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    Lovely's

    4.1 (382 reviews)
    ModerateBurgers, Diners, Seafood
    Open 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Lovely's Photos

    LOVELY'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

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    Recommended Reviews - Lovely's

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    Reviews With Photos

    Drive Thru Burger
    Rachel B.

    Came in early on a Friday and was able to finally try the fish and chips! Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Absolutely delicious. A nice crunchy outside with a thick piece of fish inside! 10/10

    Outside seating
    Steve B.

    Food was tasty, but I completely forgot to take pictures. First time at Lovely's. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We sat outside, and the atmosphere was great.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]This is the perfect spot for large groups hanging out with friends, but it also works well for a casual date night.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service is legit here. I don't eat beef, so I decided to try the Impossible Burger. I highly recommend ordering the Westerner Burger with an Impossible patty. They grill the patty thin and crispy, and it's probably the best Impossible burger I've had in a long time. The fries were solid too and paired well with the burger. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The overall vibe was relaxed, the outdoor seating was comfortable, and the food came out fresh and flavorful.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Vibes: 10/10[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Flavors: 9/10 [[HIGHLIGHT]]Cleanliness: 8/10[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Portion: 9/10 Coming back? Yes

    chicago dawg: tomato, onion, sports pepper, relish, mustard pickle spear + celery salt = $8.50
    Trung N.

    We came back twice during our visit to Oakland. It's a short walk from the Kissel Oakland. The loveliest thing about Lovely's are their hotdogs. We ordered two: -Coney Island ($8.25): chili, cheese sauce, mustard, onion -Chicago dawg ($8.50): tomato, onion, sports pepper, relish, mustard, pickle spear, celery salt The hotdogs are snappy and they don't fold under topping pressure. The toppings were just extra to an already good hotdog. I also had the Westener burger ($12.50). It's American cheese, bacon, crispy shallot, pickle, lettuce, tomato, bbq, on a sesame bun. It was hard to fit everything into one bite and felt a little unmanageable to eat. Everything just kinda fell apart after I unwrapped it. Twas good, but hard to eat. Fries were superb in any form - chili cheese, cheese + plain. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Lovely's has a residence in the Two Pitchers Brewing Company lot. Vibes were vibing. It's a really nice spot to spend the afternoon or evening. Ten. Highly recommend.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    HAND CUT FRENCH FRIES - $5.35 - Blanched and Fried chipperbec potatoes.
    Tu-Anh N.

    WHEN: Thur @4pm I wanted to come here at opening time for a few reasons: - PARKING: It's downtown so not sure how parking would be. But lucky for us, we found free parking just around the corner! When we left around 5pm, more opened up! I'm guessing it's because the auto repair shop was closing. - THE CROWD: [[HIGHLIGHT]]This place is popular and there is usually a line. Though they have a great amount of seatings available (outdoors), but I prefer a space I don't feel like I have to menu ear so much around[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. - THE FISHWICH THAT SELLS OUT: I was told about this special fried fish sandwich that sells out. So in order to guarantee there will be one for me to order, gotta get there early! It's my first time, and here's what I had: THE FISHWICH - $14.50 Panko crusted rockfish, American cheese, Pickle, Shredded Cabbage, Tartar, Potato Bun. This is a limited supply item that is only available Wed-Sat until sellout. A friend shared it was amazing, but sadly I couldn't agree from one reason: This was bland. I love the softness of the potato bun, the crispy and hot pink-crusted textures, and the generous amount of tartar sauce. But I tasted nothing--just all sorts of texture. I owned up top it though and finished the entire thing. Was I satisfied? No, but my belly is full! THE DRIVE THRU - $10.50 American cheese, Schmalz onion, Pickle, Lettuce, tomato, Special Sauce, Sesame Bun. Overall decent burger, and I enjoyed it. Really can't say more without comparing it to SCOLARI'S but it's a solid burger. HAND CUT FRENCH FRIES - $5.35 Blanched and Fried chipperbec potatoes. I think I enjoyed these fries because they remind me of SCOLARI'S friends, heh. I was surprised I did not see o any of their merch for sale because I'm digging that carton character icon! The brewery it shared a space with has a decent amount of merch though!

    Drive thru burgers and fries
    Marisa B.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Love the vibes of this place! I love the open air patio and community seating, really cute![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We got the 'Drive thru' burger and beers from Two Pitchers. Both really tasty!!! Burgers tasted fresh and perfectly seasoned and savory! Fries were crispy and also tasted fresh. Beers were light and crisp, perfect for a warm Oakland day. I could totally see this place being perfect for a group outing. It was a lot of fun and super delicious.

    I was so hungry!!!'
    Candy C.

    The Drive Thru Burger is faaayerrr!!! Fire! It is stacked with American cheese, schmaltz onions, pickles, tomato, and a special sauce, all tucked into a soft sesame bun. Juicy, messy, and absolutely satisfying!!! The corn fritters were just okay, but the fries definitely made up for it--crispy, salty, and super snackable. Expect a line on a Friday night, but it moves at a decent pace. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There's both indoor and outdoor seating available, though a few heat lamps outside would've made the experience even better.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    The OG, Fries, The Drive Thru
    Ivan Z.

    As someone who lives in SF, it was refreshing finding a high quality, affordable burger here. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great outdoor patio to grab a few pints with friends.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The burger itself was fantastic and came out super quick. I'll definitely be coming back! 4.6/5

    3/28/26 FYI. Outdoor seating.
    Lee D.

    Quality/Quantity - We almost did NOT come today. After circling for parking 3+ times, I told the family if we don't find a space this last drive by, we will go to a different place for dinner and a different brewery! Got lucky and parked two blocks away. Lovely's restaurant is also here on the Two Pitchers Brewing premises. See pictures and other 5 star Yelp review. The food was amazing! I was worried when I first saw what my daughter and wife ordered as that was not my wife's usual type of food.. Corn Fritters - My order. The oil they fried this in was dark; I was worried that the oil was old...? But it tasted fresh and good. I would get this again, but prefer a lighter oil next time please. The Chili Willie - My wife's order?!?! And this was good. The jalapenos gave it the perfect kick. I told my wife I am here for the beer, and as light eaters I just wanted to share something with them. Classic Fried Chicken Sandwich - No surprise my daughter's order. Well she wanted your sold out Fish & Chips (which is weird because I think she ate that last night also...?). This was also made-to-order fresh! The chicken had a good crisp until the last bite and was moist inside! Fried perfectly. She also ordered Chili Cheese Fries with that; I guess that is the theme today. Lastly, the soft serve looked so good but too bad it would clash with my beer drinking, lol. To compliment my dinner, or the other way around, lol. Two Pitchers Brewing: 10 of their beers are on tap and the rest are guests' taps. So of course, I had to try their $3 Signature Lager which was too light for me. You basically get what you pay for. Next... Pale Ale - $7, now that's more like it! No IPA today, so I had to settle. My daughter got the Yard Bird, Strawberry Lemonade Beer; it suited her. Ready for my 3rd beer, when my daughter said she wanted to go home and party some more?!?! So I abided. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance - Cool space. Lots of semi private spaces that you can rent. See pictures or their website. Very kid and dog friendly! Unisex restrooms with outside sinks, thank you![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]NO parking! So bad on a Saturday evening, that we almost did not come.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Open 6 days a week. See pictures or their website. Closed on Mondays. Service - Counters service. For both Lovely's and the bar. The outdoor bar is WAY faster service than the inside bar, just an FYI. Same team, but more organized. Price - $49 + generous tip. Including a 3% operations fee/credit card fee, see the small print on the very bottom of the menu. Expensive, even for the Bay Area. But that is the price for quality. 20% gratuity for orders over $250. Owner Comment - Congrats to the building since 1919. Congrats on your success since 2021. Glad we were able to visit. Are you the same owners as Two Pitchers Brewing?

    Menu
    Alpana A.

    I am an occasional burger eater and this place is one of my favorites. Our last visit was for my son's birthday and he picked it himself. All three of us ordered the same thing, the OG as a double with sauce on the side, plus an order of chili cheese fries. And of course a beer from Two Pitchers to round it out. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place is always busy and outside seating fills up fast, but you can usually find a spot at a shared table.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Tiffany M.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Explored this modern area in Oakland and came across Lovelys. I was intrigued by the crowd sitting around the beer garden and decided to go check out this spot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]This spot is connected with Two Pitchers Brewery and its honestly a really cool hangout spot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] You can get your beer and your burgers/hotdogs all in one spot. Best part, they also have soft serve. We opted to get the hot chicken sandwich (very spicy btw) and the chili cheese hotdog. Both were tasty!! I recommend this place for your next hangout. The service was quick too!!

    The drive thru burger!
    Mary B.

    Yummmmmm their smash burger is fantastic! Messy but yumalish! Not a date type meal lol. Or maybe it is because you can see how real someone is when they try to eat this yummy burger without swallowing it whole bc it's that good! And the chili cheese fries are a yes and amen give me a second round!! Can't eat here every day unfortunately but a nice cheat treat! The ambience is great, cold in off season times as it is a warehouse vibe but just bring a jacket. Open environment with communal seating and very high ceilings, a large bar, outdoor seating with lighting at night and cool clientele. Definitely a cool chill hot spot. The service was great as well. The woman at Lovely's was so excited that it was my first time she gave me all the tips! My goddaughter got the ice cream swirl cone and loved it! It was very large! We will definitely be back! My godbaby wants to be a chef and loves doing Yelp reviews and did one while there because this is one of her fav Oakland spots. Thankful she hipped me to it! Parking, not so much, walk or Uber/Lyft/something! I'll for sure be back! Those homemade fries are everything! Perfect combo of seasoning, grass fed meat and just enough cheese. Delish! Well done folks! Hats off

    Coney island dog, hot chicken sandwich, the drive thru
    Christine B.

    What's there to dislike? I feel like the Coney dog is my favorite chili cheese dog in the bay. I've been to the Oakland one and the SF one and every time I go I need to get a chili cheese dog. Hot chicken sandwich was also AMAZING. Stayed nice and crispy on my walk back home. It was just the right amount of dry spice too, top tier seasoning skills. No complaints on the burger either - just an ideal burger that you can stuff your face in. Fries are perfectly salty - the best accompaniment to this meal. It gets pretty crowded, but it's worth the wait to me. It's super nice sitting outdoors next to the brewery if it's not too chilly out. I hope I can come earlier to try the fish sando one day!

    Light dusting of spice on my hot chicken sandwich for the perfect "medium" spice level
    Karan K.

    tldr: Lovely's lives up to the hype! I always get the Drive Thru Burger, and it is phenomenal. Everything from the perfectly cooked patty with those classic crispy, lacy edges, to the soft bun and the special sauce--it is the definition of what a smash burger should be. I've gone back at least 10 times for it ! Side note about their chicken sandwich that my partner orders all the time. She gets the spicy and most times it's very spicy. There have been a few times when it was (in my opinion) the perfect level, right between medium and hot, but that was an anomaly and most of the times it's just been very hot. Now for the reality check on a weekend evening: I got in line around 7:00 PM on a Saturday, and the wait was exactly what you should expect for a spot this popular. I waited for about 20 minutes just to place my order. While the line moves steadily, be prepared to practice patience! Update, 2 weeks later: I had a chat with them after visiting again and they were able to adjust the level of spice dust on my hot chicken sandwich to get it absolutely perfect for my taste

    Drive thru burger

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    2 months ago

    A good burger. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Good vibes outside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Disappointed that they didn't have a screen outside for the World Cup.

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    Page 1 of 10

    Ask the Community - Lovely's

    Is there any time of day/day of week that tends to be less busy/packed with people?

    We came here at 8 pm and waited in line for about 20 minutes. I asked if the line was typical for a Saturday night. He said that we were lucky; normally the line is four or five times as long, which sounds like definitely over an hour. Food was good… 

    Are you still open when it rains?

    Hey Missy! Yes we are!

    Can I order takeout by phone?

    Raw onions can be ordered instead of grilled onions?

    Absolutely!

    Are there gluten free options?

    Yes! We serv GF buns for our burgers!

    Are there heat lamps?

    No heat lamps :(

    Do they have veggie burgers?

    Yes!

    Can I order ahead and get it to-go?

    I don’t know if you can order ahead but yes you can get it to go!

    View All 12 Questions

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    Seabreeze On The Dock

    Seabreeze On The Dock

    3.9
    (548 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    This is some of the best seafood I have had in a very long time! When I first walked in, I was a…read morelittle hesitant, but a wonderful young server greeted me right away and encouraged me to try the food, assuring me that I wouldn't be disappointed--and she was absolutely right! The restaurant is beautiful, spacious, and very inviting. The outdoor area is dog-friendly, and the entire location is so charming that I would even recommend it for a date. You can also enjoy a nice walk around the area afterward. Most importantly, the seafood was incredibly fresh and delicious. I truly enjoyed my experience and will definitely be back!

    First off, this place is one the water on Jack London Square - which is pretty much in a death…read morespiral. The once thriving and bustling go-to spot is a mere shadow of what it once was. Anyone remember the Jack London Village that they tore down to build this end of the development? Anyways - this is a fast casual type spot, where you order from the counter, place the little number sign on your table and wait for it to be delivered. The menu is your standard seafood joint by the water type, with all the usual suspects represented. Fried fish, shrimp, chowder, seafood pastas--if you've ever been to a seaside seafood joint, chances are good that the menu here is exactly like the one you remember seeing at the countless other places like this one. I noticed right off the bat that their pricing structure was on the high side - with a $17 burger and fries option, with the bulk of the fried seafood options in the $22-25 range. A cheaper choice might be the $16 fish tacos (two of them) but I kind of draw the line at paying $8 for a single taco. Our table ordered a few of the fried options plus a few soda beverages. The food arrived in a reasonable amount of time, and I noticed that the silver metal trays that the food comes on is a bit on the small side, especially considering the prices for each dish. The fried shrimp dish was a big scoop of mega-salty french fries, and 3 average sized deep fried shrimp. Yes - 3 as in 1, 2, 3. That's what - $7+ a shrimp? The two fried fish platters weren't much better portion-wise. My deep fried cod consisted of three modest sized fish-fingers, and not the single luscious chunk of perfectly fried cod I had imagined in my head when ordering. They were fine - but very average and nothing that stood out as life-changing or something to write home about. As mentioned earlier, they must be employing the Little Rascals method where they over salt everything, in hopes that you'll order another beverage to wash down the copious mounts of sodium (I figure about 4+ days worth). The fried catfish platter that rounded out our order was more of the same - thin meager portions of fish on a large bed of mega-salted fries. Small plastic containers of generic pre-made tartar sauce and coleslaw can with each platter. The coleslaw was fine - just very forgettable and perhaps a tad on the flavorless/watery side. All said, was it okay? Yes. Was it anything outstanding that I'd crave and plan my return to have again? No. It is in line with touristy by-the-Sea seafood places that charge an extra couple of bucks because they're "on the water"? Pretty much. You're paying for the view and the 'scene' of sitting on the patio out front to people watch, and not for the food. I kind of hate these places and normally try my best to stay away from them, but every once in awhile, you gotta put on your tourist hat and join the mindless flock. A meager 2 stars outta 5 from me. Instead, I'd stroll around this area on a Sunday when they hold the farmer's market (again - is not what it used to be) and then drive through the tube to Alameda where great dining spots are numerous on Park Street. You can stop at Crab Cove and Crown Beach on the way, for more touristy sightseeing.

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    Marica

    Marica

    4.4
    (2.6k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Another shipment of lobster in for the weekend. Limited quantity for a few lucky people who can get this drop!
    Another shipment of lobster in for the weekend. Limited quantity for a few lucky people who can get this drop!
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    Marica Seafood Stew
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    Short ribs
    The Salty Pearl

    The Salty Pearl

    4.4
    (142 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$$

    There's nothing NOT to love about this place!…read more I made a reservation for date night, as we've wanted to try this place for awhile. The atmosphere is cozy and casual and the service staff are really friendly. In terms of food, we started with a dozen oysters, the smoked trout dip, and the boquerones. The smoked trout dip was outstanding!!! Loved the flavor of it! The Boquerones was also delicious... the oysters were all fresh and can be ordered with horseradish and hot sauce (I think it was Crystal). For mains we ordered the steamed mussels and the grilled shrimp. The mussels were good, though on the smaller side, and the shrimp was delicious, buttery and garlicky. Great combo! To finish I had the Key Lime Pie which was done in a bowl. Great lime flavor and not overly sweet. Overall, a fantastic experience and we will definitely return!

    We dropped by Salty Pearl and decided to try a bit of everything, ordering the oysters, the tinned…read morefish appetizer, and a lobster roll. The food itself was good overall--the oysters were fresh and the lobster roll was very tasty but also everything was very pricey. Unfortunately, the experience was really dragged down by the pacing and service. We were there for over 1.5 hours. It took at least 30 minutes for our food to start coming out, and even longer for the lobster roll. The servers never acknowledged or apologized for the long delay. If the staff simply given us a heads-up that kitchen was running behind, we likely wouldn't have ordered as many items as we did. The place is really nice and has good ambiance but were unlikely to return.

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    Dining room
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    Y’S Choice

    Y’S Choice

    3.8
    (506 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Bucket list foodie restaurant…read more Food selection: combo plate with chicken, wings, catfish greens mac & cheese yams turkey 8/10 drinks ( NO) ambience: nice; good music nice decor Service: the staff can use better training. They are all young, which is very good and positive that they are working, but some other servers needed to be a lot more presentable. Some of them needed to speak a little better and not be in the front diddling around and talking! this is still a business and it's still a restaurant and it's still your job; you never know who is walking into your establishment!!! you should always keep things professional just because you feel like it's black owned establishment and the customers are primarily African-American, with the exception of some other nationalities; doesn't mean you act urban ! We did ask what came in their spike Kool-Aid came and our waitress said I don't know some Drank ? What? Why don't you know this you work here? I asked one of the other servers about the eggrolls and it took him about three minutes to answer. I'm like are they chicken shrimp pork all servers should know the menu and drink selections Conclusion : the owner is very sweet her story and the history was informative! Music was good ; The food was pretty good. Everything had decent amount of flavor . I would definitely downsize on the chicken wings. Those things are huge! ( steroid chicken) but overall I would visit again tighten up on the servers professionalism! Happy I was able to support this black own business and I think you guys should definitely give it a try it's worth going it's pricey, but that's understandable running a restaurant is hard and expensive! I was surprised that the food was as good as it was, but it actually was!

    Food: Service:…read more Ambiance: Y's Choice is one of Oakland's hidden gems! If you're craving authentic soul food, this is the spot. The oxtails are some of the best I've had in Oakland--tender, flavorful, and falling right off the bone. Every bite is seasoned perfectly, and you can tell the food is made with care. If you love soul food and haven't been to Y's Choice yet, you're seriously missing out! I'll definitely be back for those oxtails.

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    Inside
    Inside
    Braised Oxtail w/ Rice and Gravy, Mac & Cheese, Collard Greens
    Braised Oxtail w/ Rice and Gravy, Mac & Cheese, Collard Greens
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    The Rockin' Crawfish

    The Rockin' Crawfish

    3.8
    (1.5k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    We came as a party of 7. Great ambiance for happy hour!! $1 oysters and fun drinks (but we didn't…read moretry this time). Note that there is a limit to 30 oysters per table. I really like how they let you build your seafood experience exactly how you want it, from the type of seafood to the seasoning and spice level. The only thing was I think the spice level could've been kicked up a notch. Our table ordered a mix of oysters, garlic noodles, Cajun fries, shrimp, crawfish, mussels, which came with corn, potatoes, sausage and hard boiled egg! The seafood was fresh and the sauce coated everything nicely without being overwhelmingly salty, and the corn and potatoes soaked up all the seasoning. All for a very reasonable price if you get the combo, which comes in 3 different tiers! The oysters were a standout--fresh, briny & I loved all the different sauces like horse radish and cocktail on the side. I do wish the fries were a bit more crispy and could've gone heavier with the Cajun seasoning, but that's personal preference. The atmosphere is casual, lively, and perfect for big groups. If you're looking for a customizable seafood boil with fresh oysters, fun drinks, and plenty of options to build your ideal meal, Rockin Crawfish is definitely worth a visit

    I was very disappointed with my recent takeout order. Before placing my order, I specifically asked…read morewhether the crawfish were live, and the waitress told me they were available. Based on that conversation, I expected fresh live crawfish, which was available Tuesday when I ordered from DoorDash the previous time. After I got home and opened my order this time. it was clear that the crawfish had been frozen. If the restaurant serves frozen crawfish, that's fine, but customers should be given accurate information when they ask directly about the product right? I feel misled because I relied on what I was told when making my purchase. Transparency is important, and I hope the restaurant does a better job communicating with customers about whether their crawfish are live or previously frozen. VERY DISHONEST BUSINESS SMH.

    Photos
    The Rockin' Crawfish
    Crawfish with medium Rockin' Combo sauce
    Crawfish with medium Rockin' Combo sauce
    1.5 lb Shrimp with corn and Sausages

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    1.5 lb Shrimp with corn and Sausages
    Ace Seafood

    Ace Seafood

    4.3
    (77 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Pop-up @ the punchdown - clam chowder
    Pop-up @ the punchdown - clam chowder
    Pop-up @ the punchdown - clam chowder
    Pop-up @ the punchdown - clam chowder
    Pop-up @ the punchdown - lobster roll

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    Pop-up @ the punchdown - lobster roll
    Sirene

    Sirene

    4.3
    (160 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Sirene absolutely knocked it out of the park…read more We started with their seafood tower (or Captain's Platter--I can't remember the exact name), and it was the highlight of the meal. The presentation alone turns heads, but the quality backs it up. Sitting proudly at the very top of the tower were two sea urchins filled with uni. Not just a token garnish--they were generously loaded and set the tone for everything that followed. The jumbo prawns were incredibly sweet and juicy. We had three different kinds of oysters, each with its own personality, ranging from bright and briny to rich and creamy. The scallops were excellent, and the ceviche was fresh and flavorful. After the tower we shared a Margherita pizza, which was very good, followed by the fried chicken. The batter was crisp while the meat stayed juicy and moist inside. It's not often you find fried chicken that nails both texture and tenderness so well. The seafood tower wasn't just delicious--it was visually stunning. Honestly, if this exact platter were served at a restaurant in Palo Alto, I wouldn't blink at a $250 price tag. At Sirene, it was just $125, which felt like an incredible value for both the quality and quantity. I'm perfectly happy not paying Palo Alto rents if this is what Oakland delivers. And don't let stereotypical perceptions of Oakland keep you away. Grand Lake is one of the city's most charming neighborhoods, with beautiful homes, tree-lined streets, and a vibrant local dining scene. Sirene is absolutely worth the trip.

    I have resisted the urge to post my experience at this restaurant a few times now because I…read moregenuinely want to support small local businesses. However, I feel I should make my experience public now because I do not appreciate customers being taken for granted by businesses. The pictures I have posted are of the donuts that were given to me just this morning. $14 for stale-dry-burnt Buckwheat Donuts. I have had them multiple times to know they don't come out like this. They used to consistently give 6 pieces earlier, but gave me 4 pieces the last week and 5 pieces today. I do not know what their best practice is, therefore. At dinner, they have a server who is a middle aged white woman that usually gets assigned to the tables at the center of their dining space. This server is just so so hopeless that she chooses to sip on wine in the corner rather than take orders and bring out the food. This happened to us both the times we were there. We sat and stared at the ceiling until their manager came and took our order. I don't know if it was racism or ignorance in general, but whatever it was is t acceptable. This isn't a cheap hangout place for dinner, so manners in general are part of what is expected. I will mention that their manager was apologetic about it, and gave us an order of donuts on the house, BUT I didn't go there for freebies. The state of the donuts this morning ticked me off because I think they have reached the point where they think they can afford to not deliver and yet maintain a revenue stream. Unacceptable as far a so am concerned.

    Photos
    Sirene
    Fried Chicken w/ octopus kimchi ($25), Mashed Potatoes ($6), Biscuit ($6) + Fish & Chips: Ling cod, piquillo pepper aioli ($25)
    Fried Chicken w/ octopus kimchi ($25), Mashed Potatoes ($6), Biscuit ($6) + Fish & Chips: Ling cod, piquillo pepper aioli ($25)
    Sipsmith Gin & Club Soda ($14)

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    Sipsmith Gin & Club Soda ($14)

    Lovely's - burgers - Updated August 2026

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