Columbian-by-way-of-California fine dining. Part of what makes the restaurant so special is that it welcomes children and families. On the level, the food warrants 4 stars, but this restaurant is uniquely child-friendly and worth spotlighting for that reason. The 3+ hour tasting menu is an experience to behold. We saw that there is a children's price online, so we included our almost-ten year old in the reservation. Everyone -- the adults in our party as well as the servers -- felt a bit of trepidation when we sat down, but all turned out well. He read a book between courses and watched the food being cooked in the open kitchen. Our party had a lively conversation throughout and the servers -- who were very friendly -- jumped in and out. At one point, we turned around to find a low shelf with Dr. Seuss books, which we learned belonged to the chef when his kids were younger. It felt symbolic of the whole attitude of the place. Regarding the menu, I will briefly say that it was excellent. All dishes were superbly executed, though a couple perhaps needed a bit more imagination. For example, the black garlic and harissa that garnished the lamb felt very "on-trend," rather than something unique to this restaurant. That said, it was delicious and the flavors were well-paired. The children's menu turned out to be identical to the adults' in terms of dishes and proportions. Not everything appealed to our plucky nine year old's palate but he did indeed eat most of what was put in front of him. Mägo makes a welcoming entrée to fine dining for young eaters. I love forward to returning with my family on the future. read more

My friend brought me here for dinner, and I was really excited to try it. We also got the drink pairing and that was really fun. I really liked the first several courses as they were really fun, creative and beautifully presented. When we got to the proteins, it was honestly quite underwhelming for me. It was almost disappointing. The first protein was a local seabass with a cashew (or walnut?) sauce but the sauce was so incredibly salty that it had a bit of a bite to it so needless to say, got rid of the sauce to eat the fish. Fish was also a bit dry. The next was lamb 2 ways. It was fine but also just a piece of grilled steak on the plate and a merguez sausage stuffed pepper. The stuffed pepper was fun but neither of the these 2 things were mind blowingly good or creative. The lamb plate looked so boring that any home cook can do it. Overall, proteins were a miss for me. My friend got the cheese plate, it was fine but I don't think it's worth the extra add on. It wasn't anything super special. Then the dessert which is usually my favorite part of the meal. First was a roasted strawberry and a milk ice cream dish that was delightful and beautifully presented. The second was a small bite with compressed melon and a financier. The financier was even saltier than that fish. Definitely used salt instead of sugar. Not sure how that was missed but it was probably the most disgusting "dessert" I've eaten at a restaurant. Thus, the 3 stars because it was truly disappointing that the meal ended on a salty note...literally. Service was fine. Wasn't the most outstanding, it feels like some of the staff members didn't know the menu super well and certainly didn't seem confident in telling us what we were eating and drinking. The drinks were really tasty though, got to try a large variety of things I probably wouldn't try on my own. Really wanted to love this place as the dinner started off strong but didn't end well. With the drink pairing on a weekend night, absolutely NOT worth your money. read more

Mago offers one of the better-value prix fixe dinners in the East Bay, hard to beat their $99 offer on weekdays. Their dining room is spacious, the staff are genuinely warm, and the live-fire grill gives the restaurant a wonderful smoky aroma as soon as you walk in. The food was consistently good and thoughtfully presented. Nothing was truly disappointing, although several dishes could have used more finishing salt. The cooking felt creative but too safe. The opening bite with english peas was one of my favorite dishes, though it was too large for a single bite. The wild salmon was well cooked but a little boring, while the pork was unfortunately overcooked. The panna cotta was delicious and one of the highlights of the evening. The wines by the glass were fine but not especially memorable. The cocktails were much more interesting, and the one I tasted was excellent. The restaurant was half empty when we arrived, which made such a large dining room feel slightly lonely. Later, more tables came in and the music became more energetic, which immediately improved the atmosphere. Overall, a pleasant restaurant I would recommend you to visit on a weekday of you live in the area. At the same time, don't expect it to be a special spot. read more

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I took my boyfriend here for his birthday and overall we had a really nice dinner. The food was delicious, the staff was attentive, and they did a great job explaining each dish as it came out. The standout for me was the salmon. SO good. I also loved the panna cotta-style dessert at the end. As someone who doesn't drink, I really appreciated that they offer a non-alcoholic beverage pairing too. I feel like that's still pretty rare at tasting menu restaurants, and it made the experience more fun for me. That said, I left with a slight sour taste in my mouth because there were a few things that felt less transparent than they could have been. The first is the service charge. Their website says there's a mandatory 20% service charge, which I actually have no issue with and appreciate them being upfront about. However, when you get to the restaurant, the menu includes an additional sentence saying that the service charge is not a tip or gratuity and that anything additional will be shared by the service team. I couldn't help but wonder why that part isn't also included on the website. The second was the beverage pairing. The tasting menu clearly labels the supplemental course as an additional $18, but nowhere on the beverage pairing menu did it mention that one of the drinks is tied to that supplemental dish. I actually noticed that a drink was skipped and asked about it because it was the one I was most looking forward to trying. The staff member was super kind and ended up bringing it out for me anyway, which I really appreciated, but I do think the menu should make that clearer. Lastly, my NA pairing was listed as $55 on the menu but appeared as $60 on the check. The food and service were both great, but after saving up for a special birthday dinner, I wish the pricing and menu details had felt a little more straightforward. Transparency goes a long way, especially at this price point. read more

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The creativity and complexity of the vegan tasting menu are top notch. Thank you again Chef Mark for sharing your mastery. read more

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We were blessed to try Mago - a top 100 SF Chronicle and Open Table restaurant - in Piedmont. It's fine dining from a Colombian perspective - seriously, who has tried Colombian food?! - but it's gussied up to extra fancy. It is quintessential fine dining where each of their 8 courses are exquisitely prepared in front of you (there's a LARGE open kitchen which takes up most of the restaurant) and served to you over 2.5 hours. The flavors are AMAZING and so unique...Top 3 Standouts were the Duck with grilled ramps and papaya (seriously best duck I've ever had), the Kanpachi Crudo with habanero (I was scared of this but they totally tamped down the heat with carrots and pineapple and added sunflower seeds for crunch), and the flan which was impossibly THIK and smooth (best flan I've ever had hands down). Also really enjoyed the made-in-house guava sorbet and pavlova (which tasted like crispy honeycomb). Super relaxed atmosphere with friendly, unpretentious service. The only down side was that it WAS fine dining so each dish is extremely small and it does take a long time between courses. I had just worked out and I tend to eat very little before 5 pm, work out arduously and then backload my calories but this was a horrible idea as I ended up STARVING and feeling light-headed...Good thing my wife is always prepared and brings snack packs in her purse HAHA! Her edamame, pretzel sticks, and fruit roll ups came in handy! But I still had to go home and eat a big tuna sandwich and big bowl of tofu stew lol. $90 for their tasting menu Tues - Thurs, $125 for the same meal Fri - Sat. The InKind app had a special as well for $50 off so this was all in all a steal for fine dining. read more

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I decided to try the tasting menu experience at Mago and went solo -- and honestly, this felt like the perfect kind of place to do that. I arrived a little early and they seated me right away at a table (not the bar), which I appreciated. They also checked a note on my reservation before we even started, which made the service feel very intentional from the beginning. I did the tasting menu with the wine pairing, and what stood out to me most was how thoughtful the experience felt overall. The first dish -- roasted eggplant -- surprised me because I don't usually eat eggplant, but it was actually really good. There was a garlic yogurt that brought everything together perfectly. As the meal went on, some of the dishes actually got better as I kept eating them, especially with the pairings. The cod was one of those -- not my favorite at first bite, but by the end, it completely made sense. The duck was the standout. The crust on it was incredible, and the meat just melted in your mouth. They even changed my pairing for that course, which I really appreciated -- it showed they were paying attention. Dessert was good, just not my favorite since I'm not big on chocolate, but the banana element was nice and it was still a solid finish. Overall, this is one of those places where it's really about the experience, not just the food. The food is great, but the pacing, pairings, and attention to detail are what make it worth it. I would definitely recommend trying it at least once -- and I'd come back when the menu changes. read more

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We came for a special event here featured different artist . the food served by a pop up vendor was excellent it was Manitas so refreshing and delicious. The desserts was a different vendor as well and it was heavenly. I'm so glad that the restaurant does this events and supported different local artist . The decor was modern and chic where you can see dishes prepared by the chef , and there's an outdoor dining in the back . I'm sure the service would be good given the hospitality they gave to the local upcoming artist . Love to come back here to visit and see what's in their menu . NOTE: The pictures provided here are from the event not the restaurants menu . read more

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I've wanted to check out Mägo for a very long time and finally had the opportunity to do so yesterday evening. What great timing as well, Mägo was having their limited Steak House pop up from August 27th through August 30th. Although there were three options for the main course -- carne asada, bone in halibut, or chuleta -- which required participation of both diners, we both ended up going with the carne asada. In addition to the three courses included in the $65 set menu, we also opted for the yuca frites as a supplement. For drinks, I opted for one of the two hazy IPAs on their menu, and my wife opted for the $40 non-alcoholic beverage pairing. My beer was fine, but the non-alcoholic pairing was truly spectacular. Food was all-around very delicious. The steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare. I do wish their steak knives were a tad sharper though. I especially loved the dessert course, which had wonderful crunchy bits in it, layers upon layers of different flavors, and had just the right amount of sweetness. I was feeling about 80% full after the meal. Hungrier diners or those with a large appetite will definitely want to order more supplements. Throughout the evening, service was fantastic; staff was very friendly. After each course was completed, the plates and flatware were collected in a timely manner and we never felt rushed. I appreciate that each dish was described in plenty of details as it was brought over. I would happily dine at Mägo again. read more

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i didn't try any food here so this rating is strictly for the bar. my friends and i had such a good time getting cocktails here during our piedmont bar crawl. the bartender was so friendly and gave us great recommendations for drinks and outings. i must highlight the star of the show: the coffee cocktail. i cannot recall the name, but it's a chefs special made with colombia coffee (i think) and sweet foam, and no alcohol! it was amazing, the perfect dessert drink. if they were open during the morning, i'd stop and get my coffee here before work! amazing job. the scene appears to be quite date-like, so i'll have to return for a dinner here. read more

Mägo - cholado - Colombian Near Me - Oakland, California

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We came for the summer pop up Steakhouse menu. It's priced at $65 a person. We opted for the pork chuleta as our entree for a $15 pp supplement. This was a good call as the dish was massive, probably around 20 ounce. It comes with 2 types of cut: the lean pork chop and the crispy chicharrones. Each cut's texture contrasts and complements the other one's nicely. Overall the pork was well seasoned and tasty. I had the non-alcoholic drink pairing with my meal. I forgot the exact ingredients but drink 1 was some sort of tea. Drink 2 was a sweet drink with a strong hint of cinnamon. Drink 3 was an amazing cardamom-infused cold brew with vanilla foam. It was my favorite item of the night! read more

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Mago is genuinely one of the best dining experiences I've had in my life. The atmosphere wasn't overly pretentious or stuffy, and the staff were all attentive without being overbearing. They topped off our waters and folded our napkins whenever we stepped away from the table to use the restroom. They were also incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable when making recommendations to pair drinks with the courses. They're also committed to serving only the best quality. When one of us stepped away to use the restroom, the bartender noticed the shaved ice in the drink starting to melt, and so he remade it. They really go above and beyond to ensure that you have a wonderful time here. The intimate lighting and the dark wood decor created a stunning charm to the restaurant. I also appreciated that the tables weren't so close to each other, so the restaurant never felt too crowded (even though every seat was filled). The food was mind-blowing. I savored every bite and could not stop singing my praises with each course presented to us. Plus, the plating was gorgeous; I wanted every single dish in my own kitchen. You definitely do not need to worry about leaving here hungry. They somehow managed to calculate exactly the portions to feed you to leave you feeling completely satisfied without being uncomfortably stuffed. I'm looking forward to dining here again. read more

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First time trying out Colombian cuisine, first time dining at this restaurant for their early V-day set menu. HANDS DOWN this restaurant is ranking as my TOP RESTAURANTS in the bay. Everything was cooked to perfection, with massive umami bombs, and many layers of depth in each of the dishes. How could the chefs made food look so simple but tasted so good??? A perfect example would be the Grilled Leek supplement dish. You would think "how can grilled leek be a star of a dish by its own?" Oh boy, the leek was grilled to perfection, with just the right amount of smokiness and charred and it was sooo good. I can't even rave more about the other dishes.. the grilled rice cake looked like two pieces of simple plain rice cake but it had sooooo much flavor and umami in it. HOW?? I was really amazed during my entire experience while I was there. I have tried many cuisines, fine dining or not, and I am a home cook myself. The food at this restaurant is by far the best I have had in terms of price point, ingredient choices, cooking skills, flavors, atmosphere, and service. This will be my first time, and many times more! It's so good I don't even want to share this hidden gem! Thanks to chef Mark and all the other chefs and staffs for this great experience. I hope you guys get a STAR very soon! read more

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I Was treated to the prix fix vegan tasting menu for my birthday !! Reminiscent but more reasonable version of the ultra exclusive bougie tasting menu @ Atelier Crenn !! Great attentive service & attractively plated, we were able to "compare" our vegan version with the omnivore selections !! There must have been 9 different plates, very creative & delicious !! The ambiance is hip, modern & very tasteful ... I'm always thrilled when there are vegan choices & menus !!!! read more

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My husband and I came for Oakland restaurant week (this week!). Upon arriving and comparing it to the normal tasting menu, the restaurant week menu is just a smaller version of the normal tasting menu. We didn't mind because it was a more affordable way to try samplings of the tasting menu - menu is attached below. We made a reservation for 5:15 and came early because we expected parking to be difficult (which it was). Restaurant was relatively empty upon arrival, but filled up as we finished around 7. $65/person for restaurant week + $40 for pairing (whole party doesn't have to order pairing - I asked because I wanted the pairing, but my husband just wanted a cocktail). Restaurant week comes with 4 dishes (including 1 dessert). +/- 1. beets / papaya, meyer lemon salsa verde (chef told us it was a chimichurri sauce though - which is what it tasted like and it was great) it was fresh tasting with the papayas and beets (papayas were perfectly ripe), and it went decently with the chimichurri sauce. It was okay, but I'm not a huge fan of beets, would've liked it to be all papaya to be honest with you. + 2. Swordfish / stew of shrimp and snap peas: fantastic - the swordfish was a tad overcooked so the texture was a little tougher than preferred. The dish honestly tasted very Thai to me, as the base was very green curry reminiscent and coconut-y. Snap peas and shrimp were a great combo, and the shrimp especially was succulent and fresh. Wish it was hotter as well since it was a stew! + Caraway arepa / beef tongue, spring curtido (supplemental price $14): SO good - wish it wasn't a supplement because it was my favorite item of the meal. Beef tongue wasn't gamey and the arepa was fantastic - tons of flavor. + Heritage Pork / plantain new onion praline: Wish it had more of that onion praline topping - fantastic! Pork was cooked perfectly, the fat on the edges were seared deliciously. Came with a burnt green onion on the side, which I enjoyed. Plantain was also delicious. + Coconut cake: also tasted very southeast asian to me! Very coconut-y - banana leaf ice cream on top almost tasted like matcha-like. The ice cream was a bit icy, could've been creamier. The coconut cake was on the stodgier side and very strong with coconut bits throughout. Rhubarb sauce added much needed acidity to the sweet, stodgy cake. Pairings in general were great. I'm not super picky with pairings, though. For $40, it was a fair deal. My husband's blood moon ($18) was okay. Nothing to write home about, he wouldn't get it again. Food was overall great, with minor critiques as mentioned here and there. I'm rounding up for the great service. Our server, Roy, was very friendly. And the Mago team worked together seamlessly to bring each dish out as we finished / switched out utensils for each dish. It was a very cohesive dining experience. We spent around 90 minutes in total. Portion size was decent, for this kind of meal. Would definitely come again to try out different dishes once they change the tasting menu again! read more

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The food flavor is just okay with nothing memorable in the set menu. I've been wanting to try since heard good reviews but I think they have not differentiate their flavors from others. Presentation of food is good. Service was not too attentive nor informing for a spot with pre-fixe menu. A lot of times customer has to initiate conversation inquiring about the food details. Space is open grilling kitchen and very well spread out between tables. Ambiance is a mix modern contemporary with some South American twist. Overall it was just okay, not memorable meal. read more

slow-cooked lamb is incredibly tender and packed with bold, smoky flavors from the smoked peppers.

Wonderful and attentive service Food was okay, came during restaurant week so it was about ~$100 pp Very light wine list Enjoyed their specialty cocktails :D Homey ambiance Thank you! read more

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Such a great neighborhood gem. Great tasting menu though heavy on the desserts. There's a discount if you dine mid-week! Food was delicious and beautifully presented, fun drink pairing options (including a non-alcoholic one) plus interesting wine list, kind and engaged service. My favorite part of this experience was their bathroom - great wallpaper, flower arrangement, scented candle, and a beautiful framed photo of "dinosaur eating tree." read more

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We stopped in last night and had one of the best meals we've had in a long time. It bordered on magical. We came in on a whim based on a parking place right in front. We were actually headed down the street but fate intervened and we're so glad it did. We got there later in the evening and without a reservation but they had seats available at the counter. The format is tasting menu and every course was a work of art. The flavors and freshness were off the charts. The chicken course was actually brought to us by Reid, who prepared the course and he was nice enough to answer our questions about the preparation. Very cool guy. The level of the experience and the artistry on the plate was Just a home run all around and fairly priced. This is Michelin star level dining from food and beverage to service and vibe. I give Mägo my highest recommendation. read more

Mägo - Perfect. Sit at the counter. - Colombian Near Me - Oakland, California

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My husband and I came here to celebrate an anniversary and sat at the counter. Everything we ate was so good and so fun to be able to watch and interact with the people making the food. It was definitely a splurge but so worth it. We did the tasting menu (highly recommend!) and had delicious mocktails. Delicious food, romantic setting, highly recommend! Also--there are a few reviews about the "noise" in the restaurant making it hard to hear and I didn't notice that at all. read more

We visited Mago for the first time during the Petit Américain pop up. The hostesses and waitstaff were phenomenal! Preordered the Prix Fixe Menu so we were able to try several items. Best PB&J (Chicken Liver Mousse) ever! The Crispy Skin Trout was fantastic. The Chocolate Ganache cake and Crème Brûlée were delicious. The Restaurant was bustling however the atmosphere felt relaxed. Absolutely will recommend to others and will return to try the main Mago menu in the near future! read more

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Oh man, this spot. This is a tough review to write. Background: a multi-course, prix-fixe dinner at $98/per person. Located on Piedmont Ave, this restaurant is beautiful. High ceilings, open kitchen concept... it's very hip and I was so excited. However, at what was about $200ish per person with about 3 cocktails each, it was over priced. First, we needed 3 cocktails each because this meal took close to 3 hours, which the table all felt was a bit long. Next, the cocktails were actually quite well made, so $16/each wasn't the toughest pill to swallow. However, the $100 or so tasting menu was a let down. Not a ton of food, and of the 8 courses or so, a few were literally a bite AND I'm ok with that if that morsel was incredible, not the case here. For instance, one bite, was literally a bland rice chip with some guacamole and feta. There was a tuna on what was maybe beans that wasn't good at all, and another dish that said shredded baby gems, but it was romaine... and it also didn't work, at all. Mostly the entire menu was pretty pedestrian (minus that incredible potato). The tiny arepa was delicious, there was a potato dish that was really good and the 2 strips of steak was very well prepared. Everything else was either extremely forgettable (looking at you salmon) or out right not very good. The service was great and I loved the space, but sadly, I probably wouldn't come again. Competition is fierce in the restaurant game, and for that price, I find that there is better out there. My recommendation to this place: either work on the prix fixe to truly make each course a true delight, or maybe turn this into a more upscale Colombian joint, where people can order great cocktails, and fancy arepas and steak vs a more intricate tasting menu. Best of luck. read more

Great food, wonderful warm service. Beautiful presentation and flavors--feels like a really upscale but also warm neighborhood spot. Love that you can see the open kitchen! read more

Gosh this is an outstanding restaurant. And in our little village Oakland. We had a beautifully crafted meal with wine pairings. Fortunately we split the price fixed meal which brought the cost to a perfect price for an anniversary dinner. The menu changes often so we plan to back for our next occasion. Bon appetit! read more

One of the most underrated fine dining experiences in the Bay Area. They only offer a tasting menu or a bar menu. The tasting menu can be made completely vegetarian and it was fantastic. The dishes are inspired by Columbian cuisine with many twists. The first few courses are small bites and they get progressively larger until the last course. My favorites were the galia melon, arepa (supplemental course) and plantain mushroom pastelon which is basically like a plantain lasagna. You can order the tasting menu either at the chefs table or dining table. I highly recommend the chef's table - it's a really cool experience to see the staff expertly craft each dish in front of you. It's also cool to see how clean they keep their kitchen area, how organized everything is, and all the different tools they use for prep and presentation. The pricing also stands out. The tasting menu is $82 on weekdays and $110 on weekends (including Friday), both of which are well below similar tier experiences in the Bay. We also got a wine pairing which went nicely with the dishes, and the Sommelier was knowledgeable and helpful. They change up their menu daily so I can't wait to come back to try something new! read more

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We decided to dine here last minute and booked a 5 pm reservation on a Friday night. We had a great table (tables are not crowded together). We had hesitated over the more widely available counter seating at the "Chef's Table" overlooking the kitchen. Having been there now, we think that seating would be fine. The counter is relatively low and spacious. Seats are comfortable. And noise level Is not loud enough to dreamt from conversation when dining. Menu is prix fixe. We had this plus a supplement (asparagus that was incredible) and a bottle of Albariño from Uruguay. Everything on the menu was excellent. Won't address specific dishes as it changes all the time but in our case at least the proteins of halibut and chicken were great and other dishes amazingly well conceived. Service was top notch. We paid the weekend price for the menu. The same menu is $30 cheaper on a weeknight. That would be an amazing bargain for such fine dining food. Highly recommend this place. read more

Mägo - Potatoes in some amazing sauce - Colombian Near Me - Oakland, California

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Mägo offers a wonderful tasting menu while providing a slightly casual yet classy ambiance. Thus far, I would say this is without a doubt my favorite restaurant in Oakland as of last month when my partner and I went for a date night. Every dish impressed. The beets were a tasty start, with the lemon salsa and papaya well complementing the vegetable and making me wish I had another portion. For seafood lovers, the swordfish dish here was the best I've ever had and would certainly recommend this location if only to try this stew. I've since been looking for coconut stew recipes to replicate this. If you're questioning trying beef tongue, I say go for it. As someone that is occasionally hesitant to try more obscure cuts/parts, this was certainly worthwhile. There will be portions where the texture may be a bit tender and chewy, but for the most part the tongue was well-cooked and had a nice char to it. I thought the pork was quite tasty, albeit this was probably the least notable for the 4 dishes thus far for me. The coconut cake was a nice dessert, in which I was particularly a fan of the banana leaf ice cream. The non-alcoholic beverage pairing was acceptable with the two favorites coming with dessert and with the beets. If I were to go again, I'd probably try the alcoholic pairing or stick to my cocktails, personally. As for cocktails, I also had the cococho, which I would definitely recommend to any other absinthe connoisseurs. This also happens to pair well with the swordfish and the dessert, in my opinion. And, as with any restaurants that offer tasting menus, the service was nothing short of exceptional. read more

Mägo - Tasting menu - Colombian Near Me - Oakland, California

I wanna come back, and soon! I wanted to hit up Doña (a restaurant next door to Mägo) on an early Friday evening but they literally had a line down the block to order. I was ready to just wait for my ride to arrive but because it was so windy, I decided to find somewhere else to go nearby to stay warm while I waited. Mägo is just next door and has a happy hour poppn' off until 7p (!!!), so I decided to check it out. I sat at the bar by thine lonesome and a sweet and informative bartender helped me out in choosing a good drink (Guava Lychee Spritzer... $12 and delicious!) and recommending an appetizer (a healthy portion of fried yuca with a nice dip for just $6!) I had a great time until my boo showed up to pick me up and had a taste for something different. But I'll definitely be back! read more

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I have been here twice for dinner. I'm not sure when it changed from New American to Colombian, but I preferred the former - and I love Colombian food so this isn't a knock against the cuisine itself. In fact, I was quite excited to have more Colombian food after we had recently dined at Parche. Unfortunately, the boldness was not there. The plates were hit or miss on flavors, with only two that I could say were above average (stone fruit salad and the halibut). While this is indeed a good deal for prix fixe with market ingredients, portions are on the smaller side and may leave some diner craving more. I was shocked that two small buns, a small bowl of corn, and another small bowl of potatoes each counted as a "dish." The dessert felt particularly uninspired as a simple chocolate mousse in a tart shell topped with cream. Service was also uneven, with either friendly and helpful servers who proudly explained dishes as they were dropped off or one with an extremely poor attitude who wordlessly slid plates down in front of us and actively ignored us when we tried to politely get her attention for water and the bill. Mago had real potential when it opened, and I think maybe it could swing back up, but there's definitely work to be done on many fronts. read more

A casual Colombian restaurant that gets serious with the tasting menu. Fun beverage pairing that includes wine, sake, and cocktail. Service is adequate, but they are learning and trying. The weekday tasting menu is probably a better deal. It costs more on the weekend. ---- The mission statement on the website sounded admirable: The tasting menu is cheaper on the weekdays to make it more accessible. We were seated at the chef's counter, which offers a direct view of the kitchen. We quickly decided on the tasting menu and the beverage pairing with an add-on Dungeness crab dish. After a relatively long period of waiting, we were presented with the food. There are some highlights! But sometimes, I wonder if some dishes need an extra boost of flavor. First were the finger foods. We love the plantains that contrast brilliantly with charged allium. The arroz de coco brought to mind arancini but with a thin crust and coconut flavor. The tostada with amberjack brightened by the kiwi. The arepa was flavorful and puffy, but the butter beans seemed lacking. A general complaint: Please give us a wet napkin or something to wipe our fingers after finger foods! The larger format blue shrimp was cooked to perfection, but the veins were in some pieces. The achiote ponzu was amazing, but the romanesco might be a tab overcooked. Dungeness crab guacho, honestly, is a little disappointing. The components are done well, and it is an homage to the regional dish, but it just tasted...fine. The fish dish was a counter-example of that. I am not sure if there is a traditional dish where it drew inspiration, but it was an elevated dish that we thoroughly enjoyed. The cilantro and pineapple spread that came with the bread had such a bright flavor we couldn't have enough! The grilled pork is definitely the highlight of the evening. It was carefully tended by a chef over the grill, and it was flavorful and juicy. The carrot was grilled slowly until it was almost dehydrated. The intense sweetness and texture worked very well with the pork. The first dessert course, the banana custard, was terrific. The sweetness was counterbalanced by the subtle sweetness from the caramel. The dish was not overpowered by bananas, which so often is the case. The coconut and lime foam on the top provided a contrast and relief from the custard. The final dessert course was a bit too sweet and heavy for us. We were told that it was inspired by mole. I like the concept. Overall, we enjoyed the food. For a meal at this price point, maybe we expect a little more. However, I saw a kitchen with a mission that served some brilliant dishes. I saw service staff striving to be better despite some oversights. Maybe Mago needs to think about where it wants to position itself, but I am rooting for them. read more

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I love this place. They consistently provide interesting and tasty dishes. Well balanced, thoughtful and innovative. I am excited every time I dine here. The drink pairings are phenomenal. I've been here for casual Thursday night dinners, Valentine's day, New Year's Eve and birthdays. If you are visiting Oakland, stop by and if you haven't been here yet, check it out. read more

Came by for dinner the other night and it was a phenomenal experience. Made a reservation via Tock and paid a $25/person + $2.25 processing fee to secure the reservation. Mago is featured in the Michelin guide and offers indoor dining at the chef's counter, bar, or dining room. Paid street parking was available. Payment is until 6 pm. Opted for the chef's counter and the view of the open kitchen was fantastic. After dining at Michelin starred restaurants around the world, I was slightly surprised at the noise from the clashing of plates in the kitchen, from the bar, and from the dish room. I remember dining at The Clove Club in London with an open kitchen and the entire kitchen was on mute, stunning! The host refunded our entire deposit before showing us our spot at the chef's counter. The interior aesthetics was special. The dining room was open and I couldn't help notice the huge gaps between tables. The chef's counter was pretty much identical to the counter that the kitchen staff used for prep... Mago features a seasonal tasting menu and offers a short ~5 course for $75 or a long ~11 course for $120. Started off with the arepa, tostada, and pluot as appetizers and they were well presented. My favorite was the tostada which was super light with the creme fraiche. Moved on to the local tuna which was also super fresh and the avocado mousse was super light! The bbq pear course featured a super ripe pear along with a fantastic char from the grill! The halibut course was cooked to perfection. Despite halibut being a leaner fish, the edges were crispy and the interior was juicy. The sauce was also perfect. The Oregon lamb was also world class. Crispy and slightly charred exterior with an interior cooked to a perfect medium/medium rare. The plantain soup was quite unique with a lightly fried plantain, grilled mushrooms, along with a nice soup. For the 3 dessert courses, my favorite was the candy cap flan which was wraped in a crepe, topped with some flavorful ice cream! ~$165/head after tax, gratuity, and 5% employer mandates for dinner. read more

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We have been here twice now for large group dinners. As a vegetarian who cannot eat much garlic, it can be difficult for Mago to offer their best dishes for me. Somehow they found a way to serve delicious, multi course dinners both times I was there. The serving staff operated with ease, multi course plates & several drinks fluidly found themselves on our tables, with well improvised relevant tweaks to the menu for folks with allergies et al. They have outdoor seating with heaters, so ready & pleasant for year round weather. There's plenty of street parking, but all likely occupied, so give yourself a few to find parking. read more

Had a team dinner and hangout here, and was pleasantly surprised. Delicious courses, with the standouts being the risotto/mushroom/coconut dish, sturgeon and lentils (so good), grilled pork, arepas, break apart bread, and last but not least, the salted chocolate mousse. Solid wine options, too. Can't wait to come back read more

Mägo - Sturgeon and lentils - Colombian Near Me - Oakland, California

mägo was incredibly tasty. But, I feel ripped off and insulted. - The whole place smelled of smoke the entire evening. Ventilate! Moisturize! - I brought my own rare, old, stored carefully special bottle of wine. The sommelier/bartender tasted it without my permission. Normally, it'd be OK to do so if it's the restaurant's own and they need to confirm it's not wine gone bad. But in this case, I brought it myself, so I should have tasted it first, and he should have only tasted it if I offered. And they still charged $45 for corkage. He also had a very generalistic hand-wavy opinion of it. - One of the waitresses was very rude. Her deadpan stare as she presented us with awkward dishes with no explanation said: "What of it?" I pre-paid for a set menu, and it felt like we got a scoopful of each dish, and one in particular was a prime number that couldn't be divided by the number of guests I had. So I asked ... are these components of one or more dish? Do we compose this in a certain way? She rudely said, "What?" and stared. I then asked if the serving was for one or the number we had ... and it was for the number we had. Read the room: Offer some explanation or alternative knife or service. Instead, I did careful pie chart division myself. - There was no itemized receipt, and if I did my calculation correctly, it does not quite feel like we were charged correctly. And I pre-paid upon reservation, and there was no explanation that my card wasn't charged and that I'd be charged based on actual cost on the night of. I had to bring up my credit card statement live on my phone to ensure I wasn't being double-charged. We'll see in a few days. What a freaking mess for a restaurant I looked forward to going to for two years, and is my last fancy meal before I move out of state. I am annoyed at not only the experience, but the smugness. The food was incredibly, incredibly tasty. read more

Mägo was forgettable except for the fact that I won't forget the lack of warmth or passion. The space is beautiful and modern and also the service and food felt distant. I was surprised by some of the long tasting menu. The arepa and stuffed cabbage were both excellent; the rest seemed uninspired. The upscale version of Brazilian cheese bread and other bites seemed to reflect a confused and even dry aesthetic. read more

Mägo - Colombian Near Me - Oakland, California

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Ideally, a 3.5/5. My friend and I visited Mägo during the Oakland Restaurant Week (priced at $65 pp). From outside, it looked like a regular building, but once inside, Mägo offered a charming atmosphere. The indoor area had a warm, intimate feel with soft lighting, perfect for a quiet dinner. They also have a back patio with heated lamps, making it a versatile spot depending on your preference. They also had blankets for us to use because the weather was extra chilly and rainy. Their patio area is mostly covered, so you should be fine if it starts raining unless you are seated at the table we were at. Our table was slightly exposed to the outside elements, and with the strong winds, we could definitely feel the drizzle, but it wasn't a big deal. We just moved our seats, and we were fine afterward. The food had its ups and downs, but unfortunately, the service significantly impacted the overall experience. Our Restaurant Week tasting menu, which consisted of only 4 courses, stretched out to a staggering 2.5 hours. This slow pace put a damper on the evening, especially considering the number of courses. The menu itself was an interesting mix. The jicama, rhubarb, feta bunuelo, and radicchio starter had intriguing flavors, but the execution felt a little disjointed. The bunuelo was hard like a brick and wasn't much cheesy. I liked the rhubarb, but my friend wasn't a fan. The ling cod, maitake "ajiaco", capers, and avocado were pretty good, with the ling cod cooked perfectly and the maitake mushrooms adding an earthy depth. The avocado was a little salty, but it came on the side, so it didn't really impact the overall flavors of the dish. All in all, it was a great dish. The beef carne asada was a bit of a letdown. While the asparagus and black garlic were interesting accompaniments, the beef itself wasn't as consistent, and some pieces were a bit dry. The pan de coco with plantain butter (an additional $8) was phenomenal (MUST TRY). It was a delightful combination of sweet bread and creamy plantain. We devoured this in no time. I'm still dreaming about it. The torta de zanahoria (carrot cake) with rum raisin and cinnamon was another great dish that delivered a classic carrot cake flavor with a boozy twist. All the textures and flavors complimented each other really well, and the cold ice cream on top really took this dessert to the next level. Overall, Mägo has a lovely ambiance and some creative menu ideas. However, the incredibly slow service significantly detracted from the experience. While our dinner started off with some okay dishes, it definitely ended on a high note. read more

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Thankful for coworkers who become foodie friends (even when they say we are strictly coworkers who happen to eat together) My coworker/foodie friend found Mago on Yelp and insisted we come and check it out. Mago offers a short and long tasting menu and I opted for the short but the foodie friends insisted I do the long tasting and they were correct. 12 course meal that changes items daily and a whole menu change weekly. We were shocked by how refreshing and new each dish tasted like. The entire meal tasted like a sunny August month with the ingredients that were used. My personal favorite was the plantain dish with duck ham, scallops and a miso base sauce. The menu is quite vague, when they present the dish to you that is when you realize the complexity of each dish. Inside is quite open with tons of greenery, bar, and a patio in the back. Service was engaging and made sure we were constantly taken care of with water refills and utensils. Def worth a try! Make reservations ahead of time. read more

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Second time I went to Mago, the dishes were much more interesting that the first! They had beautifully presented bites and we had incredible whiskey cocktails all night (Duck fat whiskey drinks!) Service is attentive and very friendly, and I appreciated the explanations for each dish. It's a great place for a date night. read more