No Regrets--A Delicious Dinner
Last fall, after I returned from Istanbul, a friend and I tried Cafe Esin for lunch. The entire lunch was delicious, and I much enjoyed the Meze Platter.

Now, nearly a year later, my husband and I chose Cafe Esin for dinner. No regrets! He chose the heirloom tomatoes in a slightly sweetened balsamic sauce. I chose the divine butternut squash soup, laced with thin sour cream. Our entrees were the salmon grilled and served over soft polenta and the chicken breast stuffed with spinach and feta and baked in a filo crust, served over couscous brightened with thin green beans and steamed diced red peppers.

We couldn't resist the handmade desserts and chose baklava and pear-cranberry crisp. Both were memorable, especially with a cup of dark French roast.

Including wine and tips, we added $100 to the restaurant economy of the Bay Area. We left, eager to return, with no regrets and a choice recommendation for friends who appreciate fine service, a clean table cloth, and just a bit different cuisine.    [14 Oct 2001 00:35:56]

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Recommended Dishes: Heirloom tomatoes when in season

     ­Anonymous   

Great Dinner Deal
Cafe Esin has a special dinner on Tues, Wed, and Thurs. It consists of salad, fish entree and Esin's wonderful homemade dessert. What is the cost? Imagine my surprise to find a restaurant of this quality and with wonderful food and service with a price of $25.00. Guess what, this included a glass of wine . Can you top this? I do not think so. This is truly one of the finest in the East Bay. I do eat there often and have never been disappointed.

Rose    [05 Jun 2002 20:22:34]

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Recommended Dishes: Too many of superior quality to choose one

     ­Anonymous   

Cafe Esin
After reading the reviews, my wife and I thought we would try this restaurant. We just left and will not go back! My wife enjoyed her beet salad. Her entree consisted of one of the evening’s specials of steelhead trout. Although it was cooked well, it was rather non-descript. The cream sauce accompanying the trout was rather bland. My French onion soup was lacking in flavor and was also non-descript. The melted Gruyere cheese topping was the only discernable taste that accompanied this soup. My entree of pork chop was overcooked and very tough. Dessert was on the house after the chef was informed of the displeasure with the pork entree. The dessert of double chocolate torte with a raspberry sauce was very good though. It seems like the selections in this restaurant are either hit or miss. With a bottle of wine (the wine selection was very good but small), expect to pay at least $100.00 w/out tip.
Although the wait staff was knowledgeable, my wife thought the service from the kitchen to our table was rather slow. The atmosphere is loud. Do not expect a quiet evening. If you intend to have a conversation with your dinner companion, expect your dining neighbors to hear every word, as you will have to speak loudly.    [19 Jan 2003 00:55:59]

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     ­Anonymous   

We love Cafe Esin
We always celebrate with dinner at Cafe Esin for birthdays and anniversaries. Everything on the menu is excellent; pot roast, rib eye, chicken Phyllo, Mezze platter, pork chop, lamb chops, and salmon dinners. Esin's desserts are awesome - do not miss them! Wonderful service, tasteful decor. Couldn't ask for a classier restaurant.    [21 Oct 2003 19:56:11]

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Recommended Dishes: Everything, there isn't a bad one in the bunch

     ­Linda   

Excellent
This was my 2nd time going to Cafe Esin and it reminds me of an European place I went to in Antwerp Belgium called Greens. The food is excellent and the desserts are awesome. Knowing that you can't please everyone, most people will be pleased by the ambiance and great food at Cafe Esin. One of the few great restaurants in the tri-valley area.    [03 Apr 2004 00:16:29]

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Recommended Dishes: steelhead trout and steak

     ­Lisa   

Not in the city anymore
There aren't many real restaurants all the way out here in San Ramon. Pretty much just strip mall wanna-bes. Esin is just that kind of place - a city wannabe.
The decor is a nightmare, service less than average and the food is forgetable.
This sure isn't the city!    [27 Oct 2004 19:02:11]

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     ­SFphotocraft    SFPhotocraft at aol dot com

Good food and a nice staff
My husband and I took 4 visitors from NYC to dinner there last night and everyone enjoyed their meal. The food tasted great and the prices were not outrageous. The decor was nothing special but with good food, company and a nice staff it didn't matter. The onion soup was above average. Our party had the chicken in filo, rib eyes, halibut special and hanger steak. Everything was tasty. The only thing at our table that could of been improved was the ceasar salad but it was still better than 80% of the restaurants I have been too. I will definitely take other out of towner's there when we need a break from San Fransisco.    [07 Apr 2007 10:56:28]

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     ­Anonymous