Skates on the Bay

Doesn't Recommend

sgp2006

Joined 7 years ago

Poor service, cold food - you're paying for the view (in more ways than one). We arrived to find they'd lost our reservation (they blamed their computer - don't they always?). They kept us waiting in the bar for almost 45 minutes for a table, even though there were clearly plenty of tables free when we did finally sit down. The hostess was totally unapologetic for this, so I assume this was a ruse to get us to buy more drinks.

In short, our experience before we even got any food almost spoiled the entire evening for us.

The food, when we finally got to eat any, was variable. Crab cakes were good, but over-priced. Oysters not very fresh, and the condiment sauces were pre-applied to try to hide this. One of the four main courses was almost completely cold when it arrived. Vegetable accompaniment to the main courses was over-cooked.

This is the second time I've been here. I didn't have the table trouble the first time, but the food was extremely disappointing on that occasion as well. I made the mistake of giving them a second chance.

Would I recommend these clowns to a friend? Hell No!

Recommends

msroser

Joined 7 years ago

Why settle for average?. The food at Skates is on par with room service at any Marriott-type hotel in any midsize city in the US. If you're a foodie, stay away. Yes, the view is fantastic. But that's about all Skates has to offer that is in any way different. For a better value, have a drink at Chevy's down the street in Emeryville, which has the same view, then head to one of Berkeley's real restaurants for a food experience worth your money - anywhere on North Shattuck (near Vine) ought to do.

Recommends

robg3176

Joined 9 years ago

Nice View All Around. Nice view all around. My fiance took me there for my birthday the first time, and we had a great seat by the water, though it was busy. But the waiter was nice, and the Prawns with rice and veges were great. The second time, we sat inside because it was really busy, but the people were nice again. And the food this time around was just as good. If you like sweet and flavored dishes, try the Salmon with caramalized berries, it's not on the main menu but try it if you see it as a special. We loved it and we're going back there again!

Recommends

sundaybrunchgirl

Joined 7 years ago

Sunday Bloody Mary Sunday. On a Sunday at noon, with no reservation we were immediately seated at a window overlooking the bay. I got the best perfectly made (no "mix") Bloody Mary. Perfect hair o'the dog. A cheese omelette, perfect potatoes and toasty foccacio bread completed the breakfast. I have lived here almost a year and never been, but Skates saved my life from the worst hangover I have ever had. I really don't think there is anywhere else in the east bay serving bloody mary's with a breakfast/brunch menu, so I know I will be back and hopefully not as hungover as I was yesterday! Next time I want to eat without wearing my sunglasses! I highly recommend! By the time we left around around 1:15 there was a line of about 8-10 people, so I would call ahead next time just in case!

Doesn't Recommend

stainlessmirk

Joined 7 years ago

Service makes up for Food. Somehow, the starters here are always good(but unoriginal) but when it comes to entree it comes up way short. My risotto was terrible, NOT RECOMMENDED. Very bland, not thorougly cooked, and the seafood in it was horribly bland too. However.. when it came to the service, it was.. interesting. It was somewhat unprofessional, but nevertheless enjoyable. The staff was very accomodating and friendly, brought out candles/lighter/plates for our cake, sorted out confusion on the bill. All in all, not recommended simply bc the food is overrated and not worth it. Service was great. :)

Recommends

mcreeps357

Joined 8 years ago

Great Food, Beautiful Sunset Dinner location. We've been going to Skates for over 3 years now, they have delicious food and great service. They also recently renovated their kitchen. My recommendation is to make reservations in advance. It's the perfect spot for a romantic dinner occassion. I've gone there for anniversary and birthday dinners. I normally just make my reservations through OpenTable.com and include a note for a table by the window right as the sun is going down. Also, if you arrive before your reservation, you can take a walk along the pier that runs along the side of the restaurant before your dinner to unwind and if you leave at night you can sometimes see a family of racoons along the rocks.

Recommends

ladysoftail92

Joined 9 years ago

Romantic setting for couples. I think that Skates is a wonderful restaurant, a bit expensive but worth it for good food! we went on a Friday night at about 6:00 pm. Our waiter was very promt in getting drinks and appetizers.The food was exquisite!!! The only thing we had to wait for was......The sun to set on a wonderful evening!

Doesn't Recommend

econoclast

Joined 9 years ago

Noisy and disappointing. We went on a Saturday night after a Cal football game, so the place was packed and perhaps not at its best. The place was too noisy for relaxed conversation and we were seated far from the windows and couldn't enjoy the view at all. The server was quite good, but he had too many tables to be attentive. The food was uneven in quality, though artfully presented. All in all, a poor value. Bring your own wine if you go, the mark-up was outrageous.

Doesn't Recommend

teenagefanny

Joined 9 years ago

Bad food, bad service. I'm a local so I want so badly to like this place. Recently we booked a large group for a special brunch at Skates. Our food came out in batches, about 25 minutes apart, so by the time everyone got their orders, everything was cold. Turns out the "dishwasher broke" but why wouldn't they tell us this earlier? And not apologize? It's sad really...

Doesn't Recommend

nextsnap

Joined 11 years ago

we ran out of focacia bread. the waiter told me that he ran out of focacia bread but other wiaters gave to other people who walked in later than us!

we had to change order 4 times because "we ran out of that dish today" and waited nearly an hour to get our food

usually Skates isn't like this but the fact that they don't even think about accomodating for us that day got me upset

even the dishes that came out was substitued with whatever they had left over.

look, if you ran out of asparagus don't substitute them with brocoli. if you don't have 80% content of the menu, you guys should not take any more customers. Please...

bottom line, don't go there for a bit late dinner, make an appointment for at 6 or 7 but not 8:30

and if happen to go there just sit at the bar and order bar food