I wanted to love this place. The space is beautiful, the decor is polished, and they're clearly aiming for an elevated dining experience. Unfortunately, the execution didn't match the ambition. Let's start with the atmosphere. The restaurant presents itself as upscale dining, but there were multiple TVs throughout the dining room blasting a basketball game the entire night. I don't understand the choice. If you're going for a high-end experience, commit to it. The TVs completely distracted from the ambiance and made the whole place feel confused about what it wants to be. The food itself was underwhelming. I ordered a non-alcoholic drink for $10, and it was so packed with ingredients that I could barely drink it through the straw. It felt more like someone was trying to show off than create a balanced beverage. The chicken wings were also oddly served as one large connected piece. While that may be intentional, it made them awkward and messy to eat, especially as a shared appetizer. My entrée was the biggest disappointment. It wasn't bad, but it lacked flavor. It needed seasoning, salt, acidity--something. For a restaurant charging premium prices, I expected dishes that made an impression. Instead, everything felt muted. The most frustrating part of the evening was a menu substitution issue. The dish I ordered came with meatballs. I asked to substitute shaken beef. On the menu, it stated "shaken beef +$12." My assumption was that I was replacing one protein with another and paying an upcharge for the difference. Instead, they simply removed the meatballs, charged me the full additional $12, and gave me the shaken beef. Had the server explained that I would be paying the full upcharge while losing the original protein entirely, I would have made a different decision. Maybe I would have kept both. Maybe I would have ordered something else. The point is that nobody explained it. At this price point, that level of communication matters. Then came the bill. We ordered two appetizers, four entrées, one glass of wine, and three non-alcoholic beverages. At the end of the meal, everyone at the table guessed what the total would be. The highest guess was $150. The actual bill was $251 before tip. Nobody was shocked because it was expensive. We were shocked because the experience, food, and service simply didn't justify the price. I don't mind paying premium prices when the food is memorable and the service is thoughtful. Unfortunately, this felt like a restaurant charging luxury prices while delivering an experience that was, at best, average. Beautiful space. Confusing atmosphere. Underseasoned food. Poor communication. Very difficult to justify the cost. read more

Perle Wine Bar used to be one of our favorite spots in Oakland, but unfortunately it just doesn't feel like the same experience anymore. The atmosphere still has potential and the location is great, but the overall quality, energy, and consistency do not feel like what it once was. The service and food used to stand out much more, and lately the experience has felt noticeably less polished and less memorable. It's disappointing because this place truly had something special at one point. Hoping they can refocus on the details that originally made Perle such a standout spot in Oakland. read more

Perle's older concept was a bit stuffy and inaccessible, so we appreciated their new menu and rebranding as Perle Bar! Happy hour prices were fair, the drinks were solid, and the team was nice. We split the Mekong Mule, Summer Wind (vodka/passion fruit cocktail), duck confit egg rolls, Hanoi pork lettuce cups (substituted "chunk" veg meat for the pork), French Onion dip burger, a cup of their pho broth, and a cafe sua da martini for dessert. The broth was a steal at $4, the egg rolls were great, the drinks were lovely, and the "chunk" lettuce cups with their homemade hot sauce were my favorite. After the delicious sample at happy hour, we're definitely coming back soon to try their regularly sized beef pho bowl. read more

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I met up with some friends early in the week for dinner so I'd looked Perle up on Yelp. I was a bit unsure what to expect based on reviews, but after having the opportunity to dine in, it seems to be the only perceived "flaw" was that they maintained the original name when they switched concepts from French fusion to Vietnamese. I'd encourage you to browse the reviews... and then head in to make your own judgement! (I'm happy I did.) We had a great experience, starting with our waitress which I unfortunately didn't get her name. She was very knowledgeable of the menu and gave great recommendations. I went with the roast beef pho French dip... not recommended as a first date food because it was generously filled, packed with flavor and messy if you eat it right. :-) I had to makeshift a napkin bib. I'd definitely order that again. We also shared the beef pho noodle soup, hanoi pork lettuce cups and the wagyu beef carpaccio. The pho was also a generous size, loaded with bone marrow, oxtail, and a flavorful broth. My favorite part of the meal, however, was unexpected- the carpaccio was incredibly good. I'd go back just to order this! For cocktails I also decided to go outside of the box. I'm not a fan of dark liquor but the cherry apple sour sounded intriguing, and did not disappoint. It was a perfect balance of sweet with the whiskey. There is street parking along the block and also a parking garage around the corner, making for easy access and the ability to explore before or after dining. read more

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Oh, sweet Perle Wine Bar! How I miss you!!! The new iteration is just one big miss for us... the food has some potential, but it's simply not good enough nor elevated enough to warrant the price and date night setting. read more

Perle Bar - Carpaccio was not good - the meat sliced a bit thick like what you'd get in pho broth. Very sinewy and hard to chew. - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

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The atmosphere was nice, god lightings and customers service was pretty good! I had the wagyu burger it was undercooked at first, so I let the staff know and they accommodated me. Overall I would go back read more

Perle Bar - Wagyu burger with French Onion dip - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

We ordered the pork lettuce wrap and Dax Biet Broken Rice plate. Food was horrendously salty. So much so I had to send the rice plate back as the sauce was salty and the egg roll was under fried. Lost in translation - A traditional rice plate gone wrong. read more

I didn't know that this place used to be French so can't compare it as other reviewers had. However, I did think that the Vietnamese fusion was a little strange and slightly overpriced, but I guess normal for the Montclair area. My friends and I shared the pho and fish platter. I'm not a huge fan of northern vietnamese pho where they have the wider noodles and different broth, like at Perle's. And also, it was waaaay to sweet for my liking. Also SO EXPENSIVE and for what, some additional bone marrow? While I thought the food was fine, I don't think I would return. read more

Good change of pace for Montclair. A Vietnamese deli and bar. The Lunch special is . Refreshing and tasty salty lime soda drink. Huge Banh mi. I liked the shrimp chip and additional bowl of broth. Better than a bag of potato chips. Good deal. Lots of food. Coming back for a noodle bowl and to try the other beverage options. Good big tvs for sports viewing read more

We had such a nice dinner at Perle last night! Diane was our server and she was helpful with our questions and made us feel very comfortable! She also helped celebrate my friend's birthday for us. The drinks were delicious and we loved the shaken beef salad!! it was my first time there, even though I live in the village and couldn't have asked for anything better! Highly recommend!!! read more

Perle Bar - Our beautiful cocktails - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

Wow -- this used to be one of my favorite French fusion restaurants. I've been here dozens of times, but they recently made a complete 180 and switched to Vietnamese cuisine. The service was still great, as always, but I was totally disappointed with the food. As a Vietnamese person, I can say the dishes were nowhere close to authentic Vietnamese flavors. If they're going to charge premium prices, the food really needs to be up to par. The bún chả had five-spice in it -- something I've never tasted in this dish. If it's not broken, don't fix it. I really hope they bring back the original Perle. read more

We have not tried Perle Bar since it reopened until today for lunch. Service was excellent, beef pho was delicious, my wife loved the flavor of the soup, but the carpaccio that came with it was chewy and was not what we expected. Banh mi lemon grass chicken was very tasty, the pickled veggies and the chicken was grilled perfectly. My wife asked for hot sauce and by our surprise, we were charged $4. $64 for lunch without drinks (except mango drink that came with the sandwich) was expensive. read more

Perle Bar - Beef pho and sandwich - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

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Loved the food and service It's different from the Perle of before which was one of our faves but now it's a new type of delicious food Bar is great good selection of wines and service is warm and friendly read more

This place was the epitome of a rip off. It was overpriced, and a joke of a dining experience. The people of the neighborhood seemed to think they were something special. It's Oakland, and I don't care what neighborhood you live in. It's Oakland, period. Many of the past reviews ranted and raved about flavor, I don't know where they got that from, but the food was bland. I like to dine at nice places like Sundance Steak House, Alexander's Steakhouse, Gary Danko, Quince, Village Pub, Selby's, and Protege. It seemed to me like they were trying to be upscale, but the ambiance was lacking, service, and flavors.... read more

I lover server Diane she always goes on top of the earth and if I can rate her I will but today we visit on a Tuesday she was there however we sat at the bar today since we was only grabbing drinks and that bartender was extremely rude and kept missing everytime we tried grabbing her attention thankfully Diane was still there to help with the drinks and bring our food. The bartender kept going on a smoke break or something because she was off and came back and broke multiple glasses. read more

The food is a slight California take on Vietnamese. I've had both the catfish and chicken bahn mi and they are excellent with fresh ingredients. read more

Service and ambience are fine but food is a total let down. This is not Vietnamese food. It's a total misrepresentation of a culinary culture. I can't even say what it is. I've had fusion and I had never been so disappointed. Everything is soaked in soy sauce and five spice. Not a remote flavor of Vietnamese taste. Not a remote flavor of any taste. And if anyone wants a taste of Vietnamese food, avoid this place. Not only the food is nothing like Vietnamese food but the price would burn a hole in your pocket. I don't mind paying high price but I do mind paying for bad food. read more

1 out of 5 stars Date of visit: Yesterday, around 6:15 PM I had a really disappointing experience here this evening. The owner, Dino, was extremely disrespectful toward our server Ale, right in front of guests. It was uncomfortable to witness and honestly ruined the atmosphere. Ale was doing her best, but the way management treated her was unacceptable. The food itself was also overpriced and underwhelming definitely not worth what they're charging. The restaurant advertises that it's connected to Chef Rob Lam, but from what I saw, he doesn't seem involved at all. It feels like no one is actually checking in on the staff or the quality of the experience. Given how things are run, I'd honestly be surprised if the servers even get to keep their tips. Overall, the experience left a bad taste both literally and figuratively. Definitely won't be coming back. read more

Great service, high quality ingredients, hearty generous portions. Fun place to gather with friends with the large screens.

Came in on Friday the 13th during a crazy dinner rush and honestly wasn't expecting much because the place was packed. There was a bartender and another server on the floor, but somehow the only person who seemed to truly be on top of everything was Diane. This young Asian server girl absolutely went above and beyond. Even with the chaos going on, she was basically doing it all -- hostess, food runner, and server. She was seating guests, checking on tables, running drinks and food, and still managing to keep a positive, calm attitude the entire time. Meanwhile, other staff members barely seemed to pay attention to their tables. Diane made sure our drinks were refilled, our food came out hot, and that we had everything we needed without us ever having to ask twice. On a night when it would've been easy to let service slip, she stood out in the best way possible. If you go, ask for Diane. She's the reason we'll be coming back. read more

Perle in Montclair--A Must-Go! Snagged a table at the new Perle and... wow. It seriously overdelivered. So thrilled to see Rob Lam back in action--his menu is a knockout, with bold, thoughtful spins on classic Vietnamese dishes. The cocktails are inventive, the beer list is solid, and the vibe? Bustling, with nearly every table full. We split the broken rice plate and the shaking beef salad--both were packed with flavor and gorgeous in presentation. You can tell they're putting heart into every dish. Service was on point, too. Only regret? Not saving room for the banana bread pudding. Next time, for sure. One tiny note: the music. Air Supply and Billy Joel? Off the vibe. Might be part of why Montclair winds down so early read more

The flavors are what makes eating here worthwhile! Nice ambiance too.We had the pork dish and it was super flavorful.Yes I know you say you can go down the hill and get Vietnamese food for less and I go to those restaurants too but the complexity of Rob's flavors are far & above,like fine dining. read more

We were regulars at the old Perle, loved the California-french vibe. So we were eager to try out the new Vietnamese Perle. We popped in on their first weekend, and things were still pretty chaotic, and we could tell that they needed a little more time to get it together. Went back last night with friends and it felt much more dialed in! One of my favorites, surprisingly is the Salty Lime Mocktail. Amazing piquant flavor, not sweet, positively addicting. The curry was fantastic, a step above the usual in presentation and balance. The catfish texture was heavenly. So there is a lot to love here, and there is creativity, vision and celebration behind the dishes. As much as I appreciate that, if they had the old Perle burger on the menu, we would come more often. Could there be some French-Vietnamese hybrid offerings? Don't throw out the baby you had!! read more

Beautiful interior, friendly staff, reasonable prices and good food. What more can you want?

Lovely meal at Perle. It was our first time and we agreed it is worth going back soon. Everything was delicious.

Perle is now a new concept, Vietnamese, a change for the original which leaned French. It was a gem then and is just as much a gem now. The owner, Rob, has an upscale Vietnamese restaurant in San Francisco and this seems to be an extension of that with some new twists that I believe people will love. I don't review restaurants enough and that is on me. I tend to be lazy in that department, but will work to be better and share my experiences. Is this a Vietnamese "hole in the wall" place with cheap prices and "decent" food. No. It is refined Vietnamese without being stuffy. Vietnamese cuisine in general has French influences embedded in it from colonial times and Perle plays off of that history. Quality ingredients and beautiful presentations resulting in a yummy and satisfying experience. "Perle Wine Bar" was a great addition to the Montclair section of Oakland, which while has a fairly affluent community around it, but has always had a suprising dearth of quality restaurants. Perle Wine Bar did that in spades. And It was just a mile car in neutral ride down to it from the hills. The new concept builds on that pedigree and success. Now all that is great but what about the food and drinks?? Delicious as expected. Started with the duck confit egg rolls. Crisp thin wrappers filled with delicious duck confit (which is laborious to make) and the shot mustard sauce provided the perfect punch/accent. BBQ pork bowl came out as an enigma at first look. Beautiful but how does this work. Pork belly and meatballs, squares of rice noodles, pickled veggies, lettuce, herbs and a small bowl of pork broth. what should I do? this seems like a small amount of broth? But knowing Rob I know it is exactly as it should be. I get tired of slurping down a huge bowl of pho. Poured in the broth and stirred it all up. Everything now coated with the tasty flavorful broth. Perfect. Exactly what I was looking for on a hot night. Not a huge bowl of broth with some stuff in it but a perfect entree that shouted pho but was so much more. The hubby had the chow fun noodle plate. Rolled rice noodle, pea leaf, several mushroom varieties, veggies and fried tofu. And the sauce. Wow. a pop of heat balanced with sweet and salty. As much as I was blown away by the Pork bowl, this dish even exceeded it. It reminds me that I don't use that blank canvas that is tofu enough at home to add flavor and make a healthy and delicious dish. How about drinks? Well, I had the mocktail Kiwi and Cucumber Mash. Yummy. My drinking days are behind me, so I greatly appreciate the mocktail selection. Although I would love a non IPA NA beer added to the menu. A beer works with this cuisine, but I'm just not an IPA guy. But the hubby is and he enjoyed his draft. While I don't drink, I do still like to peruse the wine list. They have an impressive wines by the glass, as did Perle's prior iteration, but this one is targeted at value delicious wines. There is a reserve champagne that rightly is above the $20 price mark, but everything else is $16 and under. It leans heavily French, which is perfect, and to French wine regions that are more obscure for some but put out amazing wines at friendlier prices versus the Big Boy regions (Burgundy, Bordeaux). Well done Perle. I'll enjoy reading about the wines. Finally, service is friendly and efficient with just enough touch to know that they are there for you without coming over too often. How great service should be. This will be on our regular repertoire because of the friendly endearing decor, the great food and nice service. Well done on the reincarnation. We LOVE the new concept as much as we did the prior. read more

This is an update Pearl wine bar is now Perle Vietnamese cuisine and cocktail bar but they still have a great wine selection and the food is amazing. It's upscale Vietnamese food, but without the heavy price tag that the French version of Perle had also if your vegetarian or vegan there's some really good options, including the ciao fun noodles Which came with three different kinds of mushrooms and these really amazing noodles which are kind of rolled up with an amazing dipping sauce and loads of other dishes, but I've only explored the vegan/vegetarian side of the menu so far highly recommend recommended read more

Be sure to check the menu before you go. This is NOT Perle. $32 pho. Pretty much nothing the same except the space (and apparently the yelp page). Bummer. read more