times before finally brought to our table. That was the last time we saw our “server” during our meal. Water was never refilled and we had no communication with a server until I received the check. Tacos were good size and generous portions. Chips and guacamole, small portions and had to ask a food runner twice for more salsa.
I doubt I’ll return, but if so, I’ll sit at the bar!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Been coming here for over a decade. Still good vibes and good food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
While the setting is nice and the staff is always friendly, the food is very much just "meh"
It can be very greasy and not super flavorful. We got the brusselsprouts and they were supposed to be crispy but were really just half cooked. Similar experiences multiple times with multiple menu dishes just being okay. Nothing awful but nothing great. We got a chocolate lava cake that was the least chocolatey version I've ever had.
Their drinks are decent and the happy hour (5 to 6) prices can be a good deal if you see spnething you like.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Every thing was good expect the waiter that wanted to be nice .he asked us 10 times every thing is ok .we were in important meeting and he dropped off us
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I typically eat at their bar. The bar manager is the bartender. Quite a mixologist.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Flautas, Grilled Skirt Steak
Excellent place all around ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very nice place, a cosy room with a large bar and a mezzanine, plenty of different layouts for eating or drinking. Nice menu with Mexican-style tapas, wines, cocktails. Great service. Only caveat which is embarrassing for a restaurant: we found the food to be very meh. Ingredients are not high-quality (terrible prawns), and recipes are not very subtle. We could come back for a drink and a quick bite, not for a good meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Quality of food is not consistent. Bar service is terrible but drinks are good. Often drink show up after the food. Kitchen does not have the discipline of serving the order in a logical manner. If you don’t care about this a good place to go.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Great g&t
Great food, great atmosphere. Chef Juan Chel has been able to keep the flavor of the food consistent throughout the years. I highly recommend it!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve been like 4 times now and am impressed every time by the food and drinks. Happy hour is a steal and the nachos are so good and such a big portion.Can’t recommend enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sorry to say this was a disappointing experience. Literally the worst margarita I’ve ever had, weak and watered down, and my girlfriend’s mojito was no better. The food was ok, but really nothing special. Honestly the best thing about this place is the atmosphere. Perhaps we just hit a bad night, but I won’t be returning any time soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Everything there is good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
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