If you've ever been to Les Deux Magots in St. Germain, this is the spot to check out, hang out,…read moresip, while snacking on something freshly made in front of you. The ambiance will get you first, the attention to detail say's a lot about the love put into La Loulou. The service is fabulous, they will remember your last drink. I'm a quirky 'orderer' and they remembered the nuance of how I like my drink. Also, don't forget to checkout the bathroom. Merci!!!

I visited La Loulou several months ago and wanted to give it some time before writing a review…read more After recently having a wonderful experience at another wine bar, I realized the difference in hospitality was too significant not to mention. I really wanted to like this place. I'd walked by several times and loved the interior design, and the videos on Instagram made it seem like such a great spot. I stopped in one evening by myself, ordered a glass of wine and the warm olives (which were delicious), and was looking forward to a relaxing night. Unfortunately, the service was the biggest disappointment. The restaurant was packed, and the atmosphere felt more concerned with maintaining an image than making guests feel welcome. I understand some restaurants embrace a more reserved European style of service, but this came across as cold and pretentious rather than intentional hospitality. As a solo diner especially, I didn't feel acknowledged or valued as a guest. It also didn't help that the dining room had a noticeable body odor smell that took away from the experience. On a positive note, the bathroom was clean and beautifully designed. I originally thought this would become my go-to place to grab a glass of wine while waiting for a table at the ramen spot next door, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. Reading through other reviews, it seems I'm not the only one who had this impression. Oakland's charm has always been its people. You can open a French-inspired wine bar, but hospitality translates into every language. If you're going to bring a Parisian aesthetic to Oakland, don't mistake indifference for sophistication. Guests should leave feeling welcomed, not judged.

A wine bar walking distance to me?! What a dangerous thing!…read more First of all, this is your standard neighborhood wine bar. Lots of familiar faces and everyone is so nice. The first time I visited, I was only expecting to have a simple drink or two and it turned into a 2 hour adventure; drinking and chatting it up with the patrons here. The selection is great too! I love having the option of taking a bottle home. So great. Totally happy with this local watering hole and most importantly, I love that it's a simple 8 minute walk.

I liked the weeknight vibe of this downtown wine bar because I saw a good amount of solo diners…read morereading and journaling. I got the wine flight that included rose and orange wine. And shared some cheese and bread with friends. Love the addition of anchovies and curated wine selections also for purchase. Service is a bit on the slower side so allow yourself time to sit, sip, and relax.

Coco Noir has a great happy hour experience. The team was so welcoming and informative, and the…read morespace has a beautiful ambiance. I tried the Xanadu Circa 77 Cabernet Sauvignon, and it was such a nice selection. Perfect for unwinding on a solo date or a night out with friends.

Coco Noir is one of the cutest vibes in Oakland for mature people looking for a quality place to…read moreunwind, imbibe, and connect with friends. The atmosphere is quaint, welcoming, and thoughtfully curated. They frequently host live music and offer a variety of games and activities that align with what's happening around the city and the season. It's a great spot to meet friends before dinner or after dinner, although I'm not entirely sure of their late-night hours. The restrooms are clean, comfortable, and beautifully designed, which honestly matters in a wine bar. While Coco Noir doesn't offer a full menu, they do have bits and bites, including charcuterie boards crafted by an amazing chef. Chef Shan Shan puts genuine love and care into everything she creates, and she has done an outstanding job with her role at Coco Noir. Because of her alone, I've become a regular and will continue to be a loyal patron of this amazing venue. If you're looking for a cute, cozy spot to relax, connect, and enjoy good vibes, check out Coco Noir. You won't be disappointed. Tell them Dorothy sent you you may get an extra pour

Wine: 5/5 Service: 5/5…read more Ambiance: 5/5 I've been meaning to come here for a loooonnng time, but life in the South Bay has kept me away. Today, I decided to go visit some of my fav spots in Oak-town, and like Ordinaire, some spots I've been longing to explore. I'm a fan of natural wine and they have an excellent selection, arguably the Bay's best selection of natural wines. Plus, they offer a tasting flight so you can explore new wines. Bradford and his team are extremely knowledgeable and they'll steer you in the right direction. The atmosphere is just what you'd hope for in Oak... Laid back with a bit of flavor. When I arrived a few folx were hanging out in the tables on the sidewalk and there were couple more inside. Plenty of seating, a fun neighborhood to explore, so what are you waiting for? Seriously, my WFH days may involve a commute to Ordinaire in the near future!

Me? A Wino? But, of course! I totally had to try out some delicious wine over at Ordinaire and im…read morealready itching to go back. Arrived on a whim at around 7pm and the place was definitely the spot to be. Not too many folks outside, but there were tons of people in their outside "patio" I chatted up the bartender for a sec before snagging one of the funky wines. So delicious. I'm a natural wine fan so, my pick was perfect for me. I went, sipped, and sat for about 45 minutes; soaking up the last bits of daylight while spying on folks nearby. Such a nice afternoon activity and Ordinaire was the perfect backdrop.

Dropped in for wine tasting! Dog friendly with great wine in a quaint location. It can't get better…read morethan that! Friendly staff and they offered our large pup a bed. We got a bottle of Sauvignon blanc and a Tempranillo

This is the only winery in Oakland, and one of the few urban wineries in the Bay Area where you can…read morechat directly with the head winemaker in the tasting room most days. Quality whites and rosés, and a solid lineup of reds. Easy parking, and a relaxed environment. Highly recommend.

Intriguing shoppe with unique items to explore. Plus a chill spa e to hang and enjoy a cup of chia…read more Worth a visit.

The photos here misrepresent and should be updated. I was expecting a beautiful bar/cafe store…read morespace but they moved to a tiny spot in Temescal. The chai was quite weak/milky/sweet and $$$$ for what it was. I enjoyed browsing records and the smell/vibe of the place. But pls update photos as I rode my bike out of the way to check it out.

Well, I'll say this is one of my favorite spots! I'm here almost every Friday, but don't tell…read moreeverybody about my little hidden gem by the water. You're guaranteed to have an amazing time, especially when you bring good friends you can vibe with. I have a wine membership, and I love it! I receive two bottles every other month, but sometimes they don't last very long, so I just go back and purchase another bottle. I love the almond wine because I'm more of a sweet wine and champagne type of girl. I've tried at least 15 of their wines and haven't been disappointed yet. The salmon with the little roll is delicious, and I also enjoy the chicken sandwich. The salad isn't really for me because I don't care for the greedy topping they use, but that's simply my personal preference. They also host jazz festivals and other outdoor events. You can reserve an area on the grass with tables and chairs, or simply bring your own chair, order something from the bar, and relax by the water. You can even sit on the grass and read a book. The water is absolutely gorgeous at night! This is one of those places that is difficult to explain because the entire experience is so amazing. Even if you only visit once, you'll leave wanting to come back. I have no complaints, and I have plenty of videos to prove how much fun I have every time!

First, my friends and I have been customers (& wine club members) long before the family sold the…read morewinery to this Napa based corporation. But, we have not visited since the ownership change. I made a reservation to celebrate my friends' 50th birthday for 3:30pm outdoors. We arrived about 30minutes early and checked in w/the hostess. She veered us towards the back wall, where we could order a couple glasses of champagne while we waited. The young man that helped us decide which dry brut we wanted was great (bar)! We were seated before 3:30 and the metal tables can be slippery and ours was too small for everything to fit. I ended up knocking my $18 1/2 glass of champagne on the ground where it shattered (I have tremors in hands) - not a single employee came by to ask if we were ok, to clean it up, move us to another table or offer to fill my glass back up 1/2 way. This is within the first 15minutes of sitting. Our server was a ghost. She had on this dark purple, pinstriped shirt (not hard to miss) and would walk by and tell us she'd be "right back!". All she did was check in when we were first seated to ask what we wanted, before we read the menus. She didn't ask our prefereces, she didn't go over any specialty wines or specials. I was very disappointed with the entire experience. We both got the red flights on top of our champagne. We ony liked two reds and the pours were so small, it was truly difficult to tell all the depth, character and full bodiness of them. We bought no wine bottles.And, no one encouraged a sale either. I was going to get the JFJ white bubbly, but this place with its poor service, tiny pours (not even 2oz) and even tinier charcuterie plate serving sizes wasn't worth it (salami, goat cheese w/oil, espresso cheese, 1/4 baquette w/oil). I was so embarassed that I brought my friend here for her 50th thinking we'd have a blast, like at Rockwall or Dasche - NOPE. All that for $135!

1ST time and the experience was Great. Staff was attentive and informative. Fun Wednesday.read more

We were on our way to dessert but saw wine The bright sunny…read moreday and the chairs outside, made a friend and I pull over to have a glass of wine here. It's a well lit, wine store that also has cheese, crackers and other beverages to grab and go. Towards the back you can order a glass of wine or half glasses. We both tried different wines and enjoyed them. My friend had an organ wine, Esoterico. I had a red from Kid Sister. Our winetender/sommelier was helpful in answering our profile questions. I do wish we could taste a few before choosing a glass, but I do like that they have options for half glass pours. I would definitely come back here and grab another glass or a bottle to go!

Wow I'm already itching for another time at Alta Vina!…read more I got here on a Sunday afternoon and the place was packed! I was a little intimidated by the amount of folks so I swooped in for a quick drink and sat outside. The wine I snagged was great! It was a great chilled red. I sipped on that while I people watched a bit. Looks like they have tons of events coming up and I'm looking forward to coming earlier in the day in the hopes of snagging a seat at the bar. Great quick drink over at Alta Vina! It's super close and I'm looking forward to visiting again soon.

I can't believe I've been a customer since day 1 but haven't remembered to leave a review! Well…read moreit's almost been a year, better late than never! Alta Vina's a fun vibrant place to enjoy wine and hang out. Above all, that's the feeling you get when you come in: chat with proprietor Henry, or one of his staff, the grab a comfy chair or a spot at the bar. I'm super thankful that Henry took this space on after Minimo bowed out, and it's been incredible to see how Alta Vina has developed over the last year as Henry's not just finding his groove, but making his mark. We were just there this weekend for Queer Crush, and enjoyed how well the store supported the wine and food at the event!

Great coffee and awesome desserts…read more Been here a few times. Hot chocolate as well was rich and flavorful. I'm definitely coming back

Grabbed a black coffee one morning before hopping on BART…read more What I loved most was the interior and the art. It feels like a little community hub nestled downtown. I can definitely see myself coming back for a pastry, a latte, and to spend a little time doing something creative.