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    Portal Oakland

    4.1 (1.8k reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 9:30 pm

    Portal Oakland Photos

    Business Info

    PORTAL OAKLAND ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Portal Oakland

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    Ultima M.

    First time here Came here during Happy Hour from 3-6 on the weekdays There is tons of seating inside and also in the patio area Venue is clean and nicely decorated There is a Tv showing sports (no volume) Menu is has lots of options and craft beer selection is great No liquor served here only beer and wine On Mondays they have Trivia nite starting at 7pm Customer service is friendly Ambiance is chill/drama free Parking is street parking only

    Weekend Special
    Nina M.

    Came here for brunch on a Sunday right when they opened and there was plenty of seating. Staff was extremely friendly and gave us a couple options to sit outside since it was such a lovely day and with a view of the lake. They have a good amount of seating outside and a handful inside. Keep in mind sitting inside is not ideal since your sitting much closer to other people and it gets very noisy. The menu had an assortment of items along with a specials menu - I'm a sucker for those! We grabbed a pitcher of their pineapple mimosa and some coffee. Both were very flavorful and paired well with my Salmon Benedict. The Benedict (which came with potatoes) was ok flavor could have been strong so had to add salt and pepper. Overall food was ok, but what really stood out was the service especially from Lori who was constantly checking in on tables and making sure everyone was happy. Great brunch spot to meet with friends.

    Cat N.

    Oakland has many great spots , we picked this one for brunch . Food was outstanding, the four of us were very happy with our different breakfast items The ambiance is good, great Bay Area vibe , its dog friendly and offer dog menu items , scrambled eggs for my dog looked very good, she didn't share tho Our waiter was awesome and kept checking on us and her other tables , a great experience , found parking by the lake which is a block away

    Steak and egg
    Dartise J.

    The food was amazing, the vibe was great and the server was amazing. The serve was nice and very helpful, the food was a 10/10 try everything, nothing disappoints. The vibe is great and you can see the lake while you eat.

    Carne asada con quesadilla from happy hour menu
    Monica B.

    This place is great! We came in a large group for brunch and they were able to accommodate us in the back patio. The reservation page on their website is super convenient. Elvis and his coworkers really took good care of us! Good and drink options are great; food was tasty. Service friendly and pretty fast. I've also been here for happy hour and they've got a great one as well.

    Raymond S.

    We came here for brunch and it was PACKED but we had reservations so i wasn't worried about that. We were seated outside looking at the lake which is always so pretty. I live in the area so I never really take it in. ANYWAYS the food was delish! And the drinks?... DELISH! The staff were so helpful and great at giving recommendations to a table of 9 people. Theres a little of everything for everyone. Its very lively in there, great for groups. I want to go back for lunch. Definitely a place to try if youre in the area or if youre planning a group brunch.

    Side of waffle
    Stephanie A.

    Finally got to dine in after a great DoorDash experience last time. We came in for brunch on Saturday and were able to sit in their outdoor seating in the back. I really love this place now. The food and drinks were delicious -- the Bloody Mary was tasty, and everything we ordered came out piping hot, smoky, and fresh. I'm definitely a repeat customer.

    Michelle M.

    Breakfast at Portal on a Sunday morning was absolutely outstanding and easily one of the best brunch experiences we've had in a while. We started with drinks the espresso martini was to die for! It was rich, smooth, and perfectly balanced with just the right espresso kick. The orange mimosa was a classic done right light and refreshing. For our appetizerwe tried the garbage bread, which turned out to be a creative twist on pizza with the cheesy, sausage savory goodness rolled up in a warm wrap and served with a flavorful tomato dipping sauce. It was fun, filling, and full of flavor. For our main course, we both went with the chicken biscuits and gravy and it completely exceeded expectations. It was comforting, flavorful, and unlike anything I've had before. As for the service was friendly and attentive but most importantly honest. The way the server was able to describe the item we decided on was extremely accurate. He was right! We made excellent choices and every turn was delicious. The ambiance was modern, clean, and welcoming -- the kind of place that makes you want to stay a little longer. I don't always give a full five stars, but Portal truly earned it. No complaints here. The food was amazing, great drinks, and an overall wonderful experience. I'll definitely be back! Also forgot to mention that parking may be a little tricky since it is a semi busy area but IT IS WORTH the trouble. You will not regret!

    Pineapple mimosa & Irish coffee
    Michelle P.

    My boyfriend brought me to Portal on a Sunday afternoon, both of us starving for a bite to eat. We were given the option to either be seated immediately indoors or wait 5 minutes to be seated outdoors. We sat indoors and were served the bartender. She was nice, but kept calling my boyfriend "love" & "babe", which made both of us feel a bit uncomfortable. As for the food, everything was delicious. I especially enjoyed the curry fries, the seasoning was really yummy. I enjoyed my Irish coffee (the cinnamon on top was a nice touch!), but my boyfriend wasn't too impressed about the mimosa. The ambiance is very cute, although we sat indoors I wish we would have sat outdoors!! I checked out the outdoor seating quickly and was very surprised to see how well lit and lively it was! I would recommend others come try this spot out, it's worth giving it a try.

    Potato pancake
    Tiffany S.

    Sorry this place is so overhyped! I got the potato pancake which was a special over the weekend- and what came out looks like a pile of shredded potato hashbrowns with some thinly sliced ham barely mixed in with scrambled eggs on top. For $24 and listed as a special over the weekend was especially a disappointing meal- potato pancake wasn't in any shape of a pancake, wasn't crispy at all. It was very bland. Don't think I'll be back anytime soon.

    Fried Chicken Mini Burgers
    Michael N.

    Melvin was an amazing and courteous server. The food was amazing. The place had good vibes. I highly recommend. Good to take a walk at the lake afterwards.

    Chicken & Waffles
    Mike D.

    I love this place! Second time here. Had the shrimp and grits on first visit. This time around I had the Fire & Seoul chicken sandwich! Great flavor with a small touch of spice. Added the lime fries to this item. Great combo and just squeeze some of the lime on your plate into the ketchup! Really nice touch in flavor there. 3 others in group had the chicken and waffles, said to be fluffy and sweet with crispy hot juicy chicken. The service has been friendly and always on top of things. A great patio area to sit and eat. Didn't like the little flower/leaves that fell from over the patio top, as some can get into food, but nice to sit outside to enjoy your food.

    Town Scramble
    Alyeska G.

    3.5 stars for the service & the fries I get why people come here truly, the vibes are cute. The service is attentive but the food was a bit meh. Out of the 4 things we got, the garlic fries were the best thing. Foreals, get the fries. Chicken & Waffles -- lacked any flavor. The chicken did not taste seasoned, its saving grace was the Louisiana hot sauce we added. Mini Chicken Burgers -- also lacked flavor and the slaw had an interesting sour cream taste. Espresso Martini -- did not taste like one. & the presentation was poor. For the price, you can find more savory spots around.

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    28 days ago

    PISS POOR. HORRIBLE customer service!!! Bland and nasty food, restaurant is also dirty. Idk how they're still in business.

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    2 months ago

    I had the chimichurri steak and eggs. OMG!! Can you say absolutely everything cooked to perfection. Will definitely be going again.

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    3 months ago

    Great housemade beet burger. Friendly service. Good vibe. Get the chili lime fries. Chilaquiles were a hit too.

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    Page 1 of 47

    Portal Oakland Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Portal Oakland

    There's no dinner menu on the website. Did they stop dinner service?

    Dinner starts nightly at 5pm.

    Is portal Dog friendly?

    Yes!

    Are they doing bottomless mimosas? I know they haven't been doing it lately but wanted to see if there were any changes.

    Hello are you able to reserve tables for a large party of 10 people?

    No, but show up early and you'll get a spot. But everyone in your group must be present to be seated during peak times.

    Are you doing bottomless mimosas again?

    We are not, since covid we no longer pass a pitcher from table to table. But we do sell mimosas by the pitcher at a really good price.

    New update on covid requirements?

    Are you guys requesting proof of vaccination?

    Can I order Bloody Marys to go?

    Yes

    Do they substitute egg whites?

    Yes, we do

    Are you dog friendly?

    Yes, well-behaved dogs are welcome.

    Do you serve bottomless mimosas on weekdays?

    No we do not

    What is the max party that can be seated? Thinking of bringing 10 or 12 people.

    We no longer have restrictions on party size... we can accommodate 12 at two tables next to each other

    Are you guys doing Sunday brunch ? I have a party of 6 do I need reservations?

    HI Cindy, we are serving Brunch every day of the week... On the weekends we open at 10am. The best time to get a table immediately would be to have your party arrive by 10. Sorry, but we do not accept reservations. Hope you come and have a great… Read more

    Are they still doing bottomless mimosas during weekend brunch?

    Due to covid restrictions, we do not pass around a pitcher from table to table anymore, so the bottomless mimosas have ended. However we do serve pitchers of mimosas in orange, cranberry, and ruby red grapefruit flavors, and they are delish!

    Are you offering indoor or outdoor dining?

    Currently we only offer outdoor dining per county covid restrictions

    Are there still bottomless mimosas available on weekends between 10am and 1pm?

    No there are not. Since Covid,, we no longer serve from one table to another with the same pitcher. But we do have pitchers of Mimosas in Orange, Pink Grapefruit, or Cranberry that can be ordered for your table.

    Is there an age limit for dinner on the outside patio?

    I don't think there is an age limit! I saw kids dining on the patio with their parents.

    Do they play the football games?

    I cannot recall Portal having TVs outside. I believe not. TVs are located inside but no one is allowed to dine. Boo COVID-19..

    Are there outdoor TVs?

    No they do not

    Are children allowed to come to brunch on the weekends with their family?

    Yes!

    Does this restaurant accept reservations?

    No, they do not take reservations.

    View All 36 Questions

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    Wood Tavern

    Wood Tavern

    4.3
    (2.4k reviews)
    3.5 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.

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

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    Almond & Oak

    Almond & Oak

    4.4
    (429 reviews)
    1.0 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.

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    Almond & Oak
    Baked strawberry rhubarb French toast
    Baked strawberry rhubarb French toast
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    Kitava

    Kitava

    4.4
    (270 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Delicious and flavorful, one of My favorite bowl places. I…read morelove the whole Folds, clean ingredients, low Processed foods. I especially love that they don't use dairy or seed oils in their dressings. I often get all veggie bowls and they are super filling. Much of the menu is also Daniel Fast- friendly

    Came here on the rec of a friend who told me she thought I'd like it. It's about a 24 min drive and…read moreI thought about ordering online for pick up, but it showed it'd only take 10 mins online and I wanted it fresh and crispy so I decided to order when I got there. I will say, if you have somewhere to be *ORDER ONLINE*. I got there and was told to order from the self serve tablet (I could have done this on my phone ahead of time), but I put in my order and sat down to wait for it. At the 22 min mark, the two groups of two behind me got their food before I did, so I went up to the worker behind the bar and asked if my order was ready and I was told mine would be next. All in all- took 32 mins. So again, if you have somewhere to be- order ahead! Food was good. Could definitely tell it was made fresh to order - not only because it took some time but because my friend cauliflower came out PIPING hot. Lots of oil drippings, so if that isn't your thing, may not be for you, but I will say that it was my fav bite. This was a good restaurant- I would say 4 stars for the food alone. BUT if you're in a pinch, either order online or maybe save this spot for when you have more time. Also- I know that good quality food is pricey, this place is no exception. But you pay for what you get and the quality is better than that of fast food.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Hummus w/ Soft Egg & Sesame Togarashi
    Hummus w/ Soft Egg & Sesame Togarashi
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    Pomet

    Pomet

    4.4
    (245 reviews)
    1.8 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
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    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)
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    Sun Moon Studio

    Sun Moon Studio

    5.0
    (44 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    Intimate, creative, delicious…read more I love how intimate the experience and space is, with Chef Sarah Cooper coming out personally to serve several courses. At the same time, it's the driver behind why reservations are so hard to get. Hard but not impossible if you just make sure to set an alarm for when they are released. The Taiwanese style sausage on steamed brioche was both my partner and my favorite dish of the night. The bun is so good. In general, I liked the smaller bites the most - egg custard tart, uni tofu, pretzel croissant! The bay leaf ice cream at the end was also a highlight. Also don't miss out on their house made chili crisp that you can buy. It's somehow not that spicy while still having all the flavor. It's my favorite thing to top noodles with right now.

    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.

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    The Wolf

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    4.2
    (550 reviews)
    1.8 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.

    A very nice lunch with a good friend. The ambiance is perfect: lots of wood and good light. The…read morefood was excellent. I had the pastrami sandwich and she the quiche, and we split the octopus appetizer, which was great. My two quibbles, which kept me from giving five stars: 1) Service was a little too eager to take our plates, Let us talk! We're not hogging the table (I don't think). 2) The cream in my coffee was slightly curdled. At this price point, these things matter. Will it stop me from returning? I doubt it.

    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!!
    Crème caramel. The toffee and whiskey cherries added a lovely texture to the dish

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    Crème caramel. The toffee and whiskey cherries added a lovely texture to the dish
    Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt

    Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt

    4.0
    (1.5k reviews)
    0.7 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
    Bardo Lounge & Supper Club

    Bardo Lounge & Supper Club

    4.3
    (330 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$

    What to say about Bardo! The vibe and decor are both immaculate. Truly put together by someone with…read morea vision and they executed it splendidly. The food is pound for pound some of the best in Oakland. My wife and I dined here last night and did the Dinner Party Menu and it did not disappoint. Everything we had was excellent but the highlights for me were the incredible scallop crudo, the fried artichokes with fava bean and pea hummus, and the chicken and grits. The other major highlight was the staff and service. Everyone was so friendly and stellar at their jobs. Finished plates were taken quickly, drink orders were filled and served within a few minutes, and new plates of food were swiftly fulfilled between courses all on a fully-packed Saturday night. I would 100% recommend Bardo to anyone visiting Oakland, or locals looking for a nice night out. Since their menu is seasonal, I can't wait to return to sample their new offerings.

    Visiting Oakland from Las Vegas, read great reviews about the Bardo Burger…read more 6/18/2026, Ambience was nice but my burger was a disappointment. Instead of getting garlic fries I was served overcooked French fries And my Bardo hamburger bun was very soggy on the bottom. I had to remove the meat and leave the soggy bun on the plate. I mentioned to the waitress that I would not be ordering the burger again and mentioned that I thought I was getting garlic aioli fries. She informed me that they do not serve garlic fries.

    Photos
    The bar
    The bar
    Mushroom Bolognese
    Mushroom Bolognese
    Ribeye.

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    Ribeye.
    Marica

    Marica

    4.4
    (2.6k reviews)
    2.7 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.

    At Merica, my partner and I were met with service staff who were warm, courteous, speedy and…read moreresponsive. The restaurant space is well-lit, has plenty of indoor seating and seems suitable for a date or casual get-together with friends. My partner would give the food a five-start rating for its simplicity, generally flavorful, with spicy sauces and THE BEST guacamole! He had the Korean spare ribs and mash potatoes. He found the ribs to be fall-off-the bone tender, with potatoes that were more whipped than mashed alongside a carrot puree. I, on the other hand, had the New York Steak and au gratin potatoes. Though I wanted to enjoy my entree, I found the New York Steak to be unfortunately chewy and with too much fat. The au gratin potatoes could have had more crispy layers but tasted mediocre. Though I'd only rate this first experience with three stars. the service staff DID win us over and could potentially be the reason I'd be open to giving it another try.

    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
    Short ribs

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    Short ribs

    Portal Oakland - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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