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.

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.

There isn't much that needs to be said about kitava besides "I'm obsessed"! I thoroughly enjoyed my…read moremeal and experience at kitava. The restaurant itself is super cute, and the ordering process is a breeze. The staff were super friendly, and the food came out quickly. I love a good self-serve water station, and they get extra points for having a delicious cucumber water! I was so impressed by the freshness and quality of the food, especially since everything was gluten free. My boyfriend and I both chose the "build your own bowl" option. In my bowl, I chose: - cauliflower rice - crispy chicken - charred broccoli - brussels sprouts - ponzu ginger sauce First of all, my bowl was phenomenal. Every single element was delicious and flavorful. I highly recommend everything I got. It was my perfect bowl! My boyfriend chose: - jasmine rice - paprika chicken - charred broccoli - chimichurri mushrooms - pickled onions - jalapeño lime dressing His bowl was also so delicious. I thought that the chicken tasted like a better, higher quality chipotle chicken. The ingredients were so fresh tasting, and the jalapeño lime dressing was so good. I also wanted to give their desserts a try, so we went with the dark chocolate chip cookie. This was the most "gluten free" tasting thing out of everything we got. The texture of the cookie was unlike normal cookies, but that didn't bother us much. The cookie itself was more on the "less-sweet" side, and was packed with rich dark chocolate. While not exactly my thing, it's worth a try for true dark chocolate lovers! Overall, I was so impressed by kitava. It is the perfect option when you want something healthy and fresh, but do not want to sacrifice flavor. I was absolutely be back!

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.

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!

It is just so incredible, the environment is so authentic and clean! We came here to celebrate my…read moregraduation, and the team made it unforgettable. Alan, Sarah, and the rest of the staff were remarkably warm and welcoming. To make the occasion even more special, they treated us to extra desserts and snacks including their delicious house-made mochi and fresh French fries! Every single dish was incredible, and I honestly couldn't pick a favorite if I tried. I can't wait to come back and try the other seasonal menu!

Sun Moon Studio, West Oakland, 4 tables, 12 seats, one Michelin star, SF Chronicle best new…read morerestaurant in the Bay Area. Got a reservation six weeks out to the minute because thats how this works and it was worth every second of the effort. 13 course tasting menu from two Benu and Per Se alums, Alan Hsu and Sarah Cooper. The Taiwanese sausage course stopped the table cold. Monterey spot prawn with tofu was precise and clean. Dry aged duck had this depth that just doesnt happen without real technique. Every course earned its place. The space is a converted garage in an industrial block, white hanging cloths from 20 foot ceilings, four wooden tables. Completely unpretentious for a restaurant operating at this level. 5 stars, one of the best meals ive had anywhere. Set your alarm for noon exactly six weeks before you want to go

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 :)

I haven't been here in a while, but I have always enjoyed coming here. The mini burgers are…read moredelicious and so are the garlic fries. There is many other items on the menu, but these are the items that I recall at this moment I will update soon if I have another opportunity to revisit the menu or have another visit. Until then, enjoy!

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!

My friend recommended this place to me solely because of the espresso martini. It did not…read moredisappoint. This cute bar with a hidden patio is known for their craft cocktails and I understand why! It's such a cute vibe inside, very tasteful and chic - a great gals night out. We ordered some not-super-memorable dishes like the tator tots and a basil pasta. I'd return for the drinks!

We stopped into north light for some pre-dinner cocktails and it was great! They had a fun range of…read moreunique drinks that were both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. They have an adorable outdoor patio and a shot gun style bar inside. Our server was friendly and helpful! Although we didn't get any food, it smelled and looked amazing. We will definitely be back in the future.