Came here for dinner with my sister and brother-in-law at their recommendation, and I can…read moredefinitely see why they keep coming back. The restaurant was packed and seating is pretty limited, so I'd highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time. The atmosphere is lively and energetic with casual Japanese eatery vibes, and service was friendly throughout the meal. Everything felt creative, rich in flavor, and very texture-focused. Here are the highlights: * Ankimo Mousse (monkfish liver) with sweet potato chips - Made with truffle paste, capers, and chives. Absolutely delicious. The mousse was rich and savory but surprisingly fluffy in texture -- honestly a savory girl's dream. The sweet potato chips added just enough sweetness and a snap to balance the richness of the liver. 9/10 * Bluefin Tuna & Tsubugai Sashimi Nuta - Bluefin tuna, sea snail, broccolini, and fresh wakame tossed in a sweet Kyoto yuzu miso vinaigrette. Kind of like a sashimi-seaweed salad. I really liked the vinaigrette and especially the texture of the sea snail. I'm not sure all the ingredients fully came together cohesively, but it was still enjoyable overall. 7.5/10 * Yuba (house-made tofu skin with ikura and uni) - Served as single bites on spoons. SO good. You can really taste the difference between house-made tofu skin and store-bought. It's much more delicate, creamy, and tender, with a mild soybean flavor that balanced the richness of the uni and salmon roe beautifully. The textures in this bite were incredible. 9.5/10 * Iberico Pork Jowl Skewer with miso marinade - I honestly prefer pork jowl over pork belly. The fat and meat are more integrated instead of layered, so every bite is tender, juicy, and flavorful with just the right amount of chew. So good. 9/10 * Clam & Cilantro Ramen - I've never had a ramen broth quite like this. It was slightly creamy and deeply flavored from the clams, and the cilantro added a lot of depth and freshness. The noodles had a great texture too -- chewy and bouncy. Everything worked together perfectly. 9/10 * Uni Carbonara Pasta - Pasta with parmesan, uni, and ikura. They do not skimp on the uni or roe here. Super creamy and rich with bursts of saltiness from the ikura. The texture was great, but I honestly wished it had just a tiny bit more salt to really make all the flavors pop. It was almost there for me. 7.5/10 * Desserts - We tried two desserts, including the sweet potato brûlée. Both were delicious. One had a silky panna cotta-like texture, while the sweet potato brûlée was creamy, lightly sweet, and had the perfect crackly sugar top. 9/10 Overall, such a fun meal with a lot of unique dishes and flavor combinations. There are still so many things on the menu I want to try next time. I'll definitely be back.

I've been to Kiraku twice before this visit, and I felt like the food quality was stronger prior…read more The food comes in a timely manner, staff is mindful to not fill your table as it's a small space. The standouts were the corn tempura, the sushi and the beef okonomiyaki. The skewers were good but not great; I felt the pork belly was a tad salty, and some of the pieces of the beef were slightly overcooked + chewy. The black cod was flaky but I wish it was marinated a bit more with the miso for stronger flavor. I wish I did not order the spring roll or the foil wrapped salmon. The spring roll was soggy bc the filling inside was so damp and lacked seasoning & flavor. The salmon was very dry, but the mushrooms were flavorful and juicy. Definitely recommend reservations or be ready to wait at least 45 minutes. The inside is quite small, tables as well, so be ready to sit pretty close to your neighboring patrons. Very lively atmosphere that can get loud, but could also be fun!

Outstanding service with a staff that is knowledgeable about their cocktails and food…read more We had a few tapas and all were very good. We also shared a paella dish with black rice (a first for me) that was also very good. The price was on the high side but within the "normal" range for Napa. I'd recommend it but check the menu and pricing so you're not surprised.

Walking in downtown Napa and we passed by Zuzu. Ot was inviting and the idea of tapas made us all…read moreexcited. We were seated at the counter height table so it was a bit uncomfortable with a child but its not too big of a deal. Our orders were croquettes, mussels for small plates and we ordered the zuzu paella and paella negra. We had daiquiri and singapore "something" for our drinks. Everything was tasty and good! The paellas were both delicious and the mussels has a great balance of citrus and savory! We were seated outdoors and the vibe was great! It just took a while for the check and one of the orders was late. Overall I would definitely come again for a good Spanish cuisine!

great little place in berkeley! it's a bit small but still cozy and usually has a waitlist around…read moredinner time. the sushi and gyudon wasn't really anything special, but i did really like the tofu & udon! the agedashi tofu has a nice crisp on the outside so it fast before it gets soggy in the sauce! the carbonara udon has great flavor -- i could honestly eat a whole meal of just the udon overall this place is a staple, no complaints!

2nd Visit. I'm smitten with the menu and vibes. $6 Kyuri:…read morerefreshing vinegary counter to the fried and grilled items. $12 Crispy Chicken Knees: very karage like. Excellent. $6 Bacon+Oyster: Least surprising. Tasty at least. $4.50 Chkn Skin: kinda sweet! In a good way, charred, and fatty. Delicious. $31 Ika Yaki: delicious

The number of times I've gone to Limón…read more... I've tried lomo saltado dishes at other restaurants (because I have found the need to always get this dish at a Peruvian restaurant ever since my first time at Limón), but nothing compares. I've tried a couple that have come close though! Came here on a Tuesday evening (made a reservation online for three). Lomo Saltado: always my go-to dish. I very rarely venture away from this dish (will usually get ceviche in addition). Flavorful and filling. Miscellaneous: - If you're going with a larger group or during peak meal times, recommend making a reservation - Parking is available via street parking - Good for small and large groups - The restaurant is loud

We are big fans of Limon and have visited the Walnut Creek location on multiple occasions. We were…read morein Oakland and decided to give this location a try. It is in a good location and had a nice vibe. We sat at the bar for drinks, appetizers and to watch the game. The food and drinks were just as good as the Walnut Creek location. Are server Alisha had a great vibrant personality. She provided excellent service for my wife and I. She stated this was the fun location. We did have a fun time and will definitely come back.

WE LOVE PARCHE! WOW…read more What an great spot. This place exceeded all expectations. Every dish was delightful. Great (strong) drinks, great music, and friendly/livelt atmosphere. It was an upscale meal without the pretentiousness of a stuffy white-tablecloth place. We will absolutely return.

My husband and I came here on a date night. It happened to be Oakland Restaurant Week, so there was…read morethe option to do the restaurant week Prix Fixe menu or their regular menu. We opted for the regular menu since I wanted to try the whole Brazino. The table next to us ordered the rest week menu, so we got to peek at their food. It all looked really good as well. We even lucky with the tapas platter from the restaurant instead of just empanadas because they kept mixing up our table with the one next to us. The ceviche was really yummy. It was a treat to be able to try a varity of small plate items with the tapas platter they brought to our table by accident. The Brazino was really cool, and tasted fine but it wasn't amazing. There were a few birthday celebrations when we were there. They bring your drink out in this elephant head statue to wish you a happy birthday. Overall, I woudl recommend giving this place a try. I would go again, but not sure that I would rush back soon.

I had an amazing time last night at L Compo! Everything, from the food to the service, was…read moreexceptional. The bartender, Haleema, truly stood out.Incredibly sweet, attentive, and she made some of the best drinks I've had. Highly recommend, and I'll definitely be back!

Had an amazing experience at L Campo last night! I've traveled to many cities in Spain and truly…read moreappreciate authentic Spanish food, and this place absolutely delivered. The patatas bravas were incredibly delicious, the cauliflower dish was amazing, the shishito peppers were so flavorful, and the vegan paella was such a pleasant surprise , full of flavor and beautifully prepared. My friend ordered shrimp and loved it. She had been there before and had tried the seafood paella and other dishes, and everything was excellent. The drinks were also high quality and complemented the meal perfectly. A special thank you to Patrick, our server, who was outstanding. He truly understands hospitality and made the whole experience even better with his attentiveness and professionalism. And knowing this gem is woman-owned makes it even more special. It's wonderful to support a restaurant bringing authentic Spanish flavors, excellent service, and such a warm atmosphere to Livermore. We will definitely be back!

What a delight to find this place on a rainy afternoon. The restaurant is in a comfortable old…read morehouse, and the welcoming staff seated me at a high-top next to a warm fire. I started with the creamy chicken croquetas, what a pity there were only three. I could have eaten a dozen. I also had the crispy asparagus and jamon "cigarillos" with manchego and a harissa aioli. Pure bliss. The roasted beets with walnuts and idazabal cheese were delicious and very generous, a reminder that one shouldn't go to a tapas restaurant alone! So take a friend or two and go.

On a Sunday night there aren't a lot of affordable options for dinner that are open past 8:00…read more Besides still serving after 8:00, the prices here are reasonable, the portion sizes larger than expected for tapas, and the back patio is pleasant, and surprisingly warm from the many propane heaters. The food though was disappointing. The most interesting item was the clams that came in a cava broth with garlic and parsley. They brought some toasted hearty bread to soak up the sauce. The baby kale salad was also nice with shaved fennel and manchego. The other three dishes were both off and a bit weird. The cauliflower came with bacon, which was good, and sweet dates; the dates were an odd addition and they stuck to your teeth. The calamari, was prepared well - it wasn't chewy - but it just had an off flavor, or at least one I haven't experienced before. Same too for the octopus. This was a much larger portion than typical - two tentacles, plus potatoes and olives. The octopus though was rather mealy. Small Spanish red wine list; only four. Tried two and neither were our favorites. The 1970s-80s classic rock soundtrack was an odd choice for background music.

Not bad! We usually go to the location in SF Embarcadero, but wanted to venture out this time…read more Was a Saturday afternoon during lunch hour; saw the lot was full and farmers market was going on. At first no one acknowledged me and the kids walking in and wasn't sure if we should seat ourself. Had to ask two different persons what to do to get a seat. A few minutes later I saw the host and she said oh yea we got a table for two adults and 3 lil kiddos! This is a pro (considering in SF you can wait up to half an hour!). Shout out to the chefs, Youssef- quirky guy, and Khephra- loved that she chatted w the kiddos! Sweet folks who were attentive, personable, quick to respond to whatever the boss babies needed! They even brought out slices of oranges since the kiddos were eyeing it in our Old Fashioned cocktails! Happy the food came out quick! Youssef even recommended dessert and brought out the bread pudding - never considered dessert but he knew this would make the boss babies happy (couldn't take a pic, was gone in seconds!). Overall, Hog Island is your go to for personable service, oysters, and the bread pudding *drool* .* Satisfied with the outdoor seating situation and how quick the drinks and cocktails came out. Can't wait for if and when we can get a closer location and hope to get this same type of hospitality.

Stopped by Hog Island since it was close to the hotel where I was staying. The restaurant was busy,…read morebut we were seated right away. It was cold and rainy, so the outdoor seating area was closed. The inside dining area was nice, though it did feel a little cramped. Our server was friendly and attentive. I started with the clam chowder, which was a bit disappointing. All the components were there, but it just didn't quite come together. The fried Brussels sprouts and fish sandwich, however, were delicious, and the portions were generous. I'm not a huge dessert fan, but when I tried the chocolate chip bread pudding with caramel and whipped cream, I couldn't stop eating it. Overall, I thought Hog Island was good!

I have have this place on my list for quite some time. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this…read moreplace. It reminded me of the newer, cute and trendy places in Taipei. I think the lighting was very bright white (think being in an office) for the evening, but other than that, the tables were nicely spaced apart so you weren't sharing tables or having to hear other peoples' conversations, but still cozy. The service was a little unattentive and slow. Even though we were seated immediately, it took 3 attemps of asking to receive water and no one came by to take our order. I eventually got up to use the bathroom. There was a line of 3 other people. By the time I came back, no one had come by to take our order still. Eventually we flagged down a different server who took our order. The portions were pretty small but priced like a full entree (for the type of food I felt like we were getting). We ordered the Tofu Cream Maitake noodles, Tofu Cubes (I think that's what they were called?) and Scallion Oil Noodles. Typically we order maybe 4 dishes or 5 dishes at a regular Taiwanese place but after we saw how small the dishes were for the price, we just kept it at 3. The Scallion Oil Noodles were fragrant and Crispy Tofu Cubes were really good. The tofu cubes were more like BLOCKS and had great crispy texture. That was probably our favorite dish. I had such high expectations for the tofu cream noodles but it was really bland, not "mild", it was bland. And the flecks of maitake were just lost in there somewhere. It was disappointing because I love maitake and tofu!! All in all, it was an okay experience but I'm glad we stopped in. I don't think I would come back but it's definitely worth one try! Maybe if we were eating meat dishes, we would have had a different experience? This vegan will never know. In summary, the food was fresh and well-prepared but the portions were small and too pricey for what it is.

one of my favorite cuisines of all time is taiwanese food, and as a girl with no car who grew up on…read moreamazing south bay taiwanese food stuck in berkeley, you know i was ready to ride the 36 down to emeryville for this. service is pretty slow and they don't take reservations, so you always have to wait in a 15-30 minute line outside, which kind of sucks, but the staff here is so nice i can't even be mad. the restaurant is also really nicely laid out and has a more upscale ambiance than the taiwanese restaurants i grew up eating at, so plus there. sad to report they don't have the classic dishes like beef noodle soup (牛肉麵) or stinky tofu (臭豆腐) or even the taiwanese night market foods like 豬血糕 or 肉圓. i was pretty thrilled to see braised pork rice (滷肉飯) or lu rou fan on the menu, but was bummed because it didn't taste like the lu rou fan i grew up eating. (not quite as dark brown in color and didn't have as much of that silky gelatinous mouthfeel that comes from the skin and fat in the pork belly.) however, a lot of the other dishes we tried were really good! i loved the seasonal clam dish they had, and their eggplant noodles were also amazing. next time, i think i'll order just the eggplant though because the noodles were really filling. overall, good to eat is a great restaurant for introducing people to the taiwanese cuisine and a decent spot for hitting a taiwanese food craving in east bay.

The team at Juanita and Maude deserve five stars for their service: our waitress (had a red…read moresweater dress) didn't let our water glass stay empty and was exceptionally professional in the way she removed dirty dishes between courses. . We shared the roasted chicken and the risotto. The chicken had an scrumptious crust and was a decent portion with potatoes and an amazing sauce. The risotto was flavored perfectly. My partner tried a mocktail (That's not All) and it was extremely smooth and unusual. We shared dessert (pavlovas with a fruit sorbet) which was only so-so as the meringues were tough and not pillowy as we expected. All in all Juanita and Maude is a great romantic spot for date night or fun for Moms-Night-Out.

If you haven't tried Juanita & Maude, you're missing out!! The restaurant is so cute and perfect…read morefor a small gathering with friends or a romantic date night. I came here a little late on a Thursday, and the bar and kitchen were still open. I started with an espresso martini and it was made to perfection! It was extremely aesthetically pleasing, I did not want to drink it! But when I did, I was quick to order a second. It was delicious! I had several desserts that paired well with the espresso martini. All desserts tasted extremely light and had great flavoring. I definitely want to come back and try some entrees on their menu! Definitely stop by if you are in the area!!