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    Kitava

    4.4 (268 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Order Kitava Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    KITAVA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Kitava

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    Reviews With Photos

    Sweet Plantain Bowl
    Dayna M.

    The service was quick, and you can really taste how fresh the ingredients are. I also loved how clean the space was and it reflects in quality and care that goes into the food. On days when I don't feel like cooking but also don't want something heavy or greasy, this is the perfect spot.

    Make your own bowl *vegan
    Shane S.

    Healthy with many vegan options. I went with a make your own bowl with... Wild Rice Plant Protein made with beans nuts and oats Charred broccoli Eggplant Avo Goddess dressing Tasty Healthy Friendly service

    Sesame Chicken Bowl
    Jade L.

    My best friend and I came to Kitava for lunch after taking a top rope class at Great Western Power Company. It was very evident that the dishes live up to the restaurant's health-focused marketing. My sesame chicken bowl was pretty light despite the chicken being fried. At most places the chicken would be extra salty but not here. The chicken was actually so mild, it needed the sauce to carry it, and the bowl overall was well-balanced with vegetables, protein, and carbs. I also got a side of crispy cauliflower (not pictured) to share, and it was the best item here. It was perfectly crispy and well-seasoned.

    Power Bowl
    Joshua M.

    Dining in, the food is fantastic. Bowls are delicious and healthy, service is also good, ambiance is Oakland nice. I'd have dinner with friends or family here or even a date night.

    Rhett B.

    My friends and I stopped by Kativa in Oakland, and I'm so glad we did. I went with the build-your-own bowl, crispy chicken, cauliflower rice, sweet potatoes, and brussels sprouts and it was absolutely delicious. Everything tasted fresh and well-seasoned, and I loved that I could customize it exactly how I wanted. The space has a really welcoming vibe with its modern, clean design and friendly staff. You can tell they care about quality ingredients and creating food that's both healthy and satisfying. Highly recommend if you're in the area!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    Mural
    Melyssa G.

    Met a friend for dinner and she suggested this place. I was familiar with the area, but never heard of Kitava before. The menu sounded healthy and contained a number of items I enjoy so I was keen to give it a try. I thought parking would be difficult, but it actually was not too bad for a Tuesday evening. And the streets were not terribly busy. It has a corner location which is great and the place is full of windows. Near the entrance are 2 small tables to enjoy a meal in the nice weather we had today. While not a huge place, it felt very open and had ample seating. You place your order and then seat yourself. They do quite a bit of take out, so that was a great sign. I ordered the plantains, brussel sprouts, and their chicken. They infused their water with fruit so I was happy to have that. We sat in the front corner to enjoy the wonderful windows and views outside. Each of my dishes came with their own sauces. And like many people have already mentioned, I liked the ketchup as well. I was very pleased with each of my little dishes. It was the perfect meal. I got my fiber, protein and carbs and I didn't feel guilty eating any of it. I can't wait to come back and try out the rest of the menu.

    Sweet Plantain Bowl
    Stephanie G.

    Came across this place as a Yelp suggestion and decided to have a lunch meeting here. I'm so happy I found this place! It's literally the best place for delicious food, but great lighting and seating options. I had the sweet plantain bowl and added paprika chicken, plus a side of the cauliflower bites. The cauliflower was perfectly crispy. Though it didn't have a sauce on them, they were perfectly seasoned. The dipping sauce was so yummy too! I wanted a bottle of it to take home. My bowl is perfectly balanced, perfectly seasoned and great portion size. My colleague enjoyed her food as well, the only down side to her meal was that it took a bit longer to make but the woman who took our order didn't give us a heads up. I can't remember the name of the dish, but it's something they should either note on the menu or disclose when people are ordering. Other than that, this place is a winner! Food rating Sweet plantain bowl 10/10 Cauliflower bites 10/10 Customer service 8/10 Ambiance 9/10

    Mexi bowl
    hakim w.

    The food is great and healthy and very affordable! Great place to sit down and enjoy a meal

    2 BYO bowls
    Veronica L.

    Tuesday's kids eat free which is nice. Their fries are good too and the ketchup doesn't have a lot of sugar. Service is always nice and they are good about keeping it clean. We like their build your own bowl options. The kids always poach our tuna poke. The plantains are really good also. Nice place to eat healthy without breaking the bank. Kids like the food here too.

    Wild Mushroom Bowl with cauliflower rice and Paprika Chicken add.
    Mari H.

    They were very kind and welcoming here! I felt like a regular despite never reviewing the menu. Options were given as to how to order from how to read the menu to "we will take suggestions." And order here or go to the QR at the table. A relic of the pandemic, but sometimes you don't want to talk, and that's okay. I got a paprika chicken added Wild Mushroom Bowl... with cauliflower rice. Everything was fresh and well seasoned. Love the cafe environment. I think I could study or spend a few minutes researching something here. Will definitely be back!

    Natania C.

    I ordered a BYOB online from their website. The food itself was decent. The delivery person asked me to write him a great review, and I told him "sure," (I guess Kitava is partnered with DoorDash?) before realizing that my order came without napkins, utensils, etc. I asked about it, and he just responded "bad restaurant service."

    Jade B.

    What an incredible and healthy meal. Everything tasted so fresh and clean but the real star is the seasonal soup! The soup is so good and hearty and has so much flavor. I'm never mad when i decide to dine in. The inside is peaceful, with great music and natural light. The staff is also super nice and helpful!

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    Photo of Fresh L.
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    3 years ago

    Fresh and flavorful food. Always kind staff. Bright space dining. Yummy gluten free deserts, beer, and all things...

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    Photo of Bryan T.

    Bryan T.

    Hi Fresh - thanks so much for the great review, we appreciate it!

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    2 years ago

    So nice to have gluten free options that are tasty and healthy! Service was friendly and the vibe was pleasant.

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    Bryan T.

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    2 years ago

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    Bryan T.

    Hi Anna - thank you so much! We appreciate your support :-)

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    2 years ago

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    Bryan T.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Bryan T.

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    3 years ago

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    Bryan T.

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    2 years ago

    Super healthy, tasty, vegan food with lots of choices. Nice staff and a very airy and pleasant atmosphere.

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    Bryan T.

    Hi Esther - thanks so much for the review and kind words!

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    2 years ago

    Healthy and delicious food, made with quality fresh ingredients, thoughtfully prepared and delightfully gluten free.

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    Bryan T.

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    3 years ago

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    Bryan T.

    Hi Elyse - thanks so much for the great review. We're here for you!

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    4 years ago

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    Bryan T.

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    3 years ago

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    Bryan T.

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    4 years ago

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    Bryan T.

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    2 years ago

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    Bryan T.

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    4 years ago

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    Bryan T.

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    3 years ago

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    Bryan T.

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    6 years ago

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    Bryan T.

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    4 years ago

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    Bryan T.

    Hi Terese - thanks so much for the review!

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    4 years ago

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    Bryan T.

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    2 years ago

    So delicious with a creative menu. Also the space is lovely and light-filled. Great for meeting people. Perfect for vegan/veg too.

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    Bryan T.

    Hi Susie - thanks for the great review, we appreciate it!

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    Photo of Chris P.
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    3 years ago

    Vegan bowl was flavorful and filling. Pleasant surprise! A complete roll of the rice and it worked out.

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    Bryan T.

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    3 years ago

    Great vibe, good food, nice drinks selection, nice people. What are you waiting for?

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    Bryan T.

    Hi Justen - thanks so much! We appreciate your support :-)

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Definitely delicious!!! The food was clean! My favorite was the watermelon salad so freshing!

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Tried this place earlier this week. Absolutely loved it. Great location, better food and friendly staff. My new dinner spot.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Friendly service and spacious fun ambiance. Food is always fresh and delicious with hardly any long wait time.

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    Bryan T.

    Hi Iahla - thanks for sharing this review, we appreciate it!

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    Page 5 of 7

    Ask the Community - Kitava

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    Wood Tavern

    Wood Tavern

    4.3
    (2.4k reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$$

    We celebrated our mom's birthday at Wood Tavern. The food and drink were delicious and service was…read moregreat. Five stars. For details, keep reading. Wood Tavern met the criteria for a relatively nice American restaurant in North Oakland. We visited for lunch and wanted to make this special for our mom, so we were perhaps a bit overdressed in business casual, but this is Oakland after all. On an ordinary Thursday, there were multiple groups waiting outside for the restaurant to open at 11:30 AM. That in itself should tell you how popular this place is. My wife and I dined at sister restaurant Southie next door a few years ago and really enjoyed it (I also rated it five stars on Yelp), so I was confident Wood Tavern would not disappoint. I initially booked our reservation using OpenTable to link it to my account and get 100 points. Since the max party size for Wood Tavern on OpenTable is four, I had to call to get it changed to eight. Due to the large party size, the restaurant also required me to give them my credit card info and be subject to a $25 per person no-show fee. Upon arrival, our tables were ready for us in the back corner near the open kitchen. The restaurant is true to its name with a shared bar and dining room space that evoke the feel of a wood tavern. Here's what we had: Wine of the Day * Rosé (100% Zweigelt), Stefan Pratsch, Niederösterreich, Austria, 2024 ($16) "N/A Libations" and other drinks * Cherry Bomb! non-alcoholic cocktail ($13) - Tilden Lacewing, Amarena cherry, lime, ginger beer, tall glass * Shirley Temple ($5) * Diet Coke ($5) * Iced Tea ($4) Soup & Salad * Red & Golden Beet Salad x2 ($16 each, one with fish added for $8) - frisee, castelfranco, pistachios, orange segments, Laura Chenel goat cheese, Cara Cara orange vinaigrette Sandwiches * The Hot Pastrami x2 ($25 each) - Emmentaler cheese, Dijon-horseradish dressing, La Farine baguette Old Reliables * Seafood Stew ($32) - rock cod, Manila clams, PEI mussels, calamari, butter beans, fennel, leeks, chili flakes, garlic toast * Pork Ragu Casarecce ($30) - Castelvetrano olives, Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, chili flakes, parsley * Tavern Burger with French Fries on Acme Soft Bun with All the Fixins x3 ($25 each, two with cheddar added for $2 each) Everything was excellent. As for what to order, I recommend all of the dishes we got. It really just depends on what you like and/or what you're in the mood for. Everyone loved the food. The beet salad was fresh and flavorful, the pastrami was one of the best I've had anywhere, my mom raved about the seafood stew, my brother-in-law gobbled up all of the casarecce, and the burger was outstanding. Service was polite and speedy. Our server Sophia C was awesome. We split one of the salads and the stew, so they came out plated and served in half portions which was nice of the kitchen staff to do.

    Those who know me, know that I'm not a fancy guy. Which is why I always get the reliable pastrami…read moresandwich at this place. It's good and a solid meal for the price point. The pastrami sandwich comes on a baguette, which I love. It's nice to sharpen my teeth on that crunch. The pastrami itself is made in house, and it's delicious. They cut it fresh. It also comes with a small side of coleslaw. They use a Dijon dressing that is absolutely fantastic. Be sure to ask for extra dressing.

    Photos
    Wood Tavern
    Grilled Rib Eye Steak
    Grilled Rib Eye Steak
    Cherry Bomb! non-alcoholic cocktail. $13. Tilden Lacewing, Amarena cherry, lime, ginger beer, tall glass.

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    Cherry Bomb! non-alcoholic cocktail. $13. Tilden Lacewing, Amarena cherry, lime, ginger beer, tall glass.
    Almond & Oak

    Almond & Oak

    4.4
    (427 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Very tasty, Southern inspired foods. I loved the spicy chicken sandwich and their cornbread. There…read morewas a wait list on a Saturday morning, but the text to let us know our table was ready came fairly quickly. Our server was very prompt and kind. The restaurant is beautiful, with a full bar and view of their grand oven. Highly recommend to make a reservation here for brunch.

    Came here for lunch with a friend at 1 PM on a Saturday. We came 15 minutes late after our…read morereservation because of parking and they were understanding of it. As soon as you walk in, you're hit with the smell of a campfire from the oven. The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous with an Art Deco design. The ambiance is cozy but elevated. Benedict (buttermilk biscuit, dungeness crab cakes, marinated swiss chard & beet greens, herbed hollandaise, poached eggs & mixed greens): I'm not a huge benedict person because they can feel heavy, but this one was fantastic. I loved the textures and flavors of the crab cakes pairing with the greens and vegetables. It felt balanced and not too creamy or exhausting to eat. It definitely stands out from the run-of-the-mill brunch benedict. Vegetable Hash (roasted sweet potatoes, garnet yams, sunchokes, cauliflower, cremini mushrooms, celery root & onion, savoy spinach & poached eggs): This was also delicious and also set itself apart from the standard brunch hash. I loved the different vegetables in it besides being just potatoes and onions. The mushrooms and root vegetables worked really well together. Everything was well-seasoned. I'm glad we ended up choosing these dishes even though neither were my original top choices (I decided on the menu with my friend). It made me feel like you can choose anything and it'd be a banger. We were quite full from these dishes, and we forget we also ordered beignets to come out last. They were fluffy and mostly air (but not in a bad way). The service throughout the meal was good. We were checked on from time-to-time and our waters were refilled, although I wish the water glasses were a little bigger. One small thing to note was that we were given the check while we were still eating, even though the restaurant was still seating people despite it being close to closing time. Unsure if/why we were rushed like this. Overall, this was a memorable brunch spots I've been to in the Bay (dare I say one of the best?). We left smelling like a campfire. I would recommend it.

    Photos
    Almond & Oak
    Baked strawberry rhubarb French toast
    Baked strawberry rhubarb French toast
    Eggs Benedict

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    Eggs Benedict
    Marica

    Marica

    4.4
    (2.6k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Special night for 30th wedding anniversary. Got the price fixe earlybird special and it was…read moredelicious and a good deal! Service was attentive and helpful, the room is pretty from the outside and prettier from the inside. Very good salads, healthy, tasty, and the safron salmon with potatoes and vegetables was delicious. Hit all the notes, and left open the spaces too. Excellent cooking and serving. We both went for Creme Brulee and weren't sorry. Good wine selection, 1 glass each, and good decaf with dessert. There's a lot of competition on this end of College Ave, Marica are top-tier, on par with the now closed, and missed, "Oliveto". A place to take anyone for a very special meal.

    Date: 3/27/2026 Time: 7:25 PM 68° Cool…read more My male companion asked where I wanted to have dinner this evening. I had a taste for Chilean sea bass. A search on this website resulted in Marica having it on their menu. He booked a 7:30 PM reservation for two. We arrived early. What started out as a not too pleasant experience for us was the attitude of the guy who greeted us when we entered the restaurant. Attitude bordered on rudeness (3 star). We somewhat tolerated it, not knowing what to expect next. The restaurant was filled with diners, and the only available seating was not far from the front door. Oh, the chill was in the air, and my not wearing a sweater and/or light jacket to stay warm had me shivering. I had to brave the element (LOL). Since there was no Chilean sea bass on their daily special menu, it took a little longer for my companion and I to peruse the menu, and decide what entrees we were willing to have. Usually I would order an Arnold Palmer as a beverage; however, this time I decided to be adventurous - reisling peach spritz please - to whet my appetite. My date had the Temescal pilsner. Eats: Grilled salmon arange ginger saffron blanc beurre, roasted potatoes and vegetables. Korean short ribs, honey garlic gochujang marinade, mashed potatoes and vegetables. Our meals were on point and bomb-diggity delicious. The arange ginger saffron was perfect with the carrot. It reminded me of glazed carrots. The green beans were fresh and not overcooked. Ooh, the Korean pork ribs were tender and that sauce was sweet and had a subtle kick of spiciness. (Definitely a perfect complement for the pork ribs.) I have to admit the chef knew how to burn. Food tasted so good that figuratively speaking y'all gotta slap the cook and his mama. Ambiance: Comfy and casual. Despite the dining area is small, still it is a great restaurant for dining on a Friday evening. From my perspective and vivid imagination with the indoor lighting, it exuded a romantic atmosphere. Only in my mind I can hear soft jazz in the background. What convinced me to give Marica a 5 star rating? It was none other than Enriqueta, our waitress. She was pleasant, attentive and so accommodating. The chef lost our order ticket; thus, the wait time for our meal took a bit longer than we anticipated. She came to the rescue and comped us with dessert - chocolate souffle with homemade vanilla ice cream. It certainly was a gesture of kindness to have my date and me smiling from ear to ear. Return visit? Yes, mos def...not the rapper for Chilean sea bass. Enriqueta said I can always call to find out what their daily special is.

    Photos
    Another shipment of lobster in for the weekend. Limited quantity for a few lucky people who can get this drop!
    Another shipment of lobster in for the weekend. Limited quantity for a few lucky people who can get this drop!
    Marica Seafood Stew
    Marica Seafood Stew
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    Mua

    Mua

    3.9
    (4.1k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$

    It is good to come early 5:30 pm to have better parking and enjoy the ambience before it got too…read morecrowded. We started with a round of drinks: Crazy Pisco, lemon drop, MUA lemonade, Faction pale ale. Appetizers to include crab cakes, and the BEST TASTING BRUSSEL SPROUTS aka " brown butter brussel sprouts. You must order these. Our entrees included a wonderful slow cooked lamb shank(enough for 2 people), crab po boy with tons of fries and fried chicken. We finished off our evening with pineapple cake, bread pudding, and an almond cake all exceptionally delicious. We were provided with excellent service from Val.

    Another evening in beautiful Oakland with my colleagues (7 of us) at dinner at Mua. JR was our…read moreserver and JR was top notch with personality and helpfulness when it came to our food allergies (vegan and gluten free). Upon looking at the menu, I wanted everything! I'm not even kidding. Everything sounded great. The space is really cool as well inside with lots of that local art you know and love in the Oakland area. I ordered a margarita to start. Yum! For apps, we ordered the guac and chips alongside the fried calamari. I partook in the guac and chips, fresh and delish. Calamari was not gfree. For my main entree I split a beet salad with one of my colleagues, I can't say no to a beet salad. Then I ordered the mussels...which were so good. I loved the aioli on the top of the fries. I also had a bite of my colleagues coleslaw...and I will say it was the best non mayo based coleslaw I've ever had! Not kidding! It has red onion, green pepper, and cilantro. For dessert since it's always a must on a biz trip, we ordered crème brûlée and a sorbet. The brulee was as expected and perfect to end the night. Will definitely be back!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    No Cheese Mac n ' Cheese
    No Cheese Mac n ' Cheese
    Baby girl (top left), Bismarck (green one), La capilla

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    Baby girl (top left), Bismarck (green one), La capilla
    Sun Moon Studio

    Sun Moon Studio

    5.0
    (41 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    I was really looking forward to dining here since reservations were hard to make, and I had heard…read moremany good things about this intimate spot with only four tables. The interior was cozy and inviting, with just 12 seats max. and shelves lined with ume syrup and ume liquor on display. After making my reservation, I messaged them about my dietary restrictions due to pregnancy, and they were incredibly thoughtful and accommodating. The printed menu even reflected all the modifications they made. Everything felt well planned, and I didn't feel like I was missing out. I loved the Asian-inspired dishes. From the refreshing ume spritz to my favorites of the night - the egg custard tart and Taiwanese sausage brioche bun. Many dishes brought back childhood memories. Everything was delicious and complemented one another beautifully. You could tell the chef put a lot of care and thought into creating the menu. The last fries course and the take away olive cake were a nice touch to end the meal. Highly recommend if you're lucky enough to snag a reservation.

    Sun Moon Studio was such a special dinner. It is a tiny four-table restaurant in West Oakland, and…read morefrom the moment we walked in, everything felt warm, personal, and very intentional. Chef-owners Alan Hsu and Sarah Cooper have created something that feels refined without being stuffy. The menu reflected local ingredients, precise cooking, comforting flavors, and subtle Asian influences. I really enjoyed how the progression started with lighter coastal bites, then moved into cozier and more familiar moments. Some of my favorite bites were the egg custard tart with bonito and trout roe, the Taiwanese-style sausage on steamed brioche, the Half Moon Bay black cod, and the Liberty duck served two ways. The sausage was especially fun and memorable, almost like a tiny tasting menu hot dog, but with that familiar Taiwanese sweetness. The duck breast was beautifully cooked, the pasta with leg confit was so satisfying, and I loved the little pretzel croissant served on the side. Dessert kept things fruit-forward and refreshing, but one of the best surprises came after that: off-menu fries with ketchup. Such a simple idea, but honestly a surprisingly perfect savory send-off after a long dinner. Service was thoughtful and relaxed, and we loved getting to meet the chefs. Reservations are very limited and definitely require planning, but this is the kind of place that feels worth the effort. Small room, serious cooking, and a lot of heart.

    Photos
    Sun Moon Studio
    Taiwanese sausage on steamed brioche
    Taiwanese sausage on steamed brioche
    Egg custard tart with salmon roe

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    Egg custard tart with salmon roe
    Portal Oakland

    Portal Oakland

    4.1
    (1.8k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    A fantastic, unfussy, charming wedding reception venue for a smaller wedding group…read more My now-spouse and I had been struggling to find a good covered outdoor wedding reception venue that fit our budget, allowed external catering, and was small enough for the 50-ish guests we were expecting -- it seemed like every "wedding venue" felt overly fancy and was better suited to a 100+ person group. But then we found Portal! We're not fussy people, and we loved the more down-to-earth vibe of their patio. Plus, it's got heaters and an extendable cover, which was exactly what we wanted! The previous owner, Kevyn, was great to work with, as was the current owner, Mona. We decided to rent the patio and have Portal provide drink service and dishes, but we knew that we wanted a specific restaurant (which doesn't have its own seating area) to provide the food. Kevyn and Mona were both totally down for that, and completely helped us bring our vision to life. There was space for our 50 guests to sit, for the buffet, plus enough space left over for a small dance floor area. Really perfect for our group. Amber, their bartender and events coordinator, deserves a particular shout-out. She worked with my spouse and me to come up with three custom mocktails that fit our taste preferences and even thought of cute love-themed names for all of them! She really went above and beyond for it, having a mocktail tasting for us and even sourcing a non-alcoholic champagne to use for n/a mimosas and in one of the mocktails. It was a wonderful experience, and Amber was a joy to work with. She the one making the mocktails (and alcoholic drinks for guests who wanted them) during the reception, and we heard constant compliments. I imagine we'll be back for anniversary brunches in the future :)

    Fav brunch spot in the lake merrit area. Outdoor patio are is beautiful BUT if you go during March…read moreMadness or World Cup (like us) they have TVs inside showing the big games! Food is consistent, homey (in the best way) and always delivers. I usually go with the Portal plate but sometimes I'll venture out and get the corned beef hash- both are divine. My boyfriend has tried multiple items and we are NEVER disappointed. Also- their mimosa pitchers are good and STRONG (if you're into that). Def a local fav!!

    Photos
    Corner Seating
    Corner Seating
    Grilled Chicken and Jalapeno Burger
    Grilled Chicken and Jalapeno Burger
    BBQ Chicken Wings

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    BBQ Chicken Wings
    Pomet

    Pomet

    4.4
    (244 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$$

    An enjoyable dinner at Pomet with food highlighting farm-to-table ingredients directly from K & J…read moreOrchards in addition to other California family-owned farms. When you dine with foodies who don't mind indulging you get to try a variety of items from: STARTERS :: TURNIP TOTS - crispy exterior with an unexpected creamy interior. Recommended by Cherylynn N to get and glad we did! :: SQUID INK PASTA with Dungeness crab - perfectly cooked pasta with a wonderful acidic yet briny broth - piece of leg meat crab. Of course, wish it had more :: PAPPERDELLE with duck sugo - wide noodles perfectly al dente with rich tomato based, red wine duck ragu with a slight kick from black pepper. Comfort food MAINS :: BEEF SHORT RIB - wonderfully tender and like butta. Definitely sous vide and finished off with some smoke. Served with some Korean Gochujang, red-leaf lettuce and sliced pickle daikon to be eaten like a wrap - FAVE dish. NOTE: They alternate this dish with the Klingeman pork chop so wasn't a Thursday option. :: BLACK COD - miso braised with yuzu broth Perfectly cooked, easily flaked that just melts -in-the-mouth! We ordered a variety of desserts: decadent budino, refreshing pomegranate sorbet, and a rich sticky toffee pudding. All worth a try but the cake for the sticky toffee pudding was a tad dry. The accompanying rich buttery toffee sauce poured on top was lick the plate worthy. SERVICE - our server, Daniela was amazing. Answered multiple questions and educated us on some items. Friendly, patient and true professional. All staff inviting and on point. Highly recommend a visit and expect to pay $$$ but well worth the splurge. Service charge is 20% gratuity (confirmed with our server) automatically added to the bill for a party of 3. We added 5% more for the great experience! Metered parking (until 6pm) in the lot behind. Range of casual to dressy attire

    I've been to Pomet at least seven times, usually with my boyfriend, and I've always had a good…read moreexperience. Because of that, I chose it to celebrate two of my friends' birthdays on April 11. I was genuinely excited to treat them to a beautiful dinner. That's not what happened. From the moment we sat down, something felt off. We had just come from the Alvin Ailey show and were catching up, so we were taking our time. Still, it felt like we were being rushed. The pacing of the food made no sense. The salad came out quickly, which was fine, but before we even started it, two fried dishes hit the table. I asked directly if they were trying to rush us because I've been here many times and that has never happened. The response I got felt dismissive, like I didn't understand how they serve their food. I do. This was different. By the time we got to the fried dishes, they were cold and not good. And honestly, they didn't seem hot when they first came out. That pretty much set the tone. The pasta came later and was also cold. At that point, I asked to speak with the owner. I've met her before when I've come in with my boyfriend and she's always been warm and present. This time I was told she was busy, and while I could see she was in the back of the house, she did not appear so busy that she couldn't step away briefly to address a guest who was clearly disappointed. No one ever came back to follow up. The main dishes didn't recover anything. The cod had no flavor and was cold. The pork chop was tough, fatty, and just not good. It didn't feel like the same kitchen at all. What made it harder to ignore was looking around the room. Other tables were getting a completely different experience. Food coming out properly paced, hot, and with attention. Our table felt like an afterthought, especially after we raised a concern early on. At one point, someone offered to take two dishes off the bill. I appreciated the gesture, but that wasn't the issue. I wasn't trying to get anything for free. I was trying to give my friends a really nice birthday dinner. This is a Michelin-recognized restaurant, which is exactly why I chose it. I've known them to deliver. That's what made this experience so disappointing. It felt rushed, disorganized, and careless. I don't know what's going on there right now, but it was not the same experience I've had before. I won't be going back. PS. Normally I take pictures, but didn't because the food was that disappointing!

    Photos
    Inside area
    Inside area
    Korean Fried Duck Leg w/ honey garlic soy glaze, seasonal house pickles ($24 + $3 radish kimchi)
    Korean Fried Duck Leg w/ honey garlic soy glaze, seasonal house pickles ($24 + $3 radish kimchi)
    Ugly Mushroom Caramelle w/ SHARED CULTURES kombu garlic miso, breadcrumbs ($24)

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    Ugly Mushroom Caramelle w/ SHARED CULTURES kombu garlic miso, breadcrumbs ($24)
    Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt

    Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt

    4.0
    (1.5k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Stopped by Grand Lake Kitchen for brunch this sunny weekend and it really hit the spot. The food…read morewas delicious and it felt like the perfect kind of meal for a relaxed weekend morning. I ordered the turkey club and it was honestly huge. You can see in the photo how big it is compared to my hand. It was stacked and super satisfying, the kind of sandwich that definitely fills you up. We also shared a deviled egg and some fried zucchini to start, which were great little bites before the main dish. The zucchini was crispy and light, and the deviled egg was simple but really good. I paired everything with a mocha latte that was perfectly balanced and honestly superb. Overall it was a ten out of ten brunch moment. Between the sunny weather, good coffee, and really satisfying food, it was exactly what we were looking for. Definitely one of those spots I would come back to for brunch again.

    This was me and my husband's first time at the restaurant and the food here was excellent…read moreeverything was very good and flavorful. I gave it to stars because the service was really bad. Our waitress took very long to even acknowledge us, didn't person herself to be very friendly, and lacked any attentiveness to us as customers. We had to ask other people for things like refills on our drinks, condiments, etc. She didn't ever really try to check to see how things were going after the food was served and we had to ask someone else to pay. Unfortunately considering this experience my husband doesn't want to go back and I hate that for us because the food was really good.

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Savory French Toast tastes awesome when you break the egg yolk over the toast.
    Savory French Toast tastes awesome when you break the egg yolk over the toast.
    Dozen Donuts, equivalent to four full sized donuts

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    Dozen Donuts, equivalent to four full sized donuts
    The Wolf

    The Wolf

    4.2
    (548 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    It was that time again for my weekly solo date night and I have had The Wolf in my bookmarks for a…read morebit. Arrived at around 7pm w/o a reservation and had to wait for roughly 40 minutes which wasn't too bad. Lucky for me there is a little bar down the street and I had a little drinky drink. When I got the call from The Wolf, I finished up and rushed over. I was sat at my favorite place in a restaurant...The bar. Its my favorite spot to people watch. OK drinks! I so I had the Coming to the Cottage. First off, the drink itself is so pretty. I love a drink in an unconventional color. It was delicious too. To start, I had the little Gem Salad. It was so good, but i'm super biased. This one had dill, radish and a yummy dressing. Super solid. For my main, I had the duck and it was so yummy. It came in a great sauce and cooked perfectly medium rare. Super fun time over at The Wolf! I totally understand the hype of this place. Great food and great service.

    Our friends said they loved this spot from two years ago and wanted to check it out again. It did…read morenot disappoint. Everything we ordered was so delicious. You cannot go wrong with their menu. Our table got the oysters, roasted beets, French fries, Brussels sprouts, and sourdough bread (comes with a delectable dipping sauce/oil). For dinner, two got halibut, one burger, and I got the fried rice. Everyone's dishes were wiped clean! The pacing of the restaurant makes you really enjoy your dinner, the company, and the energy. They bring new plates and silverware to you at each course, which is a nice touch. The waiter, I wish I got this name was fantastic. You could tell he loves hospitality. So kind, explained the menu, gave recommendations and made the whole experience lovely. The service was phenomenal. For dessert we got the chocolate cake, mango cake, and the mint ice cream. Everything was so good. I look forward to dining here again! We only got pictures of the dessert!

    Photos
    The dining area
    The dining area
    Duck liver pâté comes with this adorable fried biscuit. The late was sinfully delish!!
    Duck liver pâté comes with this adorable fried biscuit. The late was sinfully delish!!
    Lamb pappardelle

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    Lamb pappardelle

    Kitava - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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