This past Sunday, C and I met our friends K & O at La Note in Berkeley. It's one of our favorite brunch spots, but we hardly ever make it there anymore.
First, La Note does not accept reservations for brunch, so on a pretty fall morning (as this was), the wait can be longer than an hour. But there are so many shops around to keep yourself entertained that it's not such a big deal. So we waited our 50 minutes patiently, and then were herded inside.
The menu is very simple - a selection of baked goods, fruits, yogurts, etc. followed by some omelettes and finally a choice of specialty plated (these are named Côte Sud, Nord, Est & Ouest. Very cute.)
K & I shared a tartine (a perfect baguette with real, fresh butter and jam). I had the Côte Est (a pancake - I ordered the crème fraîche version, a scrambled egg & 3 strips of bacon). The pancake was awesome. I usually get their oatmeal/raspberry pancake, but decided on the departure this time. It was delightfully sweet but slightly tangy, rich yet delicate. Lovely. The bacon was also VERY good, and I gobbled that down quickly. The eggs were the only mediocre thing on this plate and that only because they were slightly overcooked.
K had the Côte Nord, her regular. It's a scramble with goat cheese and some vegetables, with La Note's potatoes and a roasted tomato (which, imho, is the best part).
C had the omelette du fromage et jambon with gruyere. It was really delicious - his eggs were cooked perfectly. Also served with their potatoes, which are so yummy.
And finally, I can't even remember what O had - how terrible. But clearly it was good because he polished it off, and I didn't even get a bite. :-(
C's cafe au lait was pretty darn close to perfect
