Went to Forge on saturday night with friends at 5:30pm. 0) I…read moredid have reservations. Restaurant is not crowded at all. I guess, it is kind of early. 1) Decor is clean and modern look. Patio look good, but that night is pretty cold. So I sit inside. 2) They did some Halloween decor, cute. 3) Ordered squash pizza and sausage pizza and chicken wing, brussel sprout. All are very good. 4) Friends ordered beer, there is beer board there, I don't drink alcohol. I got ice-tea. 5) Employees/waitress are very nice 6) Food arrived pretty fast. 7) Pizza taste very good. 8) I ate in the Forge in Napa, not sure whether it is the same company. Will be back again.

Apple salad was great. It stops there. Fish and chips were under cooked and batter had a sweet…read moretaste to it. Fries under cooked as well. I got the ahi tuna appetizer for my main. Huge mistake. There was about a tablespoon of chopped up ahi with 1/2 cup of onions and a 1/2 cup smashed avocado mixture and half a plate of chips. Our drinks took forever too. We are done with our meal by 20 minutes by the time our second order came out. Very disappointing. We won't be back.

Sfizio serves up incredible homemade pasta with a wonderfully straightforward menu. It has been…read morepopular since day one, and luckily, we live close by! The Wait and Drinks: We arrived around 6:30 PM on a Friday evening and joined the line. Even with 4 to 5 small groups ahead of us, the queue moved quickly thanks to the incredibly efficient staff working hard to get tables ready. To pass the time, we each ordered a low-alcohol cocktail while waiting: SFIZIO: Made with amaro, mazzura, and tonic lime. It was surprisingly flavorful! NEGRONI SBAGLIATO: A delicious blend of mazzura, vermouth, and prosecco. SONOMA ROSÉ: A refreshing mix of rosé aperitif, strawberry, soda, and mint. When we reached the front, we placed our order for appetizers and pastas right before being led to our table. The food arrived the fast. The Appetizers: GRILLED SUMMER SQUASH (cherry tomatoes, yogurt, za'atar oil) - The flavors were perfectly balanced. The herby notes combined with the sweet summer veggies made this very enjoyable. GRILLED SHRIMP + MELON (adobo, cucumber, mint) - A standout dish! I absolutely loved the adobo sauce with the shrimp, and the sweet, ripe melon paired beautifully with it. The Pastas: (Full disclosure: I forgot to take photos for pasta dishes because we dove right in, but they tasted amazing!) SPAGHETTI (tomato sauce, basil, grana, and meatballs) - This is a staple on their permanent menu for a reason. Always reliable, always good. TAGLIATELLE (morel mushrooms, fresh corn, crème fraîche) - Absolutely sublime. The seasonal ingredients really shined here. CASARECCE (basil-walnut pesto, green beans) - Divine. The pasta had a perfect, chewy texture, and the subtle pesto flavor wasn't overwhelming. Pro-Tips for Customers: Keep coming back: Their menu changes every 2 to 4 weeks, so there is always something new and seasonal to try alongside their staple dishes! Don't fear the queue: Don't let a line outside scare you off. Their ordering system and staff are so efficient that you'll be sitting down with hot food in no time.

Sfizio is a very cute spot that is perfect for small groups of 4 or less. Much larger groups can be…read moreaccommodated outside. Our pastas came out within minutes of ordering. The pasta was the perfect al dente and each dish we ordered was very well rounded in flavor. I especially loved my corn and scallion oil pasta. The service is very fast. They were quite attentive to ask whether my friend was ready for another refill on his beer. The staff was also attentive on clearing empty plates. However, once 2 of my friends were finished with their meal, they stopped paying attention to our table for water refills. It was very apparent they were focused on turning tables which is fair since there are only so few tables inside. During my visit, Sfizio did not give the sort of ambiance of being the place to have a thorough sit down dinner. It is definitely was the spot to eat dinner rather quickly to pop over to the next destination of our night.

Italian wheat for the pasta!…read more That's great for those of us who believe that American wheat with its glyphosates are harmful They use this for their house- made bread and their pasta The service and ambiance are pleasant neighborhood spot, and the happy hour bar scene was full when we went in a weeknight. It's much easier to get a reservation here than at Bellanico. Bellanico had the best Italian in the Bay, but Donato is very good

This was my second time coming in for dinner. The food was good, and I still think the plates could…read morebe a bit larger and more shareable. The manager, Jason, is very kind, friendly, and welcoming he sets a great tone for the restaurant. Unfortunately, my experiences with Alex have been consistently negative. The first time I visited, he was my server, and the interaction felt rude and condescending. I decided to give the place another chance and returned, this time sitting at the bar. Even then, I still had to deal with Alex, and once again it was unpleasant. He repeatedly ignored me when I tried to get his attention. Twice I said "excuse me" as he walked by; the first time he ignored me, the second time he said "one moment," but never came back. A simple request that should take less than a minute dragged out for 30 minutes. I'm not going to allow Alex's terrible attitude overshadow my experience because the bartender was helpful. When I told them my drink didn't taste the way it usually tasted, they fixed i hope next time I'm here I do not have to deal with Alex attitude.

Received amazing service and experience in this cozy Rockridge restaurant. The servers were very…read moreknowledgeable and if they didn't know, they were quick to find out for us. We asked so many questions but they were so patient with us! Much appreciated. You can move around and watch the chefs prepare in the open kitchen, too! Contrary to what I had believed for a long time, the price point is not as pricey as I thought considering Italian in Rockridge. So if you're like me and stayed away, so give them a try and fall in love with this neighborhood gem.

Came here because the Italian place down the street had a long wait. Next door is a Mexican place…read moreand that was also full. This place seemed empty- only 2 other tables. We were sat quickly and by the time the appetizers came out, it all made sense. The cheese plate was so bare I was shocked. Then the gem salad came out and it was so sad looking I almost chortled when she placed it on the table. The broccolini pasta was super bitter -- way more bitter than it should be. Also for some reason the olive oil tastes rancid. They did offer free bread that I saw them cutting from what looked like a baguette bought from Safeway. We also got the pasta ragu. The pasta itself was aldente but the sauce did not have much depth of flavor. Really seemed like something I could make at home. Decor was bare. Lots of seating though. I would recommend this place if you're wanting a cozy quiet dining experience.

$7.72 Margherita: the fluffiest most delicate focaccia ever. This was very unique; I really liked…read moreit. Despite being full from already having eaten a lunch, I almost wanna go back and grab a second slice of this.

I was around the area, had done quite a bit of walking, and wanted something light that wouldn't…read moreleave me feeling too heavy. I came across Casa Barotti on Yelp, saw the photos, and it immediately caught my attention. The moment I walked in, the atmosphere reminded me of a calm little lounge. The music and overall vibe made it a really relaxing place to sit and eat. I was greeted and welcomed by one of the staff members, and since it was my first time, he was very patient and helpful when I had questions. After ordering, I sat by the wall and noticed some of the little details around the restaurant. They were pretty creative, even using an empty tomato can to hold the utensils and everything you need to eat! They also had pepper and chili oil available on the side. I wouldn't have minded having some extra seasonings like dried oregano, but that's just a small preference. I ordered the classic Margherita pizza and the mushroom & leek pizza. The presentation was beautiful. Both pizzas came out fresh from the oven on wooden boards, and they even sliced them up. The crust had the perfect crunch, and the Margherita was simple but incredibly flavorful without feeling too heavy. But if you're feeling adventurous, I'd definitely recommend trying the mushroom & leek. It was absolutely mouthwatering and had so much flavor. Overall, this was a really enjoyable meal with a great atmosphere, beautiful presentation, and delicious pizza. I'd definitely come back again

A gem in Oakland! I've only tried the pizza, and it definitely didn't disappoint. I love that the…read morecrust was the perfect texture--not too thin or too thick. Pricing is a little on the expensive side, but the quality and convenient location make up for it. The service was fair, but not particularly memorable. Overall, a solid pizza spot that I'd definitely come back to.

My friend and I stopped in for lunch, and it was our first time there…read more We got a Smoky Eggplant and The Conrad. Though both pizzas were delicious, we both preferred The Conrad--it was so flavorful. I think I might've expected the eggplant in the other pizza to be close to charred, but it wasn't. Still pretty tasty though. And the crust! The bite is so nice, yet light and crispy. I also got a Spritz, which was a lovely and refreshing drink. We sat on one of the outside tables. Lots of foot traffic in the area now. Not too many people eating inside--it was midweek after all--but the pick-up orders were steady. Service was friendly. It "felt" pricey, given the size of the pizzas and unfussy space, but the pizzas sure are tasty. So good, my husband and I picked up two more pizzas from there a couple nights later, and he was impressed, too.

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.

Fun spot! Great service and beats…read more Snails, veg crudite with koji dip and the banana bread with caviar - a revelation!!! Love all the natural wine and local Den sake! Be aware if you make a rezi - you have a 2 hour limit (2 people).

3.5 STARS True to…read moreits name, Snail Bar moves at a decidedly leisurely pace... It is a wine bar after all so maybe the slow service is intentional so make sure to go with peeps who you enjoy spending time with. With national buzz and a Michelin Bib Gourmand, Snail Bar is known for natural wine and creative, chef-y small plates. Its Saison alum founder has since moved to France, with an Atelier Crenn and Verjus alum now leading the kitchen. I don't drink wine, so it wasn't on my radar until SF Chron raved about their steak frites. We happened to be at 51 & Tel for HH less than two blocks away, spotted a last-minute rezzy and figured - why not? If you want to sit inside, rezzies are a must. The outdoor seating is more readily available. M E N U Globally influenced Californian cuisine with a hyper-seasonal menu that changes weekly. Mainstays are the crudités, snails, and ham & cheese sandwich. Beer, natural wine, sake, and non-alkie drinks available. 20% service charge added to bill which counts as gratuity. D R I N KS * Den "Blanc Nama #12" Sake (Glass - $14) * Berry Kombucha ($9) F O O D * Creole Pork Cracklins ($7) Light and crunchy, these lowkey remind me of chicharrón de harina, cracker-like chicharrónes that aren't pork skin. Fine to snack on but in hindsight, we should've ordered the Acme sesame levain instead. * A La Isla Tuna Tostadas w/ brokaw avocado, pineapple, charred salsa (2 pc-$30) IHMO, very steep pricing for the size. The tuna was fresh and sat over a thin layer of mashed avocado but the tostada seemed like it had been sitting for a bit and had lost that peak crispness. The charred salsa surprisingly didn't have the flavor and punch as I expected. * Ham & Cheese Sandwich ($17) My fav part of our meal, simple but done incredibly well - King's Hawaiian sweet bread is spread with dijon mustard and kewpie mayo, layered with comté + gruyère. Sweet, salty, and savory with nutty molten cheese oozing from the crunchy bread. The pickled peppers add the perfect acidity to cut through all that richness. * Snail Bar Steak Frites ($38) - Default: Rare Beautifully rosy red, the two slices of steak is lean and tender with a nice beefy flavor. While a bit too aggressively salted for me, I enjoyed the lingering black pepper kick. The hand-cut frites were incredibly crunchy with a fluffy soft interior. They remind me of Trick Dog's addictive thrice-cooked fries. BUT, Snail Bar only gives you seven small fries. Shrinkflation is working OT here! * Snails w/ cashew miso, gooseberry ($24, taken off bill) Sadly, we never got to try it. After two follow-ups and an hour wait, the snails never arrived so I cancelled it. Bummer. S E R V I C E Friendly and warm staff but painfully slow service, the pacing of the courses seemed to have dragged on longer than we expected... def not ideal if you're hangry. A M B I A N C E Intimate and cozy hipster bar vibes with moody lighting, retro checkerboard floors, and open kitchen. On the night we visited, they had a good house-centric playlist giving it a buzzy energy. Overall, I can see why Snail Bar is popular with wine enthusiasts seeking a cool space to romance the bottle and nosh on chef-driven small plates. I probably would've enjoyed the experience more if the food arrived at a better pace and the prices weren't so break-yo-wallet steep for such a casual setting.