I had a reservation and was seated perfectly on time. I'd definitely make a reservation because it…read moreis a very busy spot. There's limited seats inside and has a very cozy vibe. They have delicious small bites and are very well priced. I specifically loved the sashimi, iberico pork jowl skewer, beef tataki and sweet potato crème brulee. The service was very kind and helpful. I can't wait to go back and try more.

Really great restaurant. Was able to easily make a reservation on Yelp for 5:30 on a Wednesday…read more They have an iPad in the front that you can waitlist on, but you can also check-in for your reservation on it. Inside is definitely cozy and you'll be sitting fairly close to the tables next to you. Service was really fast and easy - no complaints at all! The food was all great. Standouts were garlic edamame, 6pc omakase, beef tongue, pork belly, negitoro maki, corn tempura, & sweet potato creme brulee. Edamame was lightly charred and salted well, with generous amount of garlic flavor. Omakase was fresh and tasty, although a tiny bit small so definitely perhaps get your own instead of sharing one order between two. Beef tongue was hands down the best thing. I thought it was a boneless short rib with how tender it was (can break apart with chopsticks). The pork belly was also soft and went well with the spicy miso. Negitoro was fresh and the wasabi was grated very well. Corn tempura was perfectly fried and very crispy while still being soft inside. Lastly, the creme brulee was a great dessert. You do get a hint of the sweet potato. Would love to return to try other dishes!

Outstanding service with a staff that is knowledgeable about their cocktails and food…read more We had a few tapas and all were very good. We also shared a paella dish with black rice (a first for me) that was also very good. The price was on the high side but within the "normal" range for Napa. I'd recommend it but check the menu and pricing so you're not surprised.

This place is tiny and the tables are packed pretty tight. It's a pretty loud setting, great for…read morecertain occasions. The service wasn't great. The server had no smile on her face and didn't bother to explain the menu and their specialities to us. When I had a question on a certain item, I felt she was irritated to answer and made me feel dumb on why I wouldn't know that already. She also missed ordering an item that I had placed. And because my party and I didn't feel welcome, we ended up leaving early without ordering further. There were other examples of poor service but I will bare the community the details. The worst was they charged 20% gratuity automatically for large parties, but they certainly didn't deliver. I am typically fine with auto gratuity but you have to provide service too. Food wise- the ceviche was bland. The skirt steak was flavorful and well executed. It's too bad that their service ruined it all. There are plenty other restaurants nearby that would be happy to earn my business.

We discovered this fun little Izakaya (Japanese social eatery) when coming into town for the…read moreLadytron show at the UC Theater on busy Saturday night on University Avenue and we are glad that we decided to give it a try. It was conveniently located across the street from the venue, and the unassuming outside of the restaurant did not hint at the amount of fun, ambiance, good food, and warm hospitality contained inside. First, there is the name. Not sure if it's some sort of play on words, secret joke, or if it's someone's actual name, but it works, kinda. It's kinda a restaurant, kinda a bar, kinda of a hangout, and kinda fun. The tiny entrance and plain facade reveals a bustling world of delicious food, tasty beverage, and lots of decorative eye candy to keep you looking around the space while you are hanging out with friends, on a date, or just relaxing after a long day. The decorations there are very upbeat, eclectic, fun, and distinctly Japanese pop culture. Posters, banners, flags, lanterns, toys, and trinkets can be found all over the restaurant, and made it fun to keep looking around and discover new novel things to look at. I did feel like I was in an authentic Izakaya somewhere in Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ebisu in Tokyo. The place had a lot of personality & personal flair in an otherwise, tiny & industrial small warehouse type space. Service was excellent. The host was the cute & personable Mina, who couldn't have been more accommodating, patient, friendly, and engaging. It was very busy, and even though it was our first time there, Mina made us feel welcome into their home and was also very helpful to guide us around their experience. The other staff were less engaging, but still professional, efficient, and polite. Service was quick, attentive, and friendly on all accounts, and they as a team, managed to serve an entire full house of hungry & happy patrons during the entire Saturday night dinner rush. Fun place with a good staff. We opted for Izakaya-type, shared small plates to satisfy our hunger cravings without getting too full and weighed down on big portions of heavy, rich foods. Everything on the long & expansive menu looked great, but we mostly stuck with small appetizers to sample & savor. It was nice that there were plenty of lighter, fresh vegetarian options as neither of us were really in the mood for seafood, fried food, or big heavy entrees. We ordered the Kinda Tofu, Kyuri sliced fresh cucumber salad, and Kinoko butter-grilled mushroom hot platter and washed it down with some green grape Jinro soju. Everything was pretty good! Not overly fried, greasy, salty, or seasoned. Lightly cooked, delicately glazed, with just enough seasoning & oil/sauce to make it taste good, but not end up too complicated or messy. The taste really came through using these minimal cooking & seasoning techniques. The taste of the original vegetables & tofu came through perfectly, and were only complimented by their light hints of adding flavor. Portion sizes were ample for two people, and presentation was appetizing and organized. The bill for 3 apps + 1 bottle of Soju was less than $50, so it was a good value for the fun experience & good food. Wait times during the dinner rush are long, and there isn't really anywhere to sit or stand, so reservations are recommended. You can also enter and go straight to the 10-seat bar if there are openings, but we got a table for two after around a 20-30 minute wait. After that, everything moves pretty quickly, from ordering, getting food & drinks, to wrapping up and getting your check. Perfect system if you're trying to get to a concert, movie, or appointment with a specific start time. I really liked this place, not Kinda, not Sorta, but Definitely, or Absolutely! Kinda Izakaya will always be our destination to eat & hang out next time we come back to Berkeley, it is a true gem of a Japanese Izakaya/light meal fare right in the heart of downtown Berkeley. It's fun, tasty, busy, and friendly. Small & cozy, yet also airy & comfortable.

2nd Visit. I'm smitten with the menu and vibes. $6 Kyuri:…read morerefreshing vinegary counter to the fried and grilled items. $12 Crispy Chicken Knees: very karage like. Excellent. $6 Bacon+Oyster: Least surprising. Tasty at least. $4.50 Chkn Skin: kinda sweet! In a good way, charred, and fatty. Delicious. $31 Ika Yaki: delicious

The number of times I've gone to Limón…read more... I've tried lomo saltado dishes at other restaurants (because I have found the need to always get this dish at a Peruvian restaurant ever since my first time at Limón), but nothing compares. I've tried a couple that have come close though! Came here on a Tuesday evening (made a reservation online for three). Lomo Saltado: always my go-to dish. I very rarely venture away from this dish (will usually get ceviche in addition). Flavorful and filling. Miscellaneous: - If you're going with a larger group or during peak meal times, recommend making a reservation - Parking is available via street parking - Good for small and large groups - The restaurant is loud

We are big fans of Limon and have visited the Walnut Creek location on multiple occasions. We were…read morein Oakland and decided to give this location a try. It is in a good location and had a nice vibe. We sat at the bar for drinks, appetizers and to watch the game. The food and drinks were just as good as the Walnut Creek location. Are server Alisha had a great vibrant personality. She provided excellent service for my wife and I. She stated this was the fun location. We did have a fun time and will definitely come back.

WE LOVE PARCHE! WOW…read more What an great spot. This place exceeded all expectations. Every dish was delightful. Great (strong) drinks, great music, and friendly/lively atmosphere. It was an upscale meal without the pretentiousness of a stuffy white-tablecloth place. We will absolutely return.

Had really high expectations for this place based on the stellar reviews, but the execution fell…read moreshort. It's a 3-star experience at best--mostly decent food, but a frustratingly poor experience that means we won't be recommending. The Good: The Sauces & Service: The sauces here are beautifully executed, and our server was friendly and attentive. The vibe is a bit crowded but lively, don't fully stretch your hands, you might accidentally hit your neighbor... if you are tall enough! Santa Maria Ceviche: Hands down the best dish of the night. Fresh, perfectly marinated fish, and an excellent sauce. The Mid: Empanada: Decent flavor, but the pastry skin was a bit thick, leaving the innermost part undercooked and doughy-stretchy. Arepa: It was "interesting"--felt less like a traditional arepa and more like a deep-fried potato patty. The mushrooms on it were delicious, though. Fried Salmon Skin: A bit fishy, and you could tell the deep-frying oil wasn't as fresh as it should be. Drinks were ok, nothing special, but a bit pricey. The Absolute Worst (and why it's a generous 3 stars): The Grilled Sirloin was a massive disappointment and easily the worst dish of our entire trip. The quality of the cut was subpar--barely scraping the bottom of "Choice" grade, if not completely unrated. One entire end was so riddled with tough tendons it was literally impossible to cut through, and the rest was some what dry undersalted. It tasted "under-beefed," exactly like a steak that had been buried in the back of a freezer for months and lost all its essence. We politely mentioned the tendon issue to our server just so they could let the chef know. Somehow, this triggered a visit from the manager, who brought over three shots of "something sweet" to end the meal. Irony alert: the drink was packed with something like angostura bitters and wasn't sweet at all, lol. Instead of an actual apology, the manager condescendingly lectured us that sirloin is a tougher cut of meat. Duh. No one is comparing this to A5 Wagyu or a prime ribeye; it couldn't even compete with a basic supermarket sirloin! To rub (the missing) salt into the wound, he ichallenged our feedback by implicitly out that we ate most of it. I literally had to tell him that there were plenty of partially cut, inedible gristle pieces left right there on the plate for him to go verify himself if he cared so much. Great sauces can't save bad meat and defensive management. I cannot recommend.

Had an amazing experience at L Campo last night! I've traveled to many cities in Spain and truly…read moreappreciate authentic Spanish food, and this place absolutely delivered. The patatas bravas were incredibly delicious, the cauliflower dish was amazing, the shishito peppers were so flavorful, and the vegan paella was such a pleasant surprise , full of flavor and beautifully prepared. My friend ordered shrimp and loved it. She had been there before and had tried the seafood paella and other dishes, and everything was excellent. The drinks were also high quality and complemented the meal perfectly. A special thank you to Patrick, our server, who was outstanding. He truly understands hospitality and made the whole experience even better with his attentiveness and professionalism. And knowing this gem is woman-owned makes it even more special. It's wonderful to support a restaurant bringing authentic Spanish flavors, excellent service, and such a warm atmosphere to Livermore. We will definitely be back!

We had a great dinner experience at L Campo last night…read more The remodeled space feels classic Livermore with exposed brick and beams, Spanish art, and an open layout with skylights that bring in great natural light. It has a friendly, family-owned feel, and that comes through in every plate. You can tell they care. We started with the albondigas, bread, and espresso martinis, then moved to the spare rib and chicken paella, which is a full meal on its own. Everything was really well done. Churros with chocolate were a perfect finish. One of the best new spots on First Street!

What a delight to find this place on a rainy afternoon. The restaurant is in a comfortable old…read morehouse, and the welcoming staff seated me at a high-top next to a warm fire. I started with the creamy chicken croquetas, what a pity there were only three. I could have eaten a dozen. I also had the crispy asparagus and jamon "cigarillos" with manchego and a harissa aioli. Pure bliss. The roasted beets with walnuts and idazabal cheese were delicious and very generous, a reminder that one shouldn't go to a tapas restaurant alone! So take a friend or two and go.

We had a nice meal at Bravas Bar de Tapas. I will say that there are few places in the US that…read morereally compare to tapas places in Barcelona, so I will try not to compare too much! We sat at the outdoor patio, which they had warned us was a little windy but they had space heaters. The indoor dining area looked cute as well. They have a good selection of hot and cold tapas. I liked the cauliflower one we got, along with the beet salad. I would say that the tapas are on the larger size. We also ordered the fried chicken meal which was delicious but too much food for two people! It comes with a delicious kale salad as well. I also ordered the cava sangria, which was good but super strong! I did feel like the service was fine but they weren't as super friendly as other places in Healdsburg. The service was really fast, food came out quickly.

Not bad! We usually go to the location in SF Embarcadero, but wanted to venture out this time…read more Was a Saturday afternoon during lunch hour; saw the lot was full and farmers market was going on. At first no one acknowledged me and the kids walking in and wasn't sure if we should seat ourself. Had to ask two different persons what to do to get a seat. A few minutes later I saw the host and she said oh yea we got a table for two adults and 3 lil kiddos! This is a pro (considering in SF you can wait up to half an hour!). Shout out to the chefs, Youssef- quirky guy, and Khephra- loved that she chatted w the kiddos! Sweet folks who were attentive, personable, quick to respond to whatever the boss babies needed! They even brought out slices of oranges since the kiddos were eyeing it in our Old Fashioned cocktails! Happy the food came out quick! Youssef even recommended dessert and brought out the bread pudding - never considered dessert but he knew this would make the boss babies happy (couldn't take a pic, was gone in seconds!). Overall, Hog Island is your go to for personable service, oysters, and the bread pudding *drool* .* Satisfied with the outdoor seating situation and how quick the drinks and cocktails came out. Can't wait for if and when we can get a closer location and hope to get this same type of hospitality.

Stopped by Hog Island since it was close to the hotel where I was staying. The restaurant was busy,…read morebut we were seated right away. It was cold and rainy, so the outdoor seating area was closed. The inside dining area was nice, though it did feel a little cramped. Our server was friendly and attentive. I started with the clam chowder, which was a bit disappointing. All the components were there, but it just didn't quite come together. The fried Brussels sprouts and fish sandwich, however, were delicious, and the portions were generous. I'm not a huge dessert fan, but when I tried the chocolate chip bread pudding with caramel and whipped cream, I couldn't stop eating it. Overall, I thought Hog Island was good!

Second time back to the "new" location in a month and it was delicious. We appreciate quality…read moreingredients. So far dishes we'll keep ordering kimchi (weird sweet but good), tofu squares (best iteration of this I've had), clay pot special (I didn't love the mini shrimp but the flavor of this broth had so much umami and the pork was fabulous), fried mushrooms and the ice cream. The ice cream is special, made in house with organic milk, vanilla beans, special Japanese strawberries from a local farm. We like the servers and the line moves fast. Patio is dog and kid friendly with heaters.

Super cute outdoor patio. Very cool, laidback vibes. Menu changes every 2-3 weeks! Interesting &…read moregorgeous food. BBQ-fried chicken cutlet was yummy! 8/10 from me. The fry was delish and covered in a sweet & slightly savory sauce. Also enjoyed the Maitake Mushroom w/ Specialty Tofu Sauce Noodle. Pretty light in flavor, but creamy and buttery. Mushrooms were nice. 7/10 Service was friendly, but a bit slow. Nice and clean restroom. Heaters available next to all the tables outside, which was super nice given our windy and a bit chilly evening weather. Loved their aesthetic!! Overall, had a really lovely experience.

The team at Juanita and Maude deserve five stars for their service: our waitress (had a red…read moresweater dress) didn't let our water glass stay empty and was exceptionally professional in the way she removed dirty dishes between courses. . We shared the roasted chicken and the risotto. The chicken had an scrumptious crust and was a decent portion with potatoes and an amazing sauce. The risotto was flavored perfectly. My partner tried a mocktail (That's not All) and it was extremely smooth and unusual. We shared dessert (pavlovas with a fruit sorbet) which was only so-so as the meringues were tough and not pillowy as we expected. All in all Juanita and Maude is a great romantic spot for date night or fun for Moms-Night-Out.

If you haven't tried Juanita & Maude, you're missing out!! The restaurant is so cute and perfect…read morefor a small gathering with friends or a romantic date night. I came here a little late on a Thursday, and the bar and kitchen were still open. I started with an espresso martini and it was made to perfection! It was extremely aesthetically pleasing, I did not want to drink it! But when I did, I was quick to order a second. It was delicious! I had several desserts that paired well with the espresso martini. All desserts tasted extremely light and had great flavoring. I definitely want to come back and try some entrees on their menu! Definitely stop by if you are in the area!!