Chez Mansour — Restaurant in Albany

We went to Chez Mansour on Solano for dinner on a Tuesday night. The restaurant was nearly empty, just a few people at the bar. Our waitress assured us the food was fresh and delicious—not authentic, but good—and that the shawarma meat was on the grill, on the spit, and shaved per order. So we decided to give it a try.

When it came to wine, we asked for a recommendation and explained what we liked. She mentioned they had a new wine list and suggested a Sauvignon Blanc from Lodi for $16 a glass, saying we were “getting a deal” because the new menu would soon list it at $18. We ordered that along with a glass of Santa Margherita, a simple, safe wine you can’t go wrong with—and it ended up being the best part of the meal.

The food, however, was a disaster. The baba ganoush was slimy, bitter, and had no trace of eggplant. The pita chips were burned, and when we pointed it out, she insisted they were “homemade and darker by design.” Later, she brought what were clearly Stacy’s pita chips. The shawarma, despite being described as freshly shaved off the spit, was anything but—it was dry, chewy, overly spiced with cinnamon, and tasted as if it had been sitting around for hours.

The bartender noticed our disappointment and kindly brought both wine bottles to our table, telling us to pour what we liked and that he’d only charge for two glasses. That gesture was appreciated. But our server still returned with a bill charging us for three glasses, made no effort to fix anything, and even asked my husband how he liked his meal while his plate sat completely untouched.

This level of food and service might pass in Paris at 4 a.m. (if you know, you know), but it’s absolutely unacceptable at 8 p.m. in Berkeley—especially with so many great restaurants nearby. As a longtime Berkeley local who values supporting neighborhood businesses, I left feeling like this place only cares about grabbing money, not serving good food or hospitality.

We spent $130 and still left hungry, ending up at Jupiter for pizza afterward. I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone—not even my...

This establishment, while offering a full menu, identifies itself as a wine bar. This was made clear to our party as we were deciding what to order. It's best to consider this location as a wine bar that also serves shareable, tapas-style food.

Our group of four sampled the following:

Meaza Platter: A good starter. Due to an eggplant allergy, we requested the baba ghanoush be served separately. This request prompted another reminder that the focus is on wine, not food. While they wouldn't serve the baba ghanoush on a separate plate, they offered to substitute it with more of another item, like hummus. Chicken Shawarma: This was the most popular dish among our group. The chicken was flavorful, and the portion size was generous, suitable for one person or for sharing. Beef and Lamb Shawarma: A decent dish, but not as well-received as the chicken shawarma. The portion size was comparable to the chicken shawarma. Cucumber Salad: A refreshing addition to the meats and rice. Basmati Rice: Both shawarma plates included rice, but we ordered an extra portion. Pita Bread: We were told the pita bread was homemade and fresh. However, the bowl contained a mix of textures: half resembled Stacy's pita chips, while the other half was soft wheat pita. The combination wasn't ideal, particularly as the soft pita warmed the crispy pieces. Other Details:

Restrooms are located in the back, past the hostess stand and near the kitchen. Street parking...

We stopped here for lunch in the midst of last-minute Christmas shopping (a procrastinating tradition) and were blown away by the food, welcoming atmosphere and charming service. There were only two other diners in the restaurant but they seemed like regulars, always a good sign. The baba ganoush was delightful and not oily and the tabouleh sparkled with fresh taste. We liked that it was light on the bulgar. We shared chicken kebabs, which were juicy and grilled to perfection. Not sure what the marinade was, but it was delicious. I was a sometime visitor to Britt Marie’s but put off by how grimy it had become over the years. The new owners of this location have managed to make it sparkling clean and new, while also keeping elements of the...