Laney Bistro

I've been here many times and never get disappointed. Good food,  affordable price, nice environment, really nothing to complaint about. They have regular menu from Monday to Wednesday, and then Thursday and Friday is usually their international cuisine day, so you can get food experience from different countries. Their business hour is really short, only from 11:45am till 1:30pm. If you want to try their dessert, you need to order it ahead of time because they are sold out really quick.

Ok... this place is a trip. When you walk in, it presents as a standard sit down lunch spot with some class that you expect to find near downtown Oakland. White paper table coverings, cloth napkins, server staff in all black attire, and nice decor. What this is, however, is a culinary program run by Laney College with students preparing the food. Monday to Wednesday is a standard menu and every Thursday and Friday rotates through a different world cuisine. I've been here about a dozen times and tried a number of different dishes from around the world. The food can be hit or miss. Usually hit, but the price is where it is at. Every entree here is between $8 and $12. Appetizers or salads are $6-$8. The dishes would be $20-$30 at a normal (non culinary school) restaurant like this. Don't expect fast or excellent service. The manager is often running around trying to coach and train the server staff, who I assume may be students as well? Either way, this is one of the best deals you can find in the City or the Bay. Top quality recipes and ingredients for rock bottom prices. How can you go wrong?

In all my years of random classes at Laney how was yesterday my first time at the Bistro?! Of course there are some leniencies that must be allowed given the nature of the place like off/slow service, mistakes here and there, and some inconsistencies, but the value is amazing and the food is worth the required leniencies.