Extraordinary! Every dish better than the next. Even the simple shrimp cocktail was out of this world, so the best, most delicious oysters and lovely luscious snails.
Benjamin Harms
Easily one of the most creative (dishes, flavor combinations), and one of the best, meals I've had in the Bay Area. So many standouts - snails of course (miso and mandarin!), pan con tomate (+pimenton), mussels, oysters, scallop tostada, Venezuelan pancake, fried quail. And the wine was excellent (the chilled red birthday wine). A gem!
Rachel Regan
Trout tostada was incredible!
Pierce Shaheen
Great wine spot, but when I got my wine the server took her fingers in my drink to take out an eyelash that dropped into it. She apologized but the wine tasted different afterwards. The manager then came out and asked how they could improve, and I said to make the snail cheaper. The manager then flipped me off and splashed water all over my fiance ruining her beautiful dress. I am horrified and traumatized over this event. :(
Michale Thompson
TEMESCAL GEM
Jaclyn Wang
OH everything abt this place is perfect!! Every corner of the restaurant is a vibe and I loved every single dish, how unique and local their menu feels. All the plates are tooo cute and the tiramisu was a 20/10
Lluvia
**Establishment does NOT offer Take Away Food!
Unfortunately this was a miss for me. Came here by myself and since there was no wait, I was quickly seated outside (it was about 7pm). I noticed there was one heater for the whole outside area, but figured I was gonna get a quick bite, that the 60 degree weather wouldn’t get to me. I was seated right next to the entrance and it took a while to have a server get to me (I personally had to ask if I could please order). I ordered a single glass of wine, the scallop tostadas and the Spice Olive cake; spent $75 that includes the 20% gratuity they automatically add.
Wine and tostada came out quickly! To which I will give credit and say that the tostada was delicious ($27 for 2). After that I sat there and waited for the cake to come out, to which at one point I asked to be checked out, as I wanted to pay and head out after the cake came out. 10+ min after paying, I was getting pretty cold and asked if they could just wrap up the cake as I wanted to head home since I was getting pretty chilly. Server told me he would be right back and he would get and estimate for the cake. When he came back, he told me that it was taking a while to be ready due to the Strawberry Granita (shaved iced) that wasn’t ready and it went on top of the cake. I was also told that the Chef WOULD NOT box my item to go, because of the granita. I asked if they could just remove it and he said no; My options were to be reimbursed for the cake or wait for it to be served and ready to eat, by that point I had been waiting close to 20 min for the cake, so I waited another minute or so after that. Y’all!! When that cake came out, I was far from impressed with the presentation. Just the cake served with whipped cream and a small bit of shave iced over it (this could have easily been packed up to go). I quickly ate it and hoped that the taste would have been worth the wait and I was very much disappointed by the dryness of the cake.
All in all, unfortunately I will not be returning back, even though I was recommend by friends about this place and only living 4 min away from the location. I want to go to a place where being able to pack up my items to go in the event I can’t finish it, is an option; along with being acknowledged and served accordingly and not having to grab someone’s attention to be served
*Responding to the Reply of the Owner:
I’m glad you guys remembered me, but again, I was only acknowledged after I’d asked another staff member about placing my order and about the ETA of the cake. As noted by other customers/reviews on here, the lack of acknowledgement at times is something that is a current issue at your establishment, and not just an isolated event. I did ask what the Granita was and even said “y’all can’t just take it out?” I was so in shocked that an establishment didn’t offer to go boxes, that I suppose it didn’t sound like a request. By the reply of my review, I’m assuming you’re the one that took my order, so with that being said: You could have just told me your establishment DOESN’T offer any take away, instead of pinning that on your Chef! Not once was I told that the “Granita is the most important component of the dessert,” I was only told that it would melt quickly.
Peter W
If you’re going to charge 18% gratuity without the customers permission, the least you could do is tell them in advance before you set the one person at the counter. No need to tip here.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Evan Sketchley
If you’re looking to drop serious cash for the privilege of being disappointed, this is your spot. Brace yourself for tiny portions, lackluster flavors, and price tags that will make you wonder if you’ve wandered into a high-stakes game of culinary extortion.
Let’s start with the prawns—two measly, undercooked prawns for $50. That’s right: two. They were bland, and the accompanying aioli tasted like…well, nothing. Not exactly the indulgent experience I was expecting at that price point.
The rest of the menu didn’t save the night either. The tomato toast—a single slice of bread with mayo and tomatoes—came in at $20. Meanwhile, the escargot somehow managed to skip on the flavor entirely, lacking the garlicky bite you’d expect. It was all oil, no substance.
The only redeeming part was the wine, which was solid but not life-changing, and at $16 a glass, that’s the least I’d expect.
If you’re fine with overpaying for underwhelming food, go right ahead. Otherwise, I’d recommend saving your money for a place that actually cares about balancing price with quality. We went back to North Light around the corner for a great meal and drinks to avoid going home hungry.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Jenn Sketchley
I don’t usually write a review but felt I had to. Dining at this establishment was, in a word, anticlimactic. The promise of refined simplicity fell short amidst prices that seemed to take the food far more seriously than it deserved. A modest plate arrived: two prawns, snails, and a toast topped with tomatoes. Though technically sound, the dishes felt restrained, lacking the vibrancy that high prices might lead one to expect. Each bite hinted at something bolder but delivered only polite flavors, as if reluctant to make a statement. The wine, meanwhile, was a study in mediocrity—a glass that one might expect at half the price, forgettable at best. For a meal that aspired to refined rusticity, it instead brought to mind the phrase ‘much ado about nothing.’
The food is interesting and delicious. Definitely worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andy Moreno
Nice spot with a good selection of wine but service was dismal, our waiter left after serving us wine and the rest of the staff just ignored us because they were too busy getting high and drunk on the job.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 1
Jeff Laprade
Delicious, unique, wonderful atmosphere. I’ve passed this place countless times but am so glad I stopped in. Everything was on point, my favorite was the trout.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kate
Chef Andres and his entire team are killing it! Everything was so fresh. You must try the tuna tartare if they have it on the menu. They also train up young adults facing poverty.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jefferson Lin
I think something is seriously wrong with the management here. As much as I did not have a good experience with the service staff the managers were worse. Whomever owns this business needs to set aside their ego and attitude and treat their employees and their customers better. If nothing changes I don’t foresee this business being around much longer. I have dined 4 times here whenever I’m in Oakland but it was definitively 3 times too many…
Extraordinary! Every dish better than the next. Even the simple shrimp cocktail was out of this world, so the best, most delicious oysters and lovely luscious snails.
Easily one of the most creative (dishes, flavor combinations), and one of the best, meals I've had in the Bay Area. So many standouts - snails of course (miso and mandarin!), pan con tomate (+pimenton), mussels, oysters, scallop tostada, Venezuelan pancake, fried quail. And the wine was excellent (the chilled red birthday wine). A gem!
Trout tostada was incredible!
Great wine spot, but when I got my wine the server took her fingers in my drink to take out an eyelash that dropped into it. She apologized but the wine tasted different afterwards. The manager then came out and asked how they could improve, and I said to make the snail cheaper. The manager then flipped me off and splashed water all over my fiance ruining her beautiful dress. I am horrified and traumatized over this event. :(
TEMESCAL GEM
OH everything abt this place is perfect!! Every corner of the restaurant is a vibe and I loved every single dish, how unique and local their menu feels. All the plates are tooo cute and the tiramisu was a 20/10
**Establishment does NOT offer Take Away Food!
Unfortunately this was a miss for me. Came here by myself and since there was no wait, I was quickly seated outside (it was about 7pm). I noticed there was one heater for the whole outside area, but figured I was gonna get a quick bite, that the 60 degree weather wouldn’t get to me. I was seated right next to the entrance and it took a while to have a server get to me (I personally had to ask if I could please order). I ordered a single glass of wine, the scallop tostadas and the Spice Olive cake; spent $75 that includes the 20% gratuity they automatically add.
Wine and tostada came out quickly! To which I will give credit and say that the tostada was delicious ($27 for 2). After that I sat there and waited for the cake to come out, to which at one point I asked to be checked out, as I wanted to pay and head out after the cake came out. 10+ min after paying, I was getting pretty cold and asked if they could just wrap up the cake as I wanted to head home since I was getting pretty chilly. Server told me he would be right back and he would get and estimate for the cake. When he came back, he told me that it was taking a while to be ready due to the Strawberry Granita (shaved iced) that wasn’t ready and it went on top of the cake. I was also told that the Chef WOULD NOT box my item to go, because of the granita. I asked if they could just remove it and he said no; My options were to be reimbursed for the cake or wait for it to be served and ready to eat, by that point I had been waiting close to 20 min for the cake, so I waited another minute or so after that. Y’all!! When that cake came out, I was far from impressed with the presentation. Just the cake served with whipped cream and a small bit of shave iced over it (this could have easily been packed up to go). I quickly ate it and hoped that the taste would have been worth the wait and I was very much disappointed by the dryness of the cake.
All in all, unfortunately I will not be returning back, even though I was recommend by friends about this place and only living 4 min away from the location. I want to go to a place where being able to pack up my items to go in the event I can’t finish it, is an option; along with being acknowledged and served accordingly and not having to grab someone’s attention to be served
*Responding to the Reply of the Owner:
I’m glad you guys remembered me, but again, I was only acknowledged after I’d asked another staff member about placing my order and about the ETA of the cake. As noted by other customers/reviews on here, the lack of acknowledgement at times is something that is a current issue at your establishment, and not just an isolated event. I did ask what the Granita was and even said “y’all can’t just take it out?” I was so in shocked that an establishment didn’t offer to go boxes, that I suppose it didn’t sound like a request. By the reply of my review, I’m assuming you’re the one that took my order, so with that being said: You could have just told me your establishment DOESN’T offer any take away, instead of pinning that on your Chef! Not once was I told that the “Granita is the most important component of the dessert,” I was only told that it would melt quickly.
If you’re going to charge 18% gratuity without the customers permission, the least you could do is tell them in advance before you set the one person at the counter. No need to tip here.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
If you’re looking to drop serious cash for the privilege of being disappointed, this is your spot. Brace yourself for tiny portions, lackluster flavors, and price tags that will make you wonder if you’ve wandered into a high-stakes game of culinary extortion.
Let’s start with the prawns—two measly, undercooked prawns for $50. That’s right: two. They were bland, and the accompanying aioli tasted like…well, nothing. Not exactly the indulgent experience I was expecting at that price point.
The rest of the menu didn’t save the night either. The tomato toast—a single slice of bread with mayo and tomatoes—came in at $20. Meanwhile, the escargot somehow managed to skip on the flavor entirely, lacking the garlicky bite you’d expect. It was all oil, no substance.
The only redeeming part was the wine, which was solid but not life-changing, and at $16 a glass, that’s the least I’d expect.
If you’re fine with overpaying for underwhelming food, go right ahead. Otherwise, I’d recommend saving your money for a place that actually cares about balancing price with quality. We went back to North Light around the corner for a great meal and drinks to avoid going home hungry.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
I don’t usually write a review but felt I had to. Dining at this establishment was, in a word, anticlimactic. The promise of refined simplicity fell short amidst prices that seemed to take the food far more seriously than it deserved. A modest plate arrived: two prawns, snails, and a toast topped with tomatoes. Though technically sound, the dishes felt restrained, lacking the vibrancy that high prices might lead one to expect. Each bite hinted at something bolder but delivered only polite flavors, as if reluctant to make a statement. The wine, meanwhile, was a study in mediocrity—a glass that one might expect at half the price, forgettable at best. For a meal that aspired to refined rusticity, it instead brought to mind the phrase ‘much ado about nothing.’
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
The food is interesting and delicious. Definitely worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice spot with a good selection of wine but service was dismal, our waiter left after serving us wine and the rest of the staff just ignored us because they were too busy getting high and drunk on the job.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 1
Delicious, unique, wonderful atmosphere. I’ve passed this place countless times but am so glad I stopped in. Everything was on point, my favorite was the trout.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chef Andres and his entire team are killing it! Everything was so fresh. You must try the tuna tartare if they have it on the menu. They also train up young adults facing poverty.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I think something is seriously wrong with the management here. As much as I did not have a good experience with the service staff the managers were worse. Whomever owns this business needs to set aside their ego and attitude and treat their employees and their customers better. If nothing changes I don’t foresee this business being around much longer. I have dined 4 times here whenever I’m in Oakland but it was definitively 3 times too many…
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
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