From avocado toast to vegan wings: Get to know Oakland's 3 newest eateries

From avocado toast to vegan wings: Get to know Oakland's 3 newest eateriesPhoto: Grand Lake Kitchen/Yelp
Hoodline
Published on June 24, 2019

The food scene in Oakland continues to impress, with top-rated new restaurants debuting on a near-weekly basis. Here are three of the hottest new arrivals to the Town, all of which have clocked Yelp ratings of four stars or higher in their first few weeks in business. 

Mägo

3762 Piedmont Ave., Piedmont Avenue

Photo: sheena c./Yelp

Owned by Mark Liberman, the former chef of San Francisco's acclaimed AQ, Mägo offers a small-plates menu that changes weekly, with many dishes cooked over a wood fire.

Options include potato gnocchi with summer squash and basil pesto; the halibut with onion soubise, sungold tomatoes and purslane leaves; or the beef ribeye smothered with spring vegetables, shishito peppers and soy-honey glaze. There's also a full bar with wine and cocktails.

Fans of the restaurant can also take cooking classes with Liberman, or wine and cheese pairing classes with his wife and co-owner, Theresa, who studied at the Cheese School of San Francisco. 

Yelpers are excited about Mägo, which currently holds five stars out of four reviews on the site.

Gabe K. noted, "Had a brilliant meal with equally fantastic drinks. Heard great things about the chef/owner, Mark, and it exceeded already high expectations."

And Yelper Logan N. wrote, "We had a few cocktails and some dinner. Really great, innovative food and cocktails — plus warm and attentive service!"

Mägo is open from 5–10 p.m. on Monday-Saturday. (It's closed on Sunday.)

Grand Lake Kitchen

2042 MacArthur Blvd., Dimond District

Photo: grand lake kitchen/Yelp

American comfort food eatery Grand Lake Kitchen, which made its name with a popular location near Lake Merritt, has now expanded to the Dimond District. 

On the dinner menu, look for the GLK burger (caramelized onions, mushrooms, Point Reyes blue cheese, on a sesame bun, with fries), the vegetable pot pie (English peas, spring onions, asparagus and Yukon gold potatoes) or the smoked fish tower (trout dip, smoked salmon, black cod, bagel chips, cream cheese, capers, cucumbers, red onions, chives and lemon). 

Brunch brings a pastrami benedict, sweet or savory French toast and chilaquiles. There's also a full bar with wine, beer and cocktails. 

The restaurant currently holds four stars out of 22 reviews on Yelp, indicating good reviews.

Yelper Jonathan U., who reviewed Grand Lake Kitchen on June 8, wrote, "The interior is beautiful — a throwback design that is also spacious and welcoming. The staff was super friendly; you can tell this isn't their first rodeo, as there were no hiccups for the new location."

Yelper Rob K. wrote, "This is a game-changer eatery for the Dimond District. Matzo ball soup, summer chopped salad and burger were delicious. Hemingway and Paloma cocktails were refreshing."

Grand Lake Kitchen is open from 9 a.m.–10 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (It's closed on Tuesday.)

Grandeur

366 Grand Ave., Suite B, Adams Point

Photo: grandeur/Yelp

Grandeur is a burger bistro that caters to vegan, halal and gluten-free diners. It offers menus for both carnivores and vegans — and all of the meats it uses are halal. 

On the menu, expect to see items like a fried chicken sandwich (halal chicken, jalapeño slaw and pickles, with an optional gluten-free bun), the Impossible Burger (vegan patty, grilled onions, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and sauce) and regular or vegan wings — the latter made with adobo cauliflower. Fries and drinks round out the menu.

Grandeur is off to a promising start, with a current rating of four stars out of 33 reviews on Yelp.

"If you want vegan, halal, gluten-free, burgers, fries, sweets, this place has something for everyone," wrote Kristine P., who reviewed the eatery on June 1. 

And Yelper Jay W. noted, "The food was quite tasty ... The beef and lamb burgers were both more well-done than we would have preferred, but the lamb was still tasty. Best sweet potato fries I've had!"

Grandeur is open from 11 a.m.–10 p.m. on Monday-Wednesday and 11 a.m.–2 a.m. on Thursday-Sunday.


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