With only two months remaining before Wood Tavern closes permanently, we knew we had to make…read moreanother visit. Over the years, we've enjoyed Wood at just about every time of day--lunch, mid-afternoon noshing, and dinner. But mid-afternoon has always been our favorite. Two longtime favorites are the Pastrami Sandwich and the Tavern Burger. This visit, however, we tried something we'd never ordered before: the house-made charcuterie board, featuring rabbit terrine, whiskey-laced chicken liver, pork rillettes, and juicy house-smoked duck breast. Boy, have we been missing out! What a wonderful surprise. The board comes with plenty of beautifully browned toast, but don't hesitate to ask for more. You'll need it to enjoy every last bit. We enjoyed it so much that we've decided to make one more visit before Wood closes at the end of December. We're really going to miss Wood Tavern. It's been a special place for us, and we're not quite ready to say goodbye!

$25 Pastrami Sandwich: pretty darn good but there is an excellent pastrami that I just tried…read moreelsewhere which dampens my enthusiasm. This one had some crispy edges and well prepared which was lovely though. $14 warm chocolate buckwheat pudding cake: definitely house made. Definitely very good but definitely a safe choice. I think I should have been more adventurous. As good as this is, I'm not convinced I got my $'s worth.

When I think of a sandwich that has the ability to make my mouth water just thinking of it, few…read morecome to mind, but what the sandwiches they make at Southie is definitely one of them. I've had their Spicy Hog, steak with mushroom, a few Cubans, but the one that I always come back to is "The Balls" sandwich. First off, this sandwich is massive, so be sure that you come here on an empty stomach. These beef meatballs are seasoned to perfection and bursting with flavor. The balls are covered in their red sauce with provolone and Grana Padano, which gives it that nutty and salty flavor that pairs extremely well with the meatballs and baguette. All the juices and cheese just get soaked up to perfection. The baguette bread they use is supplied by La Farine, which is just a few meters away from each other. Just putting out there that La Farine is hands down one of the best bakeries in Oakland, so it makes sense that this sandwich would be so dang good. I'll be honest that I'm not a big fan of the chips or those chips in general and could be fine with just the sandwich. If you are going to have any sandwich to eat here first, I would highly recommend you try "The Balls" because I promise you will not be disappointed. I will always say that the dozen or so times I've been here, the staff are always so friendly, and the atmosphere is very down to earth. The price of their sandwiches is in the $20 range, but the quality and portion make it totally worth it.

The spicy hog sandwich I had a few minutes ago was quite messy but good…read more However, my petty gripe is that it was 2pm, there was an open 2-person table on the side, but I was seated 1 foot from and facing the cash register, and told people were coming for the empty table. No one came and instead quickly several more tables cleared out. Rather than see a few minutes of the England-Serbia World Cup match, I saw a bunch of people up close paying lunch bills. Don't come in solo expecting a side table.

I came here with four other friends from work. We made a reservation which was super easy, but not…read moreabsolutely necessary. Larger parties should though since there aren't too many bigger tables. It was a really cute place with a great ambiance. I loved that it was only a half mile from bart, so a lot of us took public transit. The waiters were very attentive and kind, and also very generous! We got salads on the house and desserts, as well as bread. Not sure if that is normal or if they just liked our group lol, but they were so sweet. I certainly wouldn't go in expecting it, but thought I should share that note because it really made an impact on us. I appreciate that they didn't rush us at all, and we stayed for a few hours. Also the food!!! Everything was so good! We all enjoyed our food and drinks, and there wasn't a single complaint. I got the salmon which was cooked perfectly with a delightfully crispy top and a buttery soft inside. The prices overall were a little bit of a splurge for me, but I would certainly come again. Thanks Marica for the wonderful service and food!

At Merica, my partner and I were met with service staff who were warm, courteous, speedy and…read moreresponsive. The restaurant space is well-lit, has plenty of indoor seating and seems suitable for a date or casual get-together with friends. My partner would give the food a five-start rating for its simplicity, generally flavorful, with spicy sauces and THE BEST guacamole! He had the Korean spare ribs and mash potatoes. He found the ribs to be fall-off-the bone tender, with potatoes that were more whipped than mashed alongside a carrot puree. I, on the other hand, had the New York Steak and au gratin potatoes. Though I wanted to enjoy my entree, I found the New York Steak to be unfortunately chewy and with too much fat. The au gratin potatoes could have had more crispy layers but tasted mediocre. Though I'd only rate this first experience with three stars. the service staff DID win us over and could potentially be the reason I'd be open to giving it another try.

I stopped on a whim for breakfast and it was a happy surprise. The Kitchen Story scramble was…read moredelicious. My only concern was that it was too plentiful for me to finish. Service was friendly and helpful, just attentive enough. My seat on the sidewalk made for great people-watching. One other thing, very important. I am a disabled older woman on a mobility scooter, and this morning I was alone. I often get less-than wonderful service under those circumstances in places where I am not a regular. The service and attitude here was warm; I had no doubt that I was welcome. This is an extraordinary place and extraordinary people staff it.

The last time I came here was around 2021 and I remember this place used to be super busy. Luckily…read moreI joined the waitlist on yelp when we were on the way to the restaurant. We only waited about 10 minutes before we were seated. The service was quick, we didn't wait long for our food and we got checked in on a lot. We sat upstairs, which must be new because I don't recall them having an upstairs dining area. But it was really nice and the noise level was perfect enough to listen to the company you are with. Didn't feel packed at all. I enjoyed the candied bacon, it was one of my favorites when I came the first time and still tastes good as I remember. I ordered the KF chicken and waffles, the chicken was okay but I think it was overly cooked because it was a tad try once I bit into it. My bf got the omurice and he said it was good and filling. I am not a big fan on poutine, my bf said it was good and that the tater tots held their crispiness even after being mixed with the sauce and egg.

Shrimp & Grits: Well spiced, moderate temperature and the cilantro helped freshen up the flavor…read moreprofile. Shrimps were juicy, sauce thick, eggs perfectly runny. Decent amount of food! Skillet Corn Bread: Crunchy exterior, sliced peppers throughout, medium crumb, slightly sweet butter. Would recommend getting to share with the table. SIDE OF FRIES: TRANSCENDENT. BEST FRIES I HAVE EVER HAD. Seasoned with salt, cracked black pepper, dill and parsley. Holds form well for dipping. Crunchy outside, fluffy inside. If you appreciate well seasoned balanced fries, get these. It takes some time to get your food but the food comes out fresh so it's well worth the wait. The staff are attentive and friendly which is a merit to itself because this place is incredibly busy. Props to them. Ambiance is beautiful. Many natural materials but the glass blown lamps and the mint green art nouveau (?) decoration are stunning. This seems like a great place to dine at for many occasions. 10/10 come visit.

Great service and the food was yummy. The mimosa craft was just enough to share for two could've…read moredone three people. We felt welcomed from the first point of coming in to our departure. Everyone said hello status and constantly checked on us. It was a nice experience.

Food, service, ambience - all always stellar and consistent…read more The fall seasonal items - tomato carpaccio was refreshingly delicious and the gulf shrimp pasta was a deliciously unusual tomato sauce mixed with a spatter of basil pesto, over a most delicious pasta cooked to perfection.

I just began going to the wolf this month and my favorite time to go is for brunch…read more I had been hearing so much about the fried chicken salad that they have and I tried it - it was so amazing - I also added a side of aioli to dip my chicken in (hack). I also tried the gazpacho which was very refreshing. The bar is so beautiful and let's in a lot of sunlight. I was greeted by 2 amazing bartenders - Miguel and Stacey who took great care of me , and made the best espresso martinis! I definitely will be back !

We were in the area so we stopped in here to get some lunch. The place has plenty of seating inside…read moreand outside which is good. We were able to sit down right away since it wasn't busy so that was good. We ordered some drinks (margarita, beer, wine) right away with some waters for the table. The drinks were very tasty. For our entrees we ordered the Cheeseburger, the spicy pizza, and the fish tacos. Our entrees came out shortly afterwards which was pretty good. The fish tacos had good flavor to it and was cooked perfect but, could use some fish in the tacos. The pizza was really good, not too spicy, the crust was light and cooked perfect, but it also could have used some more meat on the pizza. The burger I was told was really good, cooked perfect, plenty of meat vs bread ratio. We didn't have any desserts, too full for that. Overall, the food was really good and the service was not bad. I'd come back to see if they could get to the 5 stars.

Overall not bad. Decent interior. Clean. Didn't have screens cluttered everywhere like too many…read moreplaces. Service had it's ups and downs Hugely disappointing pizza like something you'd get at an airport. Seemed less like an execution problem and more like a design problem. The crust is flavorless cardboard, over-sauced, with low grade pepperoni. Regrettable. Decent beer and wine choices

My friend and I came on a Monday night and absolutely loved the gastropub vibes!…read more I started with a peach lambic, and my friend got the barbera- both delicious. Food wise, we got: Fries - yum Warm olives with fried halloumi- yum Pretzel rolls - I could eat a bucket of these! And they came with delicious mustard and cheese to boot. We also got the burger, which was perfectly good and the chocolate cake to finish. Overall, would absolutely come back for the food. Where this places loses a point is that when we were paying, the guy handed me the device and had clearly selected 25% tip as a "default" for me. That definitely left me feeling some type of way, especially when the minimum on the screen was 20%, mid 22% and the high was 25%. The service was fine. It wasn't particularly attentive, and I wouldn't have cared except that the server was somehow expecting a 25% tip.

Comically burnt "medium rare steak". I know ordering steak via DoorDash won't be perfect but why…read morewould you send out a steak that's Obviously charred black? Thank god I ordered a side of chicken as that was actually pretty tasty. Monks Kettle, I won't be back.

$26 Brunch Pizza: surprisingly not oily. Liked the flavors…read more Corn soup should have been roasted first. It was too sweet for us (very low sugar family). Shakshuka: a traditional dish spread by the Ottomans. Very good.

A long-term organic restaurant in Berkeley. The hostess was…read morecharming and nice. The server was alarming with a mask from the height of the Covid Era. In my opinion, If an employee is sick stay home till they feel better. The mask suggests that they're protecting the public from them. Stick with the sandwiches and pizzas- forget the salads. Quinoa needs to go away! A fad that stuck around too long!

A Last-Minute Yelp Find That Delivered! Heading home from…read moreSan Francisco, we decided to stop for pasta. A last minute Yelp search led us to Creekwood in Berkeley, and luckily, I was able to secure a reservation inside. What a great find! Creekwood is in a residential neighborhood, which I love, although parking can definitely be a challenge. The exterior is architecturally pleasing, with clean lines and a fresh, modern look. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by the hostess with a huge welcome and an equally huge smile. The restaurant has a cozy bar area, outside seating, and an estimated seating capacity of 50 guests. Inside, there is a combination of banquettes and tables that can be configured to accommodate different party sizes. The interior was extremely clean, visually appealing, comfortable and inviting. The bathroom was also extremely clean. Our server Malia was personable and offered great suggestions, as did several other staff members. Everyone we encountered was genuinely friendly and welcoming. We started with the corn chowder and burrata. The chowder arrived a little under-temperature for my liking, but the flavor was excellent. The burrata was plentiful, paired with tomatoes that were absolutely bursting with flavor. The burrata and tomatoes complemented each other beautifully, and there was just the right amount of dressing. My tablemate ordered the Margherita pizza, which arrived at the perfect temperature. Thin crust, fresh basil and great flavor it was exactly what a Margherita pizza should be. I was craving a meat based pasta with red sauce, but that wasn't on the menu. So I ordered the pappardelle with mushrooms and asked if they could prepare it with a red sauce. They were happy to accommodate me. It arrived at the perfect temperature, with beautifully cooked pasta and an orchestra of flavors. The depth and texture of the mushrooms gave me the satisfying, meaty texture I was craving. I would absolutely order this dish again! One of the highlights of our visit was meeting Greg, the owner, who was circulating throughout the restaurant and talking with his guests. We were first-timers, but clearly, many of his diners were what I like to call "repeat offenders." in the best way. Greg shared some of the history of Creekwood and explained that his goal was to create a true neighborhood restaurant and gathering place. I would say he has definitely accomplished that. He also mentioned that he is considering adding a happy hour, which would be a wonderful addition. They do have Coctails, beer and wine although I did not partake this time. Greg told us about one couple who has visited for brunch more than 149 times! Now THAT is a referral! If I lived in the neighborhood, I have no doubt I would become a repeat offender myself. Sometimes the best restaurant discoveries are the ones you make at the last minute. Creekwood was definitely a successful Yelp selection, and one I'm happy to recommend. Bravo Greg, Chef and Creekwood Family well done and we shall see you soon. GIve Creekwood a try you won't be disappointed.

My friend and I went on a Thursday for dinner. We arrived early, a little before 5 pm. We were…read moregreeted immediately and shown to a booth. It is a small restaurant with tables and several booths by the window. They also have outdoor patio service. We ordered a half dozen Point Reyes oysters on the half shell. They were very fresh. The crispy Brussels sprouts were nicely cooked. My friend ordered the black cod and I ordered the crab with pasta in white sauce. We also ordered a glass of Chardonnay and a glass of Sancerre. The black cod was delicious. I found my pasta dish a bit bland. We shared a piece of carrot cake. It was very good, moist, just sweet enough with a perfect frosting. The service was attentive. It is a very noisy restaurant. The staff was moving furniture around at the beginning. I asked to have the music lowered in volume. The room may benefit from more acoustic tiling since the noise bounced around the floor and walls.