Fantastic food, great service and wonderful back patio. Their oysters are fresh and sourced well…read more ClearLovely restaurant.

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.

Great food ....every dish was unique, immaculate vibe .. and above all great people!!!!read more

Positives: The food was very good, as was the attentive service. And they accept plastic payment…read more Instead of tipping, they add a 20% surcharge to cover both the front and rear of the house. Negatives: Very small venue, so reservations are a must. The menu is always in a state of flux, much of it in French (none of us are fluent), and only one lager beer on tap. On the spendy side of the spectrum. Editorial comments: First time visit, so I didn't really know what to expect, although I've had my share of trendy little restaurants. Upon arriving at the outdoor podium to check in, a young man in a paint spattered T-shirt greeted us and showed us our table. I wasn't expecting formal dinner wear, but is there such a thing as too casual? However, the food and service didn't disappoint. I don't eat mollusks or raw shellfish, but my catfish was excellent. The beer was OK. I would suggest reading the current menu prior to arriving if possible, so the ordering process isn't needlessly drawn out. Have your questions on the tips of your tongues, unless you're a regular who is familiar. Not in the greatest neighborhood, parking can be a challenge. We chose to take Lyft to and from, which turned out to be a good choice. Small. Bohemian. Uber casual-chic. Bring sun screen and a hat if you're seated outside. Background music was good, classic rock without rap or hip hop influences. Worried about being under-dressed? Don't be. You'll fit right in, and may be offered a job!

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.

Update: - get crudo anything - scallop and halibut were…read moregreat tonight - house wine is a blend made in house, superb - whoa that abalone - getting this guy every time and doubling the order Keep on, keepin' on: - gnocchi - chef's kiss - oysters - dessert, Passionfruit posset - fried chicken, collards, biscuit, mash - black cod Continues to be fantastic, spendy, but this is quality good food and great ambiance.

Jollibee for the win!…read more Professional food critics love Sirene's fried chicken. Yelp and Reddit are mixed. Most on Google like it. I'm in the teeny tiny minority and it wasn't my jam. Two small pieces were $25...I could have gotten a bucket of Jollibee's! Ok, I know that's like comparing Zuni's roast chicken to Costco's rotisserie chicken so to put this in perspective, Sirene's fried chicken is double the price of Ad hoc's. I don't mind paying for great food but for the price, I expected the fried chicken to be drop your draws, bomb.com. More on that later. Sister resto to The Morris in the city, Sirene has earned strong praise for its seafood, fried chicken, and thoughtfully curated wine program. By day, the same space also operates as a café serving coffee and pastries. Reviews for both concepts are combined under a single listing. Rezzies are highly recommended for dinner service. They have a lovely back patio perfect in this weather we've been having. D R I N K S * Sipsmith Gin & Club Soda ($14 x2) Stiff and nicely carbonated. F O O D * Big Eye Tuna (4 pc-$18): https://tinyurl.com/5n8bz2hu Great palate opener, the fresh tuna was served in a light citrusy sauce. * Sea Scallop Crudo w/ yuzu, almond vinaigrette, bee pollen, caviar ($21): https://tinyurl.com/y8ec2ehz Clean and delicate, with a buttery texture and a subtle pop of umami from the caviar. * Santa Barbara Purple Uni ($25) Fresh, sweet, and briny. * Pizza w/ shrimp chorizo, charred broccoli, raclette ($25): https://tinyurl.com/3ta4dy87 Love the leopard spotted, chewy crust and the creamy, mildly nutty raclette cheese. The shrimp chorizo tho? Underwhelming...it was hard to tell whether they were aiming for a Spanish or Mexican style, but it came across as bland. * Fried Chicken w/ choice of one side (2 pc -$25): https://tinyurl.com/4bpryc3m Considering the hype and that the fried chicken took up 1/4 the menu, expectations were high. It came out unusually dark and the batter was hard as a rock on the first bite. I asked if that's their style and was told it can vary, and they kindly re-fired it. The re-fire looked better, but it still wasn't for me - the crust remained hard on the teeth and the white meat was dry. - Side: Octopus Kimchi - I thought the kimchi would be a nice acidic contrast to the fried chicken but it was an incredibly sour, salt bomb. - Mashed Potatoes ($6) - Decent, creamy and smooth. - Biscuit ($6) - While small, the warmed biscuit was lightly crisp on the outside with a soft, tender interior and a buttery, slightly tangy flavor. * Fish & Chips: Ling cod, piquillo pepper aioli ($25): https://tinyurl.com/bdftrdc6 Redeeming the fried chicken, the fish was light and flaky with an airy, crispy batter. It came with a generous pile of hot, crunchy fries and a piquillo pepper aioli that added a smoky, slightly sweet, tangy finish. * Buttermilk Ice Cream ($5): https://tinyurl.com/4hbp5629 My fav part was the buttery shortbread cookie. I think they accidentally added too much salt, as the buttermilk ice cream was salty. S E R V I C E Wonderful hospitality from the manager, David. Food service was prompt with well-paced courses. A M B I A N C E Lively, casual bistro with exposed bricks, amber lighting, and wood-fired oven. P A R K I N G Street parking was relatively easy for an early Sunday dinner. Overall, I can see why Sirene is popular in the Oakland food & wine scene. Def worth a visit if you're looking for modern, elevated California-inspired cuisine paired with cozy, neighborhood vibes.

Le Marine Fish and Grill, inside the Emeryville Public Market, easy spot to walk past and not…read morenotice but glad i didnt. Got the 3 piece fish and chips, wild caught cod in a british style beer batter, comes out actually crispy not that soggy sad batter you get at most places. Mediterranean spices in there too which you dont expect but it works. Subbed the garlic fries, correct decision. Tartar sauce is housemade and you can taste it, asked for extra and they didnt make me feel bad about it. Clean setup, fast counter service, good option when youre in the market and dont want to commit to a full sit down situation. 5 stars, best fish and chips in Emeryville and its not really close

Great service and I like the location because you can get drinks or desserts from other…read morerestaurants. I got the fish and chips. The fish tasted fresh, with a great batter crust. The tartar sauce was horrible though- tasted like straight mayonnaise. The fries were just okay. I'll try it again but with sweet potato fries.

Don't let the area or front fool you. This place is a hidden gem. Very relaxed atmosphere and…read moregreat food.

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.

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)

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.