Visited this tiny charming restaurant for date night and it did not disappoint. Delicious food, quirky staff, fun vibe and rustic decor - this restaurant had it all. We felt at home and welcomed as soon as we walked in. Very homey vibe with welcoming staff who made sure you were having a good time. Every piece of decor in the restaurant had been salvaged from different places and they are all about giving items a "second life" including the neon sign in the patio. They have a very cute patio and a back room for a more private party experience. We also saw the chef making salads fresh across the bar and serving it to customers. Food menu was seasonal but every item was delicious. We were too full for dessert but that looked good too. Would recommend for a date night or intimate small group dinner! Parking was on the street and not too difficult. Reservations are recommended. read more

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The Rendez-Vous is a charming hideaway with a romantic & vintage vibe. Tucked along MLK Jr Way, perpendicular to the BART tracks, this restaurant oozes magic the moment you walk in. From rediscovered murals to the lush plants and vintage light fixtures, every nook and cranny of this restaurant is photogenic. A friend and I popped in on a weeknight, intrigued to try their cocktails and French American fare. Boy, were we impressed. From the tasty oysters, to succulent shrimp, and hearty clam & sausage fregola, everything was well seasoned & flavorful. The cocktails were also deliciously strong, all served in cute vintage glasses. Our server was also energetic and friendly, dancing in between service moments to the bossa nova music in the background. For a girls night or a date night, I cannot recommend The Rendez-Vous enough. It's truly a delightful experience! read more

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My new favorite restaurant! So an artist opens a restaurant and you get this very cute neighborhood restaurant. It's a great place for a solo dinner or a date as the place is small and mostly 2 person top tables. There is also seating out front, a back patio, and a little shed in the back they rent out for private events. All in all everything was phenomenal, the ambiance, our serve Alberto who went above and beyond by giving us a full tour of the place showcasing the uniqueness of the design, and the food and drinks were exceptional and fresh. The Picasso drink was such a cool treat with the hand done design. It appears they rotate their menu so I will be back again and again to try! Reservations can be made on their instagram page @therendezvousoakland read more

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This place is a mood, a delightful one Excellent service. Alberto is spirited and his excitement is contagious Cocktails are excellent beatifically crafted by the owner The burrata with basil, tomatoes, pineapple, watermelon is out of this world. Well balanced acidity. I usually have to brace myself for the tomato acidity but not with this dish! Expensive however. Black cod crudo is succulent and so incredibly fresh. The stringy julienned vegetable slices give the dish an interesting texture to accompany the fish slices. Also expensive. Only complaint is the small portion. Be careful with your wallet, can easily spent $100 on 2 cocktails and 2 plates alone. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the mood for a quick bite (can't be too hungry!) and want to be transformed to an European style cafe with vintage fixtures read more

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This little "hole-in-the-wall" has potential to be a truly fantastic restaurant. First off, the restaurant is a cool, funky space that definitely has "Parisian" vibes, but not in a traditional sense. The bar is beautifully back lit with green lights and has cool Polynesian themed frescos. The service was good and attentive. We sat at the bar and had great conversations with the bartender. She was a great conversationalist! The food was great.. we started with half a dozen Beau Soliel Oysters which came with a horseradish mignonette. We followed that with the smoked trout pate which was probably my favorite dish. My wife and I both ordered the Crab Salad for our mains as they ran out of the Smoked Petrale Sole. It was good but the portion was tiny and at $39 I was hoping for more... it was more portioned like an appetizer. We finished off with the chocolate tart which was also delicious. This place is close to receiving 5 Stars, but portion size needs to be addressed. Plus, having only three entrees and running out of one limits what can be ordered. read more

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I have wondered about this place forever and the limited Yelp reviews kept me intrigued, but just the lack of information kept me from going. What's the menu like? Is it truly so loud? Do they even serve entrees? Well, well, my Yelp friends. Step right up, I'll give you the dish. Overall, I'd call this place a cocktail forward place that serves up some pricey, but tasty, shareable plates. This place is a vibe and it's my type of vibe. Dark, moody, antique-y style everything - from cocktail glasses to the serveware. This has to be one of my favorite 'ambiance' restaurant in the East Bay, hands down. They were bumping great old style soul music. Loud, but not like deafining loud. My friend and I could very much still have a conversation and I really enjoyed the music ambiance setting the vibe/scene. We sat inside, but outside is super cute and you can see they host a ton of private events out there and I see why. It's adorbs; a perfect place for a cocktail party. Speaking of cocktails.... The cocktails were great and boozy. That picasso drink with tequilla was great and loved the unique art on it. Foodwise: They have about 8-10 things on the menu, most of them cold, and all meant to be shared. The oysters were fresh, and there was a great melon, burrata crostini dish. We also went with a pasta dish, seemingly the most substantial/largest dish they have on the menu. It was creamy and delicious, with vegetables and delightful little meatballs, and while not the most elevated dish, it was filling and comforting. So, what's the prob? It's a wee bit expensive. Drinks are $16-$18+, dishes are in the high $20's and low $30s. Even the smallish side of bread was $9. Again, everything was good and I loved the vibe, but prices are similar to some of the more well known, upscale restaurants that are serving up a bit more substantial eats, with a more diverse menu. It was a great spot for ladies night where we enjoyed all the cocktails and catching up, and I'd def come again! read more

I loved this restaurant! Friendly, delicious, beautiful, hip. Absolutely loved it! We always had a good time and happy tummies. A place when you wanted something special. read more

Incredible! Though you might pass the restaurant bz the lighting is a bit dim and it's near Children's Hospital, that's a mistake. It's one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. The ambiance is colorful, fascinating & innovative. The service? Great And the food? Holy Elvis! The food is exceptional. (I've copied our menu for you.) The quality of our dinner was OFF THE CHARTS! My bride & I went on a mission to sample everything. The chopped egg salad crostini appetizer, the Salad Lyonnaise, the King Salmon Crudo, the Smoked Swordfish Pastrami and the Toasted Sardinian Frregola with short rib ragu! Yes, we had all of these!! Holy Toledo! The food was amazing. Everything!! The chef is so very talented. I love this place! And I will be back! read more

The Rendez-Vous - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

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If 6 stars was an options I'd give it to this place immediately!! The service was amazing, we had such a friendly host who gave us a tour of the space and had the most welcoming energy!! The space itself is absolutely stunning with a very rustic feel. I came here for a drink with a friend and got the Picasso drink which was one of the most unique drinks I've had ever. It was definitely strong but so so good!! This will now become one of my regular spots! A must visit and amazing addition to the city of Oakland :) read more

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WHEN: Sun @7pm PARKING: I think because it's Sunday, parking was quite easy. My friends found one right in front, and I found a spot just around the corner. It's free since it was after 6pm I really dig the decor here and the lighting mood. The music is quite lout though so it will have more of a fancy bar/lounge vibe. The seating tables are tiny booths that feels like it fits 2 people instead of 4. So get ready to get snuggly! There is one large table by the entrance but I figure it's reserved for a larger party more than 4. Also throughout the whole evening the lighting would flicker every half hour as though the place is haunted. My friends have been here, and based on their recommendations, I had: POULET LIVER FLAN - $22 This huge hunk of poultry pate comes with 3 slices of Crostini which was not enough because it's a huge serving of liver flan, haha. We had to order more crostini for $3 and it comes with just 2 (still not enough so I took the rest home). It's also served with Capers, pickled red onions, and olives. This dish is more of appetizers to share with the table, but ask for more crostini. I really enjoyed this dish! CAESER SALAD - $18 Trevino radicchio, little gems, garlic croutons, anchovy, egg, grana, parsley. I thought it was weird that because our table ordered 2 of these, they mixed it together without giving us a heads up. I mean, I get that the table it tiny (and meant for 2 average Americans), I'm sure there are people who wouldn't like this. Lucky it didn't really bother me, probably cuz I was too busy enjoying it. It's really good actually, so good you forget you're eating a salad. Dessert varies day to day, and is written on the mirror. Don't bother trying it's hard to read so just ask your server. We couldn't decided on which so we just ordered both: LAVENDER CHOCOLATE CAKE - $14 I'm glad this moist rich cake had a subtle lavender flavor to it, so it does not taste like soap! It was well enjoyed. PINEAPPLE MOUSSE - $14 This came out to be better than I thought! You have your mouse, and pineapples chunks, whopped topping and these merengue cookies that melts instantly in your mouth. Quite delicious! I really enjoyed it here--it was a combo of great company over great food! read more

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This place is great! The service was excellent! Alberto was very helpful. The atmosphere is so relaxing, it really feels like a cafe in Italy. I love the wall paintings and the lamp fixtures. The food is excellent! Every dish and drink was elevated in some way. The bread and compound butter was especially good. Their famous Picasso cocktail is really fun with the presentation definitely recommend if you like tequila heavy margaritas. The presentation of the food was a step above the dishes were all unique and interesting in some way. read more

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Get ready to be transported to the cutest cafe in Paris. This place is so eclectic, stunning, and just overall enchanting. I did not want to leave, and I felt like I was in a dream. The food itself was also incredibly well done, with lots of varied flavors coming together in each dish. We got the special of the day which was the avocado toast with shrimp, the seared ahi tuna plate, burrata, salad, and a side order of the bread. Each dish was divine, and the servicing dishes, cups, etc. were all gorgeous. We also got the gimlet and the Picasso, which of course was a stunning piece of artand the gimlet felt like I was drinking a green juice from the garden. Overall a very magical evening, and the wait staff was incredibly kind and patient. Can't wait to return. read more

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I was so charmed by this restaurant. From the mismatched crystal goblets filled to the brim with carefully shaken cocktails, to the amaretto syrup spooned atop my chocolate pot de creme - my senses were tantalized. The food was exceptional, the vibe deeply romantic. If I wasn't already in love with the friends I went to The Rendez-Vous with, I would be after this dining experience. The service was attentive, just the right amount of casual and very personable. I felt like our server was taking genuine delight in serving us and that felt so special. I went with a group of 7 friends to celebrate a birthday. We ordered every single dish on the hand written menu and each one was so darn good! We started with oysters - carefully shucked (no shells, not bruised), SO DAMN FRESH and clean served with a kishu mignonette. The beef tartare was basically the paragon of the dish - I would go back alone to sit in a cozy booth, draw the chandelier, sip a cocktail and just eat this tartare. The crab salad was the star for me - perfectly ripe avocados covered in crab that was lightly dressed in homemade aioli, supremed citrus and pops of (exciting) pickled watermelon of all things! Damn. The fregola with lamb sausage, pine nuts, tiny pickled peppers, creamy feta and a light sprinkle of pomegranate seeds tasted like a hug from my grandmother. There is so much care put into every detail at this restaurant. I almost want to work there and I can't wait to go back. read more

We had a great time here last night! The decor is very cute and unique. We had the duck special and the squid, and both tasted fresh, flavorful and delicious. Cocktails were also great. Things to note are that it is a bit on the pricier side, and most tables are best suited for 2-3 people so larger groups could be tough. I look forward to going back! read more

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Hands down, best service in all of Oakland; all the staff ! The owner also went above and beyond for us when we had an issue (not related to their food or service). They felt like friends, and it made us want to return again and again! read more

Excellent atmosphere, fresh food and recommended wine. I like the decorations and wait staff. Traditional but inventive food. We're very lucky to live by it read more

The Rendez-Vous has charm and potential. There is a lot to be improved, but it seems like the passionate owners, talented kitchen, and fun crew can get it to the level it needs to be to warrant the hype and long waits. I certainly want it to make it because it is a much needed hip, romantic, and tasty spot in an otherwise empty area. The restaurant lends itself to date nights more than dining as a group. It's very pretty and cozy inside, but you'll feel packed like sardines. We sat outside because we were going to be a group of four to five. I'm not sure of the science behind it, but it seems like the location makes it so the patio feels windier and colder. The heat lamps weren't doing much, so if you reserve a large table and know you'll be dining outside, layer up! I had hoped being outside would mean a quieter environment to actually be able to have conversation. It was shockingly loud when I walked into the restaurant. Unfortunately, the music outside was dance club level decibels, and I felt tired and grumpy from almost shouting at my friends who were sitting right next to me. I get that they're trying to feel hipster mom-and-pop with the handwritten menus, but it is very difficult to read and I felt bad for our server who had to rattle of long specials. Just print in a fun but legible font! After our first round of orders, we saw how small the portions were and had to order double of the things we liked. We did like almost all of the dishes, but a reasonably hungry person would have to order two to three dishes to themselves to feel satisfied. For some things, the price felt commensurate because of the priciness of seafood (this is a very seafood heavy menu, so those who aren't big fans keep that in mind) but we had definite sticker shock and were still hungry at the end. This was probably This was probably largely to do with dining outside on a cold night, but none of the hot dishes were even lukewarm and it detracted from the eating experience. I'm hoping the owners take note and look forward to returning once they've hit their groove. read more

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Excellent bar and atmosphere. Great for meet ups lots of local love from the neighborhood.

This is hands down one of the best French restaurants in the Bay Area! The owners are always present, ensuring every detail is perfect, and their dishes are truly top-notch. The flavors are incredible, the prices are reasonable, and the quality is unmatched on this side of the Bay. A true hidden gem--don't miss it! A lot of history at this location too. read more

4.5 Stars One of the best meals I've had in a long time. The Rendez-vous is like having a leisurely meal at a friend's home who happens to be a chef. The pace of the food is casual and the menu is large enough to try a lot of things but small enough to try pretty much everything on it. We reserved the big table in the front for a group of 11. I loved that we weren't rushed. I think we were there for 3+ hours eating and drinking. We ordered everything on the menu (they were out of one item) including the desserts. Cocktails were delicious and the wine selection is stellar. I loved the decor and the eclectic ambiance of found objects and mismatched silverware and plates/glassware. Our server was kind and patient with our large group and very helpful with questions about the menu. I liked everything we ate but I really loved the fish stew, shrimp toast, and the vegetable tartine. We had a vegetarian dining with us and there were only a handful of things she could eat so be aware that they can accommodate but only up to a point. My only complaint is that it was LOUD. I mean, REALLY LOUD. The music was cranked up and we had to shout to hear each other. The space doesn't really absorb sound at all either so it made it really hard have conversation (I have a pretty high tolerance for loud music but the volume was objectively too high so such a small space). I thought the pricing was really reasonable for the quality of food and I would definitely dine here again. read more

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I just had my 40th birthday party in the back garden/shed and I wanted to write a review because I was looking for a party review when I was booking and I couldn't find one! So hopefully this helps others in the future. We ended up with about 25 people. The Rendez-Vous has an impeccable vibe and the back space was truly magical. I love the furnishings and the string lights, plants, it was a perfect setting- this is why I opted for it. It is more expensive than some other local options, because there is a flat rate for the space and then the food and drink is on top of that- but I think it is worth it. I worked with Johnelle to plan how much food we wanted and it came out slowly throughout the evening- it worked well because people kept coming back to visit the food station, it gave people a reason to move around and mingle more. There were plenty of places for people to sit and eat although mostly people were standing. The food was delicious. Everybody was raving about how good it was. It was all items off their existing menu. My only feedback would be that it would be great to have one or two dishes that were more finger foods, like small slider sandwiches or something, which would have been easier to eat while people were standing. But Alberto kept checking to make sure we had plenty of silverware and plates. We had wine flowing freely for people to help themselves and many people ordered delicious cocktails from Alberto as well- sometimes they were slow coming out but in the end that was fine as it helped us stay within our drink budget :-) Johnelle was SO welcoming and such a great host! The Rendez-Vous is such a special spot, I can't believe there isn't a line out the door every night- if you have not been yet you must get there to check it out. My night was wonderful and everything I wanted it to be! read more

Such an awesome experience tonight! Really appreciated the attention to detail from the moment you walk in to the food and drinks. Extremely eclectic and personable and 100% a vibe. The drinks were all unique and fit the space perfectly. Especially the Picasso and the nectarine margarita. The food was really special. Simple, classic French flavors with an emphasis on making the ingredients shine. Thank you again for the exceptional hospitality. read more

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Amazing everything! From the greeting to dessert. Loved the food, cocktails, vibe, and service. Lindsey is fabulous! read more

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Incredible food, super friendly service, in hip bohemian atmosphere. This place is great!

If you want a romantic, unique spot for your next date, I highly recommend The Rendez-Vous. The service, atmosphere, and food are all fantastic! The decor is so cool and eclectic; my partner and I looked through the restaurant all dinner and pointing out different things we hadn't noticed before. The lights are dim and music is loud, making for a great ambiance. Even the menu was cool-looking! The food and drinks were also incredible! I had the "Picasso" drink and it came with a drawing on top (I felt bad drinking her, but it was worth the taste). Food-wise, we had the burrata, beef carpaccio, and sausage fregola-- all of which were divine. We also ordered the side of bread, and it says something about a place when even the bread side is extraordinary. Finally, the service was also so memorable. We had the best server, Alberto, who was so friendly and funny, and he literally danced from table to table. Rarely have I had a server so warm and helpful. He also suggested food items to us which we ended up loving. I had a great time at the Rendez-Vous, go check it out for yourself! read more

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This is easily the best restaurant I've been to in the East Bay, though it seems to be a little under the radar. Although it is a little pricier than what we normally look for on an average Saturday night, it's honestly well worth it. The food is perfect, with great creative and well-balanced cocktails to pair. The ambiance is funky, cute and cozy, and the service is excellent. We moved over from San Francisco 3.5 years ago, and we've generally been underwhelmed with the restaurant scene on this side of the bridge. In terms of ambiance, most places in the East Bay seem to either be very dated looking, or else they have an updated, hipster "cool" vibe, but are also cavernous and chilly. The Rendezvous is a notable exception to this. The space has a beautiful, eclectic, vintage feel AND I didn't have to be bundled up in my winter coat while enjoying my meal. This is the place to pick if you want to impress a date with your artsy and casual-yet-sophisticated taste. This is place to take your spouse when they are feeling down and you can splurge to cheer them up. This is the place to meet up with your favorite friends if you want to feel cozy and connected. This is the the place to celebrate your next birthday, anniversary or anything else that merits celebrating with great food in a special place. They also have an adorable outdoor space for warm evenings, daytime gatherings or for people who need to continue to avoid indoor dining. This isn't the barely-thought-about tables and chairs on a cement slab that so many restaurants have these days. Their patio is a lovingly decorated extension of the indoor restaurant. Though I haven't sat out there yet, I had the thought that it would be a perfect place to buy out for a private party. I really love it, and am already looking forward to my next visit. read more

Great French food (ooh-la-la!) in an adorable, whimsical setting! The waiter is a hoot and will regale you with the sordid background of this historic location. We'll be back!!! read more

Shitty service, food was bad, way too loud first time i went here they served a beer to my friend and the whole glass was foam, maybe an inch was beer at the bottom. they didnt offer to comp it or replace it which i found super weird. Later that evening i ordered coffee and it was grainy, tasted shitty quality, and in a teeny tiny portion. went back again last night for a friend's bday and asked specifically if a dish was celiac safe and gluten free (i have celiac) they waiter immediately answered "yes yes its totally fine!", i felt suspicious but ate it and 20 minutes later felt so ill and sick. Definitely got poisoned here. Also my friend saw that same waiter pounding beers all night lol..... i hate this place. $36 for a potato and you cant even check about medical dietary restrictions? bullsht. wish i could give it 0 stars. read more

Each time that I've eaten here, the dishes seem only to reach dizzier heights. If you want the best & most authentic French food, you should come here. The owner, chef, & wait staff are all delightful and could not be more courteous & helpful ... & this review reflects my experience on an evening when the place was jam-packed with large private functions in the back patio as well as the main restaurant. read more

The perfect ambiance for a date on a chilly Friday night. Food was delicious, and the drinks were, too. I'd share a photo of the shrimp tartine or Caesar salad, but they didn't last long enough. The folks who worked here were genuinely kind, welcoming, and on top of things. read more

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The menu is not legible and the audio system is painfully too loud. The biggest crime is they're using the Bose 901 speakers backwards. I could only take it for five minutes. One star is too much. They should add zero stars for a proper review. read more

Got a chance to try The Rendez-Vous's new brunch menu and enjoyed it. It has all the elements of a good Sunday brunch. A local dj was playing laidback tracks, the coffee was flowing, and the food was quite delicious. Glad this pretty little restaurant shined itself up for Oakland. read more

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Every single one of the staff here are so welcoming and treat you w the most genuine hospitality! Definitely on the pricey side but the dishes were delicious and beautifully presented. Highly recommend for a date night! read more

Omg I loved this place! The vibe was so nice and our waiter gave us a personal tour of the place. Some of the paintings have been there for so long. We had the bread and dessert. A little pricy but so delicious. read more

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Johnelle and her amazing staff are the best! We booked the private Chef's room for my daughter's Birthday party. Johnelle was highly responsive and informative helping us plan the menu. The items served were the most delicious and we all loved the French vintage ambiance and amazing service. Thank you Johnelle for a great celebration also on your own Birthday!!! read more

I'd recommend having your cocktails and first course here and then go somewhere else for your main course. Since there's no published phone numbers or reservation system, we opted to go at 5:30 to make sure we could get seated. The service was friendly and attentive, however, we were very disappointed by the menu selection. It felt like tapas or a light lunch fare. Don't get me wrong, what we ordered: olives with feta, halibut crudo, and bread with salted butter were delicious. But, the 3 out of 4 of the other items on the menu we could not eat and the risotto was not that appealing given the price, so we decided that we were not going to be satiated at this place so we concluded our little dinner there. The kitchen felt very limited and that maybe they only had a permit for an electric stove... The gin cucumber cocktails were excellent but the bill was $117. We went to A16 afterwards and had some pasta for our main course. I want this place to succeed but they need to tweak the offering. read more

Stumbled into this place. It was so unique. The staff was really lovely and funny and the food was great!

Amazing food, service and all around atmosphere! We absolutely enjoyed every minute. From the bread to the steak tartar and finishing with the pasta... unreal. Highly recommend. Great date spot. ALSO they have non alcoholic cocktails actually served with care and in fancy glasses with beautiful garnishes so those non drinkers don't feel left out. Really loved it and can't wait to go back! read more

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Me and my girlfriend came here on Sunday to try their brunch menu. The coffee was amazing and so was the cocktails. The DJ played great music and the server was super attentive. I think they will need to work on their brunch menu but my favorite thumping there was the Nutella cornmeal crepe. read more

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Well, like the others who posted reviews from last night we really wanted to enjoy this restaurant, but alas could not. After waiting an hour and ordering a cocktail when we were finally seated, we were informed that there was no food left. This was a surprise, and I was willing to forgive an unusual oversight like this, but after reading the other reviews of people who came earlier than we did the same night (Friday Jan 20, 2023), and also did not have food, I can't believe that the management allowed us to wait around for an hour and order a drink, and then tell us they had no food. I hope they get their act together, which, on top of actually buying enough ingredients, may include improving the quality and portions of food based on what I've read in the other reviews. I did love the Jungle Bird cocktail, but they also ran out of ingredients for their cucumber cocktail. Sigh... read more