Venus Restaurant

Three of us go for dinner and have a reservation. My daughter and son-in-law both ordered the butternut squash soup and she ordered a gnocchi appetizer and a latte. I ordered a fettucini dish. Both soups arrive and they are luke warm. They're taken back and reheated. My pasta dish arrives with my daughter's appetizer. The latte never comes until I ask for it during the middle of the meal. Our waitress seems to be ignoring us and another waitress takes our dessert order and brings us the bill. What's up with that? Food was good once it was served with the right temperature. Service was terrible. Pros: Food was good at the right temperature. Cons: Service was terrible. more

Venus a nice place to eat at for a slightly fancier and higher quality meal, compared to many Berkeley... more

Venus a nice place to eat at for a slightly fancier and higher quality meal, compared to many Berkeley restaurants. The all brick walls are a nice... more

I liked Venus, but two elements of the experience tainted our meal. First, the restaurant is very poorly ventilated. We came out smelling like we just had dinner at a roadside burger joint. It's not right to have a gourmet, high-end meal at a classy restaurant and then come out smelling like a smoked pork loin. Turn on the fans over the grill, please. \r \r Second, the owner/manager stood next to our table and carried on a conversation for several minutes with her friends who were sitting at the next table about how the summer was kind of slow, and how ... I don't even know, but it went on for a while and it was more like the kind of conversation you would expect people to have at home, or at a cafe, or... well, not at work, at a restaurant that is charging $7 for a glass of red wine. And not with your butt in my girlfriend's face and not within earshot of other patrons.\r \r That's all. Other than that, I liked the place. Pros: Good presentation, good mashed potatoes Cons: Poor ventilation (you might come out smellilng like a cooked steak) more

In reading some of the negative reviews of Venus, I can understand how bad service can taint an experience. But, I must say I haven't had any bad experiences at Venus. Every time I've gone, I've gotten great service and the food has been beyond terrific. It's a really cute place for a date! I would hate to go there when it's busy, though...(which means I don't go on the weekends.) Pros: good food, good service Cons: can be crowded, parking more

I would go back for the lemon ricotta pancakes any time. There's quite a wait on weekends, but the brunches are worth it. Been for dinner and I have to say I prefer Venus for brunch. Pros: French toast, lemon ricotta pancakes Cons: Very crowded on weekends more

This place is fantastic. I start salivating just thinking about the food. Not only do they have the best french toast I have ever tasted (made with Challah bread and occasionally stuffed with ricotta), but everything I have ever tasted has been great. Their food is different, somewhat healthy (are belgian chocolate pancakes diet food?), and they always have great specials that change every week(around the holidays, pumpkin pancakes w/ creme fresh, a great dish called a ""veggie nest""--it's a salad with 2 soft poached eggs, mushrooms, and other good stuff). The dinner is also great. Also, I have never had a bad service experience. The waiters/waitresses are always friendly (as they are in most places if you're not a jerk). It is crowded for brunch, but that's because it's good. No crowd = bad restuarant. I highly recommend this restuarant for some great food and a good experience. Pros: Food, Service Cons: Crowded (for brunch) more

Amy Murray appears cool and hip, and her food shows it. I'm not particularly into goat cheese but I ate it up with the rest of the Heirloom Apple Salad. At first glance, the ingredient combos seemed intimidating on the menu, but the appearance and the integration of the flavors were very welcoming... The food is great and it was so elegant and well executed, that I couldn't help thinking ""I can't do this at home."" Best ""comfort food"" short ribs in the bay area--not too heavy, not too frou frou. Worth the bridge for a city dweller...but try to go early for brunch. Pros: Foodie Food, Cool people, Cute place Cons: Discovered more

Wonderful ambiance in addition to exquisite organic cuisine. Service has always been fabulous, the wait staff is personable and fun. It is definitely worth the wait if there is a line. Pros: delicious food, beautiful art work more

Large portions, friendly staff, and delicioius organic cuisine. Every time I walk in the door I am greeted by large smiles, friendly people, beautiful unique flower arrangements, local artwork, and interesting new items on the menu and wine list. Dinner prices range from $16-18, but the portions are very generous and worth the price. Pros: friendly staff, great food, ambiance more

Noisy, crowded, and the food is uninspiring. Why did this get such a good review?!? I went a few more times, no change. I had to go get my own coffee (cold). If management is so good why do they maintain such an incompetent staff. Why they ever got such a good reputation, must long be in the past. In a word - avoid. Cons: Poor service, Noisy more

Great place for a friend and you to meet, have a nice relaxed breakfast or bite to eat, and get on with your day. Nice environment, and good service. Pros: cleanliness, fun Cons: crowded more

Food was unmemorable, but the service was, in a bad way. The waiter made us wait atleast 15 minutes before he bothered to take our orders because he was busy chatting behind the bar with coworkers. When we told he we were in a hurry (we had after dinner plans and they were lagging), he became really sarcastic and condescending - ""here is your appetizer... IN A RUSH"". Here are your entrees.. IN A HURRY"". Then he put the bill on our table - ""Pay at your LEISURE, whenever you're READY."" I don't need this kind of attitude served with my food. I called the manager the next day to complain and they offered free dessert, but I declined. I refuse to go back. Cons: rude staff, limited parking more

My husband and I have enjoyed Amy's food since the days of the Happy Belly Café. She has really great brunches: pretty much anything on the menu is tasty. I love her home fries and roasted potatoes. At dinner, if it's available, she makes a killer autumn salad: arugula, candied pecans, bleu cheese, and pear. Cons: there are always huge lines, since the food is good and the location is so busy. The servers are never particularly good, either...they are usually absentminded or slow to refill things or something. Pros: tasty brunches, great salads Cons: lackadaisical service, long lines more

I love Venus - I have always had great food and great service there, and I go often. My only complaint is that too many other people want to eat there on weekends and the line can get long. The variety of food is great, and quality of the food is outstanding. more