We picked this restaurant to its proximity to the Fox Theater. The seafood paella was oily and seafood portion very small compared to other similar restaurants at the same price point. The table service was very slow and the food took a very long time to arrive after ordering including the appetizers. Luckily the drinks were strong but kinda expensive for Oakland. Overall I have paid the same in SF for the same food and had a much better experience. I would not come here again and wish there was a better selection of restaurants around the Fox Theater. Hopefully next year will be better.
I booked at 5:30pm table for 4 but we had an 1 guest to add on, i told the waitress we will order paella (and I know paella takes at least 1 hour to cook)but she assured us that it will takes 30min) only the add on guest can't decide what she wants but the rest of us were ready, she left us again and get the drinks order first and she wants all the order to be put it at the same time. I've been to :Spain twice and ate authentic Paella, they will even tell me to order paella so it can be started first. Fast forward, the order was in at 5:46 at 6:50pm I asked where's the paella & she replied a lot of you ordered paella with irritated tone (as far as I know, they take reservations and paella in in your menu don't you expect that this guest will order paella?) Food arrived at 7:17pm, we have an 8pm concert to watch and of course we were rushing to eat. No bread was offered while we are waiting and we were hungry. The Paella is the worst, the rice isn't al dente or creamy, overcooked and it has a cream on it, weird and it is $60. Since I was drinking white wine on empty stomach while waiting for that paella, i had gas pain while watching the concert. Worst service though she apologized but the damage has been done. Will never come back here for paella or anything else. If you have no where to go maybe you can wait but 1:30 min to wait for food isn't right.
Great experience. We got the cheese and pecan appetizer which was fantastic. We got paella which the two of us split and that was perfect. Nice cocktails. The Spanish wine was really good and waiter was attentive and helpful. Best dining experience I've had in a while.
Libby
We had the best time last night at Duende! Exceptional live jazz music, unparalleled paella, delightful cocktails, great service and atmosphere. A favorite when I come to downtown/uptown Oakland!
JudyK
Our dinner at Duende before the Hannah Gadsby performance at the Fox Theater was everything we wanted and more. Located within steps of BART's 19 Street Station and the theater, Duende offers creative Spanish tapas and a good selection of cocktails and wine/beer.
kkmiller75
This is the 2nd time we have eaten here. Both times the food was incredible. Very interesting combinations and creative cocktails. They have the best flan I have ever had anywhere!
novicefoodie
Duende was great! It definitely got noisy as the evening progressed but that was expected for a Friday. Our server started off a little closed off and disinterested but opened up as the evening went on. She acknowledged, before we had to bring it up, that we were heading to a show after dinner and accommodated our timing beautifully.
Howard
Every dish delicious. Service was perfect right up to the end, when it took a while for check to come. Surprising, since it looked full, and I would have thought they needed the table.
We shared the broccolini and a vegetarian pasta, both were delicious. Amazing strawberry rhubarb cake for dessert. We also ordered the beet appetizer- we asked for one and the server recommended we get two because they were skewers. When they came we understood why... they were so tiny, about one big bite of food each. Definitely not worth $10 for 2! Overall a great meal but I'd avoid the tiny skewers next time.
Title: Disappointing Experience with Chef's Special Menu My partner and I have visited this restaurant numerous times in the past and have always had wonderful experiences. However, our recent visit to celebrate my partner's birthday with a family group of seven (6 adults and a 5-year-old) left much to be desired. We opted for the Chef's special menu since we were a larger group, but unfortunately, it fell far short of our expectations. Despite informing the staff of our allergies to crustaceans, okra, and cloves, the food served was not good. The vegetarian paella that was served lacked flavor, creativity, and quality. It was a disappointing departure from the standard of excellence we had come to expect from this establishment. While the food left much to be desired, I must commend the service, which was impeccable. The staff were attentive and accommodating throughout the evening, earning a solid 5-star rating in that regard. I truly hope the restaurant takes this feedback to heart and works on improving the quality and consistency of their dishes. As much as we don't mind paying for good food, this experience fell short of the mark. I cannot recommend the Chef's menu based on this visit. Overall, the disappointing dining experience overshadowed what should have been a joyous celebration. I remain hopeful that the restaurant will address these issues and regain the high standards we once enjoyed. Unfortunately we are intending not going back. Thanks
This was my second visit Just as last time, the sound level was intense! The food options were even more limited than the last time we were there The service both times was not awesome For the price and attitude it should be much better Seemed like staff both times were not very good experienced We were told several times the kitchen was very busy and it would take awhile I was going to order something to take home to my husband and was warned the kitchen was very busy and it would take a long time Seriously discouraged from ordering a $30 entree - their loss So not impressed and I would like to be Cool location and the space could be cool Waaaay over hyped
MichaelK
Visiting family in Oakland I wanted to take them out for a special thank you dinner. The picked Duende. What a great choice. So rating with the attentive and flirtatious waiter right down to our shared desserts, the evening was extra special. The food was delicious and the cocktails divine. I would definitely recommend it to others.
HeleneO
We had a wonderful time last night celebrating a birthday. The food was delicious. The service was attentive just until the end of service when it slowed down a bit. Loved the ambience of the restaurant, but the music was very loud so talking, at times, was difficult. I would go again!
RosemaryP
Duende is perfect for pre-show dining if you're going to the Fox Theater. The food is delicious and fast, and the drinks are fabulous! Service keeps you on schedule so you don't miss the show. Can't say enough about how great they are! Make a reservation before your next show.
We are here before a show at the Fox Theater. Very convenient! Our waiter was fantastic and asked us our schedule immediately. He also made som great food recommendations. All the food was delicious and we will definitely be back.
We picked this restaurant to its proximity to the Fox Theater. The seafood paella was oily and seafood portion very small compared to other similar restaurants at the same price point. The table service was very slow and the food took a very long time to arrive after ordering including the appetizers. Luckily the drinks were strong but kinda expensive for Oakland. Overall I have paid the same in SF for the same food and had a much better experience. I would not come here again and wish there was a better selection of restaurants around the Fox Theater. Hopefully next year will be better.
I booked at 5:30pm table for 4 but we had an 1 guest to add on, i told the waitress we will order paella (and I know paella takes at least 1 hour to cook)but she assured us that it will takes 30min) only the add on guest can't decide what she wants but the rest of us were ready, she left us again and get the drinks order first and she wants all the order to be put it at the same time. I've been to :Spain twice and ate authentic Paella, they will even tell me to order paella so it can be started first. Fast forward, the order was in at 5:46 at 6:50pm I asked where's the paella & she replied a lot of you ordered paella with irritated tone (as far as I know, they take reservations and paella in in your menu don't you expect that this guest will order paella?) Food arrived at 7:17pm, we have an 8pm concert to watch and of course we were rushing to eat. No bread was offered while we are waiting and we were hungry. The Paella is the worst, the rice isn't al dente or creamy, overcooked and it has a cream on it, weird and it is $60. Since I was drinking white wine on empty stomach while waiting for that paella, i had gas pain while watching the concert. Worst service though she apologized but the damage has been done. Will never come back here for paella or anything else. If you have no where to go maybe you can wait but 1:30 min to wait for food isn't right.
Great experience. We got the cheese and pecan appetizer which was fantastic. We got paella which the two of us split and that was perfect. Nice cocktails. The Spanish wine was really good and waiter was attentive and helpful. Best dining experience I've had in a while.
We had the best time last night at Duende! Exceptional live jazz music, unparalleled paella, delightful cocktails, great service and atmosphere. A favorite when I come to downtown/uptown Oakland!
Our dinner at Duende before the Hannah Gadsby performance at the Fox Theater was everything we wanted and more. Located within steps of BART's 19 Street Station and the theater, Duende offers creative Spanish tapas and a good selection of cocktails and wine/beer.
This is the 2nd time we have eaten here. Both times the food was incredible. Very interesting combinations and creative cocktails. They have the best flan I have ever had anywhere!
Duende was great! It definitely got noisy as the evening progressed but that was expected for a Friday. Our server started off a little closed off and disinterested but opened up as the evening went on. She acknowledged, before we had to bring it up, that we were heading to a show after dinner and accommodated our timing beautifully.
Every dish delicious. Service was perfect right up to the end, when it took a while for check to come. Surprising, since it looked full, and I would have thought they needed the table.
We shared the broccolini and a vegetarian pasta, both were delicious. Amazing strawberry rhubarb cake for dessert. We also ordered the beet appetizer- we asked for one and the server recommended we get two because they were skewers. When they came we understood why... they were so tiny, about one big bite of food each. Definitely not worth $10 for 2! Overall a great meal but I'd avoid the tiny skewers next time.
Title: Disappointing Experience with Chef's Special Menu My partner and I have visited this restaurant numerous times in the past and have always had wonderful experiences. However, our recent visit to celebrate my partner's birthday with a family group of seven (6 adults and a 5-year-old) left much to be desired. We opted for the Chef's special menu since we were a larger group, but unfortunately, it fell far short of our expectations. Despite informing the staff of our allergies to crustaceans, okra, and cloves, the food served was not good. The vegetarian paella that was served lacked flavor, creativity, and quality. It was a disappointing departure from the standard of excellence we had come to expect from this establishment. While the food left much to be desired, I must commend the service, which was impeccable. The staff were attentive and accommodating throughout the evening, earning a solid 5-star rating in that regard. I truly hope the restaurant takes this feedback to heart and works on improving the quality and consistency of their dishes. As much as we don't mind paying for good food, this experience fell short of the mark. I cannot recommend the Chef's menu based on this visit. Overall, the disappointing dining experience overshadowed what should have been a joyous celebration. I remain hopeful that the restaurant will address these issues and regain the high standards we once enjoyed. Unfortunately we are intending not going back. Thanks
Restaurantji Recommends
This was my second visit Just as last time, the sound level was intense! The food options were even more limited than the last time we were there The service both times was not awesome For the price and attitude it should be much better Seemed like staff both times were not very good experienced We were told several times the kitchen was very busy and it would take awhile I was going to order something to take home to my husband and was warned the kitchen was very busy and it would take a long time Seriously discouraged from ordering a $30 entree - their loss So not impressed and I would like to be Cool location and the space could be cool Waaaay over hyped
Visiting family in Oakland I wanted to take them out for a special thank you dinner. The picked Duende. What a great choice. So rating with the attentive and flirtatious waiter right down to our shared desserts, the evening was extra special. The food was delicious and the cocktails divine. I would definitely recommend it to others.
We had a wonderful time last night celebrating a birthday. The food was delicious. The service was attentive just until the end of service when it slowed down a bit. Loved the ambience of the restaurant, but the music was very loud so talking, at times, was difficult. I would go again!
Duende is perfect for pre-show dining if you're going to the Fox Theater. The food is delicious and fast, and the drinks are fabulous! Service keeps you on schedule so you don't miss the show. Can't say enough about how great they are! Make a reservation before your next show.
We are here before a show at the Fox Theater. Very convenient! Our waiter was fantastic and asked us our schedule immediately. He also made som great food recommendations. All the food was delicious and we will definitely be back.
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