Elevation 66 - El Cerrito

Great food and drinks! We have the grilled chicken sandwich and the flavors were so good. The Hamburger and the Pommes were also delicious. Yes, customer service...

(Review written in 2019, pre COVID) NBA PLAYOFFS!!! WARRIORS IN THE FINALS!!! Gotta find a good place to watch the game, of course. Friend suggests Elevation 66 in Albany. You get there early to save a table. There are only two TVs at one far end of the bar, so you have to sit in a particular spot in order to watch the game. Derp. But... Score! Table is free. You notice that the TVs are not showing the playoffs, but are instead tuned into other sports. You ask the (lovely) waiter if the game will be on tonight. He thinks so, but isn 't sure. Not good enough. You go up to the bar and talk to the older guy who looks like he 's in charge. Are you showing the Warriors game tonight? you ask. He looks you up and down, put his elbows on the bar, leans in, and says sarcastically, Naw honey, we 're gonna be watching figure skating. And rolls his eyes at the guy pounding beers next to you. And they laugh. At you. As if you 're an idiot. You flush red and walk away. The game comes on. The bar continues playing horrible elevator music that sounds like it came straight out of a bad 80s movie. Risking humiliation round 2, you ask if they plan on lowering the volume? please? but he shakes you off and says no. And turns his back. No volume on the game. Playoffs, game 4, and NO VOLUME. Make fun of me all you want, macho bar guy, but one of us is ACTUALLY more into this basketball game than the other (and it 's ME). Perhaps you should go watch figure skating afterall. Only one word summarizes this experience: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

This taproom has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere and the bar staff are very friendly. The food menu is quite impressive, featuring dishes that incorporate bleu cheese and balsamic reduction in various ways. I always look forward to the onion rings served with BBQ sauce—it's a must-have every time we visit. While the draft beer selection is limited due to the small size of the venue, it offers a nice variety that includes light, hoppy, and dark options, along with a few guest taps and cider on draft. Plus, there are a couple of TVs, making it a great spot to catch a game while you enjoy your time here.

The restaurant has a relaxed ambiance and offers an excellent selection of craft beers. The food features classic pub fare enhanced with elevated flavors. The service is attentive and friendly. This is a great neighborhood brewpub.

The Scotch Ale, the strongest beer they had on tap, proved to be an excellent choice. Its deep brown color belied a surprising softness in flavor. At first, it seemed like it might hit you like a stout, offering a strong wave of chocolate and bitterness. However, after an initial burst of dark flavors, it quickly transitioned to a golden glow—much like the sun breaking through to clear the air and make the droplets in the meadow sparkle. I tend to get carried away when praising exceptional beer, but it really deserves a sonnet or two! We shared two appetizers: the Fried Brussels Sprouts and the Onion Rings. Both were fantastic. The Brussels Sprouts were perfectly charred to deliver a smoky flavor without being overpowering. The Onion Rings had a great crunch on the outside while remaining soft inside and were not at all greasy. They also came with small cups of BBQ sauce and ketchup for dipping. Though we chose not to risk having a second round of the Scotch Ale, even though we were walking home, we didn’t order any main dishes. Instead, Brian skillfully guided us to the dessert menu, which turned out to be a delightful decision. The Italian Lemon Cream Cake was simply incredible! It was the perfect dessert for us—not too sweet, with a tangy yet mellow lemon flavor, and the cake itself was light yet still satisfying. We usually skip dessert, so this was a wonderful treat! I’ve attached a picture of the Summer Salad, Fried Brussels Sprouts, and Onion Rings that we ordered during our last visit about a month ago! One last note: as Brian was retrieving our Italian Lemon Cream Cake, he kindly collected my empty glass—presumably to wash it—but he surprised us by returning it filled with a little more Scotch Ale, so my wife and I could enjoy some while we savored our dessert. This simple yet thoughtful gesture was deeply appreciated and will not be forgotten! Thank you so much, Brian! We will definitely return and share the word with others in the meantime!