So many people told me to come by Sobre Mesa, but I'm so busy that when I finally stopped by, it was well worth the wait. The first thing you notice is the beautiful ambiance of decor there. It felt like I was on vacation in Costa Rica. The house speakers playing Latin and Dominican music def set the tone that this was a place rich in culture. I must say that the server Kimmy as well as Crista the bartender were both bright spots. The food was awesome as well. The steak was served to temperature (med rare) and the dealers choice rum cocktail was phenomenal. What made this dinner visit special was the fact that the chef came from behind the window to check on everyone. Being in hospitality for 30 years, I can say that I know genuine passion when I see it. Not only did this visit make me happy that it is located in my home town of oakland, but to know that top chef talent chef Nelson, took a community shot with everyone at bar made it feel like home. Cheers to Sobre, they got it right! read more

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I was in downtown Oakland for work and we wanted late-night food and drinks to catch up over. She recommended Sobre Mesa--she'd heard good things. The ambiance was dark, moody, trendy, and romantic. It was pretty busy around 10pm on a weeknight. Service was good. We enjoyed queso de hoja fundido ($18), tater tots, and I enjoyed my Island Paradiso cocktail--contrary to some reviews, I felt that it was a strong drink! Everything was delicious. I would be back if I was in the area! read more

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We had a reservation for 2 at 7:30 pm on a friday night and was sat at a booth! The ambiance is nice and moody, it's a little loud, but also typical for a cocktail bar on a Friday night. We didn't have a big appetite, so we got appetizers to share: - suya beef empanadas 5/5 (perfect filling to dough ratio, light & crispy outside, the sauce was the same at the herbed patatas sauce) - herbed patatas 5/5 (the sauce it came with was delicious) - warm herbed brioche 5/5 (SO GOOD, I love bread) - "adobo" chicken pinchos 2/5 (dry, and also tasted and looked like pork... not chicken?) For drinks we got: - island paradiso 3/5 (too sweet for me) - OG margarita 4/5 (standard margarita, no complaints) read more

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We ordered half of the tapas menu. We were not pleased at all. The only dishes that stood out were stuffed plantain, herbed brioche and Caribbean rice. The rest were tasteless as if the chef had a personal vengeance against salt. The cocktail Chan Chan was delicious but it gave us a huge headache like a cheap liqueur would do. Don't think will ever go again. read more

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After a bit of strolling and adventuring in downtown oakland, we stopped into Sobre Mesa for a nice dinner!Arrived right when they opened at 5pm and sat by the absolutely gorgeous and friendly hostess/waitress! This place is so lovely inside! Colorful and dark decor, lots of pinks and greens. And you can't forget the disco ball at the Stunning bar. It definitely fit the vibe I was looking for. First, we ordered drinks and I got the Chan Chan. This was really good! I was expecting a sweet and refreshing drink but this was not that. It was a dark and serious banana concoction that was more of a sipper. Very alcohol forward, but I enjoyed it. For food, we got the beef empanadas, the chicken pinches, and the beef dumplings. Everything was great! For me the clear winner was the empanadas. Crispy on the outside and delicious and meaty on the inside with a yummy red sauce on the outside. Along with my drink, I really enjoyed these. Great dinner at Sobre Mesa! I enjoyed the ambiance, the great vibes, and delicious food. read more

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Came here for my best friends bday dinner - we decided on a spread of tapas from the starters menu! Originally wanted to also order an entree but the tapas ended up being plentiful. Food very flavorful. Not gonna lie for some reason the Tots were the biggest hit for us lol. I think it's the crispiness of it. I thought the empanadas were yummy, the adobo chicken (forget the actual name of it), the brioche was an interesting combo - i think i liked the pairing and the bread was so soft and yummy. Drinks were beautiful but didn't feel like they were strong (which is fine since Im not one to drink much anymore... but would've liked a little buzz still). Vibe of the restaurant was cute. They had a DJ that night who was playing really good music. Would return to give this another shot! read more

Sobre Mesa - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

My friend and I were excited to come here for a nightcap! We were met by the hostess and sat at a table, even though I kind of hoped we had been at the bar for the one drink we wanted. We were given plates and silverware, even though we didn't have the intention of eating. It felt like 20 minutes passed before anyone came up to us, despite neighboring tables being tended to. Once we finally got someone's attention, the response was, "Did you just sit here yourself or did someone seat you?" "Oh, I thought you were trying to order food, the kitchen is closed." Ummm, huh? I was really disappointed and now I'm not as excited to go here anymore. read more

Once you walk in the doors (which do look a bit sketch; I totally walked past the entrance my first time here), you're transported to south Miami in the best way possible. Drinks here are on point though food service took WAYYYYY longer than usual on my last visit (but customer service made up for it). They have a great happy hour as well (chicken pinchos and empanadas are top choices). If you're in the Oakland area, do not miss out. read more

Sobre Mesa - Persimmon martini and manzana g&t - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Came in on a Saturday night with no reservation for a birthday celebration and expected to wait -- there was no availability at first. The hostess, Kim, kindly offered us seats at the bar and then shortly after went out of her way to accommodate us at a table. That alone was already great service, but she didn't stop there. Kim checked in on us throughout the meal and even surprised the birthday girl with a round of celebratory shots on the house, which was such a thoughtful touch. She was incredibly friendly and made the whole experience feel special. The food was fantastic -- really interesting twists on Caribbean classics. Don't skip the brioche toast or the papas bravas. Everything paired perfectly with the drinks. Between the great food, great drinks, great vibe and truly standout hospitality, we had an amazing time. We'll definitely be back! read more

Sobre Mesa - Negroni de la muerte - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Oh my goodness the food here is good. And it's DIFFERENT - not the same as all the other tapas places. 1. We ordered the empanadas and the fried goat cheese. Both amazing. Empanada had a very tasty crust A deep fried not baked. And lots of meat. More than a lot of other places. And it had a sauce that I wanted to steal all of it because it was that good. The goat cheese was creamy and the crusty outside was very satisfying. Lovely presentation. 2. We ordered the jerk cambas which was shrimp in an incredibly tasty tomato based sauce. Order bread to dip into the sauces. You won't be sorry. 3. We ordered the pork belly but they were out of that cut and they made the same dish out of pork shoulder. It was so tender. I think it was probably better than the pork belly which is good but is so rich (fatty) that my digestive system rebels. So I was really happy with this dish. We had no room for dessert. However we found that their margaritas slide right in. The service was fabulous. Our server Alicia was so delightful and fun. She explained all the dishes to us as this was our first time. Everyone kept our water filled. Decor - lighting is perfect - not too bright. Very nice bar - colorful and really gives a great ambience. Great for dates. Music is just a little loud so maybe not the place to go for conversations across the table. There are cozy tables away from the speakers. Ask for those if you need to. read more

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Okay!! Let me start off by saying I am a picky eater and on top have dietary restrictions ( lactose intolerance). TMI? Maybe but this pretext is important cause I ate from everything that was ordered for the table. Beef empanadas: I don't eat beef but these empanadas were soooo good that happy to let you all know that I now eat beef. Thanks for converting me. Tator tots: i had to order another one cause these were exceptional. Plaintain with impossible meat: eclectic and so inclusive. Chicken skewers: BOMB!! There drinks were all good except for the green one that was wayyyyy tooooo stronggg . Not complaining just be prepared We ordered 3-4 drinks each. The drinks were that good. The decor is eclectic. I can't wait to come back. I wish they allowed kids( assuming on my part), cause I would love to bring my 14 yr old to try their food. So Very Good. Thank you for the great culinary experience and will be back!! read more

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This place was super cool. We were headed to another place in the area but the great music filtering through the door made us curious. We peeked inside and loved the vibe and cool and diverse crowd. Dark lighting, nice decor, friendly hostess and bartender, nicely made cocktails, decent food, and a live singer. I would definitely be back when I'm the area. :) read more

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I've celebrated my birthday twice at Sobre Mesa the last few years. I'm a big fan of their sister restaurant AlaMar. So this year I decided to do a mini pub crawl with some girlfriends and Sobre Mesa is where we enjoyed the dinner portion. The hostess and server were really awesome. The server made great recommendations, including the brioche bread (order that right now!) She also provided us with smoked shots of their Sobre Mesa cocktail and non alcoholic drinks for my friends that weren't partaking. Food: we had the chicken skewers, patatas, beef skewers, pork belly, empanadas and the brioche bread. All of it was delicious. My crew really liked the empanadas, patatas and brioche bread. There was nothing left. I enjoyed the Oaxacan Country Club and it was very tasty. We ended the night by taking photos by the "Come Sober, Leave Sobre" sign and that we did. Until next time! read more

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Long overdue review! The food, drinks, and overall vibe here were awesome. Staff were fast, kind, and made the experience even better. Definitely a spot worth checking out. read more

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I'm obsessed with this place! The vibes are immaculate- intimate and cozy space with fun decor. I went for the first time Friday night before a show at the fox. Everything we ordered was amazing but the gambas are a must as well as the beef empanadas. The service was great and very attentive. Can't wait to be back! read more

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This is such a cute trendy looking bar. The front of the bar is lively and busy but there's tables near the back creating a more intimate vibe. It's a good spot for a date night or girls night. Picture worthy bar! read more

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Came here on a Saturday night, party of 6, spontaneously around 7pm ish after finishing an escape room at Clockwise nearby walking distance. It happened to not be super busy and none of us had tried it before, so we thought, why not?? After a lot of debating on what drinks to order, we decided to get one of EVERY COCKTAIL ON THE MENU LOL and the experience did NOT disappoint (yes, all 11 of them). If your party is big enough I actually recomend this because it was so fun and everything was so different. Pros: - Everything (every drink, every small plate) was delicious, and I genuinely felt like every cocktail was different from each other. Even the more "classic" ones (like a variation on an old fashion) had their own special twist. The sobre mesa cocktail came out on a smoky platter and was very tasty. Another cocktail that was a white color was also delicious (literally cannot remember what it was but it was SO yummy). - The ambiance and presentation were lovely! Every drink and food platter was beautifully plated. Fun mood lighting, music but you can still hear each other talk - We had a lovely bartender and server, though I can't remember her name. She was super enthusiastic and kind to us - For the vibes, service, ambiance, and presentation, I think the prices are worth it. We came out of there for $90 a person and we sat there for like 3 hours yapping away, and I was full. - Food was delicious. The empanadas, the cheese fondue, the plantains. Nothing was too dry or heavy. NO complaints about the food, went really well with the drinks. Impeccable quality Cons: - not a huge deal, but the booth we were sitting in felt like it was super warm/hot with poor air circulation. But maybe also cuz of the alcohol hahah 10/10 WILL BE BACK read more

Sobre Mesa - all 11 cocktails on the menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Second time to Sobre Mesa but this time for a surprise party gathering I arranged for a group of friends. The reservation process was smooth and the service was very attentive and flexible. We had only reserved for 10 but luckily our timing was early and our party expanded to 13 without a hassle. The cocktails were enjoyed all around and the food was delicious. Our favorites were the empanadas, the prawns, the goat cheese and potatoes bravas. The chicken skewers were a bit overcooked but still enjoyed. I had hoped for a candle on some dessert-like item for my husband, to close out our celebration for him, but they don't really do desserts. Instead, they so nicely provided our group with their theatrical and very tasty shooters. Our multi-generational (all over 21!) party couldn't have been more festive! We'll be back read more

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Returned with a group of friends and enjoyed two rounds of the happy hour drink drinks. Would highly recommend coming for happy hour and grabbing lots of appetizers. Service is super friendly and the space is so lively and fun. Very reliable drinks, prices, and quality of good eats. read more

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We enjoyed our visit to Sobre Messa. The decor is super posh and inviting. The DJ the day after thanksgiving was playing great music, and it was a vibe. Our waiter was great as well. We ordered drinks and several dishes to share. The drinks missed the mark a bit. I had a drink that was supposed to be one of the strongest, but it tasted like a bunch of liquors poured together, but with no direction. The taste was so off putting, I barely touched it. The food was great! The hummus was pretty good an so was the shrimp dish. The star hands down was the pork belly and mashed sweet potatoes. It was so good that I ordered a second dish to-go so that I could eat it at home the next day. I would go back to sobre mesa whenever I'm in town for that dish alone. Overall, I wouldn't mind going back and recommend if you're looking for a vibe and good food. read more

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Sobre Mesa was bustling when I came in at 9 on a Friday evening, and the live DJ, mood lighting, and delicious smells made it clear why. Their location is sort of thin and stretched out, with bar seating, booths, and tables available. My friend and I opted for an out-of-the-way hallway table to beat the wait and had our orders taken promptly. Sobre Mesa: so apparently smoky flavors remind me too much of barbecue sauce. I guess my palate isn't fine-tuned enough to enjoy this, but I'm sure it's a good cocktail to many. Oaxacan Country Club: much more my style. Mezcal and tangy raspberry liqeur meet pineapple and lime. Very sippable. Great place for a hangout, but the volume might make it hard for a first date. Will have to try their food next time! read more

Sobre Mesa - Sobre Mesa, Oaxacan Country Club - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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this place is beautiful. I love the ambience. The service is always excellent. When it comes from the servers however, one of the bartenders wasn't so pleasant. I miss the gentleman who made the hot sauce and the good drinks. However, the food is great. I love the oysters and I have to give a shout out to Kimmy. She's always providing excellent service and she has wonderful energy. However, now that the gentleman who made the hot sauce is no longer working there they need a hot sauce replacement, but I love this place and I'm definitely going back. read more

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The drinks were sooo good and crafted carefully by the best bartender. The garnishes make them beautiful but the taste is the star. Zombie reviver (5/5) strong and fruity! Chan Chan (5/5) banana liqueur comes through Jackalberry in the motherland (5/5) corn liqueur goes well with the lemon! Melon highball (3.5/5) it's like drinking iced soju that's not sweet, that might be a love or a hate for you. Came on a Sunday afternoon and they had a pop up kitchen that brought in a fun vibe and more customers. Sad we didn't get to try their usual menu but we'll be back next time to try them. read more

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*******BLACKED OWNED BUSINESS ALERT******** It's my birthday....Aayyyee. Cake, cake, cake.....Aayyyyee. I chose Sobre Mesa and what a great choice. I have been reading about all the new restaurants opening in Oakland and that Oakland was voted the best city for food in 2024. Nice! This restaurant is owned by a Top Chef alum. This spot is legit. No doubt. We ordered the empanadas, sweet plantains, and the branzino fish. Delicious. I can't forget about our server. She was the best. I hope that I don't offend her by not remembering her name. I believe her name was Kim? She had braids/locks, maybe?? Anywho...she truly defines what hospitality is supposed to be. We have all had folks that get the service game confused... sometimes you have to ask yourself who is serving who? You or the server? Definitely not her. The atmosphere, the service, and the food added to my amazing gift. read more

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I had the best birthday at Sobre Mesa and I have to give a huge shout out to Anissa! She really made the night special and went above and beyond for us. She helped us with the birthday tradition they have there doing coquito shots and having everyone say what they love about the birthday person. I cried it was so special. The whole evening was such a vibe. She even helped us with a whole photo shoot after dinner to make sure the lighting and everything was hitting! If you're at Sobre Mesa, just know Anissa is going to take care of you. Big thank you to her for making my birthday so special. read more

Sobre Mesa - impromptu birthday photo shoot directed by Anissa - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Fun vibes and yummy drinks Sobre Mesa Cocktail - IG worthy cocktail d/t the smoking and decorations. cocktail itself was well balanced and the extra smoke may have detracted from the drink's taste but was a nice effect Jackalberry in Motherland Cocktail - very well balanced with both sweet, tart, savory notes, I preferred this drink (recommended by our server) Bone Marrow - it could have been hotter. we typically like our bone marrow almost liquid, however this one felt like it was sitting out for a while. the fun part is when you're done, you can luge a shot of liquor down the hollowed bone! it was a fun touch! Jerk Gambas - some excess sodium in here, however the spices were on point! We soaked up the wonderful sauce by recommendation of our server Oysters - loved that they were fully shucked and sauced so you don't have to pick at it with a fork or add anything yourself, you can just pick it up and the contents just slide in your mouth. honestly most places don't add this nice touch and I appreciated it here Empanadas - honestly lacking unfortunately. the salsa didn't have much spice/taste, the filling to the empanada tasted very American for some reason, like a burger. would NOT recommend. Interior was very trendy and gave off date night vibes Service was very friendly and helpful Overall would return again for drinks and variety of food! read more

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I have to be honest--the night started with a bit of a curveball. We had originally booked at alaMar weeks in advance to celebrate a massive date night before seeing New Edition, Boyz II Men, and Toni Braxton. I've followed Chef Nelson's work for years, so when I found out alaMar was closed for a private event, I was definitely disappointed and a little nervous about our plans. BUT LET ME TELL YOU... Sobre Mesa saved the day and then some! Even though we were redirected to their sister spot just blocks away, the experience was absolutely PERFECT. If I could give this place 10 stars, I would! The transition was seamless, and the evening went from "uncertain" to "unforgettable" the moment we walked through the door. The Service & The Vibe: The atmosphere is electric--the perfect "Oakland Cool" energy to get us hyped for the arena. A massive, heartfelt shout-out to our server, Kim. She was out-of-this-world on point! She kept the pace smooth and efficient (crucial for making our show on time) while making us feel like VIPs. The Flavors: The culinary philosophy here is next level. Every dish reflected those deep, soulful Afro-Caribbean flavors we were craving. The Warm Herbed Brioche was a buttery dream, and the Herbed Patatas with jerk chimichurri had a kick that was out of this world! The Crispy Goat Cheese and Jerk Gambas were seasoned to perfection. We paired it all with a Chan Chan and a salted OG Margarita--absolute perfection. Final Thoughts: I made a couple of "husband errors"--I forgot my wife isn't a fan of olives or goat cheese (more for me! ) and next time I'll add one more meat dish, but we were so full we didn't even have room for the Affogato! The only thing that would have blasted this night into orbit would have been meeting Chef Nelson himself, but hey, there's always next time! Thank you for the recommendation and the incredible outreach; you turned a potentially frustrating situation into the highlight of our night. We will be back! read more

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Sobre Mesa in Oakland is a whole vibe. Afro-Caribbean energy from the second you walk in--warm, stylish, and alive. The music, the lighting, the crowd... all on point without trying too hard. I had the whole Branzino and got-damn--that dish was a showstopper. The presentation was clean and sharp, but the real story was the flavor. Perfectly cooked, bold seasoning, every bite hit. Shout-out to Anissa and Diane--they were amazing. Super attentive without hovering, knew the menu inside and out, and just had this chill, welcoming energy that made the whole night better. Great food, great people, great energy. I'll be back. read more

The ambiance was nice with cool colored lights and many plans, it's a fun little spot to hangout. The service was courteous and friendly. 5/5 Initially, the plan was just to grab drinks, but we ended up ordering the patatas bravas, which were tasty. We'll definitely return to try more of the food menu. 4/5 However, the drinks were a bit difficult to enjoy due to their overly harsh flavors, which took a very long time to make. 1/5 read more

Sobre Mesa - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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NYE celebration was perfect! Not only were the food and drinks delicious, the vibe was there! Very grown and sexy, and of course I appreciated the cultural aspect. The one thing I will say ... It's very difficult to pick just one thing from the menu. We ordered every tapas they had and went from there. It was plenty for a party of 3. read more

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Ive been here for dinner and drinks and was able to try their brunch but I'm not sure if they are offering brunch anymore. Great ambiance for a meet up with friends or date. The decor is so beautiful and music was Afro Caribbean, and R&b and hip hop. My favorite! Their shrimp and grits, lamb omelette and apple pancakes were just phenomenal! I tried to go back for the pancakes on a different day because I really couldn't get enough but they had an event going on at the time. Those pancakes were buttery sweet and fresh. I need them again in my life! Hopefully they have brunch again soon! But their dinner food is also so delicious! read more

Sobre Mesa - Apple Pancakes - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Review Time! I'm late to this, but here it goes. Since they have a bar, they card you at the entrance. Stepping inside, you're greeted by a dimly lit ambiance with vibrant accents, creating a cool and inviting atmosphere. I loved the decor and overall vibe. Our host and waitress were incredibly friendly, attentive, and engaging in conversation. They made us feel like regulars from the moment we walked in. The food was truly impressive! The menu is concise and changes seasonally, which initially made me a bit hesitant. However, I was blown away by the quality and flavor. This is a fantastic spot for a night out with friends or a romantic date. The beautiful decor and the music - a delightful mix of Afro-Caribbean, R&B, and hip-hop - created a truly enjoyable atmosphere. read more

We planned a surprise dinner for a coworker here and we had the best time. We had the whole place to ourselves. With Afro-Caribbean inspired cuisine and cocktails, Sobre Mesa did not disappoint. The artwork and inside decor felt like islands. The extensive charcuterie boards were full of color, flavors and textures. The star of the show of the evening were the drinks. Highly recommend the Sobre Mesa, comes Smokey with island punch and tequila. The Bar Maids were awesome and provided good suggestions. read more

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This is a hidden gem in Oakland! I recommend everyone go and check this place out! Celebrated my bday here and the service, food, ambiance... everything was excellent! A good time was had by all! Order the branzino! everything was really good and let's just say we cleaned our plates! Order to share so you can try everything! read more

The coolest hidden gem in Oakland... Sobre Mesa! My cousin and I made reservations on a Saturday evening at 5 PM. We were greeted immediately. The ambience is very tranquil with dimmed lights, and soft music. We asked the wait staff to seat us in the 3 person booth and we were told it was reserved. In which it was not. And the entire time we could've sat there... Other than that, the food was absolutely exquisite. Each dish was delicious, the flavors were authentic and unforgettable. Our server was pleasant and knowledgeable. The wait times for our food was decent. The Branzino was the star of the show ...it was light and seared to perfection. It melted in our mouth. It had the most perfect crust on the outside. Can't stop thinking about it!!! read more

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If you know you know Chef Nelson is really Him. The food amazing. Whether you going for brunch on a Sunday or dinner night Tuesday-Saturday. The ambiance on a whole other level. The drinks tho Dios Mio. We be back on Friday 7/25 for another dinner night. Whoever see this and comment I'll buy you a drink!! *get the bone marrow and the empanadas Un saludo hermano, el cielo es el límite. Mucho amor para ti y tu familia. read more

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Great experience, walking distance to the fox theater. Good drinks, great food. We sat at the bar and actually got served by the chef himself--he told us about each dish and how he used his grandmas recipe for some of them. This is a great date night spot or a place to bring friends. Highly recommend! read more

Food was pretty good. We had the mini chicken kebabs, stuffed plantains, and I can't remember what else. The food was fairly rich, so even though the servings weren't huge, it was pretty filling. Mocktails were full of sugar, even the one that tasted very bitter. Ambience was noisy, even though we got there early, but the decor is cute and the music wasn't bad. Service was strange, we had two servers who didn't seem to be coordinating with each other, and at one point, I had to get up and get myself water. Which is fine, at least they had water out. Overall, it felt expensive to me, not sure I would go back for a full meal again. read more

Came in last minute and was greeted with a smile. That's always important, to not be made to feel like you're "too late." Was looking for a cocktail and dessert. Ordered a highball, which i don't normally order and it was good. It was quality and just right. Very doable for something you've never done before. Oysters were a different type of good. They had smoked trout roe which is very distinct if you know it. And i'm used to a lemony oyster (that's the mexican in me) and this was not that. But it was something to try! Coconut Mocha Flan: This was good and set up really well... if you know how a custard sets. It had coconut foam that was super light, maybe too. Great looking place with super cool vibes! Everything is picture worthy here. read more

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Great ambiance! This place is a vibe! Drinks were delicious and the service was amazing friendly and informative. read more

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