Rick & Ann's

2922 Domingo Ave., Berkeley, CA - (510) 849-8538

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Posted By Michael Stern on August 17, 2008 11:10 AM

Rick and Ann's is way too popular. Expect to wait for a table any day; and on weekends, it's crazy. But once you have a seat, prepare for a meal of hearty, dignified fare that that seems just right here in the shadow of the grand old Claremont Hotel. It's not Bay-Area-snazzy, but you won't catch me complaining at the thought of fried chicken with macaroni and cheese and cornbread.

Breakfast (or brunch) is the meal most people come to eat. The day I visited, the muffin choice was carrot/sunshine or bran, or a blackberry coconut scone. I liked the scone, but it was the big hot meals that wowed me. You'd be hard-pressed to find red flannel hash this good anywhere in New England, where it is a traditional post-boiled-dinner breakfast. It contained both sweet and new potatoes, pieces of bacon, and enough beets to turn it vivid red. With eggs and toast, it is part of a breakfast known as The Northeast. As a devoted waffle man, I also heartily endorse the thin, crisp gingerbread-corn waffles (regular buttermilk waffles also are available); but next time, I am going to try the lemon ricotta pancakes, which looked and smelled delicious in front of the person at a table next to mine.

And I definitely want to come back for dinner: if not fried chicken and mac 'n' cheese, then maybe chicken pot pie or meat loaf with mashed potatoes. Rick & Ann's website changes each day to list daily specials. As I write this, it is August 13, 2008, and I would love to be in Berkeley for shrimp tacos or maybe a summer caprese salad with heirloom tomatoes, then a plum strawberry tart for dessert.

Overall Rating

Red Flannel Hash

Gingerbread Waffle

Double Espresso

Scone

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