Best Restaurants for Birthdays in Oakland

We really enjoyed our cocktails before (Old Fashioned and Manhattan). Brussels sprouts were fantastic. We ordered 3 half portions of different pastas - Bucatini, Lumache, and Pappadelle - all were excellent. We ordered dessert, the chocolate torte, but after the order was put in, our server came back and said they were out of it. We did not order anything in its place. Very nice experience, this was our second time to this location and we will go again.

My daughter & I went to Ritual House for the first time last night. We got seated in a booth near the bar. We ordered a bread board and the edamame, both were good! I ordered the Asian inspired chicken and got the sauce on the side, as recommended by the waiter. The chicken was moist and the breading perfectly done! The sauce was on the sweeter side (almost like syrup), so I am glad it was on the side. Didn’t care for the slaw. My daughter got a grilled chicken Caesar salad, she said it was good! We will definitely be back to try some different food.

Visited for Christmas Eve dinner as a party of 6. IT WAS PACKED. Like I’ve never seen it. But guess what? Despite a short wait past our reservation time (15 min? 20? completely reasonable for a full house on a holiday) our experience was the same as if it was a slow night. Our servers were personable and thorough, the meal was nicely paced, and every course was served at the right temperature and with lovely presentation. Only disappointment was the tomahawk cut that my husband ordered being sold out… bummer, he was really excited for that entree and had to pivot to a ribeye. Hats off to CG for really solid execution on what has to be one of the most hectic nights of the year there. If you’re looking for a lively Christmas Eve in the city, I can’t fathom anywhere else was THIS busy and also so on pointe.

The Winter Salad has a perfect balancr of flavors and textures. Highly recommend. The Ricotta Cavelltrlli also had just the balance of lightness and heaviness, richness and savory vegetables. Husband had perfectly cooked strip steak.

Soba lounge is excellent. We had two apps, three different entrees and 2 desserts and each was packed with flavor and beautifully plated. I recommend the rare tuna entree, the mushrooms on the appetizers - and the chocolate maki.