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    Marica

    4.4 (2.6k reviews)
    Closed 5:30 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Order Marica Takeout or Delivery

    Marica Photos

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    MARICA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Marica

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    Reviews With Photos

    Karen W.

    We made a reservation for Oakland Restaurant Week and decided on the black cod and the three course special menu which consisted of fresh corn and shrimp cream soup sweet and delish, Prince Edward Island Mussels my fave, claypot salmon with signature rice which had a real kick to it, especially the rice, followed by orange creme brulee, tangy and tasty. Service was attentive. Somehow though we ordered the black cod we got the oxtail but notified them immediately and they replaced it with the black cod and gave us a complimentary pannacotta for the mistake. Food was great, just wish there wasn't a quick to the special rice

    Manila clams
    Nom C.

    Service, food and ambience were all on point at Marica. The staff is so nice, although it did seem like many of them were in training. Our server was pulling double duty, taking our order and bartending for the whole restaurant. It took a bit of coordination to order our entrees, which was a while after our apps came out. But overall, the we got our food and drinks out at a good pace. Dessert took a bit longer but we needed a break in between courses since our portions were so generous. Dishes - Twice Cooked Lobster is one of their signature dishes. The lobster was perfectly cooked. The vegetable medley was basic. Iberico pork chop was on the seasonal menu but it should be a regular staple. The chop was so tender and super flavorful. It was accompanied by a delicious mushroom risotto and a sweet and sour pepper relish-type component. The shrimp corn cake was a surprisingly large portion that had 4 mini pancakes and 4 large shrimp. There was a nice kick to the spices, and this could even be entree. I definitely want to mention they gave us quite a few extra items on the house - mixed salad, butternut squash soup and a panacotta. That was a nice touch and a great way to earn customer loyalty. My brother dined there previously and had the same experience. Parking is a bit challenging, which is par for the course for any restaurant area with street parking. So make sure you add a few minutes to give yourself time to find parking.

    Shrimp Corn cakes
    Emanuel L.

    IG: BoozieBrunch Recommendation Small establishment & perfect for couples. Nice ambiance, cheerful staff w/a very welcoming vibe. Mocktail & Cocktails 3outta5 They didn't blow us away but they were refreshing. Crostini 4outta5 Lots of flavor! The tuna tartare & uni danced nicely. Oysters 3.75outta5 They were good but I wish they'd been served w/all of the oyster liquor still in the shell. This was my first serving ever w/only mignonette on the side. Shrimp Corn-cakes 5outta5 Explosive flavor, shrimp cooked perfectly, absolutely delicious! Seafood Risotto 5outta5 She loved it! I tasted it & wanted my own serving! Everything was cooked perfectly! Twice Cooked Lobster 4outta5 The flavor combo was amazing. The cook was just a tad bit inconsistent. Nothing was under but the claw & knuckle meat were almost nonexistent due to being over. There wasn't much meat & for the price, I didn't expect a petite serving. The spicy green rice, green beans and creamy sweet potato were excellent accompaniments. Chocolate Soufflé 4outta5 Excellent, chocolaty dessert. The server said let the ice cream melt but it was a lil too frozen to do so. We really enjoyed it though. We enjoyed ourselves and look forward to returning! #GoTaste&See

    Chocolate Souffle (Bake at Home)
    Tracy T.

    Came here for an anniversary dinner, and the staff truly made it very memorable. This is a cute, intimate restaurant with an eclectic menu that has several seafood options. Immediately upon arriving, the staff greeted us promptly and was very friendly and courteous throughout our dinner. They definitely have attention to detail in terms of presentation and attentiveness to guests needs. There is a dinner menu and also nightly specials, so lots of options to chose from. Everything on the menus looked amazing, but we settled on the shrimp corncakes and the kumiai oysters as appetizers (special), the hawaiian ono (special) and the new york steak, and finished it off with the chocolate soufflé. Everything was delicious, and cooked to perfection. The steak was really delicious and cooked to perfection, in addition to the flavor being on point. I loved the intimate feel of this place, and they are great about making celebrations truly special. The price point is not too bad for the calber service and quality food you get. Parking is also not too bad and typically easy to find on the street. Definitely a spot to keep in your back pocket if you're looking for a a place with great food and ambiance.

    Braised Oxtail
    Fanuaea L.

    Marica is in a gorgeous neighborhood and offers a delightful culinary experience. I came with my sister for a celebratory dinner. We were happy that we were seated quickly despite not having reservations. I chose their early dinner special, which included a well-prepared salmon plate and a choice between soup or salad; I opted for the soup due to the cold weather, and it was delicious, featuring corn and prawns. The salmon was cooked to perfection, and all ingredients tasted fresh. The special also included a dessert, and I selected the matcha crème brûlée topped with powdered sugar and blueberries, which was the highlight of the meal. My sister enjoyed her braised oxtail, praising its rich flavor and balanced texture without excessive fattiness.

    Song K.

    SO GOOD. It's no wonder they've been around for over 25 years. From the moment we called to check if there was an open table everything just kept getting better. Complementary warm bread basket was so cozy and comforting as was the ambiance. We ordered the seafood stew and sea bass as well as a green salad. We devoured every last morsel of each dish. The service from everyone there was top notch and we can't wait to go back for more of everything and to try new dishes.

    Seafood Stew
    Angela L.

    Marica, was a "hurry and pick a spot bc I'm coming from work and I'm hungry" (my boyfriend haha) so I quickly came on Yelp to look for a seafood restaurant and stumbled upon a hidden gem in Oakland I am SOOOO glad I did! I quickly made a reservation for 2 and we drove over. It was mostly empty because they were closing at 9pm so I had already looked at the menu and ordered the FAMOUS seafood stew, a dozen oysters and my man ordered an amazing dish too. If you have not been here, run DONT walk to Marica. I have a thing for family owned small businesses and my family owns a small business in Chicago so I am glad our money went to Marica, last night. My boo had a beer and I had a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, which was quite the pour, I was not disappointed or complaining at all. We ate, had a cute conversation and went home to rest after, with happy tummies and happy hearts. Please do not miss out on this spectacular restaurant with amazing food, friendly and kind service and sweet staff!

    Pad Tai and Green Curry both with Chicken
    Nicholas G.

    Delicious, amazing absolutely fantastic! Marica is a gem right on the Oakland-Berkeley border. We loved the fresh outdoor seating, the beautiful setting, and the incredible Thai cuisine. We'll definitely be back!

    Mo K.

    It was a weekday night, got seated immediately. The service was great overall but the food wasn't. We ordered the calamari which seemed like a half order. The oysters were decent. My date had the seafood stew which tasted like canned minestrone soup with some shrimp. I ordered the new york steak. It was very little, the butter was ice cold. I came to this place many years ago and remembering the food was great. The portions are so small now. Great staff, food not that great.

    Justin H.

    Came to this spot to celebrate a birthday. The vibe was a blend of cozy and casual but the service was super professional though out. We got to try a bit of the chefs pri-fixe as well as off menu items and I was impressed by the execution of it all. We started with their mussels and we loved dipping the bread in the broth. Super flavorful and fresh. We then tried their lobster rolls with a leek soup on the side. I thought the roll was a little creamy but the texture of the lobsters was amazing. Next was a fried soft shell crab which was very unique to me. I normally do not enjoy soft shelled crabs but the preparation of it really changed things for me. Also the shoestring fries were a fun side. Following up we had a large bbq prawn which was probably my favorite dish. Some might find it lacking flavor given how large the prawn was but the lemon was all I needed. Before dessert we ended with long life noodles with some perfectly cooked lamb. To end the meal I tried two desserts, the mousse and the soufflé. The soufflé is a must try. I love how the vanilla ice cream pairs with the interior of the soufflé. The panna cotta was also good if you're more into a tarty dessert. Overall I would highly recommend anyone looking for a good meal to come here. The service is attentive and the chef is very passionate about his art as it showed in all his meals.

    Seafood Stew
    Kevin B.

    Love it, love it, love it! Everything about the dining experience my wife and I had on Halloween was perfect. The staff was extremely friendly, the decor in the restaurant is beautiful, I loved the 50s and 60s music that was playing and the food was the best I've had all year! We truly enjoyed the Seabass, the seafood stew, the mixed green salad and a mock tail . I honestly am very excited to return in the near future and highly recommend you stop in as well.

    Seafood stew

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    Service was good, drinks and food was good. We will be coming back. Ambiance was nice

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    Marica Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Marica

    There's a review for Alameda online that implies Marica is specializing in pizza, but that's not what the main website says. Is one of these websites obsolete?

    Yes, we no longer specialize in pizza. Thanks!

    Do you serve wine and beer?

    Yes we do!

    Is it kid friendly?

    Hi Jose! We are a small family owned business with a very casual feel. Everyone is welcome! However, We do not have a kids menu. Let us know if you have any questions!

    How are they with food allergy substitutions? Dairy specifically.

    My daughter isn't allergic, but she is vegan. The server wasn't just accommodating to her substitution needs, he made her feel like the dish would be every bit as good even with the changes. Not every restaurant is willing to do that.

    Oysters used to be reasonably priced at $1 or $1.50, how much are they going for now?

    They are $2.50 but I'd pass on them, they weren't that spectacular. Stick to the Lobster and beet salad. Have Oysters at Sabella LaTorre in SF

    How is it noise wise (hard to hear ?)

    We have fine many times and you can always hear and some to others in your party. The food is worth it.… 

    Is there an age limit to dine here?

    There isn't an age limit to dine, but this is not a good place to take younger children, as they can be disruptive in such a small space.

    Do they have gluten friendly dishes or can they accomodate?

    We can accommodate your gluten free needs. Most of our dishes do not include gluten, but we usually ask our gluten free diner to give us a heads up and we will notify the kitchen.

    Is there happy hour?

    No... They're only open for dinner.

    Is there parking besides street parking?

    Unfortunately not.

    Is this a kid friendly restaurant?

    It will depend on your kids. My oldest was super well-behaved in restaurants and would have been fine. The others I wouldn't have wanted there. The wait staff was super friendly and would, I'm sure, be very accommodating, but it's very much a… 

    Do you have oysters tonight?

    Yes we do

    Do they still serve lamb shanks?

    Hi there Amy! We have rack of lamb but currently runs as a special.

    Why are they closed? I love this place!

    Hi Wendy! We are back! We recently had a renovation. After doing pizza for about a month, we had many more requests to bring back our old menu, seafood, and classic dishes. Next week (January 27th) we should have many of our signature items back… 

    Can you accommodate party's of 25?

    Long since passed, but I'm curious whether if it occurred to them to maybe think about calling for a reservation for 25 f'ing people, rather than a random Yelp post.

    Is there a Corkage fee to bring your own bottle?

    Yes. $15 for a normal red or white.

    View All 18 Questions

    You might also consider

    Ace Seafood - pop-up @ the punchdown

    Ace Seafood

    4.3(77 reviews)
    0.6 miTemescal, North Oakland, Rockridge

    I really wanted to like this place because we need a good oyster spot in this neighborhood. Here's…read morea quick breakdown: Came here for Mother's Day to try some place new. Walked in. No one greeted us. Wasn't sure where to go. Went to the register. Waited a minute for someone to come out. Ordered the clam chowder, dozen oysters and fish & chips with a glass of mystery orange wine. Decided to sit outside in the back patio. Table was dirty from previous guest which usually doesn't bother me be ut little things started adding up. Service took a while. Oysters came out first. 20 min. They were fresh and delicious. Just enough to get the palette opened up. $46 though? Way overpriced but was willing to overlook since it is Mother's Day. Next up - clam chowder, 10 min after they took the tray for the oysters. Smallest bowl I ever saw. Flavor was good. Temperature was luke warm. Broth was thin. $10. Not worth it. Last was the fish and chips. 10 min after picking up the chowder bowl. Portion looked good enough to make up for the small clam chowder, except it was under seasoned. Fish texture was a bit dry too. Fries were meh. Between the overall vibe...the overpriced items...the time between dishes...and the lack of flavor, I will continue my search for an oyster spot in this neighborhood.

    My friends and I stopped by Ace Seafood on a Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. for a late lunch…read more Because it was a beautiful sunny day, our party of eight decided to sit outside in the back patio. If you're sensitive to sun, definitely come with a hat, as there is very little shade. Since I visited with a large group, I was able to try out a decent spread of items on the menu, including the a fried fish sandwich, fish and chips, oysters, a caesar salad, a chicory citrus salad, fries and clam chowder. Of the items we ordered, the fried fish sandwich was by far my favorite. I really enjoyed the soft bread they used. The balance of flavor between the slice of American cheese, tomato, shredded lettuce and tartar sauce was perfect. The fish itself was super crispy, not oily, and the outer crust held up to the sauce without problems. The oysters we ordered were on the sweet side. If I were to guess, I would wager they were Kumamoto oysters. Although the oysters themselves tasted great, the shucking could have been improved: one of the oysters I had had quite a large piece of shell in it, and with another one, the muscle of the oyster hadn't been cut from the shell. I believe the kitchen staff is quite small, so if you're coming on a busy day and you have a large group, I would definitely bring your patience, as food and beverages may take a while to get to you. Although a hazy IPA would've been the perfect complement to my meal, paying $12 felt a bit much for me, and my wallet told me to pass and enjoy a beer at home instead. Overall, I had a pretty solid experience at Ace Seafood -- minus sitting in the scorching sun in the uncovered back patio.

    Photos
    Ace Seafood - Pop-up @ the punchdown - clam chowder

    Pop-up @ the punchdown - clam chowder

    Ace Seafood - Pop-up @ the punchdown - clam chowder

    Pop-up @ the punchdown - clam chowder

    Ace Seafood - Pop-up @ the punchdown - lobster roll

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    Pop-up @ the punchdown - lobster roll

    Wood Tavern - Whiskey Laced Chicken Liver Pate

    Wood Tavern

    4.3(2.4k reviews)
    0.9 miRockridge, Elmwood, North Oakland
    $$$

    Wood Tavern has been my favorite restaurant in Oakland since I first visited nearly twenty years…read moreago. In all that time, it has remained remarkably consistent. I've been here for date nights, holiday dinners, business dinners, and countless meals with friends visiting from out of town. It's one of those rare restaurants that seems to work for just about any occasion. The service is always great, the College Avenue location is hard to beat, and I've always had good luck finding street parking nearby. The ribeye is my personal favorite and what I order more often than not. If you're coming with a group, the cheese and charcuterie plates are a great way to start. The menu is varied enough that there's always something for everyone, and I've never had a bad meal here. I was genuinely sad to hear that they'll be closing at the end of the year. Restaurants with this kind of quality, consistency, and character are increasingly rare. If you've never been, make a point of going while you still can. I'll certainly miss it once they're gone.

    $25 Pastrami Sandwich: pretty darn good but there is an excellent pastrami that I just tried…read moreelsewhere which dampens my enthusiasm. This one had some crispy edges and well prepared which was lovely though. $14 warm chocolate buckwheat pudding cake: definitely house made. Definitely very good but definitely a safe choice. I think I should have been more adventurous. As good as this is, I'm not convinced I got my $'s worth.

    Photos
    Wood Tavern
    Wood Tavern - Grilled Rib Eye Steak

    Grilled Rib Eye Steak

    Wood Tavern - 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.

    Sirene - Oysters and scallop crudo, delicious!!

    Sirene

    4.3(164 reviews)
    1.8 miGrand Lake, Lower Hills

    Sirene absolutely knocked it out of the park…read more We started with their seafood tower (or Captain's Platter--I can't remember the exact name), and it was the highlight of the meal. The presentation alone turns heads, but the quality backs it up. Sitting proudly at the very top of the tower were two sea urchins filled with uni. Not just a token garnish--they were generously loaded and set the tone for everything that followed. The jumbo prawns were incredibly sweet and juicy. We had three different kinds of oysters, each with its own personality, ranging from bright and briny to rich and creamy. The scallops were excellent, and the ceviche was fresh and flavorful. After the tower we shared a Margherita pizza, which was very good, followed by the fried chicken. The batter was crisp while the meat stayed juicy and moist inside. It's not often you find fried chicken that nails both texture and tenderness so well. The seafood tower wasn't just delicious--it was visually stunning. Honestly, if this exact platter were served at a restaurant in Palo Alto, I wouldn't blink at a $250 price tag. At Sirene, it was just $125, which felt like an incredible value for both the quality and quantity. I'm perfectly happy not paying Palo Alto rents if this is what Oakland delivers. And don't let stereotypical perceptions of Oakland keep you away. Grand Lake is one of the city's most charming neighborhoods, with beautiful homes, tree-lined streets, and a vibrant local dining scene. Sirene is absolutely worth the trip.

    I have been going to sirene since they first opened and what used to feel like a neighborhood…read morecoffee shop has turned into a wework!! I also love to work remotely from a coffee shop- especially somewhere as vibey as sirene, but now if I dare to go to the coffee shop for some coffee, there is no place to sit!! The whole place is occupied by people sitting at a table for 4 with a person occupying one seat and their bags/stuff on all the remaining seats. I used to enjoy coming here with my kids for a morning coffee and croissant but more often than not, it's completely taken up by people working on their laptops. I no longer come here for morning coffees with friends because you cannot find a spot if you come after 9am. Their coffee shop experience is thus a 2 star rating. Now dinner is different. It is fun and hip. I love the menu and the cocktails. Is it overpriced? Yes. Will I still go back? Also yes. I think it is a great spot to hang out in the evening and I am so happy it is in my rotation for dining out. Dinner experience gets a 4 star rating. If management reads this, I hope they restrict laptop workers to certain tables/hours of the day so the rest of us can still enjoy this coffee shop for conversations and community! I don't think we need a full on ban but it's getting out of control and I'm officially done recommending Sirene for a coffee meet up until this is resolved! Also- bring lunch back please!!

    Photos
    Sirene
    Sirene - Fried Chicken w/ octopus kimchi ($25), Mashed Potatoes ($6), Biscuit ($6) + Fish & Chips: Ling cod, piquillo pepper aioli ($25)

    Fried Chicken w/ octopus kimchi ($25), Mashed Potatoes ($6), Biscuit ($6) + Fish & Chips: Ling cod, piquillo pepper aioli ($25)

    Sirene - Sipsmith Gin & Club Soda ($14)

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    Sipsmith Gin & Club Soda ($14)

    Townhouse - Yes, it used to be a dive bar.

    Townhouse

    4.1(1.7k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    I tagged along with a friend to get a drink here. I ended up trying the fried brussels sprouts…read more They are amazing! They are fried and then glazed with a bourbon dressing. The crispies of the outside of the brussels sprout contrasts to the inside softness. So good!. All of the staff here is fantastic. This is a well run restaurant.

    Well, I'll give it to them for consistency. Consistently bad…read more There was something wrong with over half of our party of eight's entrees. - Pork chop: According to our server, this was an "excellent choice". It was HELLA DRY (see pic)! Like, hard-to-swallow-dry. The carrots and the potatoes were good though. The poor pig died in vain. - Spaghetti di mare: Oily! - Steak: Ordered medium, came out super rare. Mom was just going to eat it, insisting it was fine, but then our server came over and took one look and said "yeah that's definitely rare". At our server's insistence, it was sent back and it was more medium, but it was tough. Not much flavor either. - Fish and chips: Also overcooked and tough. - Shrimp: Same, overcooked and tough and the pesto pasta also lacked flavor. - Ribs and tagliatelle were "ok". The only passable entrees, but far from being spectacular. You may ask why we didn't complain to our server. Well, first, we never send entrees back. Second, how do you even send five out of eight entrees back?! After my mom's steak returned medium and it still wasn't good, why bother? Our starters: buffalo wings, fried calamari and truffle fries were decent enough, but after that it was all downhill. We all passed on dessert. I don't think we've ever had a family dinner where we all complained so much. Looking at the most recent reviews, it looks like our experience is not an isolated one. The prices are not justified for what it was. $51 for a steak, $42 for a pork chop. $15 for a mocktail is steep even for a fancy restaurant, which Townhouse is not. I am not opposed to forking over money for food and drink, if it's good. Almost $500 including tax and tip down the drain. The service was fine. The apps and alcoholic spirits were alright, thus 2 stars.

    Photos
    Townhouse - Vegetable ravioli

    Vegetable ravioli

    Townhouse - Inside

    Inside

    Townhouse - The bar

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    The bar

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya - Beer battered black cod hanpen with cheese curd

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

    3.9(442 reviews)
    2.0 miDowntown Berkeley
    $$$

    Top contender for Japanese cuisine in Berkeley--equal parts sophisticated and scrumptious…read more Highlights include: - Sea Bean & Corn Tempura: a savory funnel cake worthy of a Michelin star thanks to its texture and the side of matcha salt - Salmon sashimi: succulent with fresh wasabi - Wagyu Shime Special: insane price for insane flavor--a generous portion of veggies and wagyu in a big ol' iron bowl of bubblin' broth

    Ate Christmas dinner here with my mom as our celebration tradition is usually a Japanese…read morerestaurant. The ambience was intimate and cozy yet elegant, and the staff was very attentive and kind. I loved the decorations, the plates and silverware, and the food was just as intentional in flavor and selection. For appetizers we had: Anchovy Stuffed Olives Tempura - Tempura Spanish alives stuffed with anchovies $9 Kombu Tsukudani - Premium Hokkaldo kelp, say sauce, bonito, shiso, sesame seeds, enjoy with sake or rice $6 For our meal we had: Saba Bouzushi - House-cured saba mackerel bouzushi - stick-shaped sushi, also called battera, served with shiso, sesame, scallions, topped with Hokkaido shiraita kombu, ten pieces $29 Gindara Yuanyaki - Local black cod marinated in soy sauce and shikuwasa Okinawan citrus juice served grilled $34 Steelhead Trout Nabe - Norwegian ocean trout raised sustainably in the clear, cold ford where the seawater meets fresh meltwater from the glaciers in the mountains. Enjoy the rich flavored, melt-in-your-mouth fish, hotpot with dashi broth, mushrooms, napa cabbage, burdock, clear noodles, tofu, mizuna, scallions, yuzu kosho $39 We've been to many izakaya spots and this place had some of the most unique flavors I've tasted. The Saba Bouzushi stood out to me because it reminded of Filipino paksiw but as a roll! The Gindara was buttery and soft and had a yummy smoky flavor. The Nabe was perfect for a rainy evening - hearty, fresh, and so well balanced in flavor (I loved the yuzu kosho the had us add for a citrusy, peppery flavor)

    Photos
    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya - Uni chawanmushi -- savory custard with shrimp and vegetables topped with sea urchin

    Uni chawanmushi -- savory custard with shrimp and vegetables topped with sea urchin

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya - Duck tataki -- seared duck served medium rare.

    Duck tataki -- seared duck served medium rare.

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya - Fried night smelt with nanban sauce

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    Fried night smelt with nanban sauce

    The Wolf - Halibut

    The Wolf

    4.2(562 reviews)
    0.9 miPiedmont Ave, North Oakland
    $$$

    I just began going to the wolf this month and my favorite time to go is for brunch…read more I had been hearing so much about the fried chicken salad that they have and I tried it - it was so amazing - I also added a side of aioli to dip my chicken in (hack). I also tried the gazpacho which was very refreshing. The bar is so beautiful and let's in a lot of sunlight. I was greeted by 2 amazing bartenders - Miguel and Stacey who took great care of me , and made the best espresso martinis! I definitely will be back !

    I ordered Octopus, Pork Chop, Duck Breast, Halibut, and Brussel Sprouts with a drinks. I made a…read morereservation for my birthday to celebrate with family. I honestly looked forward to eating here since it was on the Michelin guide and read some great reviews here on yelp. Even though I was excited to visit, after dining here, my expectations came out to a disappointment. For a table of 4 we were left unsatisfied and a little hungry after losing our appetite. 3/5 of what's ordered was a bust. The menu prices were a medium-high, especially for entree, I had higher expectations which I don't mind paying for, but the food wasn't convincing enough that the price was an afterthought. I couldn't justify what I was paying for after eating. Plating is beautiful but for over $39 of entree you would have expected at least some starch and maybe a few or more pieces of fibrous greens. For the price of the duck breast and pork chop that was mid, it would have been better buying a whole roast duck and crispy pork at a chinese roastery for a third of the price. Food: Octopus was good 4/5 I'd definitely recommend grabbing it as your starter. It was very tender and I enjoyed the flavors. Wish there was more. Brussel Sprouts 1/5 I don't recommend. It was overly cooked to the point the texture inside was mushy and the outside was burnt to the point it was very bitter. The sauce/dressing for it was delicious but that wasn't enough to help so we sent it back. Halibut 4/5 Best entree I'd recommend. It was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious for it. Pork Chop 2.5/5 The sauce was good but the taste reminds me of a vinaigrette salad dressing. I did wish there was more flavor from the pork but it was fine. The meat was nice and tender. Unfortunately the pork bone was still rare on the inside, otherwise it would've gotten a higher score. Duck Breast 2/5 I'm not sure if the chef intentionally cooked the duck breast to be that rare but I fully expected a nice medium from the photos I've seen from the reviews. We weren't a fan and left it half eaten (mostly the medium pink parts). The duck wasn't tender and very chewy. Was more gamey. Skin wasn't crispy or rendered enough and was more of a rubbery, flabby and a thick texture. It was very unfortunate because the sauce was very delicious. Dessert 4/5 Although we didn't finish the pork or duck entree and asked for the check, I didn't expect it but I really appreciated the surprised complimentary dessert. The ice cream birthday cake was good but because I had lost my appetite, we didn't finish it and decided to leave after a couple bites. Service 5/5 Staff were very friendly and accommodating. I accidentally reserved for a table of 2 instead of 4 and fortunately the host was cool about it and we were lucky enough to have extra seating available. Water was consistently refilled without being asked. We were checked on regularly but not to the point we were constantly hovered over. Table was cleaned with our plates and utensils changed after each meal which was nice. Ambience It's cute and cozy. The outside dining is nice for a warm day. The bar area is nice. Drinks were good. I would come back just to hang out at the bar.

    Photos
    The Wolf - The dining area

    The dining area

    The Wolf - Strawberry Crostini - sweetness of the strawberries and honey perfectly offset the savory richness of the whipped feta

    Strawberry Crostini - sweetness of the strawberries and honey perfectly offset the savory richness of the whipped feta

    The Wolf - Duck liver pâté comes with this adorable fried biscuit. The late was sinfully delish!!

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    Duck liver pâté comes with this adorable fried biscuit. The late was sinfully delish!!

    Bag O' Crab - Lobster Roll w/ Sweet Potato Fries - Tasty!

    Bag O' Crab

    3.7(324 reviews)
    2.4 miDowntown Berkeley
    $$

    My fav is the C3 combo with Mala spice, medium. Try the MALA SPICE. It is pungent with flavor and…read morecan be quite spicy. I sometimes also buy a side order of the atomic sauce mild. It takes me two settings to finish. I always phone in my order and pickup. The restaurant isn't too big inside and the tables I believe are up to 4ppl. Parking is not good as it is in downtown Berkeley near the college.

    Came in during a weekday evening right before the rush. Was able to find street parking right in…read morefront but it took a few trips around the block. It gets really busy as this location is near the college. It wasn't busy when we first arrived. Was seated right away. Ordered a bottled beer as they don't have any on tap. As far as the food, we asked if the crawfish was fresh and they said it was frozen, so we opted out of ordering that. Went with the shrimp and crab combo instead. For the flavor, we went with the atomic sauce (which includes all of the flavors: original Cajun, lemon pepper, and garlic butter) and for the heat, we went with medium. We also ordered the Cajun fish special cause my friend wanted to try it. When the food came out, they don't bring anything to throw away the shells in which is something I'm not used to. I don't like to just throw it away on the table which is what the server recommended so we just threw it away on this tray the food came served to us on. The sauce was good. Not spicy at all but that was ok. Shrimp was cooked perfectly. Not too big a fan of the crab but my friend wanted that instead of the crawfish. (I would've gotten the clams instead but that's just my preference). The fish special was cooked perfectly. Big portion also. Came with a side of coleslaw and white rice. I would order that again. As far as the service, they didn't really check on us at all. Not even when it wasn't busy. Never asked us if we wanted water or anything. So not the best service. They were nice enough though. Place was clean. Bathrooms were clean. Music selection was great. Didn't get pictures of the food but I did attach the menu photos I took.

    Photos
    Bag O' Crab
    Bag O' Crab - Dungeness Crab and Corn on the Cob

    Dungeness Crab and Corn on the Cob

    Bag O' Crab - Lagunitas bottled beer

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    Lagunitas bottled beer

    Marica - seafood - Updated September 2026

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