The food here is spectacular! Each dish is packed with a lot of flavor, and yet manages to stay refined. Everything is very well balanced, and I would say worth the price. You can really tasty the freshness of everything too. There's great food, and then there's art. The drinks are equally as good (only top shelf of course), and I particularly like that they have added "Dealer's Choice", where you pick a spirit and they do the rest for the cocktail. The service is a surprisingly good for how high of a volume they have (which I would recommend making reservations a couple of days in advance if you want to dine on the weekend). The servers are quick and attentive, but also know the correct way to pace a meal. The ambience is nice too, all in all I give it five stars.
(5)
Laura E.
I came here with my mom last night on an out of town visit. Shakewell was initially noisy, but eventually quieted down. I had a white sangria, which was sweet and had a citrusy flavor to it. We shared the green salad, grilled shrimp, and corn and lentil salad. The green salad had goat cheese, nectarines, and walnuts. The walnuts being candied would have made the salad better. Both the shrimp and corn dishes were good. We had churros for dessert which took a long time to come out and were a little undercooked. However, our waiter gave them to us on the house. Service was a bit on the slow side. Overall, four stars for the food and 3 stars for the service.
(3)
Kyle G.
So we were having breakfast with two good friends and they picked the place. We didn't know this was the place they picked. Kinda funny. So apparently the owner is a neighbor and all they did was send a text "hey we're walking down" and we're in! In my first review I said the greeter was a nice guy with a good smile... Well that was the owner. lol. He sat us down again and chatted a little. Our friend Amy said we have to try the pastries. Well the owner said his pastry guy was sick that morning so he made the pastries for the day himself. Okay, I'll give it a shot. I ordered the banana bread and really loved it. Hit it out of the park. So good and so tasty. Our friends ordered potatoes for the table. WOW! Loved them. Cooked to perfection! So tasty! Last but not least I ordered the Rib Sandwich. It was sooo good you'd want to slap YO Grandmama! And I loved my Grandmama but this sandwich was memorable! So because of those three items I changed my rating from 4 to 5! This place is the real deal when it comes to food and drink. It's a must have. I'll be back here!
(5)
Peter V.
The food was amazing but the service was so damn slow what a shame. I came in around 945pm which was well after their peak and was just by myself but my goodness the drinks and getting that first order in took while. Anyway food was amazing.
(3)
Ulysses K.
Great spot! Excellent service and romantic ambience. Good for going out on a date. Lots of variety on the menu and drinks are good too.
(4)
MJ A.
Hats off to the chef and ever so creative menu. In a party of 6, you know the restaurant is on point when everyone at the table is nodding their heads in affirmation following each bite. We ordered the fried chicken, a few Bombas, and various small plates; everything was small portioned but delicious. What really stood out though were the Jamon croquetas and their accompanying green poblano sauce. Superb. Cocktails were well crafted and strong-- though I stuck to the great beer selection despite the disappointing lack of taps. On a busy Saturday night, we were also fortunate enough to receive outstanding service from everyone in the restaurant, including the hostess, manager, and our server who's handlebar moustache deserved a tip of its own. One could argue that Shakewell is currently the top foodie destination in the Grand Lake area. As other reviewers have noted, the only factor holding back a solid 5 star review is the menu pricing. Our bill ended up averaging to about $80 per person prior to tip-- and while everything about this restaurant is outstanding, I unfortunately have to shake off the check shock before returning again.
(4)
Shannon L.
Super cute hipster joint with a relaxed atmosphere amongst wood. If you check in, you get a FREE pecan sour cream coffee cake which I would just take home with you. Ours didn't taste particularly fresh anyway. I did enjoy what we paid for though. The fried bread pudding with blueberry and creme fraiche was absolutely delicious and not too sweet. The bread is almost more like french toast though. The chicken hash with an over easy egg was also a hearty dish. I can tell they use leftover chicken to make this. Both these dishes are more than enough for two people. Coffee was solid enough to drink black. Servers and bussers were extra friendly which I appreciated. I would love to come back for dinner.
(4)
Andrew C.
We came for brunch. Odd name which emphasizes their cocktail focus, but leaves their main style (Mediterranean) a little bit of a mystery. Space is pretty loud, both with music volume and lots of hard surfaces. We deviated from eggs and both went with sandwiches. Food has potential, but flavors were a bit unbalanced for us. The g/f got the "Octo-dog" (olive salad, saffron aioli, chips $11 yelp.com/biz_photos/shak… ) which is a thick octopus tentacle "hotdog" on a soft roll ( yelp.com/biz_photos/shak… ).. The grilled octopus was a little chewy / tough from not being cooked enough. Good flavors from the saffron aioli & olive salad. I got the Steak sandwich (caramelized onion, blue cheese, dijon aioli, arugula, chips $14.50 yelp.com/biz_photos/shak… ). Very heavy on the blue cheese which overpowered the rest of the ingredients; I scraped some off which helped. Steak was cooked medium so a little past what I'd requested.
(3)
Andrew K.
We ordered so many things - all fabulous. The whole branzino deboned was divine. So was the falafel. Oh and that chick pea flour flatbread w truffle. Cute space, attentive service. We were all very pleased!
(5)
Mr. K.
I've been coming here since they opened, and believe it is one of the top brunches in the bay. It is definitely the top brunch in its vein. We brought our friend from LA here today and she loved it. We had the chilaquiles, trumpet mushroom omelet, and a side of the potatoes and bloody mary's and were thoroughly happy. Call ahead to reserve a table and you'll have a great time.
(5)
Nique F.
Having a favorite restaurant is not like having a favorite child (that's easy). It's more like having a favorite pair of shoes. Depends on the occassion, the mood, the season. But the same way I'm convinced that my favorite pair of floppy pink loafers go with everything, I feel that Shakewell goes with just about every occasion, mood, and season. I'll take any excuse to visit, or emphatically insist you should. Simply put: the menu is super creative. The ambiance is chic but comfy. The service is top notch, down to the last detail of splitting our plates, knowing we would share (or attempt to). If you think you're bored with "small plates" give the Spanish-Mediterranean bites at Shakewell a chance. They're complex and artsy without being too dainty. Portions are substantial. Flavors are bold. And if small still isn't your thing, go for a main course. All dishes come with a side of ooooohs and aaaaahs (you can quote me on that). We had the BEST grilled calamari of our lives, with olives and saffron aioli. Then, the fried sausage and sage leaves, and some squash blossom fritters. My eyes lit up all greedy-like when they filled my little wine tumbler up to the rim. Is this normal? I hope so. We love eating at the bar, and Shakewell is a primo place to do so. Whatever happens, DO NOT skip dessert. Just as much attention is given to the sweeter side of their menu, with decadent combos like bittersweet chocolate torta + pistachio + cocoa nibs And yes it's true: Shakewell is run by two Top Chef alumns. Not sure if they won or not, but I'm sure they're fine being known for cooking up some of the best grub in all of Oakland. For reals.
(5)
Alexa C.
This place is amazing, and to reiterate what everyone else is saying, very creative menu. I came here for brunch. My friend got the chicken and churros, a fun twist on the traditional chicken and waffles. I got the poached eggs, served on falafel cakes and thinly sliced chorizo. We swapped halfway through our dishes, since both looked so good we just had to try the other. Both dishes were downright delicious. I loved that Shakewell takes familiar dishes and puts a tasty, unexpected spin on them. I can't wait to return to try more items on their menu. The food is inspired and fun, and you can tell that the cooks and chefs have passion in what they do. Oakland is killing the food scene and Shakewell is definitely playing a part.
(5)
Sharine d.
This place was highly recommended...was full so sat in bar area by front window. Very good location close to Lake Merritt. Service attentive, bartender good drinks, food PASS.. Ordered top three appetizers....a squash salad and the lamb main dish. Appetizers were tasty. Salad & main dish was painful. Squash full of anchovies :-(...close to inedible. Lamb was cooked well. ..but NO taste. At the end of the day....This restaurant dishes were very odd.....I'd say poss.
(3)
Harrison S.
Love this place, one of our favorites. changing menu, always lots of new options. very creative and tasty dishes, nicely presented. wonderful space, the old Mezze, but not really recognizable. great drinks as well. we go often, never disappointed!
(5)
Laurence W.
Contemporary urban dining has taken decades to reach the Grand Lake area for reasons I've never understood, and Shakewell sets the tone better than most. The cocktails are excellent, the service is mostly good (though I'm not thrilled that they fire every single dish you order at once without regard to the order you might want to eat it), and the food is interesting (though hardly without its disappointments -- I'm looking at you, Mr. Overseasoned Chickpea Flatbread!). So, why the three stars? The prices are laughably steep in light of the overall experience. $14 bacon-wrapped dates? $10 falafel? $27 short-ribs? Hilarious. More directly, Shakewell is charging SF prices but would likely have its lunch eaten by the competition if they were actually competing in SF. For now, Shakewell handily fills an empty niche in the Grand Lake area, but the final math doesn't add up.
(3)
Peter O.
Excellent food! We had the Manila clams and chorizo bomba which was absolutely fantastic. We also had the roasted fish which was also great, even though I forget which type of fish it was. Da wife ordered two of the bartender's special cocktails, one with vodka, one with tequila; both were awesome. My only complaint was that some people took the name too literally, leaving the men's toilet floor a bit sticky.
(5)
Joyce Z.
My cousin was taking us out for our belated birthday dinner and had chosen a restaurant on Grand Ave. However, upon arriving, we discovered it was closed for the evening. With no place to go at the last minute, I immediately thought of Shakewell which I had bookmarked 3 months ago and was actually thinking that was where we were going to begin with. We shared 4 tapas style small plates, 3 entree sized plates, and a side of broccolini which was more than enough. Some of the small plates are very small (quail egg comes with 2 eggs so we had to order a double order) while others are decently sized like the croquetas. Deviled Quail Egg - 2 to an order - Did not really taste like a deviled egg so was just okay for me Persimmon wrapped with serrano ham - 4 Bite sized persimmons wrapped with prosciutto - tasty refreshing bites that will make you wanting more Bacalao Croquetas - this was my favorite of the small plates as it was creamy with the right amount of salt from the salted cod - 4 to an order Octopus olive salad - liked that the octopus was tender but the olive salad overpowered the octopus Local squid ink bomba - think paella with this one using squid ink and fish stock and topped with some squid pieces - warning - will temporarily turn lips and teeth black which may be fun for Halloween Braised pork shoulder - the pickled green tomatoes is such a good complement to the fork tender pork shoulder that you can pile onto the flatbread - messy if you eat it like a taco but so good! Black cod - smooth, smooth, smooth, enough said Side of grilled broccolini - I am a huge fan of broccolini but certain pieces came out a bit too charred to my taste. Overall a solid choice at the Lakeshore area
(4)
K G.
Loved Shakewell. Spendy, but worth it. Great cocktails, gluten-free friendly options, and excellent ambiance. My husband and I couldn't decide, so we ordered practically one of each gf option on the menu. Everything was delicious, but the turkey/zucchini meatballs stood out. Great ambiance, friendly people, full bar, excellent food, great wine list = new fave place.
(5)
Erin G.
I am updating my review today as I have been back here a few times and I had a really excellent time. As per my last review, I saw a lot of potential and I was hoping my opinion would change and it definitely has. I have never felt the need to update a review before but I sure want to for this spot. The happy hour specials are actual specials! The white sangria is super tasty, and the apps are all fantastic - I've had more than a handful of them ;) Plus, the bartenders are super friendly and accommodating. Their drinks are probably some of the best in town. I've tried a few new somethings each time and the craft that goes into curating their drink menu is very apparent. If you're looking for a fun and impressive spot, this is the place to take someone. So happy to see this place mature and grow. It's a gem in the Grand Lake/Lakeshore hood.
(5)
Danielle B.
Awesome food. Husband and I went here mid week on a Wednesday night. We hadn't gone before on the weekends since I was worried about a wait, as they do not take reservations. Really great open space. Loved the Moroccan decor, along with the rocks stacked up as dividers along one of the sections of seating. Onto the food. We started with the shrimp (tasty, but I think only 2 pieces of shrimp), jamon croquetas, and the bacon-wrapped chorizo stuffed dates. All super yummy!! I got the duck confit, and was really great as well. Hubby got the short ribs, and he really loved them as well. The food was Mediterranean with a twist, which we both loved. Service was really top notch. Overall, a great experience with amazing food and great service. We will, be back.
(5)
Nicole C.
Fantastic meal and even better cocktails! Service was impeccable! Get the chicharonnes and the duck bomba! Also the corn side hit all of the right notes and textures. I look forward to trying dessert but both times I have been here I was too full! Spot on guys!
(5)
E.C. G.
Fantastic decor and atmosphere; toward the back near the kitchen, it's quiet enough for easy conversation among a group of 6. Can't say what it's like near the bar, where it seemed to be louder. The dishes ranged from amazing to just okay. It was, interestingly, the more expensive dishes that were just okay -- a bomba with roast duck that was just kind of mushy, and a roasted stuffed whole fish where the stuffing that was so beautifully described by our very attentive waiter didn't really make an appearance. But the small plates and salads? Oh my. A salad of summer squash and anchovies that was interestingly composed and delicious. This terrific chick pea toast tapa that was flavorful and inventive. Highlight of the evening, believe it or not, was the falafel, flavorful, crispy texture and great flavor. Stick to the tapas and amazing cocktails, and you're set for an amazing experience.
(4)
Arthur Y.
New "Cali-Med" type of place in the Grand Lake area. I'm a fan. From what I saw online, they were started by 2 Top chef alums - one from regular top chef (cooking) and top chef just desserts (front of house) Right off the bat, I love to decor in the place - they did an amazing job. Clean, modern yet classic - lots of stone and wood. Just feels like a great space. Food was also solid. We got a bunch of small dishes: - Fried olives - tasty, hot, briny goodness - Croquetas - Baccalao/Salted cod - super tasty, 4 to an order - Falafel - also 4 to an order, and super moist and flavorful. Not fried too hard. - Sardine toast - pretty solid - Grilled broccolini - a little too charred for my tastes, the only real miss Also got the black squid ink bomba - which is basically a paella in a clay pan. Super flavorful and delicious.
(4)
Rachel M.
When we arrived, the bartender was busy chatting with some girls at a table instead of, you know, tending the bar. I'm sure we would have gotten quicker service if we had been two cute girls instead of a couple. Once they left, he was much better. Present, but not imposing. It was happy hour, so we stuck to sangria. No major complaints. It was tasty, had actual chunks of fruit that had been marinating a while, but wasn't cold enough. I'd totally give this place another try, because the bar was beautiful and the location is great. Hopefully a different bartender will be on duty.
(3)
Noelle H.
Me: "So what do you think of it? Bf: "A LOT OF OLIVES" Me and the bf are fans of the top chef series. So when I discovered a contestant had opened up a restaurant in Oakland, I figured we might as well try it out! We had no reservations, but were able to score 2 seats at an open counter. We also saw a glimpse of Jen Biesty in the kitchen *fan girl moment* I started with a glass of the sangria. It was ok, but nothing phenomenal as to what some other reviewers were saying. We ordered the sausage sage leaves, octopus, and beet salad to start. The fried sausage leaves we're cooked well. The octopus was super tender, but a small portion with an abundant amount of olives. We both enjoyed the beet salad, simple and clean. We split the chicken and prawn bomba. It was ok, a bit on the salty side. Probably due to more olives! I do wish there was more meat though. It seemed skimp. We were debating on which dessert to order, and our server was saying how mind blowingly amazing the Greek yogurt dessert was. I was a bit apprehensive. Really? Half a peach with some Carmel and Greek yogurt? But I decided to show some faith and we ordered that. Ehh. Should have went with my gut. While it was fine. It could have easily been made at home. That was my fault for not going with my instinct -___- The food? It was okay. Definitely not recommended if you don't like olives!
(3)
Mike L.
This place is fairly new. Shakewell isn't what I'd expect to be the name for a Spanish Tapas place but the food was really good. We went on a Friday night around 9:10pm, they close at 10pm and we were able to get seated right away. I went with a friend and we shared three dishes: the pork shoulder, squash salad and a chicken & shrimp paella. They were all pretty tasty and decent sized portions. We also sampled some of their signature cocktails which are $10-12. The service was pretty responsive. Staff would come by to consistently to refill our water jug, change plates in between courses and see how we were doing. I'd go again!
(4)
Paula S.
2nd time in 2 weeks that we ate here. First time we sat at the bar and had mostly appetizers: Roasted cauliflower, falafel, salt cod. All these items were OK...has potential. The sauce with the roasted cauliflower had a hint of something that was off...not sure if you use red peppers in it but don't. The squid ink aioli was good but a waste under the potatoes since you really have to drag it around or use your finger to get it all. I'd adhere the potatoes to the plate with a little for contrast and presentation then put the rest on the side to apply with your knife. Falafel: cook it all the way through. First and last night were not cooked and had raw bean taste. On our first visit with my husband, I noted the pile of clams at another table and looked up what that was about when we got home. So, last night my daughter and I split it. If this is your signature dish, please do a better job. The rice had no flavor. Half the clams did not fully open. The shrimp were overcooked. The fish did not taste of good quality...too buttery but not in the right way. A flaky white fish is much more appealing. My kids are spoiled since I am an good cook and both agreed...first bite the 17 year old said, "rice has no flavor." It needed more saffron, salt and pepper or some smokey paprika along with perhaps some fish stock. The duck pate: Leave off the jam. Way too much. Put on the side. Overall solid. Smoked salmon: The toast was too crispy and did not contrast well with the smoothness of the fish...needed to have a little softness to it to meld the flavors and textures. I saw the table next door had the squid Bomba and it had a ton of squid on it yet based on the marrying of flavors and quality of seafood, I can only imagine that unless that squid was chargrilled to add a smokey flavor that it was probably too much rubbery stuff on top. Sorry. I was hoping to really like this place. Also, when I asked about a drink our waiter said, "when were you last here?" I said, "2 week ago." He said, "the drink menu is completely different." No help. No welcome back...glad you came in again, etc. Like I said, I'm a good cook and use top shelf ingredients and was hoping to be blown away. I wasn't. The average Joe will be I'm sure but if you want to draw us back as a regular, I suggest you look into what I am saying. FYI: The BEST meal I have had in a very very long time was at "Stones Throw" in the city last weekend. Check them out. Amazing meal from beginning to end. I'd like to have this within walking distance of our home; you can reach higher.
(2)
Suki B.
What an amazing addition to my neighborhood! My friend and I went for some drinks and apps, last week. You immediately know that they're doing something right because it was packed! This will definitely be my go-to place when I want a good glass of sangria! It's not overly sweet/fruity like most places. The tapas are so yummy! If you love seafood, you will not be disappointed! We shared several things, but my favorites were the Bomba (Paella) and the fried sausage. The service was impeccable! My friend and I were honestly surprised at how great they were. Our waiter, Andrea, was the sweetest, most attentive waiter and he gets extra points because he had the most adorable Italian accent. :) The decor and overall vibe was fabulous. Great mix of people! I'll be a regular here, that's for sure!
(5)
Patrick S.
Shakewell is a word not found in the dictionary because it cannot be contained in printed words as it is alive, it is so alive! Shakewell is a place where people gather to explore joy found through the senses. There is liveliness and good cheer amongst people here and they are truly the happy ones because they know the same as I do, and they are here at Shakewell. Decor is simple and flowing which offers a deep comfort that allows one to relax and allow their senses to explore with wonder at the food and drink they will most definitely enjoy. The drink is perfect. Wait, no, the drinks here are Purrrfect. There is not a single poorly designed, poorly executed drink that can be offered here, there is only... Purrrfection. I found it so very refreshing to see, listed on the cocktail menu, "Dealer's Choice." A drink in which you pick the spirit and they create something amazing for you. How awesome is that?! I want every bar to have this on their menu, and that's one of the many things that makes Shakewell fabulous. Even when I did get an imperfect cocktail here they handled it very professionally and had the youngster bartender surreptitiously executed swiftly and cleanly in the back storeroom. It was actually my third drink, a zombie, and the first two were deliciously delicious and the third was just a bit off -not quite zombie enough. My waiter knew it too and it was handled very well. Which goes to show that a great restaurant isn't great for all that they do right, it's also how they handle themselves when something is not right. FOOD... is... amazing! I do not know what type of witchcraft devilry they practice here but they have made an excellent deal with the devil for their access to evil deliciousness which is the main ingredient in every single dish served. I actually made the "mmmmmm" sound with every single bite tasted. It's sort of an uncontrolled muscle reflex, like when the doctor hits your knee with a rubber mallet. When something delicious goes into my mouth, "mmmmmmmmmmmm." What I enjoyed most about the Bomba was that there were numerous different ingredients combined in this dish however every single component was cooked to it's own perfection. It's all too common to have paella that has half the ingredients overdone and half underdone, not here though. With the Bomba, and with every dish, you get perfection. They only thing I do not understand is why can't more restaurants be this good? I think the answer is that because it is not easy, and I'm sure they all work very hard at giving us their best, and I for one am grateful to them for that. My compliments to Chef Jen Biesty and General Maestro Tim Nugent. You guys are Awesome! Thank You. Cheers
(5)
Dirk W.
Now our "go-to" dining spot in Oakland. Tim and Jen have put together a delicious menu, which is complimented by their friendly and helpful staff. And with James at the bar, it's pretty darned well perfect. Favorite dishes being pretty much any of their salads, delicious appetizers, and they are very helpful in recommending different dishes for everyone. We've eaten at a table, outside, and at the bar . . . it's all good.
(4)
Augusto T.
Slow start, but the food mostly came through. I was brought to Shakewell for my birthday dinner. Before I get too the food, I have to rant about something. So you can't get a reservation for parties of two and while you can sit at the bar, (which includes some tables not exactly at the car), it is sit yourself. See, I don't mind waiting a bit, but when it is yourself there are no guarantees. You have to float around like a vulture for tables that will be finished soon or someone else might grab the table. This happened at least twice so we decided to be more aggressive. It is fine at a casual bar, but this type of restaurant is really not suited for it. If you don't take reservations for two then at least have a list for seats at the bar... Not a big deal, but it really made the dinner experience start on a sour note. End of rant. Onto the food. The menu is really really interesting. I would call it playful, modern Mediterranean. A little Spanish, a little Italian, a little Greek, a little North African, and more. The cod croquettes were not bad though a little more potato-ey than necessary. The highlight was the ingenious squid ink aioli. The fried chicken with yogurt sauce was also very interesting. The chicken was not super crispy, but it worked really well with the yogurt sauce. The favorite of the night was the chili chocolate braised beef short rib. It was tender and very tasty. They have a section of 'Bombas' on their menu. They are basically paellas not made on a paellera pan. We got the pork belly one, which had a lot of flavor but unfortunately the rice was completely overcooked and mushy. The saffron panna cotta was not bad, but it did not stand out. I ended up having a good time, but I have some reservations. Getting a table was annoying, not all of the dishes were flawless, and it was definitely not cheap. That said, I recommend you check it out for their very fun and creative menu. I definitely look forward to coming back.
(3)
Rob R.
Went back recently my star rating is unchanged. A few changes: -The falafel has improved dramatically. Very nice, now a must have. -Appetizers still out of the kitchen like bullets from a machine gun. Do pace your ordering. Bombas (we had them all): -Chorizo is the best. Mega wow. I'm a major paella slut, been cooking it my whole life. -Vegetable is very good. -Squid ink is good, I'd probably do the chorizo one instead next time. I don't know why people think squid ink is cool--to me it makes food taste a little funny. It really doesn't add much other than color and even mildly detracts the overall flavor. Shakewell is a great place, we'll be back.
(4)
Stephanie R.
Yum yum cocktails and black paella! Wonderful waiter, wonderful bartender. Love the Shakewell Sling!
(4)
Gina G.
Fresh, fun, fantastic food. Those three words describe what I felt while at Shakewell on Lakeshore Ave. in Oakland. Going in for Happy Hour, immediately I was taken back by the hip ambiance and impeccably clean atmosphere. Upon sitting by the bar, the Sangria was tasty and the app menu had incredibly cool selections. Choosing the Bacalao Croquetas with Squid Ink Aioli and the Falafel, I was in small plate paradise. Both were a flavorful combustion of crisp, delicate morsels of culinary innovation. Definitely will be back to try brunch or even just for the dessert. Nice addition to the area!
(4)
nina B.
We went for Sunday brunch. It was really good! You can make a reservation if you have 5 or more people in your party - we had 5 so I made the rezzie, but you don't *need* it at that time of the morning on a Sunday (10:30am, that's when they open). We were late, so they called us to make sure we were coming - which was nice. After being seated, my kid promptly had a meltdown and I escorted him outside to finish up. The server waited until we were all back to take our order. My husband mentioned that the server was not totally engaging with everyone at the table, but I'm not sure thats worth docking any points for. I will say that we were technically two families dining together, and we had requested the bills to be split if possible. At the time, the server said no problem, but when the bill came it was all together and given to the same person who became our table 'leader'. So, I guess service could have been sharpened up... The food was really really good. Super fresh, lots of different variety, not your run-of-the-mill potatoes, eggs and salty meat. We got the tuna salad (looked like it could have been a little heartier, given the price) where the fish was seared perfectly and the greens looked amazing. The table ordered the bourbon bread pudding, do this...melt in your mouth inside, crunchy outside rich and sweet bourbon sauce. I got the Shakshuka which I will be attempting at home.sort of like a veggie skillet made up of a tomato base sauce with onions and peppers and chickpeas...put two eggs on top (they ended up being really hard...had they been cooked less the yolk would have been divine, mixed into the sauce). The Pork Belly dish - tasty but could have used a texture makeover and the ...lastly, my husband ordered a really delicious plate that included felafels, eggs, bacon, etc...I'm sorry I can't remember the name because it was probably my favorite after my own dish. I also noticed a free pastry upon check in, you have a few choices and they all looked GREAT! we got the lemon cake with compote and loved it - our little peanut devoured it after his mini meltdown. With this being just down the street from us, we will make sure to come back for dinner. Kid friendly, delicious food, great bar, and a great location. Go to Shakewell and enjoy!
(4)
.Alan Y.
Okay, I admit it, I came here because of the Top Chef hype. And I didn't even watch their seasons! We walked in off the street and had no reservations. The host staff was very accommodating, despite the full restaurant and found us a space at a communal table after a very brief wait. My original review was TL;DR. Here's the condensed version. Shakewell has promise. Service is extremely slow, but very friendly. The food here will not fill you up unless you are ready to spend lots of money. The food itself is a mixed bag. The "small" plates really fit the description. They are one bite per person. The melon and serrano ham small plate was really good. The deviled quail egg was cute, but didn't taste like deviled eggs. The brocollini was not for me, I felt it was a really confused, muddy tasting dish. The beet salad was good, but everyone is doing a beet salad these days and it was nothing special. The albacore entree was the standout dish of the evening. Fish, eggplant hummus, lemon juice, sesame seeds and snap peas. Cooked to perfection. We also had the bittersweet chocolate torta for dessert. I'd eat that again. After being seated, it took 20 minutes to take our order. It took 40 minutes for us to receive our first drink. It was super crowded for a Thursday night. Shakewell has an interesting Mediterranean / North African inspired menu. It's worth another shot, but you may want to pre-eat at McDonald's before hand.
(3)
Gadget G.
I've yet to have dinner here, but I've eaten lunch several times and even had a birthday brunch here last month. Tim is the greatest (super sweet, warm and welcoming) -- and my friends and family love everything about the place, from the beautiful bar and cool decor to the yummy food. My favorite is actually the flatbread starter -- I have to order one regardless of whatever else I get on the menu. The last one had squash/blossoms finished lightly with truffle oil and salt - so simple, and SO AMAZING! All of the dishes I've sampled have been really tasty - although the chicken on the quinoa salad was a bit over (dry) on one occasion, but this was an unusual occurrence and everything else has been consistently very good to excellent. I'm sure dinner is even better, and I'm excited to try a BOMBA!
(5)
Corinne S.
Really good and reasonably priced. We had the warm lentil and corn salad, the squid and aioli bomba (paella) and the sauteed prawns. Excellent meal but definitely not a good idea to have all together...rice, fregula and lentils all expanded! We were so full, so no dessert but they looked good. The cocktails were fantastic as well. Wonderful meal, great location. Great waitress as well.
(5)
Victor W.
Wow! Try this place folks- you will be pleased. The owner Tim is really committed to providing fine food and service and it shows. Really interesting small and large plates, each made thoughtfully and with great taste. The decor is quite nice, the drinks fine (try their happy hours offerings!) and their staff are welcoming. Soooo glad they have joined the ever-expanding Lakeshore gathering of great places to dine!
(5)
Laura P.
I am lucky to live in the Bay Area, with its abundance of amazing eateries eager to tickle my taste buds. A somewhat last minute dinner with a friend at Shakewell's was absolutely one of the best gastro-experiences I have had to date. Not only was the service top-frigging-notch, but the food ..! I could use an entire thesaurus to describe how delicious everything was, and would still fall far, far too short. Starting with the roast beet salad was a good move, although an unhappy discovery of cilantro in it meant that I had to be super cautious nibbling through the greenery. We also enjoyed the grilled flatbread, and although the seasonings made it a bit saltier than ideal, it made a nice counterpoint to the meal overall. However. The squid & ink bomba is just about the best frigging dish anyone has ever cooked in the history of deliciousness. I quite literally did not want to stop scooping this onto my plate, and although the salt-water mussels that followed were also extraordinarily good (so plump and juicy and flavorful!), the bomba was the BOMB. It was two bombs. It was so much bomb, my mouth just about imploded with wanting more even as my belly was exploding from holding too much. For the love of all that is holy, GO TRY THIS DISH. If you do not, you are really, seriously, truly, and tragically missing out on an incredible experience of tongue-dancing delight. (Side note: my one and only single little complaint is that the place is noisy as hell - which makes intimate conversation sliiightly difficult. Still, I would never ever hesitate to hit this place up for dinner!)
(5)
Kathy C.
Tapas were good but can't say this is in my short list of fave tapas places.
(3)
Olivia W.
A very smooth start for a brand new restaurant. We had a 6 p.m. reservation which we pushed back to 6:30 but were still greeted warmly and seated promptly by the host. We started off with two cocktails -- Blood and Sand for him, El Matador for me. Both were tasty and balanced though I much preferred my later Berry Fling (lavander!). Service was friendly and efficient (again rare for such a new place). The atmosphere had a pleasant buzz (as did I). Food was good though nothing truly blew me away. But then, we failed to order a paella and judging from the other diners' plates, that was the thing to try! We had the melon, luxardo, Serrano ham "bite", a delicately sweet corn bisque with dungeness crab, the bacalao croquetas and, the true stand out, the albondigas which were smoky and tender. With reasonable prices, tasty food and a hip ambiance, it is likely that we will return.
(4)
Terese O.
Went for brunch and it was phenomenal! The fried chicken was perfection and the churros were so fluffy. A perfect combination of deliciousness on my palate. The French toast was spot on. The poached eggs were also notably great. Will go back for brunch and must try for dinner.
(5)
Jennifer L.
Loved this place!!! Came here for dinner and it seemed packed but I guess we got lucky because they sat our table of 4 right away. Such a creative menu. We ordered an array of items and they were all delicious. For an appetizer we got the fried sausage sage leaves with ginger aioli. The beet salad was a refreshing starter. Absolutely divine. The table shared 2 bombas. The clams and chorizo one and the squid and ink one. So filling and so flavorful. The chicken was a little dry for my taste but still pretty good. Brussel sprouts were great partially thanks to the bacon. For my friend's birthday they brought out the saffron panna cotta with cardamom meringue. What a great way to end an amazing meal. Let's not forget about the wonderful cocktails. Favorite is the Duchess de Alba (mandarin vodka, grapefruit, lillet, orange bitters, cava). Will be back!
(5)
Adrian Robert H.
60% Pretty good and creative brunch with mixed results. *** Came here for brunch, Dec '14. Shakewell seems to be a restaurant that blends modern American cooking with some Mediterranean influences, namely from Spain and probably parts of the middle east. I was most intrigued in trying their bomba paella, but it turned out it wasn't on the brunch menu. Fortunately, their brunch has many items that draw in international influences. It doesn't seem like your typical eggs benedict and mimosa type brunch, which is always a promising sign for me. Being in the area after dropping a friend off at Oakland airport, and not being too familiar with the area, this seemed like a promising choice. Overall my meal here was a bit hit & miss. There are glimpses of some real potential however, and I think one could be happy given ordering what they do best, should they have the chance to find that out. Warm duck confit, frisee, arugula, buttered squash, pomegranate, freekeh. $15. (dish rating, 75%) - Very good grain based dish that works as a reinterpretation of duck fried rice. The freekeh used, something I came across here for the first time, works as a great substitute to rice. - I was most surprised with how well the grain worked. The texture was interesting and effective. It a softer texture for a grain with a soft chewiness in it that most resembled to brown rice to me, but without the crunchy hardened shell that might come with it. Flavor of the grain wasn't something I noticed. There was a soy based mildly sweet and salty sauce mixed in with everything that dominated any presence the grain may or may not have. Somehow it wasn't as dense of heavy as rice. It also seemed like there was some delicious duck fat coating the grain. However its presence isnt heavy. - The duck was wonderful. It was the strongest flavor of this dish, yet it was complimented well by other parts. I found there were fairly generous bits of nicely cooked duck leg chunks thrown in the grain. It was prepared such that the meat was still quite juicy and the presence of duck was unmistakable, particularly with the end notes of each bite. - The butternut squash and pomegranate seeds were a welcome bit, lending some sweetness and denser bits of texture to blend in with everything. - Although I liked the greens, I wish there was a more of presence of that to blend in with everything else. - Portion size is pretty generous. Perhaps because the grains, I didn't find it to be as heavy and hard on the appetite afterwards. Octo-dog. Olive salad, saffron aioli, chips. $11. (Dish rating, 40%) This was an interpretation of the humble hot dog. An octopus tentacle is used in place of sausage. A mixture of aoli, green olives, and some pickled greens are used in place of relish. - About average dish. I found the Octopus to be well cooked, but most other parts to fall short. - The octopus was very tender with a soft chewiness to resemble the texture of a regular sausage. It is dense and richer. The flavor of the octopus was present to a good degree and delicious by itself. It works on a more subtle level. - Other components were less favorable. I think use of the thick aioli with the tart pickled bits and green olive, while nice by themselves, but seemed to overpower the octopus. There was a lack of balance between the two. Furthermore, it seemed to make the dish heavier without justification that I could appreciate. Its still pretty good and creative, particularly with the use of olives, but I think the aoili could a more subtle presence. - The bread seemed unremarkable. Nothing about it stood out flavor wise. I thought it was a tad too dense and heavier than I'd like. I don't mind richer dishes, but I often prefer that the source of heaviness doesn't come mostly from starches. - The potato chips were very carelessly prepared. Bits of it would harden to a very unpalatable hard texture. Some bits could not be chewed through with effort, and needed to be spit out. This effect was inconsistent, so I'm sure it wasn't intentional. They were decent enough otherwise. Value for brunch seems quite reasonable. Few items were over $20, with the $15 range being about average. You get a free pastry with the Yelp check in. Service was good. The staff were very attentive and informative when it came to items from the kitchen. Demeanor was more cordial than friendly, but certainly by no means cold. Ambiance was pleasant. I liked the large open space with brighter colors, the open kitchen and bar. It makes for a comfortable lunch and brunch space. When I visited, the restaurant wasn't full, and the place was never too loud. I think the menu and kitchen may benefit from some extra attention to ideas and execution, but overall I liked the place. Not bad.
(3)
Robert W.
Came here one night in search of the perfect paella! My reference point was paella in Valencia, so it was going to be a tough match. Started with their broccolini dish which was actually quite interesting and enjoyable, good flavors, perfectly cooked. Then had their squid ink bomba, which I guess is sorta like paella. Not bad, a bit under flavored, and could have used a bit more seafood, but so far I would say the best patella like dish I've had in the east bay. Definitely worth checking out.
(4)
Renee B.
Staff made my day amazing service....food excellent. We had the best time!!! Thank you!!!!
(5)
Craig I.
We've now been here three times for dinner and it's wonderful. Atmosphere is casual but upscale. Super friendly staff, place has a buzz with open kitchen and big bar. Sitting in window seats fun casual way to dine, or inside you feel the excitement Food is world class. I've enjoyed the whole fish, octopus and other dishes. The sides are refreshing and have a great mix of flavors If his place was in SF you wouldn't be able to get a table. Another East Bay gem!
(5)
Eric L.
Shakewell, a curious yet non-descriptive name for a restaurant, serves Mediterranean-inspired tasty food with a varying menu and energetic atmosphere. It's located in Lake Merritt, an oasis neighborhood in greater Oakland. The restaurant has an awesome vibe and serves great food. When I visited Shakewell, they offered a Yelp check in for a free housemade pastry.
(5)
Taco T.
The happy hour is a great deal--a selection of tapas at 1/2 off and some drink specials. The bacalao croquetas were my favorite--nicely garlicky, with a great texture. The accompanying squid ink aioli was a nice visual touch.
(3)
Gabrielle D.
Went today for brunch, fairly early - there was no wait! The sangria was tasty. I ordered the eggs with bacon and potatoes. Everything was very good, the potatoes are heavy. My brother got the same thing except with sausage, which were huge! Bring your appetite!
(4)
Cheryl R.
We loved this restaurant! We couldn't get a last minute Friday night reservation but they said they save tables for walking and 4 of us were seated 10 minutes after we arrived at 7:00. We tried so many things and they were all soooo good!! Most of the dishes were for sharing which was perfect because we got to try all different dishes. All of the sauces were so delicious. We are looking forward to returning soon.
(5)
R B.
Went here with David for Friday date night. Neat little tapas joint in hipster section of Oakland. Got there early enough to not need a reservation. The food was great and not - each dish hit and miss. Drinks were typical. We had the falafel first which was a highlight. Nothing like fresh falafel! Then the figs stuffed with cheese and fresh Serrano. These were great!! The flatbread was ok - truffle oil makes anything good, but this was just missing something. We got the mushroom bomba made vegetarian for yours truly, which apparently really needed the chicken it was supposed to come with! Just a flavorless mass of rice. David got the fried chicken he was impressed with. But the highlight was the tapa of the day - a crostini with diced beats, quail egg, and bacon. Didn't realize they hadn't honored my vegetarian request till the first bite - and I was able to pick off bacon on the rest, but this is definitely a good preparation for beets! So yeah, glad we tried it and wouldn't go back.
(3)
Suzy S.
Absolutely loved our evening at Shakewell. We were welcomed warmly on this chilly Fall evening and took a seat at the bar. Started with perusing the drink menu where there are many interesting selections to choose from. Top of the list: Autumn Cozy, wow! I really enjoyed this concoction that was made by the creator, Amy. She is a very talented Bar Chef and has created a drink list that I would love to try, one by one. Of course one wasn't enough, if one was good, two was even better and I am a huge fan of the Autumn Cozy! Our food was excellent and very nicely presented: Grilled Calamari, Roasted Cauliflower and a Chicken and Prawn Bomba (Shakewell's version of Paella). As with the drink menu, I was so intrigued by the Dinner menu that I would like to work my way through it and try everything! The food, the drinks, the talented drink master, the warm service. What's not to like? We are headed there again very soon and I'll keep you posted!
(5)
Desmond L.
Always have a good meal here. The fried chicken is ridiculous. If you have kids, go early.
(4)
Annie A.
This might be taking over as my new favorite spot. Been for brunch and dinner, and every single thing I've tried is perfect. The staff is extremely nice, good service and terrific drinks. A great experience with exceptional food. The squid ink bomba was especially incredible.
(5)
William H.
The host was nice enough to get us in without a reservation on a busy Saturday night. "We'll make it happen," he said with a smile. It might not have even been the case, but the act made me feel just a little bit more special. We sat down and our waiter explained our menu. Supposedly Shakewell got its influences from Moroccan, Spanish, and Tunisian cuisine. I had not tried any of those three, so I knew it was going to be an educational night into the food arts. We started the night with a beet salad. It was actually three types of beets, an soft earthy orange one was quite delightful. It was mixed with arugula, mint, and mozzarella cheese. Our second dish was the chicken meatballs, covered with a tangy indian-curry-like sauce. It was very moist, and oddly, did not taste like chicken. The wife enjoyed it more than me, but still a very different dish that I recommend people to try. Lastly, we had to get a Bomba, like many of the reviewers on Yelp have tried. It's a paella that comes in a clay dish that usually serves two or more. We vouched for the clam and chorizo Bomba. The clams were really fresh, and the sauce that was glazed over it was spot on. The rice with shredded chorizo was good, but would have been better with some more spices. They had some chopped olives that were really salty, which exploded with flavor, but I wished that taste was spread out more in the entire dish. All in all, it was still a very good plate of food. Lastly, we ordered a simple dessert. We got the dark chocolate torta with ground pistachios and fresh raspberries. It came in a long rectangular bar, displayed nicely with the fruit and nuts. It was smooth, strong, and very rich. I don't think it would've been something that I could finish myself. Great for dark chocolate lovers! All in all, I recommend trying Shakewell. It's a bit pricey, but definitely different from the average dinner out. Great service and lively atmosphere pushes it up a notch too.
(4)
Andrea P.
Went here last night with high expectations and we REALLY wanted to love this place. The service was great, the wine list was great, the El Matador (Shakewell's take on a Manhattan) was great! The food was very mixed. By far the best dish was the Bacalao croquetas, crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Maybe a little too much squid ink aioli on the plate. Bacon wrapped dates came in second. The piquillo sauce was amazing, as was the contrast in textures between the bacon and dates. But, the bacon was overcooked. Also had the Fideua. We found it to be very bland and one note. The pork belly was very overcooked, the shrimp was slightly overcooked, and the sauce that came with it had no flavor. Lastly was the asparagus. It was cooked perfectly, but came with an unsightly, and not very tasty glob of lukewarm shallot aioli. We'd love to be able to recommend Shakewell. But, the food fell short for us. Maybe other dishes in the menu are better executed?
(2)
michele c.
Overall 'twas excellent, especially as is a hotly anticipated new place- I usually wait for hype to fade to venture in. Glad I didn't, was a fine night in Oakland The cod bacalaou perfect- balanced cream and potato and fish. The heirloom squash salad with goat cheese excellent, one of those dishes I can't wait to replicate. The flatbread perfectly executed- crisp, light. I'm weird about getting bread with my salad though, and didn't- next time I'll ask. Drinks were scratch, dessert churros perfect size and level of sweet (conservative:) Will definitely come back, as looks like the chefs will have a strong commitment to seasonal/local.
(5)
Jason C.
Don't miss out on coming to Shakewell. This place is amazing. From top to bottom it works. The thing about this restaurant is that it's dynamic: it has great staff, fantastic food and a cool relaxed ambiance. The seating configuration, style and staff are non-traditional which throws some people off at first who may be hoping for a 'when you're here you're family' kind of night. This place is has something for everyone in terms of food; just prepare to bring your sophisticated palate or you will be disappointed. Me and my girlfriend couldn't wait for Shakewell to open; with the hype of Top Chef and Jen,I wanted to keep my opinions reserved until I had tasted of the food. Tim is amazing; he's a warm, welcoming individual that is courteous to all guests. Jen works with what can only be described as 'passion' in the kitchen to produce some of the best food I've ever eaten. Every time we go here we are blown away. Everything we order is such a surprise. By surprise I mean you'll be trying to identify what's in your food because it's so delicious your mind starts reeling over the flavor you're eating that is SO good.let's talk about the drinks, because I didn't forget about those; all the drinks here are fantastic, and there's also a drink on the menu for everyone as well. The bartenders are respectful, treat people well and are super friendly and professional. The drinks were delicious and thoughtful, so if takes them two minutes to make your drink, don't blow your lid. We've been there twice for brunch and three times for dinner, and every single time they've nailed it. If you want the best food around Lake Merritt, and some of the best food in East Bay, and some of the best food in the Bay Area, Shakewell is the place. This food is top of the town.
(5)
Betty L.
Just openï¼very different kind if food from other place，very fresh and tasty..ceative ...food with loveï¼as grand opening ， service and food are very good. Have to give them 5 stars. Will be back soon.
(5)
Laura M.
I need to move to Oakland. Heaven would be if I could walk to Shakewell and sidle up to the bar- weekly. The Nero Bomba, wood oven baked rice dish with local seafood - warm creamy, rice, a little crunchy in areas, with salty black ink and squid - similar to the way Jen Beastie made it at Scala's, but now more rustic, and more interesting, smoky and visually appealing, more sole - maybe because this is HER restaurant. (Jen's Nero pasta at Scala's was my favorite thing to eat.) We all enjoyed the braised pork shoulder and the chili-chocolate short rib. The falafel with romesco was the best we'd ever had. We snarfed the Churros with bittersweet chocolate sauce, in two seconds flat - my daughter starting drinking the chocolate with a straw, so we ordered a second one. This time my 24 year old"man" nephew exclaimed with a squeal "its so fluffy! paired with his cream sherry, he was getting an exquisite pancake and syrup flavor that thrilled him. The bar is inviting and wow, the talent - also their bar take the snob thing right out of those craft cocktails. No silly mustaches and suspenders. Service with Yamona was flawless, even with our 9 year old and a scattered husband on his cell phone, we were a challenge. Hosts were kind even though traffic pushed us well beyond our reservation time - Tim Nuggent knows how to warmly welcome the full spectrum of guests
(5)
Danny H.
Went here for brunch on a Saturday. We really enjoyed the mini-pastries that come with your Yelp check-in which provided a nice sweet introduction to the meal. The service was very good, and they readily accommodated our want to split dishes by providing separate plates and offering to change them out after each dish. We had the "shakshuka" baked eggs and the fried chicken sandwich. The baked eggs were very tasty, my only complaint would be that the portion was a bit slight and without enough toast. The fried chicken sandwich was absolutely delicious, everything was very well done. The chicken was pounded thinly to make it easy to eat, with a very satisfyingly crispy exterior. The spicy mayo sauce with the pickles were great additions, and the bun was soft and crispy and buttery. Yumm. Our brunch cocktails were pretty average, although I would have been very satisfied with them had they been priced $2-3 lower. Could very well be a 5 star place, but unsure having not had their dinner.
(4)
Denise W.
Despite the wait..the shaved summer squash paired with the Early Bird from the bar makes it all ok!!
(5)
Tanny K.
I am a huge Top Chef fan and couldn't wait for this place to open. My husband and I had a rare date night and decided to thy this place. We went at 6 pm on a Wednesday night and did not have a reservation. We were offered a communal table or the bar. Both had the same really uncomfortable bar seats do we took the table to sit across from each other. The service was ok, not great. A little slow. The food was some of the worst I had in years. I got the deviled quail eggs that were ok and my husband got some really over seasoned cod croquettes. They were so salty they were pretty much not edible. For the entree I had these chicken meatballs with a really horrible sauce. I are one of the five and then stopped. Was not worth the calories. My husband had short ribs. I usually love short ribs. These were so bland and tasteless. Again not worth eating. The only thing I ordered that I liked was the sweet corn. Hard to mess this up. If not for the corn I'd give this place 1 star for the worst $80 ever spent on a meal. Go to Michel Bistro a few doors down. Food, seating and service much better than Shakewell!
(2)
Courtney C.
My Best Friend and I stumbled upon this restaurant one Sunday for Brunch and the food was so good. I loved the fact that the food was so different from what I tasted before but it was amazing. They take your normal everyday brunch items and make it their own. I purchased their Fried earl grey bread pudding with strawberries, buttermilk syrup, whipped cream and a side of eggs and loved it. I also got a taste of the potatoes my best friend ordered and they were perfectly seasoned! I would defiantly return and recommend this place. The only downfall I noticed about this restaurant was their lack of turkey options. Their brunch menu consist of mostly pork so if your not a pork eater like me they don't have many choices to choose from.
(4)
Jasmine W.
This restaurant does not add anything positive to the culture and cuisine of Oakland. Over priced, disjoined menu, terrible table service, food was a C at best.
Positives: Gracious host, attentive staff, tasty food, cheerful atmosphere. Opportunities: Small portions. Very expensive. e.g. two shrimp for $14. (Although pricey, the place was crowded. Maybe I need to find a different career.)
(3)
Jasmine A.
I really enjoyed my dinner here last night. We came in around 5:40pm and it wasn't busy (they just opened at 5:30pm) and got to choose our seats. The tables are a bit small so my long-legged friend needed to switch spots with me but overall the atmosphere was very modern and industrial yet welcoming. Bacalao croquetas, squid ink aioli - Crisp on the outside soft on the inside. It's made with potatoes and something else (I forget) It's like a potato puff. I found it a little salty and a little burnt but it was still yummy. Sangria - $10 is a little steep for this drink but it was still good. Braised pork shoulder, pickled green tomatoes, basil, hot sauce, Lebanese flatbread - This is probably my second favorite dish of the night. The meat was moist and not over cooked. The flat bread was crisp on the edges and soft towards the center. Beware of the peppercorn Manila clams & chorizo, carrot-jalapeno sofrito, green beans, saffron aioli, oil cured olives - My favorite dish! I loved how there was some heat. It was very moist. Not too "fishy" tasting...and now I'm salivating thinking about my left overs. Last but not least: Pink Pearl Apple Tart - I think I could have eaten like 3 of these slices. Not too sweet but definitely not a tart apple. I tasted more of a sweetness in the pastry dough than in the apples. Welcome to the neighborhood! I'll be coming back soon.
Lots of hype to live up to but that's what you get when you launch on Kickstarter. The space is warm and full of life, and invites you in to stay. Lay out is similar to previous occupant but vastly improved from a dining experience. You can actually hear yourself talk, whereas before you were just flapping your gums and wondering if sound was emitting. The good: wine list. Variety of small plates somehow comes together. Tastes are great. The chix/ shrimp dish was spectacular, as was the fruit pastry. Also the ribs (wow). Chefs are really engaged, making the rounds, being friendly and personable. Gawk that must suck but they smile all the way through. Staff was super, super, super, even making room for an unexpected extra guest. The bad: nothin' The ugly: nothing. Looking forward to a return soon.
(4)
Ken S.
Outstanding, surprising and superbly executed restaurant experience. Do not believe for one second the one and two star reviews from some of the young, impatient, petty and very unworldly elite Yelpers. This is a true surprise for Lakeshore and it is now it's finest restaurant. Shakewell is all about great and savory drinks (get it?), but then it is a great Spanish tapas bar and restaurant too. Tim is super hospitable. Jan is cooking her ass off. The cod (squid ink aioli) and persimmon starters were subtle and sublime. The Torta Espanola was lighter than all I have ever had and ended up as the best I ever had.The bomba really surprised me as the best paella I have had. James at the bar introduced me to a new Mezcal - Pierde Almas - that was a revelation. Get the theme? Everything was an A (music, lighting, staff, food, drinks) and as in great restaurant experiences, there were challenges ,samples, many questions and "leave it to me" moments rarely seen in most restos, but handled beautifully by staff. When you are good and confident, you can display this ultimate level of engaging your customer. By the way, the key is sitting at the bar and talking with the staff, seeing the food and drinks pour forth and asking their opinion on what to order next. Engagement and Experience are the new goals in dining out. In any case, Shakewell is a really great place that I want you to try! Those Elite Yelpers with negative reviews,(often off topic and about their own perception of being served or not, without any adult understanding of the ways things work in life ) really missed the boat when they downgrade a place this good and this real for what seems to be their own downright petty approach to something they don't even understand. This is inaccurate reviewing, wrong headed and a disservice to Yelp and the public, so I am calling for their heads - they need to be vetted for their accuracy and weeded out . Instead of showing me just how shallow they are (all dressed up and pretending to write like food reviewers) , they should try a dose of humility and get some culinary education. I know they are just kids but I would like to school all those poor little lost Elite Yelpers, so busy with bulk reviewing that they can't be expected to get it right, no less enjoy anything.
(5)
Christie d.
The first thing we had was the Fried squash blossoms which were just okay and totally forgettable. But the bacalao was AMAZING! Salty and creamy and just about the best thing I've had all month! The heirloom cucumber salad was refreshing and tasty. I thought slightly heavy-handed on the salt but my husband said it was perfect! The tomato and olive oil bread was a treat. Spongey with olive oil in the very best way. Then we had the Bomba. The chicken and prawn Bomba. Oh yes. It needs a little hot sauce but it is good. Good good good. I'll be back for more sangria, bocalao and Bomba. Yummy.
(4)
sabrina a.
Went about a week after they opened with two friends. Our reservation was somehow mixed up in their system so we had to wait for about 40 minutes until a table opened up. Normally that would irk me, but the hostess and co-owner Tim were very lovely about it. And, ok, you get a pass for a little while until you work out the kinks. Plus, an on the house round of kava always helps. And the food! Outstanding. Falafel with peppers was wonderful, so was the octopus. Summer squash salad was phenomenal. Nothing we had was terrible (although the bomba (rice dish) we chose didn't change my life or anything, and the braised pork shoulder was a little tough), and the wait staff was extremely helpful. Great vibe, looking forward to going again.
(4)
Janice T.
Really solid four stars; I would give it 4.5 stars if I could. Went on a Saturday night around 9pm. 25 minute wait for two-top (since they annoyingly do not take reservations for parties smaller than 6). Ambience: Busy and buzzing, cool decor, good vibe. But it was pretty cold in there--low 60s by the front door/bar where we had to wait. (It was warmer outside, so they must have had the A/C on!) Service: Very good. I didn't catch our server's name, but he had a distinct mustache (styled with the curly Qs). He was always there when we needed him, friendly and helpful, and we never found ourselves waiting for anything. The food also came out very quickly; I swear the salad came out in less than 5 minutes! Food: Pretty great. It's sort of tapas/family-style shared smallish-medium sized plates. We ordered: Delicata squash salad--yummy, not overdressed, interesting flavors. I would have liked a slightly larger portion for the price, but it was a strong dish. Jamon croquetas--basically fried cheese sticks. This one was just okay, but it came in a creamy jalapeno pepper sauce that was AMAZING; I could have had a bowl of that! Chicken albondigas--chicken meatballs in this tomato sauce. Delish! Meatballs were moist and cooked just right, sauce was tasty; my only complaint is that I wish the sauce was thicker, so that I could get a lot more of it with each bite of meatball. But the sauce kept sliding through my fork, and drenching the meatball on my plate just left a pool of sauce that got in the way when I was trying other dishes. Carrots and turnips--I loved this dish, though could have used more turnips (the ratio of carrots to turnips was about 8:1). I loved the very strong seasoning, but my husband thought it was a bit too much. The carrots were not overcooked to mush as they are in some restaurants, which was nice. Pork shoulder--came with pickled tomatoes (my favorite part) and heavily salted naan. It definitely came together as a dish when you got a little bit of everything, but the pork on its own (while super tender) needed the heavy salt from the bread and the brightness of the tomato. Husband liked this one better than I did, and he said it was even better the next day as leftovers, when the sauce had had more of a chance to soak into the meat. Bittersweet chocolate torta for dessert--good, not too sweet, light but not too light, and the husband loved the cocoa nibs and pistachio crunch on top. I thought it was good but not amazing. We didn't order drinks (having just come from a bar), and the whole meal with tax was $75, plus tip. We were definitely full when we left. A good experience, and we will be back. Bonus: saw chef Jennifer come out into the restaurant towards closing time. :)
(4)
Marie J.
Food is bland. Taste like "hotel wedding food" - prepared for the masses; cafeteria like! Service is meh' Simply put: A group of us (5) dined.... Left paying a wopping bill and still unsatisfied.... So much we stooped for Mexican!!!
(2)
Alexandra S.
Have been there twice already since it opened only 3 weeks ago. The bar is wonderful and beautiful. The drinks are seasonal, fresh, and the cocktail selection is very interesting! The bartenders are gorgeous and the staff is friendly and charming. The food is amazing! Love me some calamari, sardines, and cod croquettes. AND THE DESSERT!!!! Get the churros. You won't be dissapointed! Yum :)
(5)
Lisa H.
I need to begin this review by attesting my absolute LOVE for Spanish food, borderline obsession. I have yet to find a place in the Bay Area that truly knocks my socks off, however. Back In October, I had the good fortune of traveling to Spain and eating my way through authentic tapas, daily servings of Iberian cured ham and fresh cheese (not just manchego), plus wine with every meal, for when you are in Spain, do as the Spaniards do. Ever since I got back, I have tried to recreate Spanish culture in my dining experiences, thus I was so excited to see a new place to try in the Bay Area. Plus, this gave me an opportunity to explore Oakland more. I had read the mixed review of Shakewell in San Francisco Magazine, but was curious to see for myself, hoping I'd come out of it with a true home run meal. Nevertheless, my dining experience turned out to be exactly what the review detailed: Shakewell is fine. They do a few dishes really well and provide a fun and friendly-plus quintessential Bay Area trendy-atmosphere. I'm not disappointed, per se, but would have enjoyed exceeding my expectations, matching many of the rave reviews on here. My friend-who had been previously-and I split four dishes: a tapa, salad, main and a side. We did not order their star dish-the bomba-as both my friend and the review called it disappointing. There was one truly fantastic standout in the braised short rib stuffed mushrooms, kicking our meal off to a palate pleasing start. After that, we ventured to the seared ahi salad and I found myself, once again, in the restaurant trap of an over priced and underwhelming salad. I'm not sure when it become commonplace to charge over $10 for some arugula tossed in a vinaigrette, topped with a few slices of avocado and a fairly meager serving of seared ahi, but I can find far more satisfaction-in taste and quantity- at the Whole Foods salad bar. So, the salad was fine, just not worth it overall. Next came the lamb kefta "meatballs", served on skewers drizzled with cucumber yogurt and mint. The menu describes they came with quinoa and harissa, but don't be expected a whole side of quinoa as that too tops off each skewer in a very delicate sprinkle. I liked all the flavors together and that they were on skewers for individual portions, but I have had better lamb kebobs at casual mediterranean spots. We ate those with our side selection of brussels sprouts tossed with bacon (duh, who doesn't serve b-sprouts with bacon nowadays?) golden raisons and pine nuts. Now, I am nearly batshit crazy about brussels sprouts and eat them practically every day. I love getting a nice crisp outer layer with a perfect roasting job. Shakewell took a steamed approach, which honestly left them a little lackluster and too soft for my taste. I did like the flavor combination, but believe the dish would prove more successful with a better texture of the brussels sprouts. Overall, I repeat that everything was fine. I liked the atmosphere and wouldn't be opposed to returning, perhaps exploring other menu options to see if those might prove more exceptional.
(3)
Presley A.
Try the crab toast, just do it.
(5)
Mark C.
They have perfected their formula; quality ingredients, excellent/tasty recipes, execution/presentation......there is little left for them to do now except continually change the menu to reflect local/seasonal ingredients and creativity....which they seem to have a handle on. We did get to meet with Jen and Tim and talk food....they are so dedicated to their success they enjoy talking with customers to hear what they have to say and think. Very open and productive attitude. We had 5 dishes: 1) little gem salad was perfect - grilling the lettuce first is always a winner in my book and it is here as well; there were fresh slices of tomato that added sweetness/balance 2) Octopus salad - tender, tasty and refreshing with crostini topped with a creamy spread; excellent contrast to our other dishes 3) Fried Romanesco broccoli - another wonderful dish of crunchy deep fried veggie still very firm on a romanesco sauce; perfectly prepared and plated; a generous portions as well 4) Lamb Kefta - very smoky flavor which to me means grilled over wood.....but so perfect and delicious. The yoghurt and red pepper sauces were incredible together and with the fried mint leaves made an great taste combination 5) Bittersweet chocolate torta - great flavor and texture.....with an almond paste/sauce......perfect finish. Jen came out and personally delivered an appetizer on the house of the persimmon, serrano ham, basil, galliano, smoked sea salt......it was generous for her to do that.....but it was also soooooo good! Thanks Jen and Tim from Mick and Joyce for the new great place in town, we will be back to try other dishes soon especially the Bomba.
(5)
Patrick T.
Grabbed an after work drink here. The decor and service was fantastic. Drinks (wine) were small and expensive. Didn't have food. Will probably re-vist when in Oakland again for food and reassess.
(3)
Kat S.
Loved this place! We needed a quick place to grab some good eats before heading home. We ordered the fried cauliflower (omg), lentils (holy cow), and the bacalao croquetas with squid ink aioli (winner!!!). We split all 3 plates and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Our server was also a bar tender and was so friendly and honest. Loved loved this place. Great vibe, better food.
(5)
The Invisible Patron L.
From the small plates that may be shared i.e. Fried Anchovy & ahi pepper stuffed olives, Duck Liver Mousse, or Chicharrones that are smoked to their main courses a group or person cannot go wrong. The Chef is awesome!
(5)
Kate K.
Yeahhhhhh. The fast paced tapas style is too stressful to enjoy. Also the food comes basically pre-prepared and not hot or too hot. I understand what they are trying to do but to me this experience was no better than a chain restaurant in that way. The wine list was obscure and expensive for the experience. All in all it was hard to enjoy the rushed experience, especially with a group of 6 considering that the menu Is "built to share" yet nothing was shareable.
(2)
George M.
Our friends that live in Oakland suggested it and we were pleasantly surprised by this place. It is essentially a spanish restaurant with more of a mediterranean focus on the food. Drinks were really good also and although there was a wait, it wasn't too bad. Would definitely recommend it!
(4)
Lois B.
What a wonderful dining experience. Love what they have done with the remodel on the old Mezze decor. Open, light, modern. The food was fantastic; amazing flavor combinations, everything done to perfection. We asked our server to make choices for us and were treated to Fava bean pesto, pan a gusto, chicharrones, chili oil, pine nuts and Serranito", grilled bread, serrano ham, tomato jam, quail egg as our starters. Excellent. The Lamb & beef kefta, harissa, tzatziki, toasted quinoa, mint was to die for; tender, amazing sauce, perfectly done. We had the Market catch with was whole fish fried with olive oil, lemon and some red pepper, and herbs stuffing it. Tasty skin and perfectly cooked fish. Grilled delta asparagus, shallot aioli, dill, chives, crispy chorizo absolutely tasty! Finished off with a flourless chocolate cake and marinated cherries. The service was attentive, friendly and timed perfectly. Will definitely go back again and again.
(5)
Calvin L.
Haven't been here for dinner, but the Grand Lake/Adam's Point neighborhood has really needed a stellar bruch spot for years (Grand Lake Kitchen and Kitchen 388 just not doing it for me) and Shakewell definitely hits the mark. Highly recommended. And don't skip the pastries.
(5)
Rene C.
So, now "lowly" Oakland is THE TOWN. "Uptown" is a state of mind that has spread to Lakeshore and who knows where next. That brings us to Shakewell, or in the parlance of the day, Another Ain't-No-Thang Spiffy New Oakland Restaurant. Shakewell is that latest exemplar of something remarkable, engaging, and imaginative going on in Oakland,the place of Commis, Pican, Haven, Brown Sugar Kitchen, and first-wavers Baywolf and Oliveto. Okay, I've not mentioned a couple of hundred other of The Town's new classes and old schoolers too numerous to mention. What do you think this is? Urbanspoon? Zagat's? A San Franciscan's terminally "but-enough-about-me-what-do-YOU-think-about-me" self-gazing take on culture and cuisine? (Hey, I was born in San Francisco, raised there during my earliest days, and came of age in Britain. So, I've got tribal rights and rites to exercise and excise, dig?) Let's cut to the chase: Shakewell provides a damned near brilliant take on Mediterranean (Spanish, Southern French, Northern African) fusion that manages to evoke The Town's evolving multi-culti bohemian bonhomie amid urban grit and urbane grace. Lakeshore, which in years past was an always charming if sleepy district, has now become a charming and suitably precious district (Oaklandish with some pedigree), what with the Boot and Shoe Service here, Bistro Michel's there, Penrose everywhere, and so on and so forth. Shakewell helps add still a bit more Portlandia to the port town of Oakland's Lakeshore neighborhood. Isn't this how Rockridge began its reboot back in the late 1980s? But, I digress... Minus points, minus points....Hmmmm. Um, well, yes, Shakewell's cuisine occasionally conveys that which the persnickety among us can identify as occasional "toode," "pretense,"and "too-cool-for-school" brio, albeit somewhat tempered under the guise of nonchalance by way of technical derring do. But the food is startlingly good, even as the kitchen and staff continue to tighten and evolve: rather like The Town itself. Shakewell, Lakeshore, The Town: another Aint-No-Thang bit of brilliance to mess with this San Francisco native's mind OAKLAND, STOP IT!!! STOP MAKING ME LOVE YOU!!!!
(5)
Kane M.
Ugh.... this kind of place irks me. It isn't that the food is bad, its just Bay Area pretentious and VERY expensive for what you get. Other than the bill, its hard to define why I don't like this place, but I'll try. 1. Noisy... not usually on the top of my list of don't-likes, but it fits into a bigger picture. 2. The food was decent... not great but decent. The fried olives ($8) are crap... sorry, the flavors just don't pop in the mouth. Olives tend to have a deep savory taste, but battered and fried hides that. The Bomba was a decent tasting bowl of rice ($21), wife had peppers and shrimp... app sized for $20. All app sized for the price of an entree. 3. The decor just seemed to miss the mark. My wife said she liked it. I think it is representative of my whole experience there... each part of the decor was fine by itself, but all together, it just didn't work. 4. Servers. Too relaxed. I think some places can get away with servers all tatted up in their street clothes with beards and piercings, but again, what you pay just doesn't justify it. 5. THE BILL. Lawdy. $260 for 4 of us with a bottle of their house Cava. I've worked at Chez Panisse, Aqua, and many other of the finer side of dining and I expect SO much more for what I paid. Its not that any of the points made are a breaker for bay area restaurants... in fact, 1-4 I would consider normal for the bay area (except maybe #2), but when you go to a place that has all the elements of being casual; loud, tapas style, relaxed staff, average plus food, etc, I hate paying what I would for a fine dining place. Cut the prices in half and I'd come every once in a while... there is just too much good food in the area to justify paying that much.
(2)
Chris G.
Incredible food and service. Called ahead after a twilight round of golf on a Wednesday, table was ready outside (they have a pseudo patio space) and got the royal treatment - my friend is a well tipping regular so I'm sure that helped (and as an industry insider I can tell you it does). Yvette was our server and I'm not kidding when I say I felt like we OWNED the place she was so accommodating. She knew the menu, didn't mind us lighting up cigars and even dropped the word "hella good" when describing the entrees. We had the fried chicken and hold the phone and drop the mic because the show was over after that. Super tender and the yogurt sauce was wet. That means good. Clams, falafel, and anchovy stuffed fried olives followed. My only disappointment was that the kitchen closed before I could order another round of the olives but I would have just kept eating them all night they were so good. Bottom line; Shakewell knows how to treat a guest and fill an appetite. I've had their brunch too and this place is Official.
(5)
Ree D.
So where do I start! This place is 8 weeks old but i know it's gonna be a big hit. Tim took our reservation for 13 & it was so sweet of him to call the day of & make sure if we had more people they needed to accommodate. We ordered lots of stuff. But my faves are the octopus salad, & definitely the squid ink bomba. Oh my goodness it was delicious! The service was so on point & the waiters were extremely nice & helpful. It was so cute of them to keep walking by to make sure our glasses had water in them lol. If I'm in the Oakland area this place will definitely be my go to spot.
(5)
Autumn R.
Yesterday a group of us went to Shakewell for their cocktail hour. The staff was really friendly, the atmosphere was great and the service was amazing! James the bartender was very friendly and made awesome drinks. I really enjoyed the $5 sangria during cocktail hour and the bacalao croquetas, they just melted in our mouths. After a few drinks during cocktail hour we decided to stay for dinner. They were very prompt at seating us, the place was filling up rather quickly. Our server Yvette was very nice and offered good suggestions. The duck confit and the crab toast were really good. Our friend dining with us had the pinchitoz moruno and she said it was really good. I really enjoyed the total experience, it's a great addition to our neighborhood and we will definitely be back again!
(5)
Lisa S.
Just had an amazing brunch at Shakewell Kitchen... The Bloody Mary was fantastic and both my husband and I loved our entrees. I had the roasted chicken hash which was flavorful and hearty. My husband had the scramble which was equally good... We saw several other delicious looking egg dishes go by. This will definitely be our favorite local brunch spot from now on!!! Thrilled to hear they are extending their service to include lunch as well!!
(5)
Gabrielle N.
I wanted to love this place since it's in my neighborhood. But I probably won't go back after my first experience. There are too many restaurants in Oakland to give a sub-par one another shot. Sorry. The seating is weird. You can make reservations but probably won't get one since I think they have a handful of tables for reservations and the rest of the place is first come first serve. First, the service was very friendly but SLOW. I know the place is new but the concept of serving food/drinks efficiently is not. The bartender (or so we thought) he took our order but we actually had to wait for another bartender to make the drinks because apparently that guy couldn't, so that took at least 20 minutes if not longer because she was so busy. But the drinks were actually good and she sent us an order of quail eggs to make up for it even though it wasn't her fault (I don't actually eat quail eggs... I was grateful for the gesture). The food came surprisingly fast compared with the drinks, but for the prices I expected bigger portions! This is Oakland, not SF. I wasn't entirely clear if it was meant to be tapas but the portions on both the small plates and the regular dinner items all scream tapas. I excitedly ordered the churros for dessert only to find they were little undercooked puffs of dough. Not impressed. Overall, the bartenders/servers seemed incredibly confused and disorganized and the food was just ok. Later that night after we got home, my boyfriend and I both started feeling really nauseous so it was definitely something we ate here. That just added to my decision not to go back -- maybe for a drink 6 months from now when they've hopefully worked out the kinks.
(2)
Gwen C.
Really great vibes, good service, and yummy food and cocktails!
(4)
Caitlin N.
Came here for tapas with my best friend. The dining room was full, so we sat at the bar. It took a while for the wait staff to take our order, but once our order was placed the food came out immediately. All of the small plates were amazing. The sangria however, was more of a (very strong) mixed drink than a traditional wine and fruit sangria. Overall, it was a great experience and I will definitely be back!
(5)
Kip W.
It's hard to come up with superlatives adequate to describe how fantastically good this brunch experience was. We were long-time fans of the previous occupant restaurant (Mezzè), so we had delayed our first visit. I am now destined to be a regular. I had the falafel patties with eggs, my spouse had the chicken hash. Both dishes were original, flavorful and cooked perfectly. The falafel had a nice crisp on the edges and the eggs were poached to just the right degree of doneness. The romesco sauce was very tasty and the sprigs of fresh herbs added the perfect fragrant notes. The chicken hash, however, was the show-stopper. The Mediterranean spices (curry meets middle eastern flavors) were superbly blended with chicken and potatoes in a moist and delicious stew. So, so, so tasty! We'll be back. And soon.
(5)
Daniella B.
My honey and I have now been to Shakewell at least 5 times and have always been amazed with the incredible flavorful handcrafted food made with love!!! After living in the Bay Area for over 14 years & having dined at the best restaurants around, including Gary Danko, Jardiniere, Nopa, etc., I can honestly say that Shakewell is the best restaurant experience around; we always want to go back for more. It's also incredibly cool that the staff are locals and the ambiance feels "Oaktown" for real; non-pretentious and all about a fabulous dining experience!!!
(5)
The Q.
Came here last month. recommended by a family member who said a little gem of a restaurant opened recently in her neighborhood. Started with HH, bartender was friendly, drinks were unique, they use fresh juice and homemade tonic but on the light side (they measure their alcohol pour) and small plates were okay (deviled quail eggs, fried sausages & bacalao croquetas). Dinner was Da Bomb! Had their squid & ink bomba and it was to die for! I would come back just to eat this again. Highlight of the evening was having Chef Jen Biesty visit our table. :)
(4)
Shannon B.
Service was shotty, but food, drinks and atmosphere- yummy!
(4)
Mustang L.
Excited to try this place since I followed Jen Biesty on Top Chef. I ordered the eggplant to start. A uniques dish due to the harissa on top of the bread. Tasty and delicious the eggplant was creamy and I've not had it prepared that way before. The inside is decorated like most Oakland eateries nowadays, handle bar mustachioed guys in flannel walking around pouring water with reclaimed wood and stone all around. I also had the bistro steak which was AHMAZING. There was a piri piri sauce atop it that was described as a salsa type sauce with peppers and tomatoes, garlic....yum. The artichokes and fingerling potatoes were crisped and salted to perfection. The Server was EXCELLENT. Very professional and on top of it and the Bussers were great and cute. I even got a glimpse of Jen. The best part of the place (aside from the steak) was that it was Super Gay! As a gay newly wed I was happy to see my Gays running around, excited, serving great food. My wife had the octopus, sardine, agua fresca, white corn and calamari. She herself is a chef and was impressed with the way each flavor was identifiable: honey, fennel, pepper etc. She said she was surprised at the price of the calamari as it is a cheap product and there was a $1.00 worth on the plate and they sold it for $15.00. She also said the avocado with the sardine was unnecessary, as the sardine was delicate. We had the churro's and flan for desert and both were tasty and fun. I wish them success. There was a bit of a long wait time between dishes that are small in portion, so they might want to think about serving bread or pickles in between. We went on the first Friday they were open, so it was new for them.
(4)
Fanny Y.
Great ambiance. It's open and airy with a cool bar area. Servers and bartenders were really nice. The squid ink bomba was a little bland and definitely not recommended for a first date (your tongue and lips gets tinted black). The lamb kefta, octopus salad and sangria were all good.
(4)
Yashpaul S.
Had brunch. Was looking for sophisticated, good food. Way too expensive for the simplistic, tasteless plates we had. Portions are good for snacks. Not a full meal. Maybe they're better for dinner. Too bad I'll never know.
(1)
S. G.
Finally, a restaurant that knows what it is doing. Everything about this place is perfect. The quality of the food could not be better. It is super fresh and it seems as though they care about everything that is put on the plate. This restaurant will be reserved for special times out. I hope that it doesn't change. The squid bomba is a must, as well as the sardine croquettes.
(5)
Dan L.
We came for brunch on a Saturday. Nice Lakeshore location in Oakland, lots of other busy breakfast and lunch places nearby. We had the tortilla espanola with duck (good) and a octopus hot dog "octo-dog" (it was just okay, but kudos for creativeness, who would have thought to put an octopus tentacle in a hot dog bun?) We had a coffee and an agua fresca, both were good. The service was very friendly and very good. I would like to come back and try it again some time soon. The dinner menu looked enticing.
(3)
Ronn B.
The food here is very good, my wife and I enjoyed everything we ordered. The service was attentive, the atmosphere is friendly and the food was excellent. The noise level is a bit high, so not good for an intimate dinner. We got an early reservation at 5:45 and by 6:15 the place was full-up. There is however bar sitting available. As a starter we got the bacalao croqueta, which was soft, a hint of saltiness, but not overwhelming and very delicious. We also got the sardine toast avocado, pickled onion, arugula, pan a gusto, chili oil which had a nice but not overpowering sardine flavor, and may have been the freshest Sardines I have ever had. After that we had the grilled romaine hearts salad. The grilled flavor was really nice, not a burnt flavor at all, but really popped out with a geniune charcoal flavor that was quite pleasant. We elected to forgo the main dishes as the sides all looked great. The flatbread is considered a signature dish here, we very much enjoyed it, but to us it wasn't the highlight. We also got sides of the lentils and the sweet corn, both were very satisfying. We definitely will comeback and try a meat dish. They have bomba/paellas, but none were a combination of foods that we would normally eat, but other diners seemed to very much enjoy them. Would love to try this is they change up the menu to some other foods we eat.
(5)
Patrick M.
Wow - That pretty much sums it up. Amazing food - I've dined at Shakewell three times, always with groups (the better to try more items), never had a dish that was anything but wonderful. Definitely on my rotation of places to take foodie guests. Recommened for groups of at least four so you can share a bunch of dishes.
(5)
Gee B.
Outstanding! Service, food, ambience more than meets my standards of They Know How to Run a Restaurant and go up from there. The place reminded me of some of the most sought after restaurants in Manhattan. First, I have to tell you this, I sampled their pastry, which is something I seldom eat because I often find pastry too sweet and heavy, but damn! Who the hell makes pastry like that outside of France? Lightly sweet, high-quality-buttery-flakey goodness, delicate sweet creamy center with the essence of, I believe, tropical fruit. Wow! I wanted more. I went for brunch and had an omelette with wild mushrooms, kale and and some other damn ingredients (with cheese I've never heard of )I don't remember, but it may have been the best omelette I've ever eaten. I also had a side of fennel sausage patties, which I enjoyed. The portions were generous and I couldn't eat it all. My husband had fried bread pudding. Light, but filling somehow (my husband is a heavy eater and just managed to finish it). I took a bite and was surprised how much I liked it. Was one of the best damn things I've ever put in my mouth! Brilliant preparation, presentation, flavor, texture, not too sweet. Hope it's on the menu when I return. I could eat that for brunch or breakfast. Oh yeah, the owner probably heard me running my big mouth about how damn good the food and service was and came over to introduce himself. He stayed a while, chatted a bit and reminded me of that guy at a party you wished you were related to.
(5)
Ava C.
The squid ink bomba was not as good as Duende's, but they have a bunch of other very delicious dishes here. The sausage sage starter was so yum, and the bacalau was a highlight. Order the fried cauliflower side, you won't regret it! The place gets super crowded...make reservations!
(4)
Lisa F.
Five of us go out every month to a new restaurant and have a "moms night out." We all have kids and work so these monthly outtings are really important to us. We try to pick well rated restaurants so we won't be disappointed. Well, we arrived and realized our table was directly next to the open kitchen. So it was brighter, warmer and louder than the rest of the restaurant. We asked to move before we were even seated but there were no other tables. Fine, we would deal with it. One of my pet peeves, is when a restaurant doesn't accommodate a party of five with at least five of whatever appetizer is ordered. Personally, it should be automatic, but the server should at least warn the party that there won't be five deviled eggs or croquetas or whatever. This did not happen. One of the gentlemen who served us out croquetas noticed immediately that we were a party of five but the order only had 4 croquetas. He told us he would bring out another one right away. HE was awesome. Unfortunately, he was not our server and was only helping bring that particular dish to our table. None of the other people who brought food to our table made the offer or even said that they noticed. Our server certainly didn't say anything. Look, it's not that a restaurant is required to do this. It's just that many of the ones we've been to over the last 18 months, have been quick to accommodate our group and make these types of offers. It just helps make the experience so much better. The food was...ok. If the menu is small enough, we typically order one of everything so we can try it all. This menu was too big for us to do this. Some things were great. The fried anchovy and aji pepper-stuffed olives were delicious as were the bacalao croquetas, squid ink aioli and the grilled little gems, boquerones, french feta, pickled onions, avocado, lemon vinaigrette. We ordered lamb, pork shoulder and bacon wrapped dates. All good, but not great. We also ordered the carrots and turnips as a side and the spices on the carrots were a little off. I'm not sure exactly what spice was used, but it did not pair well with the carrots. Overall, the experience was OK. Not great, but not terrible.
(2)
Jacob S.
Hip but approachable. Great food, great vibe. It's Mediterranean(ish) with sort of a California flair and leaning more towards tapas style. Everything I ate was perfectly seasoned.
(5)
Vinay G.
Overall this place is excellent. While the service was a little spotty the very first time we went, every time since then it has been great and the food is always delicious. Go for brunch, dinner, whenever and you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Tina M.
My new favorite East Bay restaurant! Had a fantastic celebratory dinner at Shakewell recently. The menu is creative and appealing. The meal was perfectly executed and delicious. I had a delicata squash and watercress salad with siracha yogurt dressing,. In response to my food allergy, the chef came out to speak to me and then altered an amazing pan seared Black Cod with chanterelles entree for me. The atmosphere is energetic, with good music, busy and a bit loud but we could still enjoy our conversation.
(5)
David T.
A bit overrated, but perhaps I'm just getting fussy in my old age. Nothing I ate was bad, it just wasn't memorable. Other restaurants do this genre much better, But its a nice neighborhood spot and to be commended for trying hard. Drinks are really good and the bartender was helpful
We ate here tonight. The food was very good to excellent; good ingredients and great flavor. The paella, octopus, falafel and flatbreads were killa. The service was great too. Impressed.
(5)
Shelly S.
I really don't want to be writing this review. I went to Shakewell several times upon their opening and like my other two reviews indicated, I was in love. But then something happened. First I noticed that the service wasn't as good and then I noticed after a couple more visits that nobody from the early days seemed to work there anymore. Their service in the beginning was dynamite! Servers personality and attention to detail. What a shame. Now the food and drinks.....that seems to have changed too. First, I've tried several of their winter drinks and haven't found one I like (two friends have said the same). I finally requested a drink from their summer menu - the Lakeshore Cooler. But they didn't have one of the ingredients so it wasn't as good. I tried a couple of off the menu drinks but wasn't impressed. As for food, one of my favorites is the squid ink dish. Last time we ordered it we actually wanted to send it back. There was zero flavor and the squid was tough. All 4 of us in our party took one bite and agreed it needed to go back. But unfortunately we never got the waitress' attention again until we got the bill and though we barely touched it she didn't ask about it. At that point we were so disappointed we just didn't say anything. As for the other dishes, the squash dish was different and didn't really work for any of us. The mussels were OK. Seemed to lack flavor again. I actually wanted salt on the table for our dishes. That's a big no-no! Anyway, this was my 4th visit that I wasn't too crazy about. I definitely won't give up on this place but I'm now more inclined to go somewhere that's consistent (Boot & Shoe, Sidebar, Mua if I feel like a walk or bike ride). So sad about this.
(3)
Cazsh R.
So glad to have this place in the neighborhood. Here's what I had at happy hour at the bar: house Tempranillo which was very good. Tasted the sangria which also liked, but I stuck with the Tempranillo for the second glass. Food: pan con tomate (a little different than what I had in Spain but still excellent.) 4 slices toasted bread with a great balance of softness and crunchiness. Loved this but didn't want to fill up on it. Bacalao Croquettes were lovely, not greasy. Again a great balance of crunchiness, soft insides and nice chunks of fish. I was glad to be tempted by the quail deviled eggs. Only 2 small little eggs/bites come with the order, but they are heavenly delights. Fried stuffed. olives were nice, very salty (as they should be) and perfect with the wine; they just keep you drinking ;) another reason why I am glad I can walk to the restaurant. We ate at the bar when the dinner menu started at 5:30. The squid bomba was one of the best paellas I have had. But I shouldn't forget the fresh green bean side dish which were the perfect complement to the paella. I am impressed how great things were from food to service since they just opened. I was a little surprised that the happy hour menu only discounted some of the drinks and not the food. Still, I look forward to going back and trying table service. Might up this to a 5 star after that ;)
(4)
Royce L.
Nice addition to lakeshore! Lively scene for a Saturday night. We really enjoyed the lamb skewers and falafels. Bombas were not bad too. The only mediocre part of the meal was my cocktail--just kind of plain. I had higher hopes for it based on the description...which I can't remember any more. Hehe tequila something...
(4)
Angela P.
This review is for the happy hour only. We walked here on a sweltering hot day after visiting the Oakland Zoo. We had only one qualification that we were looking for- air conditioning. Given that in this instance, our standards were low, stumbling upon Shakewll was a pleasant surprise. Not only did they have a/c, but they had a happy hour menu. $5 Sangrias- sold, in addition, they offered yummy bar bites. We started with persimmon, serrano ham, basil, lillet, smoked sea salt; hold the ham, then had bacalao croquetas and fried anchovy and aji pepper-stuffed olives. This was the perfect pit stop pre-movie and dinner. Not to mention the staff was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. The only caveat would be is the happy hour menu is not very vegetarian friendly.
(4)
ML ..
Over all experience was indeed just OK. Tried four dishes, a couple cocktails...nothing stood out really. The cocktails felt flat and the flavors had no finesse to it. The food could have been hotter on arrival. They also could have been more spaced out, but instead it all came out at once. I have to say this was similar to my experience at Scala's, as well, but was hoping for something different here. It was just a whatever dining experience. We could have ordered more food as we were hungry, but alas, we didn't have faith that the other dishes were going to shine. We left and went to our current favorite local spot nearby and ordered more drinks and food to end with a better food experience.
(3)
Audree H.
The short ribs and flan are to die for. The service is great, the folks that work there are nice (and cute too!). I'll be back for sure.
(5)
Daphne H.
Very satisfying. The food is delicious. I ordered the Bomba and it was more than enough. I didn't get to finish the dish. I haven't been able to get a reservation but I have been able to walk in and get a seat at the window. Although it's tapas style, the portions are more generous than your usual tapas, which my pocketbook loves. It's still expensive but at least you don't feel totally gouged.
(4)
Patrick W.
wow - really great meal! interesting dishes with a lot of flavor. great atmosphere. amazing job at getting your drinks just right. seriously yummy. I'm gonna remember biting into the perfect short rib for a long time. :) service was spot on too.
(5)
Lily A.
Absolutely delicious! We came across this place on yelp today, called at 5 for a reservation but everything available was too late so we drove down around 5:30 to try to snag a table. We were sat immediately at a small table outside but I have the feeling you need reservations ahead of time to sit in the dinning room. We ordered the octopus salad as a starter, the fried cauliflower as a side, and the bomba with mussels and the pork shoulder to share for dinner. Everything was so good we cleaned the plates! Drinks were not too bad either. I would not say it is light eating but it could also be what wee ordered. Really pretty restaurant with delicious food!
(5)
Ann P.
What a great addition to the neighborhood!! We love Oakland development as much as we love good food and get very excited when a new, hipster restaurant opens up. After traveling to Spain and having tapas there, I was skeptical about tapas restaurants back home, but this is probably the closest to the real thing. The drinks were so delicious and we could tell their bartenders knew their mixology. The food was mouthwateringly delicious. We were so impressed by the presentation, the size of the portions (this is not one of those tapas spots where you leave still hungry), and the TASTE. Every bite was so delicious!! Our group had the bombas with the chorizo and clams, the short ribs, the pork shoulder, the sweet corn, fingerling potatoes, brocolini, and the coquetas. Everything was so good and the house made hot sauce was so yummy that if they bottled it up, I'd definitely buy it! The ambiance was cool and casual. The interior looked awesome. Great use of space for the amount of space that they had. The service was SUPERB. We had a baby with us and they were so nice to set up the high chair and take our stroller to store while we ate. There was a slight mishap with a prior reservation we made, but they more than made up for the mix up and were so incredibly welcoming. We felt very catered to! This will definitely be a regular spot for us. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Heather K.
Heard about this place from several people and my boyfriend has been craving paella so it just seemed like we needed to come here. Their bomba bowls are their version of paella and are awesome. Fun and lively environment, great music. Drinks looked great but we shared a large beer and were very satisfied. Server was very knowledgable. I will come back here again.
(5)
Gunner C.
Wow! What a beautiful restaurant! Gorgeous wood work. Nice energy. I mean who in there right mind could give less than five stars on this alone never mind the food. I took a friend here for a little business lunch today at the suggestion from one of there staff (my client) that I had met at my shop. (By the way, if my then client and his girlfriend hadn't been so wonderful and nice I probably wouldn't have been interested in changing my usual lunch spot. Just say'n.) The food was very good, okay it was excellent. The lamb shawarma couldn't have been any better and desert was nothing less than to die for (Cinnamon medjool date bread pudding, toffee sauce, vanilla ice cream). ( I'm sorry but they need to raise the price on this desert. ) The staff attentive, very welcoming and personable. Ambience, cuisine... I could totally feel the love. Overall I can only say that Shakewell has renewed my faith in culinary arts. Thanks for the wonderful lunch experience!
(5)
David K.
Worth every $$$ for excellent food & great cocktails. Service is cool. The owner takes pride in serving. Bartenders & servers are friendly as well. Food, is what's really cool. Light on salts, which means they focus on bringing out the best of food itself. Along with Desco, this is my fovarate place in oakland :-)
(5)
Brian B.
Came in for brunch. Had a poached egg and chorizo number that knocked my socks off. Friendly service at the bar, great interior and fantastic signature cocktails. My girlfriend wanted a cocktail but couldn't decide so we asked for the "dealer's choice." The bartender asked a series of questions and came back with a custom drink. While the brunch I ordered was amazing, I feel like I could have ordered anything on the menu with the same results. Shakewell? Shakegreat is more like it.
(5)
Ander C.
I have come here a several times - for brunch, my anniversary dinner, lunch. I think brunch is the best meal here. I love their bread pudding with pomegranate. One time it came with the raspberry sauce and it's not as good as the brown sauce. I think I tried pretty much almost everything on their menu. It's pretty good but pricey. Most of the food is not salty enough but I like how they have home made hot sauce. Make sure to ask for it. The place itself has awesome decor and overall you like hanging out there. The waiters are friendly. And the owners are great. It's a place you bring ppl to impress. The only complaint I have is how pricey the food is and lack of salt.
(3)
Jason G.
We were in Rockridge last week to have dinner with friends, and my wife requested a restaurant within walking distance, with good food and good drinks. Shakewell was the place our friend booked, and wow it really fit the bill. Shakewell is a hip Spanish restaurant, combining both tapas-style and entree-sized offerings. Drinks: They have a great, inventive cocktail menu. We sampled four of their listed cocktails, and then three more "dealer's choice" where you can choose an alcohol and a style and let the bartender wow you with something new. Everything was damn good. Food: We ate our way through a significant percentage of their menu, so I feel confident that we have an accurate sense of their food, and it's damn good. Small plates & salads: Fried anchovy and aji pepper-stuffed olives - I found this a little odd. It's a hot, fried olive. But the rest of my party loved them. Bacalao croquetas, squid ink aioli - Fried potato balls, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Delicious. Falafel, romesco, spanish chorizo - Kinda similar to the croquetas, both in texture and presentation. And in yumminess. Chicharrónes, smoked salt, espellette - Fried pork rinds. If that doesn't appeal to you, then avoid these, but I think you're crazy. It's like a light porky potato chip. Turkey-zucchini albondigas, goat cheese, sumac, mint - Tasty spanish meatballs. Duck liver mousse, black berries, walnut raisin levain - Mmmmousse. Mediterranean cucumber salad, fresno chili, poppy seed, lime, ginger - Cool and refreshing, this was a nice counter to the rest of the small plates. Large plates: Local squid & ink Bomba with carrot jalapeño sofrito, roasted peppers, pickled fresno chilies, aioli, preserved lemon - This is like a spanish version of dol sot bi bim bop. Kinda like a paella served in a hot stone pot, where the rice gets very crispy around the edge. So you get multiple textures just from the rice, and then bursts of flavor from the squid and the vegetables. Really good. Spanish octopus, potatoes, celery hearts, salsa verde, arbequina olives, spanish chorizo - I am a huge sucker for well-prepared octopus, and this was a gigantic win. I kept trying to convince the table to order another, but we kept trying other dishes instead. Thankfully they were also really good, but I'm still jonesing for another octopus dish. Fried chicken, fenugreek yogurt, chili sauce, fried thai basil - Spanished-up fried chicken. Quite tasty, but this isn't the item that I'd call a must-have. Service was very good from beginning to end. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful, and the servers worked together like a real team. Overall, this was a spectacular experience. My only complaint is that they're not located in San Carlos, where we'd be able to eat here with some regularity.
(5)
Sonya T.
Had really high hopes for this chic neighborhood place. Top chef contestant and all. Chef was hanging out at the restaurant if you're into that sort of thing. Came for dinner and ordered lots for two and both of us were kind of torn on why we didn't enjoy it. Duck mousse and toast was good. Duck confit in lettuce cups was dry and bland. Shrimp with Israeli couscous had a funky floral scent. We thought maybe it was the preserved lemon. Squid bomba was a huge portion with lots of inky rice. Wish we had more seafood and less rice. Did not enjoy the creamy aioli. Lastly, we had churros with a dark chocolate dip. It was the best dish we ordered next to the mousse. We drank Agra Fresca and tea, appreciated the non alcoholic options. Probably won't be back any time soon.
(2)
Jackie S.
We celebrated a birthday at Shakewell in mid-July and had a fabulous time there. I didn't expect any less from the two Top Chef past participants. The Spanish food was delicious, although it was on the saltier side. It is recommended to make a reservation, especially on a Saturday evening. There was a line when we finished and we had an early dinner at 6:30pm. Now, on to the food. Everything was tapas style so everyone shared. We had 6 people and ordered 8 dishes and 4 desserts. - Duck liver mousse - I didn't have any, but it was well-received by the men in our group. You'll need extra bread since the - Chickpea flatbread - I liked it since it had squash blossoms! - Bacalao croquetas - So good with the squid ink. - Fried chicken - I didn't eat any, but everyone liked it. - Spanish octopus - One of my favorite dishes since the octopus was very tender and cooked perfectly. - Clams and Chorizo Bomba - Had more popping flavors compared to the squid ink bomba. - Squid Ink Bomba - It's fun to see your guests' teeth and mouth black from the squid ink. Flavors were really rich from the squid ink. - Roasted potatoes - This is a side dish, but was really salty. Potatoes were well roasted to the point of them being fried. Not one of my favorites. Desserts were amazing and highly recommended. - Summer peach with puff pastry - Very pretty presentation until everyone in the group destroyed it with their forks. - Flan catalan - Not as good as what we made in our cooking class in Barcelona, but still creamy. - Blackberry linzer torte - Good torte crust, but seemed like a typical berry tart. - Churros - Freshly made to order and with the delicious dark chocolate sauce. Yum. Restaurant was easy to get to and there was parking along the street. If we are in the area, we would love to go back.
(4)
Peg S.
The grilled octopus was outstanding - tender and paired well with rest of the flavors in the dish. Such vibrant colors, too. Sangrias were nicely chilled, strong, and sophisticated. The squid ink bomba was underwhelming for the price, with mushy rice (miss the crunchy texture of paella) and a tad too much aioli overpowering the dish. Fried anchovy olives were ok, couldn't taste much beyond the deep friedness. Super popular and busy (order wasn't taken for over 15 mins, food wrongly delivered to our table, etc.) - we almost go lost in the shuffle, but one wonderful server saved the day.
(4)
Cynthia C.
Solid brunch with some spice and heat: -sunny egg sandwich, good, not sure if I love the charred poblano peppers, nice smashed potatoes -jicama salad, nice acid, maybe smaller jicama pieces? The flavors were so bright spicy and clean, loved -Straus Greek yogurt, coconutty granola, mango and strawberry, can't go wrong with this combo Iced tea is off and hot tea is a mass produced generic bagged tea. I would skip both. Great service and farther down lakeshore, making parking a bit easier.
(4)
S N.
Very good with a very good atmosphere. Staff was very very nice I enjoyed my brunch. I hate the French toast it was good but could've been cooked a little longer. The chicken and churros was good and the potatoes were very tasty!! 4 outta 5 stars would go again once I try other things out here.
(4)
Sandy L.
Oh yes! I admit it, I'm a sucker for celebrity food chefs. I've watched Top Chef from season 1. I watch a bunch of Food Network shows. I've been watching cooking shows since I was a kid (Frugal Gourmet, Julia Child, old school Yan Can cook). I love to watch food shows. I then LOVE to eat at restaurants where the person was on the show bc I'm always curious, "did that actually taste good?" or is it all pretend. Ok, now that we got that out of the way. 1st time I went was within 90 days or so of their opening and the last time we went was just before the 1 year anniversary. Loved it the 1st time, loved it the last time. Chef Jenn was there both times doing what she does. I'm always too embarrassed to bother her (or any other chef) for a picture or what not, so you'll have to trust me. The menu changes seasonally so I think the only thing that was still on the menu were the jamon croquettes. But this last time, there was some octopus dish, TO DIE FOR, and I don't even like squid that much. Also, I really liked the bomba (like paella). The desserts were creative, but not that great, but the "mains" (its small plates for the most part) were so good, I forgive the desserts not being stellar. P.S. thank you for allowing reservations, but I do 'get" why you weren't accepting them in the 1st place.
(5)
Jack R.
Taylor Swift says to "Shake It Off," and that's the theme as I meet Miss Bad Idea Bear to tell her about Miss Yoga, since she's curious to know how things are going. Plus: Miss Yoga resembles Gillian Anderson. Minus: Miss Yoga doesn't believe in monogamy, is into hippie stuff, and we have very little in common. Seems like a no brainer, Miss Bad Idea Bear says, maybe she's full of good ideas after all. We split the eggs, with the house made fennel sausage, and a chorizo scramble. Both were delicious, 5 star delicious. But, I just can't shake off whatever it is that draw me to Miss Yoga. And Miss Bad Idea Bear just laughs when she finds out that Miss Yoga is nearly twice my age. Hopefully it's just a phase, and that I'll snap out of it soon. Or maybe my friend's collective laugher with do the trick. P.S If you check-in here, you get free coffee bread
(5)
Rebecca C.
I came here with pretty high expectations and was a bit disappointed. This place is open with great ambience but a bit too cold for February. Among the cocktails, we tried camp's fire with cava, but the drink as a bit flat, probably needing a bit more acidity to stand out. The best dish was the beet salad - fantastic combination of the freshest ingredients one could find with good balance for the dressing. The fried anchovy olives were interesting in concept but I couldn't really taste the anchovy. Prefer just straight olives to these. Lamb kefta was decent but very far from the versions in Greece - expected to be more tender. Avoid the grilled octopus with toast. The octopus were a bit on the softer side and just didn't go with the toast. One should go and taste the ones at Coquetta to see what an octopus dish should taste like.
(3)
Clare B.
New favorite in the O. From entry to exit, my experience was perfection. I was here with a group of 6 and we split some bombas (paellas) and small plates. Both the jamon croquetas with poblano sauce and bacalao croquetas with squid ink were out of this world. Excellent cocktails as well. I started with the 50/50 martini with gin, dry vermouth, lavender bitters, and flower petals, and moved onto several others (it's a bit hazy now). Many reviews here sing praises of the desserts which, sadly, I skipped, so I plan another trip back to sample the goods. I can't write a review without shining a light on what it was that truly made the experience for me--the service. There's a gentleman with a perfectly coiffed mustache that is hands down the best Server that I have ever encountered. He's attentive, knowledgeable, genuine, knows every last detail about the menu, and just exhibits true passion for the food. And why not? It's amazing. An excellent experience overall.
(5)
Bianca C.
I went here for brunch one Saturday. It was busy-ish but we didn't have to wait long, which isn't bad considering there were 4 of us on a Saturday, the morning of the farmers market. Yelp had a deal when I went for a free pastry with check-in, which was a definitely plus! The pastries were good and served quickly while waiting for the other food. It would have been nice if they were served warm though The pulled pork sandwich was messy, but super good. Served with arugula, chipotle cocoa ketchup, and roasted sweet potatoes. My boyfriend had the tuna (which I don't currently see on their online brunch menu since their menu changes), which was okay, but probably not something we'd order again The environment was nice and the service was friendly and fast. Overall though, I found this place to be a bit pricey for the food, so perhaps a tad overrated. I'm glad I tried it, but I think it might be a little while before I'm back for more.
(3)
Jessica C.
The customer service was great ! The bartenders were really nice and answered all of our questions ! I'll be returning to try the food and other drinks on the menu .
(5)
Joe D.
Another incredible night at Shakewell. Our original bar team reunited. Amy, James, and Derek (aka Chulo) making it special. Tim and the front of the house are rock stars. Two new dishes, the prawns with fregola and the lamb kabob are so off the hook with the complexity of flavors. Jen is the best, just Beasty! We can't wait to celebrate 1 year with you.
(5)
Guisela L.
Wow what a find if I must say so myself *taps myself on the back*....we ordered the croqueta, bomba, and fried chicken...and two yummy cocktails. I was scared before we came in because I picked the place on a whim based on being hungry and wanting paella. The funny thing is the paella ended up tasting just ok and everything else was a real winner. Side note: in case you decide to order the paella it isn't a big one like you normally find elsewhere so plan accordingly if you eat a lot like we do haha. We are definitely coming and probably ordering all of the same things since we were so impressed. See you soon Shakewell.
(5)
Stephani M.
#19 Shakewell was my first destination for Oakland Restaurant Week. I saw the event listed on yelp so I knew I wanted to be a part of this occasion--so I called a few friends of mine that also LOVE to eat. My three friends and I arrived a little after 9pm Friday night. The place was super crowded, and this is always a great sign, for me, in any restaurant. Some people hate long lines and view waiting ever so perjoratively. I see this as a positive sign for good food and wonderful service. Even though they seemed almost full to capacity, we were greeted at the hostess stand almost immediately and led to a wonderful table. The interior is modern and trendy. High ceilings with a light wood running across the top. There is an open kitchen lining the back wall of the restaurant where one can take a gander as the chef creates delicacies for the dinning audience. On the right side of the restaurant a long bar runs almost the entirety of the space with neatly displayed adult selections. The tables are spacious and the chairs are quite comfy as well--I was easily able to arrange my broken foot on the chair across from me, comfortably I might add, without bothering anyone around us. Our server, Jeff, came right over as we were getting settled. He told us about Oakland Restaurant Week, but we already knew, this is why we came. He offered us drinks while we looked over the menu options--two friends ordered martinis, one friend had a glass of wine. We decided to begin with Falafel sprinkled with chorizo served over top of a delicious sauce. Danny ordered the tuna as well for a starter. Both were truly amazing. The only problem with tapas is that I always want more...but the good thing about tapas is there is always more coming ;) Next, the beet salad looked absolutely amazing. The beets were dressed with feta cheese. This was delicious, as I usually find beets with goat cheese, of which I am not a huge fan...but give me feta and you will see me smile ;) I also ordered the hearts of romaine...AWESOME! I ordered the grilled shrimp smothered in a chipotle citrus butter sauce. They were to die for! We shared a cauliflower plate with fresh basil and a savory dipping sauce. Mary got the lamb kefta. This seemed like a really healthy portion for tapas. I was impressed. The Prix Fixe menu highlighting Oakland's Restaurant Week offered Petrale Sole, with yukon potatoes and a yummy arugula salad with dessert for $30. What a deal!!! We also shared the duck confit. Crazy huge portion! After all that, we had an upside down spice cake with fresh vanilla bean ice cream. As we were enjoying this final portion of the meal, Jeff brought us another dessert ON THE HOUSE!!! Okay, I am in food coma heaven! The service was truly top notch, Jeff was superb. He was always there when we needed him , listening to one of my friend's special dietary needs and making sure they were met. He never bothered us when we were doing fine, but was there somewhat magically whenever we did need him. Thank you Jeff--I think we showed our appreciation in the tip ;) I am proud to be an Oakland resident and happy to be enjoying Restaurant Week here in my neighborhood. Why go anywhere else for spectacular cuisine when it is featured right here in Oakland. Shakewell was introduced to me via yelp...and for this, I thank you. Stephani Smiles for Shakewell ;)
(4)
Elsie S.
Went to this place for my birthday last month. The duck liver mousse with the whole grain nut bread slices were tasty and ample portion for 6 people. ChickPea flatbread with the zucchini blossoms was just delightful. Also enjoyed the Bacaloa Croquetas. For entrees, the grilled octopus was delicious, the fried chicken was tender and moist, the squid ink bomba was rich in flavor and the clams bomba was fine. Ordered a variety of desserts, but the standout was the fresh churros with the chocolate sauce. Would come back if I am in this area.
(4)
Christa N.
Wow. This place is amazing! I've eaten here for both brunch and dinner. They give generous portions and everything is absolutely delightful! I tried their Seafood Bomba and it was truly satisfying. The ambiance is great for a date night or if you just want to enjoy yummy food.
(5)
Jen C.
Came here with some girlfriends on a Thursday evening around 6pm and the place was decently filled. We were seated at a spacious table right behind a divider with cutouts(?). Our waiter (who was really helpful and attentive) suggested a few items off the menu. We decided to order a few things and share them all. (Including the prix fixe menu of the week). APPETIZERS/MAIN: - Bacon wrapped, chorizo stuffed medjool dates, piquillo sauce: Anytime I see the words "bacon wrapped" I'm usually sold unless it involves mushrooms or mollusks). I normally don't like sweet tastes with my savory foods, but this dish was quite good as an appetizer. If you aren't a fan of dates I would avoid since the taste can be quite strong (my friend gave me her portion, haha). - Fried cauliflower, basil, romesco: So simple, yet so good. And they actually give you quite a lot too. Definitely would recommend. - Manchego, membrillo, pan a gusto: Nice little platter of cheese, bread, and almonds. Pretty standard. (See my photo for reference). - Bomba (Marisco, manila clams, mussels, prawns, petrol sole, piperade, green beans, saffron, aioli, lemon): Like I said I don't like mollusks but other than that this dish was quite tasty. I personally wish there was more shrimp, but they didn't skimp out on the clams and mussels though. And I would have preferred more rice to cream ratio since it got a little overwhelming near the end. - Roast chicken mole, pablano-panzanellam, saffron onions: One of my friends can't eat seafood so she decided to order the prix fixe menu which came with this as the main along with a salad and dessert. This was actually a good portion and all four of us got a piece with leftovers for my friend to take home. Even if you're not a fan of mole you could still eat this dish since the sauce is on the bottom rather than drizzled on the chicken. DESSERTS: - Churros, spiced bittersweet chocolate sauce: I saw this and was the most excited about it before I came here. The churros were PERFECTION. We all agreed that it would have been better paired with a less bitter chocolate sauce though. We actually ended up dipping it in the other desserts and liked it far better. - Alfajor sundae, dulce de leche gelato, almond shortbread, sea salt: If I had to pick just one I would have chosen this since it was great all on its own. If you like caramel you will enjoy this dessert. Could have done without the shortbread, but the toppings were a great touch. - Vanilla ice cream, upside down spice cake: This was the dessert that came with the prix fixe menu. Nothing extraordinary, but actually went really well with the churros.
(4)
Nina Y.
I really enjoyed this place. I found it after looking up places people who had been on Top Chef and in the Bay Area. I found out that Jen Biesty opened a restaurant in Oakland. I really enjoyed seeing her food on the show, so I figured I would go try it out. A friend that lives in Oakland and I hadn't seen each other for quite a while so we grabbed dinner here on Valentines Day. Friend-tine's date I called it. We were seated by the kitchen and I was able to stalk (okay maybe not stalk) and take pictures of her. I really do wish I met her too. We ordered the following: -Falafel, romesco, spanish chorizo: fried and delicious. The falafel was nice and light, but also the chorizo added this smokiness that I really enjoyed. -Bacalao croquetas, squid ink aioli: another ball of fried goodness. the squid ink aioli was delicious. The bacalao is a salty cod and it made the croqueta delicious. -Marisco, manila clams, mussels, prawns, petrol sole, piperade, green beans, saffron, aioli bomba: This is like a paella, but made in a wood oven fire. It's definitely a different taste than a regular paella, but a good different. All the different items - the clams, mussels, prawns, and fish - were all a great addition to the rice. Definitely a great dish to share with a friend or date. -Brussels sprouts, bacon, asian pear, lemon zest, pinenuts: hmm these were a good rendition of brussel sprouts. I've been obsessed lately, and I loved the bacon bits (which is normal), but the little surprises of pear were a great addition as well. -Churros, spiced bittersweet chocolate sauce: small bite sized churros and we were able to dip it in this chocolate sauce. -Sangria: from what I remember, it was delicious, wished there was more of it, and always - more fruit in sangria! Overall, great meal, great service; the waiter definitely gave us lots of suggestions. Protip: there are some really great seats in the restaurant. By the kitchen is really cool to be able to see the open kitchen and the food coming out, or by the window of the restaurant. Get a bomba and some croquetas - best parts of the meal!
(5)
Leanne G.
This is my second review. It was also my second time eating at Shakewell, and well, it was so good that I felt the need to express my satisfaction. The ambiance is wonderful: elegant and inviting. The staff was friendly and attentive. Extra points to being knowledgable about the menu and accommodating to my nut allergy - the waiter made me feel completely safe and at ease, which is not always the case in my dining experiences. And now, the food... If you are a meat-eater, the beef and lamb kefka was mouth watering. If you eat fish, get the ceviche. If you're veggie, get the market vegetable bomba. But I've been here twice and everything I've eaten was scrumptious, so whatever you get will probably also be delicious. Stoked to have such a high-quality restaurant in this neighborhood!
(5)
Elizabete Maria T.
Fantastic. I love this restaurant.
(5)
Amanda P.
I was looking for a new place to try for dinner in Oakland, and ended up at Shakewell. It was a great experience! I called to ask if my 2 year old son was welcome, and they said of course, and got us a great table. Our server was fantastic, explaining the menu to us since it was our first time. They made us feel very comfortable (not every nice place makes a family with a 2 year old feel so welcome). The food was also great. The only reason for the 4 star was that it was pricy. I am all for value and that you get what you pay for. Had it not been for the very small portion on the shrimp dish, I would have felt like i got my value worth. Overall, very good and i would return.
(4)
Sean A.
This place wins on every level. The drinks are amazing, the food is amazing and the service is amazing. Best mimosa of my life courtesy of mynisha who you should try and get for your server cause she's amazing
(5)
.Vanessa G.
Went a few nights after opening and had a really great meal. The bomba (chicken and shrimp) was the standout dish (of my order) but it was overcooked. Also tried the fried olives which were delicious. might help to grab a reservation for now, even the bar area was full. Some communal tables and areas near the front are also available and a stand alone bar area. The drinks were delicious as well. Pricing is average for the area $10-14 tapas plates, parking is pay street parking, no lot (thats Lakeshore for ya!). Great area for a stroll afterwards!
(4)
Teenie K.
This is based on only one visit for luncheon. Five stars for: Very well prepared "Green Quinoa" dish - very complementary ingredients and flavorful; Accommodating and attentive service; Awesome venue space and wonderful location; and all that for a relatively new restaurant that I had never even heard of. My visiting friend from Boston is the one who suggested it, after doing an online search for restaurants in a convenient location for all parties. what a great find, and now I know of a favorable place to go to! I did find the staff/employees dressed very ordinarily (no dress code? maybe one or two men seemed in "uniform," but the others could blend right in with the patrons or people from outside). Perhaps changing this would add more sleekness to the resto's image as a whole.
(5)
Laryssa S.
Love Shakewell. Somehow the owners packed 5star food, service and atmosphere into a small nook on lakeshore ave. We have been here a few times and consistently the food is incredible. Anyone who purports that the food is mediocre is just trying to be a food snob (I've seen some reviews). The menu seems to change every time we go and yesterday we had some knock your shoes and socks off lamb kefta. Other memorable dishes: Jamon Croquettes, lamb shank bomba and mushrooms stuffed with short ribs O.M.G. Go to Shakewell you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Tara P.
We were passing through town after a day at the lake and weren't planning to eat out. We showed up in our athletic gear with no reservations and our 2 young boys. In spite of our unprepared looks we've never been made to feel more welcome. They made room for us at the counter, seated us quickly and offered our son a coloring page. This is by no means a kid hangout & they don't have a child's menu but that's not a problem for our sons who are adventurous eaters with good pallets. I would go back next time without the kiddos but am so grateful to the staff for making us feel so welcome as a family. Their hostess & manager are seriously the sweetest people on earth. We orders to smalls & four entrees. Everything was conceived by a true talent. It was eating art. We had the squash blossom first. It's fried and stuffed. Could have licked the plate. Then the falafel, best ones I've had in ages. My sons ordered the chicken (which is actually meatballs with an Indian inspired flavor). My 8 year old ordered the squid with artichoke. He are the while thing and lived every bite. I had the Albacore tuna. Cooked perfectly!!! I just hate when people over cook tuna. No worries here. My husband had the braised beef. All dishes were so perfectly done the hardest thing about eating at a place that prepares such good food is deciding whether you'll have something new next time or order the same thing because you've been craving it ever since you left. Fed a family of four with 2 appetizers for under a $100. Nice!
(5)
Maggie K.
This is my favorite spot for brunch! Everything is delicious and the service is fantastic! I've been there for dinner once and it was equally delicious, although it's more like tapas at entree prices... But still really good!
(5)
Bukky E.
Went Sunday evening with a friend. We decided to come here at the last minute so had to choose between a 5:45pm and 9:45pm reservation. Service: Very friendly staff and waiters. Everyone was excited to be a part if your dining experience at Shakewell. Food: We ordered 2 small plates, 1 salad, 1 bomba for two people. The grilled octopus was the best octopus we've ever had. The deviled quail egg received glowing reviews on yelp but was not particularly memorable for us. The paprika added too much smoky flavor in my opinion. The beets and burratta salad was superb. For our entree we ordered the clams and chorizo bomba. Bomba is a type of rice used in paella. The bomba was delicious! Drinks: my friend ordered the lakeshore cooler and said it was nice and refreshing. Our waiter was also the resident sommelier so we asked him to pair a wine with our entree. He brought a really tasty Spanish red blend. The wine came in small narrow tumblers. Our only wish was that they came in wine glasses so we could swirl and get the aromas of the wine. Overall: Fantastic dining experience! I'm so glad such a fabulous establishment hS opened up on lakeshore.
(5)
Karen F.
I love love love this place. The food and service are always on point. Tim, the GM, is almost always there and super friendly. Their brunch shakshuka is a winner and it's a great place for date night. We recently discovered their lunch menu as well. One of my favorite things is their turkey burger (offered for lunch). I realize turkey burger may not sound all that exciting, but this is a juicy turkey and zucchini burger with fried onions and creamy goat cheese. Drinks are awesome as well.
(5)
Sal G.
Great new spot opened by two former Top Chef contestants. Very high quality Mediterranean-inspired fare, far outdoing the former Mezze that used to occupy the same space. You will wait for hours for a table, but it will be worth it. Or...you could just sit at the bar and eat the same meal. Let's face it: with this being the hot, new, place in the area, it's overwhelmed on most nights. And given the food here, it will continue to be for some time to come. I can literally say that most everything we ate was divine. Highlights included the breaded and fried olives, stuffed with anchovies, the beef short ribs, and the amazing lamb kefta, which were probably the best I've had anywhere, with such a great flavor. If you're a local and looking for that next, great restaurant to open nearby, stop looking, because this is the one. Hats off the the owners for rolling out such a delicious menu. I'll be coming back for quite some time.
(4)
Dina L.
A new star in the rising dining empire that is the Lakeshore area. I love when the food and atmosphere come together so nicely. Wednesday night & the place is full and buzzing. We were welcomed even though we didn't have a reservation. Two seats at the bar and we were off to a great evening. I'm a big cocktail fan and this bar rocks. The drinks are very tasty but my Pisco sour was a wee light. The bartenders thoughtfully craft your drink right down to the signature S. Next time I'll try the Matador, their version of a Manhattan with smoked bitters. Yum. Small plates and inventive paella-like dish called a Bomba. Get the squid ink. The ink turns the silky rice into a weird black that demands to be tasted. The squid was very tender albeit small pieces. Hot peppers and preserved lemon make the dish a bit savory, spicy and salty. Each bite made me want the next. The beet salad with buratta, hazelnuts and mint was earthy,sweet and crunchy. We scrapped the plate. No room for dessert this time but the flan looks good. Wanna a little sweet- try the gourmet popcorn place down the street.
(4)
Jenn D.
They knocked it out of the park. Went yesterday with Canada and mini for Fathers day. We arrived early for our brunch reservation and the host (also co-owner) was able to seat us immediately, even though the place was packed. Everyone from the busboys to the servers were all great, attentive. Even when mini started to cry a random server came over with some yummy preserves to make her happy - above and beyond the call of duty. All of the food was fantastic. We had the granola, ceviche, plum/peach cheese plate, the chicken & churros and the tartine - plus two drinks. Every item was perfect. Would definitely recommend this place and will for sure be returning as soon as we can. Well done, and a welcome addition to Oakland!
(5)
Irina P.
Just had a huge brunch here with another 10 friends of mine and this is what I think: the coffee wasn't that great, I asked for a latte and got a small cappuccino. The food was pretty good even though a little too spicy for breakfast. The Mimosas were great and the atmosphere. And they also tried to charge us 10$ more each!!!! Why?
(3)
Vanessa S.
After having dinner at Barlago with Lorrayne, we came here for an after dinner cocktail. One of the owners greeted us right when we walked through the door. A very nice guy. We told him we were only here for cocktails so he showed us seats open by the window. We were helped by yet another flirtatious waiter. Definitely a good evening for us single ladies. I don't remember what L ordered, but I got the Carribean Buck (White Rum, Spiced Rum, Orgeat, SW Demerara, Lime, Bitters, Ginger Beer, Cinnamon, Black Pepper). It was an interesting cocktail. It was good, but I'll most likely order a different one the next time I am here. Their menu looks good, but I think I'm going to have to try out their brunch first. The menu for brunch looks so good. I've got my eye on you, Fried Bread Pudding!
(5)
Justme L.
Hubby and I came here for a quick date night one month ago. We sat at the bar and service was excellent. Full menu service was available. All the dishes we order were good and I had no complaint. We will be back since we live just right around the corner.
(4)
Annie F.
Went to Shakewell the other night for a holiday dinner with a few of my friends. First off, making a reservation and the front of house are incredibly easy and extremely friendly - a great place for groups! The decor is cozy but modern, and it's not too loud or quiet - just perfect ambience. Drinks: phenomenal. I had the matador and if you like bourbon, you will definitely like this drink! You can taste how much care was put into each drink, and you can tell the staff really knows what they're doing - I tasted hints of every ingredient used. The wine menu is also a solid range of prices which I appreciate since wine is getting quite expensive these days! Food: Extremely creative, as other reviews have said Lots of meat - veggies can order small plates but there are no large plates for them. The bombas were good, but not my favorite - I mostly enjoyed the small plates and the entrees. My chicken was perfectly cooked and had a wonderful flavor. I also liked the croquetas, and all the salads (which were super original but not too over the top and weird). Food also came promptly! Service: this was the minus a star, unfortunately. We just ordered WAY too much, and I wish the waiter would have told us. I know that's really our fault, not the restaurant, but at nice restaurants, they usually give us a heads up. We asked if we should all get entrees after splitting many small plates, salads, and bombas, and he was like, '"sure." Our waiter also kept forgetting to get drink orders from people. That being said, he was extremely nice. All in all, we had such a good time. It's fairly pricey, so best for special occasions, but if you are going out for a nice dinner, I'd definitely recommend Shakewell!!
(4)
Trinidad V.
We give all of our dishes 5 stars! Best French toast we've ever had. Fritos plantain dish was delish and jicama salad was unique and flavorful!! I'd go on raving but I don't have much time. I don't give a lot of reviews but this one deserves it! AND... Service was awesome!
(5)
Madhuri K.
First time having dinner there. Shared everything with 2 friends. We had Chicken skewers- good Stuffed mushroom- only one- not the best item and not good for sharing. Beet salad- really fantastic Brussel sprouts as a side dish- really good Lamb kofta- delicious Squid bomba- delicious Cornmeal short bread- good Churros- good Would definitely go back.
(5)
Wolf R.
The ambiance and service is lovely, but the food is not that good. It's not terrible, but the dishes will leave you wanting for the price you paid. Beso in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood, for instance, has much higher quality tapas, paella, wine and other Spanish selections for a much lower pricepoint. We got an appetizer, the paella (marisco bomba), and the prix fixe which included the petrale sole, a salad, and a dessert. The appetizer was a seafood croquette that was so salty is was nearly inedible without booze. The arugula salad was also incredibly salty. The paella was just not good. the rice was soggy, with no crispy bottom because it was clearly not made to order as most Paella is, in the shallow iron pan. This came in a casserole dish and seemingly used pre-cooked rice. The seafood itself was OK and decently portioned. The spice cake dessert was dry, but indeed spicy. The churro dessert was by far the best thing on the menu. For how expensive it is, and given comparable, better restaurants elsewhere, I would avoid it. Go to chinatown instead to eat.
(2)
Kate G.
So nice to have another great restaurant! Arugula salad and the fish sandwich is the way to go for lunch - fresh light delicious. The salmon was good but not great. And there's a waiter there who I just really liked. Shaved head, beard, thick rimmed glasses. Can't wait to check it out for brunch.
(5)
Jenn M.
Thumbs-up: Delicious food Thumbs-down: Food comes with HAIR We tried the Bacalao croquettes squid ink aioli, bacon wrapped chorizo stuffed medjool dates with pickle sauce for appetizer and they are tasty. However, the squid ink aioli came with a curly black hair stuck in it.... At first I thought it might be my own hair so I tried pulling it out, but the hair wouldn't budge. It was buried deep inside of the croquette! For the main course we had Duck confit, spring mussels and the braised beef short rib. Love the duck confit, it was cooked perfectly and not too fatty, just right amount of crispy out the outside. I also strongly recommend the short rib, it was super ender and flavorful. Overall, I really like this place. The ambiance was great, drinks were creative/well thought out. Our server, DJ, was pleasant and wonderful at making dish suggestions. The only thing that I will watch out for is the disgusting hair in the food...it didn't seem to concern them at all when I brought that to their attention, which really makes me wonder if that wasn't an uncommon incident for them...
(4)
Meg W.
Best restaurant in the Grand/Lakeshore area! We were tired of the usual sushi/pizza/thai spots that make up most of the restaurant options in the neighborhood so we decided to give this place a try. We went on a Wednesday night and the place was full, but there was no wait. The front of the house staff were very welcoming and attentive and the ambiance was classy and warm, but not too stuffy. The food came out with perfect timing. But the highlight was definitely the food! We got the bacalao croquetas, the marisco bomba, the salt spring mussels, the grilled asparagus, and the chevre cheesecake to share amongst 3 people. Everything was delicious - particularly the muscles, bomba, and asparagus. I only wish the serving of the asparagus was a bit larger for the price. By the end of the meal we were all stuffed and super satisfied. This is going to be our new go-to neighborhood place for bringing visitors to show them the best of what our little hamlet has to offer. Can't wait to try brunch!
(5)
A S.
This place is pricey, but has some nice cocktails and the bomba is tasty. The carrot habanero sauce they make in house is good, but seems to be lacking some spice and depth. It would be nice to have another option for a little spice. Spring pimm's was fresh and very good. The bomba had a nice crisp to it and was hearty. I think it is expensive for what it is, but you just have to know that's what you're getting yourself into when you come here. The atmosphere is beautiful (nice lighting, etc.) and the staff is very friendly and attentive. You should expect a line and limited tables (if at all) available around the evening. if you're ok with being patient you can be a vulture and wait for seating at the bar or near the windows and swoop it as soon as someone leaves.
(4)
Aj B.
What a great find! Just had an incredible roast chicken sandwich while my partner ate a salad and we split an order of aVacado toast. All fresh and delicious. Staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and quick. Fantastic dessert, white sangria, and iced coffee, too. Oh, and the music was good, too!
(5)
Shaena B.
The service is fabulous and the food and drinks are fantastic. Been here 2 days in a row.. And coming back for the bottomless mimosas tomorrow!
(5)
Annette U.
Brunch was delicious! I had Moroccan inspired eggs (delicious) and our table split the bread pudding. That bread pudding was a gift from the gods - hot damn! I also asked our lovely waitress for some butter and she brought out homemade jam for my toast as well. I love the decor - wonderful brunch spot. We also got to meet Tim and his dreamy blue eyes - great experience!!
(5)
Elba G.
I was really excited to check this place out as it's just a 5 minute walk from our apartment. My husband & I planned to have our date night dinner there so we were stoked. We walked in and realized it was cocktail hour so we sat at the bar to get some drinks before dinner. I had the white wine on the list and he had the a beer. The bartender took quite some time to look at us (I believe there was only one other party at the bar) and wasn't very friendly. It took quite awhile to get the drinks because she was chatting with her colleagues who were still setting up for dinner service. It took longer than it needed to. Ordered some olives. Again, she wasn't mean. But she definitely wasn't nice. Very transaction-like. Really did not dig the vibe. I guess I just had higher hopes for this place. We ended up deciding to get dinner elsewhere since we found the service to be lacking. I'm bummed about the service, not sure if I'll be back. Apparently, other Yelpers have had better luck so maybe my visit was just a fluke.
(2)
negar s.
Bomba. That's all I have to say. It's like a arroz con everything. It's so good. The flavors were amazing. Came with friends. We ordered lots of different items to share. That and the duck confit salad were absolutely incredible. Great atmosphere. Service was so-so. A few times she would forget we were there and other times she would be there to grab our plate when we weren't ready but she was trying. That was evident hence no stars deducted. The food and drinks were just wonderful. Definitely going back!! Yummy!!!!
(5)
Aishwarya K.
Just had brunch at Shakewell... so tasty and flavorful! The shakshuka was almost as good as mine - that means it was very delicious ;-) Poached eggs on falafel, smoked trout tartine all amazing. Love the Bloody Mary. Only off thing was outside seating. We called ahead to see if we could come with a canine friend and sit outside. They totally welcomed us. Great in theory, but it was soooooooo hot in the direct sun! Just know that there are no umbrellas or shade for outside tables. I know that was our own choice, but it made an otherwise exceptional experience a bit uncomfortable. Staff was very sweet and accommodating though, bringing out water for the pup and checking on us regularly.
(4)
Marc S.
Steak dish was excellent. great balance of flavors with the sliced grapes and great spices in the farro. My only complaint is that the flatbread was much too salty. Good service, knowledgeable waiter and good wine pourer.
(4)
Jennifer L.
Checked this place out with a friend, as we were looking for a place for happy hour. The staff assisted in accommodating my food sensitivities, but once that was over, they mostly ignored us for the rest of the night. We sat at the bar, since we like to chat with others as well as amongst ourselves. The main bartender was cold, matching the decor, which gave you a sense that the place as a whole was trying too hard to be cool. We witnessed the bartender making an espresso and knowingly shorted the person coffee, as the cup had fallen off the grinder, mid grind and left have the coffee on the counter. The best part of this place was the falafels, definitely a must if you check this place out.
(2)
Elguero s.
This, without a doubt, the best place to eat along Lakeshore avenue. Food: 5+ stars Everything we had for dinner was amazing and pretty authentic. I'm not a dessert guy, but even the dessert menu looked appealing. Booze: 4 stars Creative cocktails, a great selection a dessert wines and amaros. Slightly anemic selection of wines by the glass. The list needs more selections from Spain! Only 1 Rioja, nothing from Ribera del Duero or Catalunya. Service: 3.5 stars Friendly attentive service. All our food [small plates, salad and main dish] came within 30 seconds before we had even finished our cocktails. Dining room painfully loud.
(4)
Phillip M.
Four of us went to Shakewell to partake of a chef's tasting meal that resulted from a friend's Kickstarter donation. We shared around 20 different dishes, with each course paired with appropriate wine or cocktails. Each course built on and up from the previous one. There wasn't a loser in the pack. The bacalao, octopus and stuffed squash blossoms paired well with a glass of cava. The beet salad and flat bread were nicely complemented by a delicious sherry cocktail (with sweet vermouth and orange bitters). They brought out the calamari bomba with squid ink and the sweet white corn led to the marinated grilled steak, and well it just went on and on. We were too busy enjoying to keep track of everything. Then there were the desserts. I think we had 6, all were to die for. The pomegranate granita was particularly refreshing. Shakewell is a great addition to the neighborhood and portends well. Well worth the trip across the bay. We will be back.
(5)
Jax S.
Shakewell has become a favorite brunch spot for me. I go every weekend with friends. The food is beyond amazing and the menu always has new items to try. Tim and his staff are always very welcoming and extremely friendly. He makes the experience much more than just eating out but makes you feel valued as a patron of his establishment. I highly recommend Shakewell to anyone looking for high quality food in a fun and friendly environment.
(5)
Kimberly J.
Our double date gave us a good excuse to try Shakewell and see if it lives up to all of the hype created by 7x7 as one of the best new restaurants in 2014. With its relaxed but trendy ambiance, I can see how this place is a great spot for a date night or celebratory meal. As the only vegan in the group, I thought our server did a great job sharing what dishes I would enjoy and how they could easily modify what seemed like a meat and seafood heavy menu. We tried the off-the-menu vegan bomba which was similar to a paella rice dish stuffed with lots of veggies and lentils. Our fave veg dish turned out to be the side of lentils and my guy thought the lamb kebobs were excellent. Shakewell is on the pricier side, so unfortunately, I won't be eating these lentils and fried cauliflower small plates on a regular basis. But, I am definitely keeping this on my list of places to splurge on for a fun night out.
Wow! I've been to several restaurants where Jen has been the chef (the old CoCo 500 was my fav), but she's really tied it all together here. Ambiance, flavors, vibe, cocktails, service. Really well done and right in my neighborhood. Easy to call this spot one of my new favorites.
(5)
Donna D.
Came for brunch date with hubby and enjoyed the flatbread with smoked salmon Labneh and zaatar. He ordered the short rib sandwich and I got the pork belly with white bean and eggs. Delicious. His sandwich was very strongly flavored with the blue cheese. We also shared the chimchurri potatoes. Those would have been perfect if they sliced the baby potatoes into quarters because the fried crunchy parts were the best and slicing them into quarters would give more fried surface area to munch on! Really good though, can't wait to come back and try dinner Nice atmosphere for date
(4)
Becky C.
I feel bad giving this place three stars, because there was so much to like about it, but then there were other items that firmly took it down a notch. First of all, I love the location. It's within walking distance of my house so that's great. Kudos to another restaurant for moving in to the neighborhood. The ambiance is lively which is great, but when they remodeled the space I'm not sure the architects took soundproofing into mind with the design because it was LOUD. I literally could not hear my friend talking across the table and one seat over. Our server was very nice and knowledgeable about the menu, but she recommended a dish that none of us loved: the braised pork shoulder. To be fair to the restaurant, I make this particular dish at home and it's pretty well reviewed by all who have eaten it, but I'm not a professional chef - much less a Top Chef - so I would expect something that I can cook to be taken to new levels. Alas, it wasn't. Now, I don't want to hate on the food too much. There were things that we really loved. The bacalao croquetas with squid ink aioli were amazing. Much better than the ones at Cesar or Barlata. The falafel was also very good. I was a little confused by the fried anchovy and aji pepper-stuffed olives because none of the 10 or so that made it to our table were stuffed with anchovy. We checked, trust me. That was why we ordered them so to not have one anchovy amongst the batch was disappointing. The carrots were undercooked so that was really weird too. Finally, everyone raves about the bombas. I wanted to love it, really I did, but I just couldn't. It was fine, but it was nothing to get excited over. I've had better versions of similar dishes at Cesar and Barlata. Since others here have mentioned the drinks, so I wanted to remark on those as well. I ordered a glass of the sangria and it came served over ice. There was very little fruit in it and it was pretty bland. I ordered another glass and it came with no ice, only half full, and was mostly fruit and very little wine. You could taste the alcohol in the macerated fruit but again, the wine was pretty bland. I love sangria and I've never had one that was bland so I don't even know what was going on. If I'm on the fence about whether a restaurant is merely okay or is actually good I will usually give it another shot, but with Shakewell I don't think I'll be going back to dinner. The prices were much too high for the serving size and I really felt like we were paying for the cool factor of eating at a Top Chef's restaurant. If we do go back, I think it'll be for brunch.
(3)
Raymond R.
I cannot say enough great things about this place. This review is long overdue. I live a few miles away and I've been here at least a couple dozen times (usually for brunch). The menu is consistent enough for me to to have go-to favorites, but always has some slight additions that keep me excited and coming back for more. Some may have issues with the price, but when you consider the product quality and consistency along with the great service, the price is easily justified. Like it or not, Oakland is getting expensive folks! I've tried almost every brunch option. My favorite is the Open Face Egg Sandwich. It's SO tasty and the portion is huge enough to out you in a satisfied food comma afterwards. The pastries are to die for. I have yet to have one I haven't loved and they change on occasion which I appreciate. The atmosphere and decor are also key. I've been here with friends getting loud and tipsy and I've been here on romantic dates with my boyfriend. The environment works well for both. Shakewell has become a staple in my community and I couldn't be happier about it.
(5)
Stephanie P.
Quick and dirty: We were not impressed, and we probably wouldn't return. However, the service was really fantastic (MINUS the annoying people constantly trying to remove our plates before we were finished), and I'd really like to call that out in this age of bad service. I loved the concept and the location (great addition to Lakeshore Ave.!), and thanks to some great write-ups I expected to love it as well. We were greeted by friendly people, and our server was fantastic. His timing was great, and he was really in tune with our needs. The menu was filled with yummy-looking and unique items. We settled on: --Vegetarian bomba (entree): This was the best of the bunch. Packed flavor, warmth, texture, variety. It was good and I'd order it again if I returned. --Shrimp from the wood oven with feta and butter beans (starter/app size): Really surprisingly lacked flavor. Shrimp a bit overcooked. Just nothing of note going on with the dish, in spite of well-chosen ingredients. --Roasted delicata squash salad: Nice mix of ingredients, but failed to really impress or leave an impression. It was healthy and beautifully presented/plated. It was also chilled, with did nothing for it. I would leave the roasted squash warm and plate it that way. Cold and mushy, it was just sort of weird. Our server gave us some kind of house-made hot sauce, which was a nice touch, but we weren't sure what we were supposed to put it on. It had a nice flavor but I can't remember what it was made of. We also had two of the specialty cocktails at $12 each: Autumn Cozy and El Matator. Also pretty meh. They just didn't have the layers, the excitement, the complexity, the balance I seek in a $12 cocktail. The Autumn Cozy lacked balance more; it was heavier on the rye and amari and it needed the other flavors it was designed to blend and highlight. $75, before tax and tip, for three dishes and two cocktails. We just weren't that impressed. Nothing was bad. The worst parts were the noise (this place is LOUD!) and the bussers constantly trying to take plates before we were finished. Very disruptive. But the food and the cocktails are what I'm in for, and this place just doesn't deliver for me. Too bad, because conceptually it was spot on!
(2)
Misha T.
The hype is deserved. Shakewell was quite great. Also, be willing to sit at the bar if you want try to get seated more quickly. My friends and I split three dishes: the squid ink bomba is a must have. A quick protip is to make sure you eat the crispy bits on the side of the bowl. We also got the bacalao croquettes which were a bit too salty. Finally the shrimp with beans wasn't bad, but there was like a hot 6 beans in there. Are we in a bean shortage? I had something similar happen at a different restaurant.
(4)
Lindsay Z.
We had dinner here last night, and can't stop raving about this place to anyone who'll listen. Disclaimer: I contributed a small amount to their Kickstarter campaign and have been anxiously awaiting the opening. We finally made it over! We lucked out with a parking spot right across the street, and then were greeted at the door by Tim, who was thrilled that we had reservations, as he'd had to turn away a bunch of walk-ins right before us. (They're not on OpenTable people, go to their website to make a reservation using Chowtime.) We were shown right to our table, getting a glimpse of Jennifer in the kitchen, and our waiter quickly brought water (he left the bottle with us - love when places do this!) and explained the menu. It took us a while to actually look at the menu, as we were busy admiring all of the fabulous details in the room. The chairs, the ceiling, the rock walls, the wood-burning oven, the decor - it is a beautiful space and obvious that care and thought went into every detail. When we finally did look over the menu, everything looked good. Seriously. We joked about closing our eyes and pointing at things to order. Our meal started with cocktails, both of which were delicious. The Lakeshore Cooler was refreshing on a hot night, and the Adonis was the first sherry drink I've tried and liked! The wine list has lots of Spanish wines, and we really enjoyed the two we tried (one red, one white). As for food, every single thing we ordered was delicious. My favorite dish overall was the Grilled Calamari - the plate was beautiful to look at, and every single item on it was perfectly cooked and seasoned. We agreed that if we hadn't already ordered so much food, we would have ordered a second plate of it. Soooo good! Another thing we loved was that vegetables aren't an afterthought here. The salads and side dishes have interest and are delicious all on their own. Case in point was the Green Beans & Snow Peas dish - served cold with orange peel, hazelnuts and scallions (among other delicious things) this dish was one of the most interesting vegetable dishes I've had in a while. Get this before it's gone and out of season! We cannot wait to get back here for another meal, and only wish we lived closer. So happy this place is open and doing well!
(5)
Pam S.
Went to Shakewell with a friend soon after it opened, and took a seat near the bar as we waited for our table to be ready (we had made a reservation). Unfortunately, it wasn't until 30+ minutes after that we finally had a table. The manager (?) was very apologetic and offered us a complimentary appetizer, but it was a very long wait especially since we were really hungry. I enjoyed the tender octopus salad, but I'm honestly having difficulty remembering what else stood out. I'd probably give it 3.5 stars at this point., but I am still not sure about Shakewell - I need another visit to figure it out.
So this is what we had: persimmon, serrano ham, basil, jerez xeres sherry bacalao croquetas, squid ink aioli falafel, romesco, spanish chorizo roasted delicata squash, black lime, sriracha yogurt, toasted pumpkin seeds, watercress, cilantro bomba: manila clams & chorizo, carrot-jalapeno sofrito, saffron, oil cured olives, parsley wood oven roasted prawns, butter beans, feta, garlic, tomatoes, marjoram grilled lamb kefta, harissa, yogurt cucumber sauce, quinoa, mint churros, spiced bittersweet chocolate sauce pink pearl apple tart, manchego cheese There was not a real miss anywhere on this list. I found the pink pearl apple tart kind of bleh and one of my dining companions found the persimmon a little boring. The bomba (basically a paella) was good but I was not wild about it. However, in toto, the restaurant is a nice little spot with a great little vibe and very well made food. A solid 4 stars, but why not 5? Well, when a place is this fundamentally good, it elevates itself into the higher echelon. And to be there, to be 5 stars, the place must be great. I can't go that far with Shakewell but I'd certainly enjoy going back.
(4)
Scott T.
One of my new favorite spots in the neighborhood. Great food and service. And the bartenders are easy on the eyes.
(5)
Alex C.
Shakewell has been very popular in the neighborhood. We tried to stop by a few times on at Friday or Saturday night only to be turned away by the long wait times and the week in advance reservations required to secure a table. We stopped by for lunch this weekend to find out what all the buzz was about. Shakewell did not disappoint. Nice atmosphere and good service. The dishes were unique and tasty. I had the "Shakshukla" and it is was delicious. Shakewell is a great addition to the neighborhood and worth visiting even if you don't live near by.
(5)
Joe D.
First thing I must say is that the host and wait staff COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE WELCOMING when we first walked in. Asked if we had been before, gave a little explanation as to their approach, and were generally very upbeat and kind. We decided to embrace the sharing philosophy that Shakewell suggests, so we ordered 3 items to share. Fried sausage with sage leaves and ginger aioli: Wow, a great way to start a mea! I'm not even a huge sausage (or pork, in general) fan, but the combination of tastes in this dish were phenomenal. Bistro steak: I literally don't even know what to type here...one of the best dishes I've had in Oakland since moving here a few months back. Again, the combination of all of the flavors is what really made this dish stand out. Not just a slab of steak with some sides on the same plate; this is a medley of deliciousness. Grilled flatbread (side): A small side plate to go with our main dish, but the flatbread stood out in their own right for the amazing smoky eggplant. We both very much enjoyed our drinks as well. I had a Summer Berry Flip (watching the bar tender prepare this one is a treat in itself). She had a tequila mixed drink that was also tasty, though it was a bit heavy on the liquor. This is one of those places that make you happy and proud to live in the neighborhood!
(5)
Siu L.
I highly recommend this restaurant. My boyfriend and I stepped in on a Friday night around 7pm and we were immediately seated. We ordered a couple appetizers and a bomba. My favorite dishes were the croquetas and the chicken and shrimp bomba! The bomba was really flavorful with the aioli and wasn't dry. Everything came out really quickly, we were in and out of the restaurant within an hour and left very satisfied! I definitely plan to come back to try the other bombas dishes.
(4)
Lisa T.
The food here is amazing. I got the braised pork. I did try one of their Bombas that my bf ordered and it was great. The cocktails here are good too. I got the early bird with mezcal added in. Great place to start with drinks for a small group and then move into dinner.
(5)
Jessa C.
We've been meaning to come here for awhile, since we always pass it on the way to Lin Jia, and we finally got a chance today at lunch time. The host and servers were very friendly and attentive, and unfortunately, that's the only positive I can come up with. The fried olives were the best thing we had, but nothing to write home about. The fried chicken was dry, under salted, and burnt. The portion was also quite dainty. Was expecting more for something called a plate. The cod sandwich was also dry and bland. The portion of fish was way too small, and the bun was big and fluffy. The fries that came with it were undercooked, with no salt. The quality of the food did not match the prices at all. Bummer!
(2)
Donna U.
My husband and tried Shakewell last Saturday. Went in and sat at the bar and tried about five small plates. The food overall was pretty good and came out very quickly . Fried sausage safe leaves-very good Bacalao croquettes-excellent Octopus-very good Fried olives with anchovy-very good Sardine toasts-very good The service from the bartender was really lacking! She seemed very put out when we ordered our drinks. Husband is really into mixed cocktails and had a couple quick questions about the smoking gun. She wasn't even that busy at the time but she was extremely short with us and it was clear she did not appreciate him asking about the scotch. The other bartender made our second drink and he was friendly and even smiled when serving us. May go back again down the road but if we see her behind the bar we will head to another restaurant . Bummer because we liked the food, decor and location.
(3)
Kym P.
We had an interesting experience here. The hosting staff were all wonderful, they made space for us at the bar when we arrived early, and were actually able to seat us a little early at our table as well. Our server was very attentive at the beginning, he checked in on us quite a few times to take our drinks order and to see if we were ready to order food, we admittedly took quite a while chatting and perusing the menu. We ordered the Octopus, Sardine, Prosciutto and Melon, Short rib, Grilled calamari, and clam and Chorizo 'paella'. The food was ok...it definitely had it's own Californian flair to it. The wood oven baked paella was interesting, I think our server did a good job of setting our expectations, and perhaps based on that we shouldn't have ordered it. It wasn't really to mine of the hubs liking, but we have spent too much time being spoiled with open flame paella on a beach in Espana, so that's probably more on us than the restaurant. The rest of the food was good. It didn't wow me. There was nothing I liked enough on the menu to say I'll definitely go back there. If you're in the area, sure, go check it out. Definitely a place that has a lot of hype and perhaps will do well long term based on the fact that it is reasonably priced for the quality and quantity of food.
(3)
J Y.
Excellent food. Jen Biesty doesnt disappoint. The only reason why I'm giving 4 stars is because whoever was expediting on the night we were there did a terrible job of expediting. Dinner for 2 and we ordered 3 small plates and it all came out at the same time. If anything, 3 plates don't fit on a table for 2 - but seriously, who brings out all 3 small plates at the same time? I felt super rushed and the seemed so haphazard. Put some more thought into how you bring out the food. This is such a rookie mistake for a restaurant run by a great chef.
(4)
Kim T.
Yes, another post related to my birthday! My sister and pseudo brother in law took me out for a bday dinner. She made a reservation online but could only find one at 9:15. She requested an earlier rez and they notified her the next day that her rez was changed for 8:15a...great start! Unfortunately, there was some traffic (stupid beyonce concert) so we were about 15 minutes late. The hostess did not even flinch and welcomed us with a warm smile and let us know our table would be ready in a few minutes. The restaurant was buzzing for a Tuesday night but was not packed. We were seated fairly quickly. Our server was very attentive although I found him and the staff that engaged us to be a bit over-cheery. My sister and I ordered a cocktail but agreed they were very heavy on the syrup. I like a "creative" cocktail but I always get turned off by too much sugar. I drink my coffee black, people. We started the meal with the octopus and falafel small plates. Both were delicious and rich in flavor. My mother had just made me a pot of paella for my bday so I stayed away from the Bomba. I took the server's recommendation and ordered the albacore. My sister and her boyfriend had to order the exact ssame thing and opted for the Chicken and Prawn bomba. The albacore had a bit of an Asian influence so it felt out of place with the meal. The bomba was good but not great. This may just be a particular taste but they were disappointed the chicken included dark meat and would have preferred just white meat. The prawns were a touch over cooked but not rubbery. Overall, the restaurant is a nice addition to the neighborhood. It did not blow us away but the great service and good food will bring me back.
(3)
Alastair M.
great food, great service, may be our new favorite neighborhood restaurant. Has great veggie options (my wife tends that way), but also tons of other items. You can't finish one of the Bombas by yourself. But they're delicious.
(4)
Maryann M.
We came here tonight after patiently waiting for them to open for the past several months. It's always nice to have another new neighborhood spot, especially when the menu looks so appealing! We were beyond the starving point when we got here, so it could have gone either way with our first vote of the place. Fortunately, they were really fast when we needed them to be, and paced us out as we started to not be so cranky-hungry. Standouts for us were the Lamb Kofta and Ahi Tuna (We both agreed that we had never had sugar snap peas taste that delicious before - and who would've guessed they go so well with tuna?!). I tend to reserve my reviews for places that I love or that left a bad taste in my mouth, and Shakewell certainly left me planning to come back for more. Thanks for taking such good care of us, Tim! Plan on having us as regulars. :)
(4)
Reynaldo P.
My wife had gone to this place a week before with one of her girl friends and she thought I would like the venue and she wasn't mistaken. We went on Sunday for brunch and it was delicious. She ordered the seafood stew and I had a fish and chips dish. I also had a yummy ague fresca. The service was excellent; she made sure we had everything we needed and came to check in on us periodically. The bread of my sandwich was soft and doughy and I thoroughly enjoyed. And my wife devoured her stew pretty fast. My only gripe was that the chips were overly salty, but everything else was amazing. We can't wait to come back and try dinner.
(4)
Y H.
Got there 5 minutes before they closed and we still got seated! POSITIVE! Atmosphere - casual and laid back. Service - good service. I had a waitress who knew the menu well and introduced good items on the menu. Food - delicious! Got the chocolate/hazelnut pop-tarts which wasn't too sweet at all. I love the cripsiness and flakiness of the pop-tart too! We also got the short rib sandwich. The meat was tender and flavorful but the blue cheese might be overwhelming for some if you do not like blue cheese. But overall, this dish was delicious. I also got the shashuka. I didn't know what it was, and I actually liked it, especially for someone who doesn't like chickpeas or anything grimy. I definitely would come here again and try other things on their menu!
(4)
Asha L.
I have been looking forward to Shakewell opening for a couple months. Every time I would walk by the space, I would try and peek and get a gander at how the restaurant was progressing. I stopped in last Thursday and I must say, it was well worth the wait! Our waiter was kind and knowledgeable. He explained how the menu was broken down and on average how much food to order. He was attentive without being overbearing which I really appreciated. Now...the food! Deviled Quail Eggs $4 - 2 cute little eggs, sliced in half and wrapped in serrano ham and dusted with smoky pimenton - a delectable mouthful. Fried Sausage & Sage Leaves $6 - I am a sage lover, but this dish wasn't my favorite. Baccalo $6 - Light, airy salt cod heaven. Let's leave it at that. Romaine Salad ($?) - Smoky hearts of romaine paired well with buttery avocado, briny boquerones, rich manchego and a vibrant vinaigrette. Calamari Negro Bomba $15 - Serves 2-3, plump grains of rice and perfectly cooked calamari. My favorite part was the crispy bits that stuck to the sides of the dish. Mmmm. Churros & Chocolate Sauce $whocarestheyaresogood - If you think you are too full for dessert, order these anyways. Light, fluffy, melt in your mouth you won't regret it good. Oh! Great cocktails (get the Summer Flip) and a wonderful wine list. Cannot wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!
(4)
Lindsay W.
My new favorite spot on Lakeshore. The chicken meatballs and the pork shoulder were just out of this world! The pork comes soaked in it's yummy juices and they give you some bread to soak up all the yummy goodness. In addition, they also have a nice cocktail menu and the decor is quite cute. Since it's hip and trendy, I definitely recommend making reservations for dinner!
(5)
Renata L.
Awesome service from beggining to end!! From everyone in the restaurant. That by itself is 50-60% of my experience. We had our toddler with us who wasn't in his best behavior but everyone was very nice. We went for brunch and had some roasted potatoes, the fat bread with smoked salmon and the open face sunny side up egg sanduiche. We got the potatoes first and the first impression was that they were a way too oily but when you try...They are just perfect. My husband had the sandwich and l-o-v-e-d it. Coming from him it must had been really really good. He is the type that always find something wrong with something. I tried a little piece and it had an amazing combination of flavors. I had the flat bread and it was great. Great flavors and the perfect ammount of cream cheese, salmon and herbs. I was kind of expecting it warm so it was suprising that it wasn't. Maybe I should have predicted this as it had smoked salmon. We are definitely going back.
(5)
TRproz P.
We were impressed from the moment we stepped in the door. We live in the Lake Merritt area and it was past 9pm on Friday night (8-22-2014), and we were looking for a place to have an impromptu date night. We were up for something new and we finally decided to check out this new restaurant so we hopped on our fixie bicycles and road down the hill to Lakeshore. We didn't know if the restaurant was still open and luckily it was!!! We locked up our bikes and we were instantly greeted at the door and the place was packed. The open layout and decor was beautiful. The only table open was this long wooden table hidden behind this beautiful metal divider by the host stand, and we took it. The table was perfect because we love having extra space and we had a great view of the entire restaurant. The host brought us water and she was so friendly and welcoming and she gave us the run down on what to order. We didn't realize the menu was designed as tapas so it made ordering fun because my date and I got to share everything. And let me tell you, EVERYTHING we ate was DELICIOUS. WE ate every crumb off of every plate, literally. We started off with drinks, and we both ordered 1 round of their specialty "Cooler" drink and it was refreshing and on point with flavor! First dish to arrive was a small plate of Octopus that was seasoned with celery, olives, chilies and saffron aioli on small toasted bread slices and the combo was DELICIOUS. Then we shared this creamy corn crab soup that was literally the BEST soup we have every had. It was just the right amount of cream where it wasn't too creamy and the crab was a nice surprise of hidden AWESOMENESS. Then we shared a Bomba dish: the Chicken & Prawns with braised fennel, piperade, tomato and fino sherry....which is like paella....and it was SMACKIN!. And for dessert, we shared the flan and a berry pie that came with a slice of cheese I can't recall the name of....and OMG...it was so good i'm speechless. Customer service was on point all night. When the server was too busy to deliver a drink or to grab our dessert order, he made sure to send someone our way and we appreciate the little things. It's been a LONG time since we have experienced such great CUSTOMER SERVICE like the staff at Shakewell provided and as we exited the restaurant we received warm goodbyes. BEST DATE NIGHT at a Restaurant of the year so far, and we weren't even dressed up! I highly recommend this place. And after doing a little research, this place was funded through an awesome Kickstarter campaign. If we had known about this campaign when it launched in 2013, we would have surely donated. So glad Shakewell made Oakland it's new home!
(5)
Victor C.
Amazing food, great space. The squid and ink bomba (like paella) was the best thing I've eaten this year. Only negatives were poor on tap beer selection and high prices, but tapas is usually ridiculously priced anywhere in the U.S. Despite that can't wait to go back.
(4)
Elaine L.
Despite the fact that Shakewell is brand new, it has really figured out how to deliver on on the food. The pork shoulder, short rib, calamari nero bomba, and fried sausage sage leaves were the true highlights, though we also really enjoyed the deviled egg, fried stuffed olives, and grilled shrimp. For dessert, the flan and blackberry tart were also quite good. The space is also beautiful and airy and perfectly captures the Oakland food scene. Final verdict: If this is the first stab at it, they're going to kill me with consistently delicious cuisine!
(5)
Jennifer H.
Okay, i will admit it. When my husband suggested this new place called Shakewell, i thought, whatever... Uninspiring name, another small-plates-for-entree-price hipster hangout. But then he mentioned it was opened by Top Chef alum Jen Biesty, and it became necessary, nay, urgent, to visit as soon as possible. I'm not proud my reality tv fandom, and (in my defense?) there are plenty of Top Chef-ers that would have the opposite effect. Anyway, I made an easy online rez and we were off. We started with the cold octopus appetizer, served with celery, olives, and saffron aioli. The octopus was incredibly tender and succulent, and perfectly seasoned. My husband wondered how long they have to massage it to get it so soft. It's amazing. Next up: grilled romaine hearts salad. The romaine was just slightly charred on the tips, so that it had a grilled smokiness but still retained its fresh green crispness. It came with pink pickled onions, a tart counterpoint, and boquerones, pickled anchovies. I couldn't resist ordering the chicken albondigas -- meatballs that are usually made with beef, which I don't eat. The chicken in these had a rougher texture than mere ground chicken, which leads me to believe it is either hand chopped or processed in some other, more labor intensive way. It's worth the work --the meatballs are juicy, served in a tomato pimenton sauce, and disappeared from our plate with amazing rapidity. The only dish that didn't blow us away was the manila clams and chorizo bomba. The waiter explained that bomba is to paella what arborio is to risotto. Couldn't he just have said it was a kind of rice? (I have eaten "bomba" in an Italian restaurant in Tokyo that was an inflated, ball-shaped pizza that is covered with prosciutto and pierced and deflated before you eat it, so I was really just needing a broad strokes explanation). Rather than paella, he explained, it is cooked in the brick oven in a clay dish. It arrived yellow with saffron, studded with clams and bits of chorizo. Very reminiscent of paella --but when we dug in, the rice was still watery, no lovely crisp crust on the bottom. And compared with paella, the dish was subdued, lacking the bold mix of seafood, saffron, sausage or chicken that we associate with yellow rice served in a flat dish. Once I had accepted that it wasn't paella and to quit expecting those flavors, the dish actually grew on me. It did have a subtle mix of flavors, and it was tasty. But next time I will try the squid ink one instead. At this point, we were really, really full. The dishes are bigger than the average small plates place. By the way, why oh why do people make small plates for sharing? "We are going to give you less food, and then you have to share it with everyone at the table." !!!? What if we did that at potlucks... everyone show up with food to share, just 3 bite on a perfectly composed plate is fine. We'd all starve. Give me BIG plates for sharing, please! But I digress. These are bigger than the 2 bites you get at many other establishments for small plates, and we actually couldn't finish the bomba... which didn't stop us from ordering the blackberry tart with manchego cheese. The tart was really more of a flat pie, double crusted, served with a big wedge of cheese balanced across it. Very satisfactory, and my husband loved the contrast of the cheese with the blackberries. Personally I'm more of an ala mode girl myself, and I was too full to fully savor it. But we'll be back soon, so I'll have another chance.
(4)
Donna G.
My friend and I had a gal's movie night out. We went to Flipside and we wanted cocktails before the movie, so we stumbled upon Shakewell. I wish we had dinner here instead of Flopside. So my review is for my drink, Autumn Cozy. I am in love. This is a whisky drink with cinnamon infused rye, maple bitters, and some other goodies that go amazingly well with each other. Aromatic, smooooooooth and warm, even with a cool block of ice in the center of my drink. I came back after dropping off my friend and met another friend for a last call drink. The restaurant is lovely and very adult. Too many restaurants are trying to accommodate everyone including little ones. It is nice to go somewhere without stepping around a stroller or hearing a sudden scream. However, it is loud with the dining area right next to the bar and open kitchen. But I think I will be back in about a week to try out the dinner and that lovely, lovely Autumn Cozy again.
(5)
Thomas J.
My wife and I just ate at Shakewell for opening night. The food was interesting but tasty and the service was very impressive for any night ...especially their first night. The cuisine is Spanish / Moroccan style with portion sizes just right for sharing. The Deviled Quail Eggs wrapped in Pancetta were delightful and the entree was delicious Paella-like rice dish with prawns that they called Bomba with a side of grilled broccolini. We were also impressed by the cocktails. Try the Lakeshore Cooler - super refreshing!
(4)
Paul K.
Shakewells is good...really good...incredibly good. So good that I went there three times in the first 10 days it was open, and I live 40 miles away. In those visits, I tried most of their menu. Dinner standouts are the seafood bomba, anchovie olives, croquettes, and bees knees (drink). You can't leave until you try dessert...in highly recommend the churro's. Service is always top-notch. I am not sure what the few others are complaining about here--I've never had anything but remarkable service. I'm moving to Lakeshore to save on gas!
(5)
Rob F.
Yesterday I had brunch at Shakewell. Oh my was it delicious!!! I had Poached eggs on falafel cake, spanish chorizo, romesco sauce. Say what? I've never seen anything like this on a brunch menu and it was delicious!!! I had their falafel at dinner before and I don't know how they do it but they are sooooo tasty!! I went with 5 friends and tried to their dishes as well and all of them were delicious. It looks really great in the daylight too with the large front windows fully open. It feels like you're on vacation :)
(5)
Betty A.
Great addition to the neighborhood! Love the well crafted cocktail menu and amazing service. Sit at the bar and ask for Amy or James and they will take care of you. I brought my two best friends here and we had a 11 course meal that Amy picked out single handily. Thank you Shakewell for your amazing food and staff!
(5)
Joshua J.
What a refreshing addition to the dining options in the neighborhood. Expectations were very high and Shakewell exceeded them all. After just 2 days open the service hummed along as if it were open for years - it's impressive to see so much attention nailing the entire package and not just turning out great food. The food was exceptional on all fronts. Surprisingly, the menu had a great depth and balance to it (and not just food - they really nailed the beer and cocktail list...can't comment on the wine as I was on a mission to sample the entire cocktail list). The portion sizes were very generous and the price point on all dishes is very reasonable. I can't recall what they're called - so we'll simply refer to them as the "fried sausages" - well...they are the tastiest fried appetizer I've ever had (sorry fried Oreo). These are a must for every table (perhaps they should just have a plate waiting on every table). The space is gorgeous and it should provide a nice long-time home for our new neighbors.
(5)
Leah D.
Shake -poor I went out with my husband on Saturday night hoping to enjoy a nice meal without the kids. We ordered the appetizer of the house, seared tombo tuna topped with olives and aioli, shared the chicken and shrimp bomba topped with - you guessed it- aioli, and also the grilled asparagus, served with a generous helping of....AIOLI! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a dollop of aioli. However, it was surprising that all three dishes had the exact same dressing with no difference in flavor or seasoning. It made for a less exciting flavor experience during dinner, and a less than appetizing after dinner experience. We spent the night close to our bathroom, enjoying the aioli into the wee hours. I called the restaurant to let them know that both my husband and I were sick all night. They called back to apologize but made sure we knew we were the only customers to complain and asked if we would be back to dine there again. Not a classy response, in my opinion. Won't be returning for more.
(1)
Tom A.
WOW!!! This is a fantastic food event that is instantly addicting. Stop reading this and just GO! Fried stuffed olives are explosions of yumminess. Bacalao croquetas are creamy and dreamy. The grilled flat bread and summer squash salad were culinary adventures on a plate. I can't find words to describe the joy of the calamari negro bomba. My only complaint would be that they don't warn you about needing a side of ice cream with the churros with spiced bittersweet chocolate sauce. The chocolate sauce needs a buddy! I'm truly sad I can't live there!
(5)
J. S.
Third time's a charm (as was the 2nd and 1st!) We were impressed after our 1st dinner here (2 nights after opening) really amazed after the 2nd and completely smitten after the most recent great evening at Shakewell. The menu is unique and expertly prepared. The Bombas are amazing (try the black squid version) and a really great way to explore something new. If you're a rib fan these are going to the top of your list. Service is friendly and really knows their stuff. At our last meal we let our server lead us and his suggestions made the whole group happy. The mescal cocktail has me ditching vodka(!). The only problem I have with Shakewell is that I'm supposed to share. I will go solo soon and indulge myself! Keep it up Shakewell and keep your pricing as is - you are going to be a HUGE hit!
(5)
Maria T.
Incredible! New hot spot for me and my friends to dine!
(5)
Elizabeth R.
It was one of those meals/experiences that were pretty good, not great...and I was hoping for great. I had a very good cocktail, the Lakeshore something. We tried an appetizer the waiter recommended, the sardines, not so good. I was hoping they could do something with sardines to make them special but they weren't too good. My husband likes sardines and he didn't think it was very good either. I guess that's my fault got going on the waiter's recommendation, but I like to ask the wait staff for recommendations. When we ordered, I asked for one dish at a time so we could share them, but that didn't happen. We had to wait at least 30-35 minutes for the dishes after the sardines. Then the salad and the beets came together. The romaine salad was pretty good, not great. I thought the beet salad was quite good. And then there was another long lag. The table behind us got their meal quite quickly and was eating while we waited. That was a little frustrating to watch. Then the shrimp dish (good), the pork (great), and the flat bread all came out at one time. The flat bread was good but since there was bread with the pork, we didn't need it. I wish the waiter had told us about the bread. We had the churros for dessert. They were good, not amazing. It was an okay experience and a lot of that had to do with the timing of the food coming out. Maybe I had built it up too much in my mind and so it was tough to live up to it. I'll give it another chance but I won't be rushing there for a while.
(3)
Tim N.
We've gone back often; menu changes frequently; fresh, creative and flavorful. The weekend brunch is fun and the weeknight prix fixe dinner is a really good deal. Tim, the host, is so friendly and energetic; and we heard that Chef Jen almost Beat Bobby Flay on his TV show. We love this little gem!
(5)
Kat B.
Tasty Mediterranean starters, very good entrees. (Awesome short ribs.) The sides were a bit random, not super well paired with the entrees. Very good cocktails, great craft beers - 2 on tap, 9 (8 beer, 1 cider) bottled. Not crazy about the sangria. Looking forward to come back for proper tapas. Good service. Great start!
(4)
Joshua L.
Best weekend brunch in Lake Merritt!! Service is great, food was top notch and the price wasn't too spendy for the quality.
(5)
Leona C.
Without knowing any of the history of the owners, we strolled in on a Wednesday evening without a reservation. Apparently, they are booked months out. Congrats! Luckily, the stars were aligned that night, and three seats opened on a communal table. Unlike many new restaurants that have exploded in the Bay Area, Shakewell shook out all the anticipated opening kinks and we had a perfect, unhitched dining experience. Fabulous wine selection. We ordered a few things off of every section of the menu and every bite was delicious. Service was on point and helpful, without hovering. It's hard to stand out in Oakland, as every other week a new Hot and Trending spot opens. You will not be disappointed here. Welcome to the neighborhood!
(5)
Cornell G.
We went there tonight and the food was amazing. This was one of the better dinners that I have had in a while. I had reservations, but we got there pretty early. So, we checked in with the hostess and headed to the bar. The bartender was receptive and even made a nice suggestion on a drink. The drinks were good. The meal was great. The beet salad pushed this rating to where it is. I have not been a fan of beets, but I will definitely order this again when I return. The short rib was tender and the lamb was good, as well. I will be returning soon.
(5)
Joel B.
Shakewell opened in the Lakeshore District of Oakland a mere two months ago and they are already hitting their marks! We barely were able to get a reservation early on a Wednesday evening and by the time we were finished with our dinner there were many people waiting to eat and the wait is worth it! Based in Spanish-Mediterranean cuisine, their menu is intended for sharing from small plates and salads to Bombas (a Paella-inspired dish), and roasted fish and meat dishes. We kicked off with the two most refreshing cocktails on their menu, the Summer Berry Flip (Haymens Old Tom Gin, fresh lemon, egg, Shakewell lavender syrup, berries, lavender bitters), and the Lakeshore Cooler (Hanson Cucumber Mint Organic Vodka, Cocchi Cmericano, fresh lime, Shakewell dill syrup). The cooler was super refreshing and vibrant although asking for a touch more of the dill syrup if for no other reason because I hadn't ever had a drink that included dill syrup! The Berry Flip is a beautifully colored and structured cocktail and full of a mouthful of lush flavors, including egg white which we usually prefer, however, this drink was a bit thick with egg so its consistency in the mouth feel took away from its overall experience, but it definitely served its purpose as a start to a lovely dinner. A sip into the cocktails we ordered the grilled romaine hearts. I am a newfound fan of grilled romaine having had it only twice before at Diavola and Townie, with Diavola's being the favorite thus far, yet the Shakewell version is worth noticing. Perfectly charred romaine is married with white anchovies, salty Manchego, pickled onion, creamy avocado and bright lemon. This is a great starter to enjoy with a couple of cocktails while figuring out what to eat next! We decided to share two dishes: the chicken & prawns Bomba (braised fennel, piperade, tomato, fino sherry $24), and the chili-chocolate braised short rib (arugula, pickled fresno chilies, butter beans $19). Both of these dishes were really wonderfully prepared. The rice in the Bomba was perfectly cooked (in lobster broth, by the way) and even though it didn't have that crispy crunch to the bottom of it like Paella often does, this dish was fragrant, rich, and pleasantly filling. The chili-chocolate braised short ribs were a great accompaniment and offered a mouthful of dark rich stew-like meat and sauce with the creamy and tender texture of the butter beans. We paired these dishes with a glass of medium-bodied, slightly spicy Aragonez blend - Adega do Monte Branco; Alento, Alentejo from Portugal. Shakewell is a fun and vibrant neighborhood restaurant rich with a variety of complex smells filling the room and offers a welcome and unique direction for the taste buds while offering a good value along with friendly, professional and attentive service.
(4)
Todd C.
Big fan. Very attentive and fast bar tender who served us drinks and food. The drinks were more subtle in flavor and not overwhelmed by the stupid crap they put in high end cocktails these days (who wants cinnamon in a cold mixed drink?). Very tastey. Delicious arugula salad, really good lentil side dish. Met the owner who was very nice and welcoming. We'll definitely be heading back.
(5)
Ed F.
We had an amazing experience at Shakewell. Perfect addition to the neighborhood. The space is open & cool. Started with the El Matador cocktail, can't go wrong with bourbon. There were four of us so we ordered lots of plates to share. Waiter Jeffrey recommended the sausage sage leaves. I would not have ordered but they were yummy. We had the chicken & prawns bomba, which was delicious. Lot's of choices , can't wait to go back & try everything else!
(5)
Courtney G.
Awesome hostess named Ariel! Meats and seafood are from sustainable farms and fisheries. Standouts were the ceviche, flatbread with babaganoush eggplant dip, and chicken and prawns bomba.
(5)
Fred S.
I LOVE SHAKEWELL. It's perfection. All the sophistication of the best New York City establishments, the eclectic charm of Oakland, FANTASTIC FLAVORS, adorable waiters from Italy and other places near and far. Oakland is the bomb and SHAKEWELL is bomb central! Every detail screams cool. I feel elevated!!!
(5)
Erin F.
Love this spot already! Great menu and cocktails and service was really impressive, especially given they have only been open a few days. Loved the design, space, staff and food, will definitely be back.
(5)
Patrick R.
I Stopped in for an impromptu dinner here with my girlfriend Sunday evening, and we were very impressed! It was crowded, but we were able to find a spot at the open-seating bar without a reservation. The cocktails are very good, and there are some creative options. Our bartender was nice, outgoing, skilled, and efficient. She made us feel comfortable and taken care of. The food was really fantastic. Kind of a mediterranean/california/comfort food mix. There's a real earthy heartiness to the fare; it warms the belly and the soul. Fried anchovy stuffed olives were a great small plate, as was the prosciutto with melon. We had a squid ink Bomba that was, in fact, the bomb! Also a shrimp dish that was very good but not as memorable. While you can have variations of many of the dishes they serve at other fine bay area restaurants, everything we ate was fantastic. I'm not sure I've ever had squid cooked so perfectly. Presentation is pretty good but not overly artistic. My bomba was simmering when it arrived, and I enjoyed its tempting aroma taunting me while we waited for it to cool enough to try a bite. Service was efficient and friendly. Decor is kind of a modern rustic moorish/mediterranean open space. The bar takes up a good portion of one side. It's noisy but not deafening. I'd caveat this by emphasizing we ate at the bar, not a table, so I can't really review the quality of service for a group at a table. I don't usually like to review a place unless I've been there a few times, but I'm really enthusiastic about this joint. I'd go back anytime and bring an appetite. It's fun! It's tasty! It doesn't take itself too seriously!
(4)
Fernando L.
The food is too salty and overpriced and the plates are pretty small. There are just a few tables, so you need to share them lacking a reservation. Also, it was cold inside. And incredibly for a tapas restaurant, you have to pay for the bread! On the plus side, the waiters were really kind.
(2)
Alicia M.
I'm completely befuddled by all the four and five star reviews - where do you all normally eat around here, kfc? Short Version: This place was a definite mleeeeh and we won't come back. It gets two stars because I reserve one star ratings for those where I get food poisoning or find hair or insects in my food - i.e. the utter bottom of the barrel places. Specific Gripes: Bad service, and the food and drinks were mediocre at best, truly bad at worst. - Service: The service was atrocious - the staff who greeted us acted as if she had much much better things to do and couldn't possibly be bothered to see if there perhaps might be a table for 3 people at 5:30pm on a Thursday. Really, 5:30 and the whole darn place is reserved? Finally, they deign to seat the 3 of us, outside, at a two top after explaining, no no, you can't have the empty and not reserved outdoor four top because there aren't four of you so why don't you squish around this two top where one of the chairs is in danger of tipping over because the sidewalk isn't level. Sweet; thanks. - Drinks: Ordered a rye sazerac; twenty minutes later something showed up, not sure what that thing was though. It was horribly saccharine and then sat there barely touched the entire meal, even after I ordered a glass of wine. - Food: Most importantly the food; wait, where is the food? Waiting and waiting and waiting..... and then when the food finally arrived it was cold and flavorless, the portions tiny and the prices high. How did they make sausage and sage bland - is salt strictly verboten in that kitchen? We also had the chicken and shrimp bomba, which was watery, tepid rice with dry chicken and overcooked shrimp. Really $29 bucks for that tiny dish of crap - it's insulting. Recommended alternatives: Boot and Shoe, Camino or Bistro Michel if you want to stay local or venture to Jack London Square and go to Venga Paella if you are hankering for Spanish.
(2)
Fzarond K.
This bathroom feels a bit cramped, a stall and a toilet and a sink all right there. The most perplexing thing is the dual men's signs on the door. A triangle and a circle both, like a decision should have been made but was not. The women's door is the same.
(3)
catherine c.
I think the food was quite good. Unfortunately, we were shamed by the host for lingering too long at our table, so now that's all I really remember.
(2)
kristi s.
I did not enjoy this place at all. The atmosphere is not good...insanely loud and too bright. We had to eat at the bar because they don't take reservations (I hate this) which means we are eating our $150 meal with people crowded up against our backs. The food was inferior to Duende (very similar menus) which is dark and nice. We did have a pork shoulder entree that was delicious but everything else was just ok. My throat is sore from screaming to be heard. Not a pleasant meal. 2 1/2 stars, especially given the price.
(3)
Heather S.
I don't often write yelp reviews, so please bear with me. Lakeshore avenue needed a restaurant like this. We were early for our reservation and decided to have a drink at the bar. I think the Mixologist overheard us saying we were hungry and they sent us a complimentary amuse bouche. We were seated a little before our reservation, which was wonderful. The standout dishes of the night were the octopus (amazingly tender), the tempura squash blossoms, and the grilled shrimp. Beautifully presented, fresh, delicious, hospitable, and at a great price. We left the restaurant planning our next meal there.
(5)
K m.
We loved the food and the drinks were all flavorful . The staff was charming and fast on their feet . We will be back!!!!!
(5)
Michelle B.
The mussels were perfectly cooked and melted in my mouth. Also highly recommend the octo dog.
(4)
Denis B.
The dinner was very good. We enjoyed the anchovies in olives , the flatbread, the octopus and all were delicious. Our entrees were the grilled squid (outstanding) and the shrimp and chicken Bomba (like paella) and both were great choices. the desserts were also praise worthy.
(4)
Roger S.
It's rare I write a review the night I leave a place but Shakewell is deserving. Our waiter Andrea from Italy was awesome! This place is really meticulous about customer service and I just think that's how the co-owners Tim and Jen roll. It makes a big difference. They know it and now we know it. Andrea recommended some great reasonably priced wines by the glass and we have a 1500 bottle wine cellar so we know our wine decently. My wife and I had the sausage in sage leaves with ginger aioli, the beets with burrata, the chicken albondigas, and the short ribs with chocolate sauce. The savory food was outstanding - really excellent! And we had to get some to go because we needed to try the churros for desert which were out of this world! This place was jam packed on a Saturday night too and is a definite star of Oaktown! We have lived in Oakland since 1993 and just love the choices of amazing restaurants here. This city has the best weather in the world, some of the most down to earth people you will ever meet, and now becoming a culinary mecca with places like Shakewell and many others. We will be back!
(5)
Valerie C.
Well intentioned but I felt it lacked pedigree. I do think it's cool that they chose to name their rice dishes after the rice instead of just calling it a paella, I suppose that was what set the bar in terms of my expectations. I was disappointed. No prized socarrat but a soggy puddle under the rice. The right kind of music can really determine the tone of a place and I thought the loud club music brought the ambiance down. Service was friendly and not bad, but not outstanding. Overall, disappointed with the experience.
(1)
Bonnie C.
Delicious and inventive! Shakewell is one of those hip and trendy places that really delivers in terms of food execution and warm hospitality. We came here for Mother's Day brunch and were personally greeted by owner/GM Tim Nugent, who I remember seeing on Top Chef Desserts. He really sets the tone of the restaurant - welcoming, friendly, classy and trendy, but not pretentious. I ordered the chicken and churros, which was amazing. Those were the best churros ever: crispy, fluffy, savory, delicate and flavorful. I love the inventive take on classic chicken and waffles, and my friend and I agreed that we much prefer churros to waffles when it comes to fried chicken! The mild spices and sauces really harmonized the whole dish much better than I've seen at other places with a hunk of chicken sitting on top of waffles. And the fried chicken was incredibly flavorful and juicy. We also had a side of crispy potatoes which was generously portioned and yummy as well. It's a pretty hip place but they were very welcoming to kids too, considering it was mother's day. All of the food was delicious and well executed. It's evident the chefs are pouring their heart and soul into the dishes. I can't wait to try out their dinner menu!
(5)
Adam S.
Eh, it was fine. Stopped in for a drink. Service was sllloowww. And it was just a drink. I think one of the causals may be that the cocktail menu is too ambitious for a new place, causing the bartenders to take too long to perfect each one, which in turns slows down service on a busy night. Cocktail was ok but not worth waiting almost 20 mins for. Will probably return for dinner one night, but with the knowledge that it could be a long meal. So, eh. Like the French place down the block I had very high expectations and both places have been ok but nothing extraordinary.
(3)
Anne V.
The owner met us at the door and the whole place had a friendly, casual vibe. I loved that they served a small 7oz. size of their draft beers. The prawn and chicken Bomba was delicious and the Short Rib was flavorful and small enough to leave room for dessert. The problem is the waiter never really seemed to care that we were his customers, never asked if we wanted a second drink or if we wanted dessert, so we left without either, and we would have ordered, and paid for both. It seemed like our waiter had too many jobs. He was waiting tables all over the restaurant and was also mixing drinks at the bar. Hope the service gets better because everything else about it would make us regulars.
(4)
Steve R.
The place looks great-some of the appetizers were excellent (sausage sage leaves), and some were just ok (octopus). Service seemed a bit off as I waited for 10 minutes to get my cocktail after the rest of our party were served. The Bomba rice dishes were not as flavorful as I had hoped. I'm hopeful they get some of the kinks out and it's great to have this place in the neighborhood.
(3)
Chloe F.
I loved the food and I thought the service was absolutely amazing. Will definitely be a regular there.
(5)
Brittni Z.
This place is great. I cant believe I am just now trying it. Its located right on the Lake Merritt strip. My partner and I are always looking for exciting brunch spots and this definitely is just that. We were seated quickly by friendly staff members and our waitress quickly came to greet us. I ordered a bloody Maria and didn't recognize any of their fancy tequila so took a recommendation and it was good! We received a free pastry with yelp check in,which my server brought me what she said was her favorite and although I tried to save it for desert, one bite let to 5 bites then gone. It tasted like creme brulee in the middle of a pastry, yum. We got our food and it was beautiful like a work of art. It was a smaller portion of food, but each bite was simply delicious. If you are looking for a big plate of breakfast food, probably not the spot for you, but worth it if you are looking to treat your mouth to something new. The dishes were even decently priced enough that if you were super hungry you could get two things, which my partner usually does anyways. The decor and atmosphere was lovely as well, I will surely be back to try something else.
(4)
Jamie B.
Food was amazing! We had the croquetas, the arugula salad, stuffed peppers and chicken & prawns bomba. All fantastic! Will definitely come back!
(5)
Carter H.
This place rocks! Have now been on several locations over the past three months, and I never leave disappointed. First, I love the energy and vibe; it just a great neighborhood joint where you want to hangout among friends...and the front of house and waitstaff certainly make you feel that you are among friends. Second, the bar and bartenders are energetic, interactive and creative. They have a top-notch selection of standards, supplemented with a lot of lesser known but exceptional finds. Lastly, the food....ridiculously good. Never a bad bite, and always tough to make decisions; being with a group is a plus when you can as you'll get to try more of these amazing treats. I love the bombas, and it is fun to share a few among a table as opposed to a single entree. These guys are exactly on point for what this neighborhood needed and are on the forefront of what is to come. Lakeshore is just getting better and better.
(5)
R B.
Expertly crafted cocktails that change with the seasons, created by friendly bartenders who immediately make you feel welcomed. Food is fantastic! Innovative dishes are seasoned to perfection; try the chicken meatballs, falafel, or pork dishes. Brunch offers up creations I've never seen anywhere else in the Bay Area; nice twist from the norm. This is a neighborhood gem. The service is great; from the minute you walk in, you are treated like a cherished guest.
(5)
H T.
this place is really cute. i came for brunch on saturday, and there was no wait. i didn't feel like brunch food, so i had the octo-dog, which was basically a grilled tentacle (which looks like a hot dog) on a baguette. it was really tasty! i can't wait to come back and try dinner items as well as the cocktails.
(4)
Emily P.
We had such a great experience at Shakewell! Both owners seemed very involved in the best way possible; Tim was so kind and attentive personally finding a last minute reservation for our party of 6 and Jen made sure to greet us as well. The restaurant interior was beautiful but still comfortable for a casual dinner. As a vegetarian, the veggie bomba recommended by our waiter (not sure if it was on the menu) was incredible as was the cauliflower with romesco sauce. Meat-eaters at our table loved the bomba with clams, half chicken, and stuffed mushroom as well. I can't wait to return and try more of the creative, flavorful dishes at Shakewell, a wonderful addition to the grand lake neighborhood!
(5)
Noah B.
Yummy food, although not all dishes are hits. Service is friendly, but needs a serious bump in skill, knowledge and awareness. Two servers didn't know what a menu item (bacalao croquettes) was on a recent visit and I kept having to search the dining room for minutes whenever I needed a new drink, additional dish or the check.
(5)
Lauren C.
I was pretty excited to try this place, as it seemed to a be a long time in the making! My husband and I stopped in at primetime on Friday evening and scored a spot at the bar at the front window, which is a great spot! The service was quick and attentive, and the menu was explained to us (tapas/salads/small plates on top, shared plates below). We weren't crazy hungry, so we shared several small plates and a salad. Presentation was lovely for each, and all were delicious. My fave was the squash salad, so fresh and yummy! Hubs didn't love his beer, and the server offered to replace it with something else. For dessert we had the blackberry tart with manchego cheese...awesome!! The owner came over and explained that it was a twist on a childhood favorite of his...apple pie with cheddar cheese. (Which I totally thought my dad, who is from upstate NY, made up! But apparently it's a thing in Vermont, too.) Anyway, we had a great experience from start to finish and will definitely be back to try the shared plates!
(5)
Tracy A.
We went for dinner when grandrents were in town. 4 generations, 10 people so we tried every single dish....no kidding. GREAT service and ambiance. AND EVEN BETTER FOOD. The small plate program worked well with a large group with everyone sharing food and conversation. It was kind of hectic at our table so we went back 4 nights later with one other couple. We were right.....this place is fantastic!!! Order anything.....its ALL carefully prepared and presented. Cant wait to return.
(5)
Cynthia B.
This is the kind of place that just makes you feel glad to be alive. We had another fantastic meal here and it keeps getting better. We had so much fun enjoying every new dish that came along, the flavors are just the right mix of fresh, unexpected yet not fussy at all. The portions are perfect and the service is so friendly!
(5)
John P.
I am so glad to have this addition to the Grand Lake restaurant scene. The interior is fantastic in it's plain-flat-Spanish-modern meets Moorish interlace pattern way. The powder coat plate steel tables are so smooth to the touch and "clink" nicely when your thin walled short tumbler taps an edge down on it. I like dining on nice handmade sturdy stuff and Shakies really has it my friends. The staff are good- like those pros over at Flora, A Cote, and Boot. They are timely but not rushed, friendly without being sloppy or too informal and they know (for the most part) the grub they be slinging. And what of that grub? It's fresh,crisp and vibrantly spiced. The beet salad is to die for. Get one. The tortured romaine with little white fishies is yum if you get the right bite. Every dish made me pay attention, then focus and think again, then taste, think and have another bite. Lots of good balance along with playful creativity. What about the booeezz louise? The cocktails were good. not drop and worship in silence good- but high standard good. Some of the house invented stuff was great. The wines were good even though I only had one. I cannot wait to come back and make my way through the rest of the menu. Cheers and Thanks guys!
(5)
Bob A.
Coming into an increasingly crowded Oakland restaurant market, Shakewell more than holds its own. Having been there twice now, what's most surprising is every mouthful of everything we ate. Somehow our new "celebrity chef" finds a way to pack every dish full of distinctive and exotic flavors, enhanced with cruchy textures. From our experience, the best of Spanish, North African and Mediterranian cuisine imaginable. And by the way, in the past, each time I heard or read "tapas" I have sort of rolled my eyes, thinking, the portions will be small, not very flavorful and pricy. Well, that's all changed now, Shakewell has set an entirely new standard in small plates. The reason? The portions are just right, not at all small and not too large, full of flavor, beautifully presented and more that fairly priced. The same goes for their wine and cocktails. Finally the servers, both food and bar are each, to a person excellent -- as are the hosts. Shakewell operates with impressive, knowledgeable, easy and welcoming professionalism that only comes from real pros. It's so nice to have them in Oakland.
(5)
susan m.
A friend suggested we go there to try the new neighborhood restaurant -- initially I wasn't thrilled but thought what the heck. They are VERY warm and welcoming, which is lovely. The noise level is about at the astronomical level, not so lovely. Our party could barely hear each other unless we were almost shouting. The menu is varied and, for the most part, the dishes are well prepared and quite good. We shared the Harissa, beet salad, and Bomba. I was thrilled to see salmon on the menu, as I have food issues and need to be somewhat mindful about what I eat and how it's prepared. I specifically asked our server to have the kitchen cook the salmon more than would be usual, as undercooked in the center can be trouble for me. He blithely assured me that the salmon is cooked all the way through and seemed to casually dismiss my request. Everyone at the table received their entrees prior to me. When the salmon was brought to the table a few minutes later I cut into the center and, unsurprisingly, it was very undercooked and not edible for me that way. I got the attention of another server who hurriedly took it back to the kitchen for further cooking. My party sat at the table eating their dinners while I waited about 20-25 minutes for my dinner to make a reappearance. When that finally happened, it was delivered with a snarky "here's your well done salmon." The salmon was slightly more cooked is all; why it took 25 minutes for that to happen is a mystery to me. Our original server stopped by the table to ask how the fish was. I took the opportunity to (nicely) tell him I'd asked for a more than usually cooked piece of fish in the first place, and that it might be to his benefit to listen more attentively and honor the customers requests. He perfunctorily said he apologized, and sped off. So--to sum up--they're a fairly new place and I'd consider trying them again once they've been around a while longer--but, as said in other reviews, the food is good not great, the service is choppy, very slow and doesn't fully appreciate the concept of attending to the details (except for our busboy who was wonderful), and the noise level is not conducive to real conversation. The latter made us decide to exit without ordering dessert, and enjoy some ice cream at home where we could hear each other.
(2)
Lawren B.
Shakewell is a beautiful spot located up on Lakeshore near Trestle Glen. The drinks and food are wonderful. The cocktails are creative, the bartenders use uncommon syrups, flavors (such as chamomile tequila), and combinations. I highly recommend the chorizo bomba and the flatbread appetizer. The beet salad, summer squash salad, and melon dishes were great, but when I go back I will focus my energies on the bomba and flatbread with charissa for sure. My favorite server is Yvette. She's amazing. Go to there!
(4)
Perry C.
very good brunch food, atmosphere is top notch, home made ice cream was spot on
(4)
Paul A.
Had dinner with a buddy the second week they were open. Thought all of the dishes were solid and tasty and sensed that they could be even better as they settle in. Appreciated the solid wine list - not too long, but thoughtfully chosen and the waiter was familiar and made a nice recommendation. service was crisp and professional.
(4)
Cathy C.
I've been to Shakewell twice recently. The first visit my friend and I ordered right. I had the salmon and she had the clam and chorizo bomba. Both were outstanding. We finished every bite. The only downside was the noise level was in 5 bell range. We could hardly hear eachother without talking very loudly.It might be where we were seated- towards the back of the restaurant.The 2nd visit, with my husband,was mixed on the food. We had the heirloom cucumber salad, which was cool and crisp but way over-salted. We also had the grilled calamari- we liked this dish, very good. Last, was the chicken and prawn bomba - we thought the dish was overly rich (butter?) and too salty.The after-dinner coffee was very good. I'm kind of down on over-salted food, so I'm hoping that the 2nd visit was an off-nite. The first visit was so promising.
(3)
Virat R.
Whent here with a friend, the pad is really nice clean. Just not a lot of options for food at the bar, kinda odd we saw a lot of people eating in the seat down area but they would not let us order food at the bar...? Thought that was a bit odd, also not a whole lot of choices for drinks, they got few good bottles but not your normal resturant/lounge bar. Overall I likes the people who work their really full of energy and happy to have you in. Would give it one more try and see how it goes.
(3)
Molly C.
I would have loved to give Shakewell 4 or 5 stars based on having brunch there a few times. On those occasions we really liked the spicy, creative dishes and good cocktails, the friendly host and waitstaff and the cool decor. Based on this we said to ourselves, we must try their dinner sometime! So I happened to be in the area last week and stopped by for dinner. I am very sad to say that, while the food was quite good and the staff just as friendly as at brunch, I feel their pricing is way out of line for what you get. The menu is the modern ambiguity about sizing type, with small plates on the one hand, and obscure other categories on the other. I had lamb kefta at $22 -- which I thought I reasonably could assume would be a main dish. Instead it was 5 meatballs on a stick. Good meatballs, but hardly worth $22. So, since I was hungrier than 5 meatballs, I also ordered the falafel, which were also good, but there goes another $9 for 4 falafel. With dessert, a cocktail and a glass of wine and tip, I paid over $80 for one person. This has considerable dampened my ardor for Shakewell, I'm sorry to say. I'll probably go back for brunch sometime, but felt pretty f ripped off when it came to dinner. Glad I didn't order the $32 seafood stew.
(3)
Michelle C.
We got seated right away at a bar when we walked in. I agree that this place is more on the expensive side for what you get. The few appetizer portion we ordered was literally 4 pieces of melon for $$$, the kind of sample size you'd get at Whole Foods. Squid bomba was good. Again very little portion of squid but filling with rice. Every bite had a citrus lemon zest to it that was refreshing. Service was friendly and good.
(3)
C B.
Booked a table for 2 for my GF's B'Day. 7.30PM dinner time. Place was to the rafters and very loud. Got last table by the wait-servers station on the way to the bathrooms which added to the commotion. BTW, at about 8.15PM, or so, the place got SO LOUD it was literally impossible to have a regular conversation. People were literally screaming at each other to make themselves heard. Nothing but hard edges all around, floor, ceiling, walls, etc., which amplifies the sound. Owners should do something to soften up the place so it can absorb the "triple bomb" noise level. Food was, in general, OK to good. We had 4 appetizers, one shared salad -- wild arugula, pears and cabrales cheese. Salad overall had a sweet flavor, most likely the cheese. Not a great salad. The appetizers were on the skimpy side and one of them, the stuffed squash blossoms not necessarily the best rendition I ever had. I never had this dish in Spain altho it's very common in Italy (my grandmother used to make it all the time and, perhaps, that's an unfair comparison -- Salerno (Naples) cooking against their interpretation of what this dish is all about). BTW: Check out Oakland's BELLANICO's version, a stellar rendition in my view, as a comparison. On theother hand, the Bacalao croquetas was the best of the bunch. The "main" was the chicken & prawns bomba. Since they use the "traditional" Spanish cazuela dish to cook this -- I assume in the wood burning oven -- it's hard to cook the prawns properly, that is, so that they are cooked but not hard cooked, same thing for the chicken which was dry and chewy. Overall, however, the dish had no real flavor definition,the rice lacked any kind of saffron flavor and also missed the intensity usually provided by high quality chicken stock. In my view, a big disappointment but that's the way they choose to do it. Finished with a "Catalan" flan which has nothing to do with traditional flan but managed some flavor, nevertheless. If you're in for a "night out" mostly drinking with a minor amount of attention paid to the food Shakewell is a good place for you. If you're looking for honest, quality Spanish food, you're better off elsewhere.
(3)
Claudia d.
Thumbs up for this welcome new addition to the Oakland restaurant scene. I read the buzz (and am an unabashed "Top Chef" fan), so chose this for my birthday celebration with my family last night. Could only get a very early reservation, so sent a note asking to be informed if something became available later in the evening. Sure enough, I got a personal call from Tim, one of the owners, to let me know we could change the time. He couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating on the phone, and it was therefore no surprise when he came over to our table for a friendly chat before our food arrived. From the greeter at the door, to the busboys who cleared our plates, the entire staff was simply sensational. There is absolutely no pretension or stuffiness here, and from what I observed, every guest was treated as if they were VIP regulars. A special shout out to Brendan, our server who is also the sommelier, who gave us impeccable recommendations about everything with which we asked his help. Again, his friendliness seemed so natural without being forced. All the food was imaginative, bursting with flavor, and well prepared. I find that main courses at most restaurants tend to be the least exciting, and this was true at Shakewell as well. Although all were good, the two meat dishes (chili chocolate shortrib and braised pork shoulder) were a little underwhelming. However, the two bombas, were great, with the Nero (squid ink and seafood) being the standout entree of the evening. I'd go back in a minute just to eat it. As for side dishes, the lentils were excellent, while the fingerling potatoes were less interesting. Unfortunately, we weren't able to sample the desserts (which sounded delicious0, partly because we totally over-ordered and were completely stuffed, and partly because my daughter had brought a beautiful birthday cake which awaited us at home. Honestly, next time (and there definitely will be a next time), if I go with just my husband, I think we'll order a few appetizers and maybe a salad, then share a Nero bomba so we have room left for dessert. As I told Tim as we left, I'm so happy they chose Oakland for Shakewell and predict a long and happy future for them here.
(5)
Sig S.
Shakewell is a winner. The Bomba a baked rice dish knocked it out of the park. Also had grilled romaine hearts that were the sh#t. We were told the place is new. They will be around for a long time to come. The passion is in their aesthetic and food
(4)
Janie D.
What a wonderful place! The food is outstanding. The wait staff is awesome. The cocktails are delicious. I had an Autumn Cozy. The Smoking Gun cocktail is also a great drink. We had the bacalao croquetas, the Brussels sprouts, the chorizo stuffed dates, the persimmon and jamon serrano pintxos, the mussels, and the clam and chorizo bomba. All delicious!! For dessert we shared the chocolate torta and the churros. Divine! I want to live next door to Shakewell so I can go at least weekly. Tim, the part owner and pastry chef is so gracious, fun, and accommodating.
(5)
Mike O.
Oakland's restaurant scene continues to skyrocket, with Shakewell the latest fantastic addition. We were in on the 24th for dinner, only two weeks after opening and things were hitting on close to all cylinders. We had a 5:45 reservation that I wanted to push back slightly to 6:15 and Tim was more than accommodating when I called. Given the size of the restaurant is not large, I did want to make sure that I was not messing up his seating plan. Started off with some cocktails - I tried the Alpha Amor, a tequila and mescal based drink from the drink menu. The hubby ordered off the menu and got an Aviation. Both were delicious. We started with Bacalao Croquettas - beautifully fried salt cod and potatoes, with seasoning that imparted both sweet and salty. Next was the Roasted beets with burrata, toasted quinoa, hazelnuts and mint. I am not the biggest beet fan, but this was a lovely combination. The quinoa gave it a wonderful crunch and toasted flavor - I could just snack on that quinoa. To me the hazelnuts did not add much to the dish, but also did not distract. Grilled Calamari with Leeks and Romesco Sauce was next. Calamari perfectly cooked. Nice char but still beautifully tender. Romesco was smooth and flavorful. I have been making Romesco sauce at home recently and leave mine a bit chunkier, but the smooth sauce worked perfectly with this dish. Chicken Albondigas were very flavorful meatballs with peppers, tomatoes, almonds and sherry. The sherry really made the sauce, and made it set itself off from being a chunky version of the romesco sauce with the calamari. Finally we had a Bomba - went with the Calamari Nero. We both love squid ink and this was another great dish, with the richness of the squid ink being absorbed by the rice. The preserved lemon added the vibrancy and acidity to the dish. I would have liked a bit more, or I probably should have stirred the dish first and made sure it got incorporated into every bite. Through all of this, our waiter and the whole staff were very attentive, without being pushy. We were not rushed at all, as another recent diner appeared to be (although given there other reviews, it seems that they are difficult to satisfy). Staff was very well trained - knowledgeable and helpful. We had no room for dessert by this point, but gives us yet another reason to come back (along with many of the other savory options on the menu). Well done. Glad to have another great restaurant in Oaktown!
(5)
Jordan M.
Great place, great environment and amazing staff!! Only reason I have it 4 stars is because they got my order wrong but the dish was still very good!!!! Must try this place!!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Alexis B.
The food here is spectacular! Each dish is packed with a lot of flavor, and yet manages to stay refined. Everything is very well balanced, and I would say worth the price. You can really tasty the freshness of everything too. There's great food, and then there's art. The drinks are equally as good (only top shelf of course), and I particularly like that they have added "Dealer's Choice", where you pick a spirit and they do the rest for the cocktail. The service is a surprisingly good for how high of a volume they have (which I would recommend making reservations a couple of days in advance if you want to dine on the weekend). The servers are quick and attentive, but also know the correct way to pace a meal. The ambience is nice too, all in all I give it five stars.
(5)Laura E.
I came here with my mom last night on an out of town visit. Shakewell was initially noisy, but eventually quieted down. I had a white sangria, which was sweet and had a citrusy flavor to it. We shared the green salad, grilled shrimp, and corn and lentil salad. The green salad had goat cheese, nectarines, and walnuts. The walnuts being candied would have made the salad better. Both the shrimp and corn dishes were good. We had churros for dessert which took a long time to come out and were a little undercooked. However, our waiter gave them to us on the house. Service was a bit on the slow side. Overall, four stars for the food and 3 stars for the service.
(3)Kyle G.
So we were having breakfast with two good friends and they picked the place. We didn't know this was the place they picked. Kinda funny. So apparently the owner is a neighbor and all they did was send a text "hey we're walking down" and we're in! In my first review I said the greeter was a nice guy with a good smile... Well that was the owner. lol. He sat us down again and chatted a little. Our friend Amy said we have to try the pastries. Well the owner said his pastry guy was sick that morning so he made the pastries for the day himself. Okay, I'll give it a shot. I ordered the banana bread and really loved it. Hit it out of the park. So good and so tasty. Our friends ordered potatoes for the table. WOW! Loved them. Cooked to perfection! So tasty! Last but not least I ordered the Rib Sandwich. It was sooo good you'd want to slap YO Grandmama! And I loved my Grandmama but this sandwich was memorable! So because of those three items I changed my rating from 4 to 5! This place is the real deal when it comes to food and drink. It's a must have. I'll be back here!
(5)Peter V.
The food was amazing but the service was so damn slow what a shame. I came in around 945pm which was well after their peak and was just by myself but my goodness the drinks and getting that first order in took while. Anyway food was amazing.
(3)Ulysses K.
Great spot! Excellent service and romantic ambience. Good for going out on a date. Lots of variety on the menu and drinks are good too.
(4)MJ A.
Hats off to the chef and ever so creative menu. In a party of 6, you know the restaurant is on point when everyone at the table is nodding their heads in affirmation following each bite. We ordered the fried chicken, a few Bombas, and various small plates; everything was small portioned but delicious. What really stood out though were the Jamon croquetas and their accompanying green poblano sauce. Superb. Cocktails were well crafted and strong-- though I stuck to the great beer selection despite the disappointing lack of taps. On a busy Saturday night, we were also fortunate enough to receive outstanding service from everyone in the restaurant, including the hostess, manager, and our server who's handlebar moustache deserved a tip of its own. One could argue that Shakewell is currently the top foodie destination in the Grand Lake area. As other reviewers have noted, the only factor holding back a solid 5 star review is the menu pricing. Our bill ended up averaging to about $80 per person prior to tip-- and while everything about this restaurant is outstanding, I unfortunately have to shake off the check shock before returning again.
(4)Shannon L.
Super cute hipster joint with a relaxed atmosphere amongst wood. If you check in, you get a FREE pecan sour cream coffee cake which I would just take home with you. Ours didn't taste particularly fresh anyway. I did enjoy what we paid for though. The fried bread pudding with blueberry and creme fraiche was absolutely delicious and not too sweet. The bread is almost more like french toast though. The chicken hash with an over easy egg was also a hearty dish. I can tell they use leftover chicken to make this. Both these dishes are more than enough for two people. Coffee was solid enough to drink black. Servers and bussers were extra friendly which I appreciated. I would love to come back for dinner.
(4)Andrew C.
We came for brunch. Odd name which emphasizes their cocktail focus, but leaves their main style (Mediterranean) a little bit of a mystery. Space is pretty loud, both with music volume and lots of hard surfaces. We deviated from eggs and both went with sandwiches. Food has potential, but flavors were a bit unbalanced for us. The g/f got the "Octo-dog" (olive salad, saffron aioli, chips $11 yelp.com/biz_photos/shak… ) which is a thick octopus tentacle "hotdog" on a soft roll ( yelp.com/biz_photos/shak… ).. The grilled octopus was a little chewy / tough from not being cooked enough. Good flavors from the saffron aioli & olive salad. I got the Steak sandwich (caramelized onion, blue cheese, dijon aioli, arugula, chips $14.50 yelp.com/biz_photos/shak… ). Very heavy on the blue cheese which overpowered the rest of the ingredients; I scraped some off which helped. Steak was cooked medium so a little past what I'd requested.
(3)Andrew K.
We ordered so many things - all fabulous. The whole branzino deboned was divine. So was the falafel. Oh and that chick pea flour flatbread w truffle. Cute space, attentive service. We were all very pleased!
(5)Mr. K.
I've been coming here since they opened, and believe it is one of the top brunches in the bay. It is definitely the top brunch in its vein. We brought our friend from LA here today and she loved it. We had the chilaquiles, trumpet mushroom omelet, and a side of the potatoes and bloody mary's and were thoroughly happy. Call ahead to reserve a table and you'll have a great time.
(5)Nique F.
Having a favorite restaurant is not like having a favorite child (that's easy). It's more like having a favorite pair of shoes. Depends on the occassion, the mood, the season. But the same way I'm convinced that my favorite pair of floppy pink loafers go with everything, I feel that Shakewell goes with just about every occasion, mood, and season. I'll take any excuse to visit, or emphatically insist you should. Simply put: the menu is super creative. The ambiance is chic but comfy. The service is top notch, down to the last detail of splitting our plates, knowing we would share (or attempt to). If you think you're bored with "small plates" give the Spanish-Mediterranean bites at Shakewell a chance. They're complex and artsy without being too dainty. Portions are substantial. Flavors are bold. And if small still isn't your thing, go for a main course. All dishes come with a side of ooooohs and aaaaahs (you can quote me on that). We had the BEST grilled calamari of our lives, with olives and saffron aioli. Then, the fried sausage and sage leaves, and some squash blossom fritters. My eyes lit up all greedy-like when they filled my little wine tumbler up to the rim. Is this normal? I hope so. We love eating at the bar, and Shakewell is a primo place to do so. Whatever happens, DO NOT skip dessert. Just as much attention is given to the sweeter side of their menu, with decadent combos like bittersweet chocolate torta + pistachio + cocoa nibs And yes it's true: Shakewell is run by two Top Chef alumns. Not sure if they won or not, but I'm sure they're fine being known for cooking up some of the best grub in all of Oakland. For reals.
(5)Alexa C.
This place is amazing, and to reiterate what everyone else is saying, very creative menu. I came here for brunch. My friend got the chicken and churros, a fun twist on the traditional chicken and waffles. I got the poached eggs, served on falafel cakes and thinly sliced chorizo. We swapped halfway through our dishes, since both looked so good we just had to try the other. Both dishes were downright delicious. I loved that Shakewell takes familiar dishes and puts a tasty, unexpected spin on them. I can't wait to return to try more items on their menu. The food is inspired and fun, and you can tell that the cooks and chefs have passion in what they do. Oakland is killing the food scene and Shakewell is definitely playing a part.
(5)Sharine d.
This place was highly recommended...was full so sat in bar area by front window. Very good location close to Lake Merritt. Service attentive, bartender good drinks, food PASS.. Ordered top three appetizers....a squash salad and the lamb main dish. Appetizers were tasty. Salad & main dish was painful. Squash full of anchovies :-(...close to inedible. Lamb was cooked well. ..but NO taste. At the end of the day....This restaurant dishes were very odd.....I'd say poss.
(3)Harrison S.
Love this place, one of our favorites. changing menu, always lots of new options. very creative and tasty dishes, nicely presented. wonderful space, the old Mezze, but not really recognizable. great drinks as well. we go often, never disappointed!
(5)Laurence W.
Contemporary urban dining has taken decades to reach the Grand Lake area for reasons I've never understood, and Shakewell sets the tone better than most. The cocktails are excellent, the service is mostly good (though I'm not thrilled that they fire every single dish you order at once without regard to the order you might want to eat it), and the food is interesting (though hardly without its disappointments -- I'm looking at you, Mr. Overseasoned Chickpea Flatbread!). So, why the three stars? The prices are laughably steep in light of the overall experience. $14 bacon-wrapped dates? $10 falafel? $27 short-ribs? Hilarious. More directly, Shakewell is charging SF prices but would likely have its lunch eaten by the competition if they were actually competing in SF. For now, Shakewell handily fills an empty niche in the Grand Lake area, but the final math doesn't add up.
(3)Peter O.
Excellent food! We had the Manila clams and chorizo bomba which was absolutely fantastic. We also had the roasted fish which was also great, even though I forget which type of fish it was. Da wife ordered two of the bartender's special cocktails, one with vodka, one with tequila; both were awesome. My only complaint was that some people took the name too literally, leaving the men's toilet floor a bit sticky.
(5)Joyce Z.
My cousin was taking us out for our belated birthday dinner and had chosen a restaurant on Grand Ave. However, upon arriving, we discovered it was closed for the evening. With no place to go at the last minute, I immediately thought of Shakewell which I had bookmarked 3 months ago and was actually thinking that was where we were going to begin with. We shared 4 tapas style small plates, 3 entree sized plates, and a side of broccolini which was more than enough. Some of the small plates are very small (quail egg comes with 2 eggs so we had to order a double order) while others are decently sized like the croquetas. Deviled Quail Egg - 2 to an order - Did not really taste like a deviled egg so was just okay for me Persimmon wrapped with serrano ham - 4 Bite sized persimmons wrapped with prosciutto - tasty refreshing bites that will make you wanting more Bacalao Croquetas - this was my favorite of the small plates as it was creamy with the right amount of salt from the salted cod - 4 to an order Octopus olive salad - liked that the octopus was tender but the olive salad overpowered the octopus Local squid ink bomba - think paella with this one using squid ink and fish stock and topped with some squid pieces - warning - will temporarily turn lips and teeth black which may be fun for Halloween Braised pork shoulder - the pickled green tomatoes is such a good complement to the fork tender pork shoulder that you can pile onto the flatbread - messy if you eat it like a taco but so good! Black cod - smooth, smooth, smooth, enough said Side of grilled broccolini - I am a huge fan of broccolini but certain pieces came out a bit too charred to my taste. Overall a solid choice at the Lakeshore area
(4)K G.
Loved Shakewell. Spendy, but worth it. Great cocktails, gluten-free friendly options, and excellent ambiance. My husband and I couldn't decide, so we ordered practically one of each gf option on the menu. Everything was delicious, but the turkey/zucchini meatballs stood out. Great ambiance, friendly people, full bar, excellent food, great wine list = new fave place.
(5)Erin G.
I am updating my review today as I have been back here a few times and I had a really excellent time. As per my last review, I saw a lot of potential and I was hoping my opinion would change and it definitely has. I have never felt the need to update a review before but I sure want to for this spot. The happy hour specials are actual specials! The white sangria is super tasty, and the apps are all fantastic - I've had more than a handful of them ;) Plus, the bartenders are super friendly and accommodating. Their drinks are probably some of the best in town. I've tried a few new somethings each time and the craft that goes into curating their drink menu is very apparent. If you're looking for a fun and impressive spot, this is the place to take someone. So happy to see this place mature and grow. It's a gem in the Grand Lake/Lakeshore hood.
(5)Danielle B.
Awesome food. Husband and I went here mid week on a Wednesday night. We hadn't gone before on the weekends since I was worried about a wait, as they do not take reservations. Really great open space. Loved the Moroccan decor, along with the rocks stacked up as dividers along one of the sections of seating. Onto the food. We started with the shrimp (tasty, but I think only 2 pieces of shrimp), jamon croquetas, and the bacon-wrapped chorizo stuffed dates. All super yummy!! I got the duck confit, and was really great as well. Hubby got the short ribs, and he really loved them as well. The food was Mediterranean with a twist, which we both loved. Service was really top notch. Overall, a great experience with amazing food and great service. We will, be back.
(5)Nicole C.
Fantastic meal and even better cocktails! Service was impeccable! Get the chicharonnes and the duck bomba! Also the corn side hit all of the right notes and textures. I look forward to trying dessert but both times I have been here I was too full! Spot on guys!
(5)E.C. G.
Fantastic decor and atmosphere; toward the back near the kitchen, it's quiet enough for easy conversation among a group of 6. Can't say what it's like near the bar, where it seemed to be louder. The dishes ranged from amazing to just okay. It was, interestingly, the more expensive dishes that were just okay -- a bomba with roast duck that was just kind of mushy, and a roasted stuffed whole fish where the stuffing that was so beautifully described by our very attentive waiter didn't really make an appearance. But the small plates and salads? Oh my. A salad of summer squash and anchovies that was interestingly composed and delicious. This terrific chick pea toast tapa that was flavorful and inventive. Highlight of the evening, believe it or not, was the falafel, flavorful, crispy texture and great flavor. Stick to the tapas and amazing cocktails, and you're set for an amazing experience.
(4)Arthur Y.
New "Cali-Med" type of place in the Grand Lake area. I'm a fan. From what I saw online, they were started by 2 Top chef alums - one from regular top chef (cooking) and top chef just desserts (front of house) Right off the bat, I love to decor in the place - they did an amazing job. Clean, modern yet classic - lots of stone and wood. Just feels like a great space. Food was also solid. We got a bunch of small dishes: - Fried olives - tasty, hot, briny goodness - Croquetas - Baccalao/Salted cod - super tasty, 4 to an order - Falafel - also 4 to an order, and super moist and flavorful. Not fried too hard. - Sardine toast - pretty solid - Grilled broccolini - a little too charred for my tastes, the only real miss Also got the black squid ink bomba - which is basically a paella in a clay pan. Super flavorful and delicious.
(4)Rachel M.
When we arrived, the bartender was busy chatting with some girls at a table instead of, you know, tending the bar. I'm sure we would have gotten quicker service if we had been two cute girls instead of a couple. Once they left, he was much better. Present, but not imposing. It was happy hour, so we stuck to sangria. No major complaints. It was tasty, had actual chunks of fruit that had been marinating a while, but wasn't cold enough. I'd totally give this place another try, because the bar was beautiful and the location is great. Hopefully a different bartender will be on duty.
(3)Noelle H.
Me: "So what do you think of it? Bf: "A LOT OF OLIVES" Me and the bf are fans of the top chef series. So when I discovered a contestant had opened up a restaurant in Oakland, I figured we might as well try it out! We had no reservations, but were able to score 2 seats at an open counter. We also saw a glimpse of Jen Biesty in the kitchen *fan girl moment* I started with a glass of the sangria. It was ok, but nothing phenomenal as to what some other reviewers were saying. We ordered the sausage sage leaves, octopus, and beet salad to start. The fried sausage leaves we're cooked well. The octopus was super tender, but a small portion with an abundant amount of olives. We both enjoyed the beet salad, simple and clean. We split the chicken and prawn bomba. It was ok, a bit on the salty side. Probably due to more olives! I do wish there was more meat though. It seemed skimp. We were debating on which dessert to order, and our server was saying how mind blowingly amazing the Greek yogurt dessert was. I was a bit apprehensive. Really? Half a peach with some Carmel and Greek yogurt? But I decided to show some faith and we ordered that. Ehh. Should have went with my gut. While it was fine. It could have easily been made at home. That was my fault for not going with my instinct -___- The food? It was okay. Definitely not recommended if you don't like olives!
(3)Mike L.
This place is fairly new. Shakewell isn't what I'd expect to be the name for a Spanish Tapas place but the food was really good. We went on a Friday night around 9:10pm, they close at 10pm and we were able to get seated right away. I went with a friend and we shared three dishes: the pork shoulder, squash salad and a chicken & shrimp paella. They were all pretty tasty and decent sized portions. We also sampled some of their signature cocktails which are $10-12. The service was pretty responsive. Staff would come by to consistently to refill our water jug, change plates in between courses and see how we were doing. I'd go again!
(4)Paula S.
2nd time in 2 weeks that we ate here. First time we sat at the bar and had mostly appetizers: Roasted cauliflower, falafel, salt cod. All these items were OK...has potential. The sauce with the roasted cauliflower had a hint of something that was off...not sure if you use red peppers in it but don't. The squid ink aioli was good but a waste under the potatoes since you really have to drag it around or use your finger to get it all. I'd adhere the potatoes to the plate with a little for contrast and presentation then put the rest on the side to apply with your knife. Falafel: cook it all the way through. First and last night were not cooked and had raw bean taste. On our first visit with my husband, I noted the pile of clams at another table and looked up what that was about when we got home. So, last night my daughter and I split it. If this is your signature dish, please do a better job. The rice had no flavor. Half the clams did not fully open. The shrimp were overcooked. The fish did not taste of good quality...too buttery but not in the right way. A flaky white fish is much more appealing. My kids are spoiled since I am an good cook and both agreed...first bite the 17 year old said, "rice has no flavor." It needed more saffron, salt and pepper or some smokey paprika along with perhaps some fish stock. The duck pate: Leave off the jam. Way too much. Put on the side. Overall solid. Smoked salmon: The toast was too crispy and did not contrast well with the smoothness of the fish...needed to have a little softness to it to meld the flavors and textures. I saw the table next door had the squid Bomba and it had a ton of squid on it yet based on the marrying of flavors and quality of seafood, I can only imagine that unless that squid was chargrilled to add a smokey flavor that it was probably too much rubbery stuff on top. Sorry. I was hoping to really like this place. Also, when I asked about a drink our waiter said, "when were you last here?" I said, "2 week ago." He said, "the drink menu is completely different." No help. No welcome back...glad you came in again, etc. Like I said, I'm a good cook and use top shelf ingredients and was hoping to be blown away. I wasn't. The average Joe will be I'm sure but if you want to draw us back as a regular, I suggest you look into what I am saying. FYI: The BEST meal I have had in a very very long time was at "Stones Throw" in the city last weekend. Check them out. Amazing meal from beginning to end. I'd like to have this within walking distance of our home; you can reach higher.
(2)Suki B.
What an amazing addition to my neighborhood! My friend and I went for some drinks and apps, last week. You immediately know that they're doing something right because it was packed! This will definitely be my go-to place when I want a good glass of sangria! It's not overly sweet/fruity like most places. The tapas are so yummy! If you love seafood, you will not be disappointed! We shared several things, but my favorites were the Bomba (Paella) and the fried sausage. The service was impeccable! My friend and I were honestly surprised at how great they were. Our waiter, Andrea, was the sweetest, most attentive waiter and he gets extra points because he had the most adorable Italian accent. :) The decor and overall vibe was fabulous. Great mix of people! I'll be a regular here, that's for sure!
(5)Patrick S.
Shakewell is a word not found in the dictionary because it cannot be contained in printed words as it is alive, it is so alive! Shakewell is a place where people gather to explore joy found through the senses. There is liveliness and good cheer amongst people here and they are truly the happy ones because they know the same as I do, and they are here at Shakewell. Decor is simple and flowing which offers a deep comfort that allows one to relax and allow their senses to explore with wonder at the food and drink they will most definitely enjoy. The drink is perfect. Wait, no, the drinks here are Purrrfect. There is not a single poorly designed, poorly executed drink that can be offered here, there is only... Purrrfection. I found it so very refreshing to see, listed on the cocktail menu, "Dealer's Choice." A drink in which you pick the spirit and they create something amazing for you. How awesome is that?! I want every bar to have this on their menu, and that's one of the many things that makes Shakewell fabulous. Even when I did get an imperfect cocktail here they handled it very professionally and had the youngster bartender surreptitiously executed swiftly and cleanly in the back storeroom. It was actually my third drink, a zombie, and the first two were deliciously delicious and the third was just a bit off -not quite zombie enough. My waiter knew it too and it was handled very well. Which goes to show that a great restaurant isn't great for all that they do right, it's also how they handle themselves when something is not right. FOOD... is... amazing! I do not know what type of witchcraft devilry they practice here but they have made an excellent deal with the devil for their access to evil deliciousness which is the main ingredient in every single dish served. I actually made the "mmmmmm" sound with every single bite tasted. It's sort of an uncontrolled muscle reflex, like when the doctor hits your knee with a rubber mallet. When something delicious goes into my mouth, "mmmmmmmmmmmm." What I enjoyed most about the Bomba was that there were numerous different ingredients combined in this dish however every single component was cooked to it's own perfection. It's all too common to have paella that has half the ingredients overdone and half underdone, not here though. With the Bomba, and with every dish, you get perfection. They only thing I do not understand is why can't more restaurants be this good? I think the answer is that because it is not easy, and I'm sure they all work very hard at giving us their best, and I for one am grateful to them for that. My compliments to Chef Jen Biesty and General Maestro Tim Nugent. You guys are Awesome! Thank You. Cheers
(5)Dirk W.
Now our "go-to" dining spot in Oakland. Tim and Jen have put together a delicious menu, which is complimented by their friendly and helpful staff. And with James at the bar, it's pretty darned well perfect. Favorite dishes being pretty much any of their salads, delicious appetizers, and they are very helpful in recommending different dishes for everyone. We've eaten at a table, outside, and at the bar . . . it's all good.
(4)Augusto T.
Slow start, but the food mostly came through. I was brought to Shakewell for my birthday dinner. Before I get too the food, I have to rant about something. So you can't get a reservation for parties of two and while you can sit at the bar, (which includes some tables not exactly at the car), it is sit yourself. See, I don't mind waiting a bit, but when it is yourself there are no guarantees. You have to float around like a vulture for tables that will be finished soon or someone else might grab the table. This happened at least twice so we decided to be more aggressive. It is fine at a casual bar, but this type of restaurant is really not suited for it. If you don't take reservations for two then at least have a list for seats at the bar... Not a big deal, but it really made the dinner experience start on a sour note. End of rant. Onto the food. The menu is really really interesting. I would call it playful, modern Mediterranean. A little Spanish, a little Italian, a little Greek, a little North African, and more. The cod croquettes were not bad though a little more potato-ey than necessary. The highlight was the ingenious squid ink aioli. The fried chicken with yogurt sauce was also very interesting. The chicken was not super crispy, but it worked really well with the yogurt sauce. The favorite of the night was the chili chocolate braised beef short rib. It was tender and very tasty. They have a section of 'Bombas' on their menu. They are basically paellas not made on a paellera pan. We got the pork belly one, which had a lot of flavor but unfortunately the rice was completely overcooked and mushy. The saffron panna cotta was not bad, but it did not stand out. I ended up having a good time, but I have some reservations. Getting a table was annoying, not all of the dishes were flawless, and it was definitely not cheap. That said, I recommend you check it out for their very fun and creative menu. I definitely look forward to coming back.
(3)Rob R.
Went back recently my star rating is unchanged. A few changes: -The falafel has improved dramatically. Very nice, now a must have. -Appetizers still out of the kitchen like bullets from a machine gun. Do pace your ordering. Bombas (we had them all): -Chorizo is the best. Mega wow. I'm a major paella slut, been cooking it my whole life. -Vegetable is very good. -Squid ink is good, I'd probably do the chorizo one instead next time. I don't know why people think squid ink is cool--to me it makes food taste a little funny. It really doesn't add much other than color and even mildly detracts the overall flavor. Shakewell is a great place, we'll be back.
(4)Stephanie R.
Yum yum cocktails and black paella! Wonderful waiter, wonderful bartender. Love the Shakewell Sling!
(4)Gina G.
Fresh, fun, fantastic food. Those three words describe what I felt while at Shakewell on Lakeshore Ave. in Oakland. Going in for Happy Hour, immediately I was taken back by the hip ambiance and impeccably clean atmosphere. Upon sitting by the bar, the Sangria was tasty and the app menu had incredibly cool selections. Choosing the Bacalao Croquetas with Squid Ink Aioli and the Falafel, I was in small plate paradise. Both were a flavorful combustion of crisp, delicate morsels of culinary innovation. Definitely will be back to try brunch or even just for the dessert. Nice addition to the area!
(4)nina B.
We went for Sunday brunch. It was really good! You can make a reservation if you have 5 or more people in your party - we had 5 so I made the rezzie, but you don't *need* it at that time of the morning on a Sunday (10:30am, that's when they open). We were late, so they called us to make sure we were coming - which was nice. After being seated, my kid promptly had a meltdown and I escorted him outside to finish up. The server waited until we were all back to take our order. My husband mentioned that the server was not totally engaging with everyone at the table, but I'm not sure thats worth docking any points for. I will say that we were technically two families dining together, and we had requested the bills to be split if possible. At the time, the server said no problem, but when the bill came it was all together and given to the same person who became our table 'leader'. So, I guess service could have been sharpened up... The food was really really good. Super fresh, lots of different variety, not your run-of-the-mill potatoes, eggs and salty meat. We got the tuna salad (looked like it could have been a little heartier, given the price) where the fish was seared perfectly and the greens looked amazing. The table ordered the bourbon bread pudding, do this...melt in your mouth inside, crunchy outside rich and sweet bourbon sauce. I got the Shakshuka which I will be attempting at home.sort of like a veggie skillet made up of a tomato base sauce with onions and peppers and chickpeas...put two eggs on top (they ended up being really hard...had they been cooked less the yolk would have been divine, mixed into the sauce). The Pork Belly dish - tasty but could have used a texture makeover and the ...lastly, my husband ordered a really delicious plate that included felafels, eggs, bacon, etc...I'm sorry I can't remember the name because it was probably my favorite after my own dish. I also noticed a free pastry upon check in, you have a few choices and they all looked GREAT! we got the lemon cake with compote and loved it - our little peanut devoured it after his mini meltdown. With this being just down the street from us, we will make sure to come back for dinner. Kid friendly, delicious food, great bar, and a great location. Go to Shakewell and enjoy!
(4).Alan Y.
Okay, I admit it, I came here because of the Top Chef hype. And I didn't even watch their seasons! We walked in off the street and had no reservations. The host staff was very accommodating, despite the full restaurant and found us a space at a communal table after a very brief wait. My original review was TL;DR. Here's the condensed version. Shakewell has promise. Service is extremely slow, but very friendly. The food here will not fill you up unless you are ready to spend lots of money. The food itself is a mixed bag. The "small" plates really fit the description. They are one bite per person. The melon and serrano ham small plate was really good. The deviled quail egg was cute, but didn't taste like deviled eggs. The brocollini was not for me, I felt it was a really confused, muddy tasting dish. The beet salad was good, but everyone is doing a beet salad these days and it was nothing special. The albacore entree was the standout dish of the evening. Fish, eggplant hummus, lemon juice, sesame seeds and snap peas. Cooked to perfection. We also had the bittersweet chocolate torta for dessert. I'd eat that again. After being seated, it took 20 minutes to take our order. It took 40 minutes for us to receive our first drink. It was super crowded for a Thursday night. Shakewell has an interesting Mediterranean / North African inspired menu. It's worth another shot, but you may want to pre-eat at McDonald's before hand.
(3)Gadget G.
I've yet to have dinner here, but I've eaten lunch several times and even had a birthday brunch here last month. Tim is the greatest (super sweet, warm and welcoming) -- and my friends and family love everything about the place, from the beautiful bar and cool decor to the yummy food. My favorite is actually the flatbread starter -- I have to order one regardless of whatever else I get on the menu. The last one had squash/blossoms finished lightly with truffle oil and salt - so simple, and SO AMAZING! All of the dishes I've sampled have been really tasty - although the chicken on the quinoa salad was a bit over (dry) on one occasion, but this was an unusual occurrence and everything else has been consistently very good to excellent. I'm sure dinner is even better, and I'm excited to try a BOMBA!
(5)Corinne S.
Really good and reasonably priced. We had the warm lentil and corn salad, the squid and aioli bomba (paella) and the sauteed prawns. Excellent meal but definitely not a good idea to have all together...rice, fregula and lentils all expanded! We were so full, so no dessert but they looked good. The cocktails were fantastic as well. Wonderful meal, great location. Great waitress as well.
(5)Victor W.
Wow! Try this place folks- you will be pleased. The owner Tim is really committed to providing fine food and service and it shows. Really interesting small and large plates, each made thoughtfully and with great taste. The decor is quite nice, the drinks fine (try their happy hours offerings!) and their staff are welcoming. Soooo glad they have joined the ever-expanding Lakeshore gathering of great places to dine!
(5)Laura P.
I am lucky to live in the Bay Area, with its abundance of amazing eateries eager to tickle my taste buds. A somewhat last minute dinner with a friend at Shakewell's was absolutely one of the best gastro-experiences I have had to date. Not only was the service top-frigging-notch, but the food ..! I could use an entire thesaurus to describe how delicious everything was, and would still fall far, far too short. Starting with the roast beet salad was a good move, although an unhappy discovery of cilantro in it meant that I had to be super cautious nibbling through the greenery. We also enjoyed the grilled flatbread, and although the seasonings made it a bit saltier than ideal, it made a nice counterpoint to the meal overall. However. The squid & ink bomba is just about the best frigging dish anyone has ever cooked in the history of deliciousness. I quite literally did not want to stop scooping this onto my plate, and although the salt-water mussels that followed were also extraordinarily good (so plump and juicy and flavorful!), the bomba was the BOMB. It was two bombs. It was so much bomb, my mouth just about imploded with wanting more even as my belly was exploding from holding too much. For the love of all that is holy, GO TRY THIS DISH. If you do not, you are really, seriously, truly, and tragically missing out on an incredible experience of tongue-dancing delight. (Side note: my one and only single little complaint is that the place is noisy as hell - which makes intimate conversation sliiightly difficult. Still, I would never ever hesitate to hit this place up for dinner!)
(5)Kathy C.
Tapas were good but can't say this is in my short list of fave tapas places.
(3)Olivia W.
A very smooth start for a brand new restaurant. We had a 6 p.m. reservation which we pushed back to 6:30 but were still greeted warmly and seated promptly by the host. We started off with two cocktails -- Blood and Sand for him, El Matador for me. Both were tasty and balanced though I much preferred my later Berry Fling (lavander!). Service was friendly and efficient (again rare for such a new place). The atmosphere had a pleasant buzz (as did I). Food was good though nothing truly blew me away. But then, we failed to order a paella and judging from the other diners' plates, that was the thing to try! We had the melon, luxardo, Serrano ham "bite", a delicately sweet corn bisque with dungeness crab, the bacalao croquetas and, the true stand out, the albondigas which were smoky and tender. With reasonable prices, tasty food and a hip ambiance, it is likely that we will return.
(4)Terese O.
Went for brunch and it was phenomenal! The fried chicken was perfection and the churros were so fluffy. A perfect combination of deliciousness on my palate. The French toast was spot on. The poached eggs were also notably great. Will go back for brunch and must try for dinner.
(5)Jennifer L.
Loved this place!!! Came here for dinner and it seemed packed but I guess we got lucky because they sat our table of 4 right away. Such a creative menu. We ordered an array of items and they were all delicious. For an appetizer we got the fried sausage sage leaves with ginger aioli. The beet salad was a refreshing starter. Absolutely divine. The table shared 2 bombas. The clams and chorizo one and the squid and ink one. So filling and so flavorful. The chicken was a little dry for my taste but still pretty good. Brussel sprouts were great partially thanks to the bacon. For my friend's birthday they brought out the saffron panna cotta with cardamom meringue. What a great way to end an amazing meal. Let's not forget about the wonderful cocktails. Favorite is the Duchess de Alba (mandarin vodka, grapefruit, lillet, orange bitters, cava). Will be back!
(5)Adrian Robert H.
60% Pretty good and creative brunch with mixed results. *** Came here for brunch, Dec '14. Shakewell seems to be a restaurant that blends modern American cooking with some Mediterranean influences, namely from Spain and probably parts of the middle east. I was most intrigued in trying their bomba paella, but it turned out it wasn't on the brunch menu. Fortunately, their brunch has many items that draw in international influences. It doesn't seem like your typical eggs benedict and mimosa type brunch, which is always a promising sign for me. Being in the area after dropping a friend off at Oakland airport, and not being too familiar with the area, this seemed like a promising choice. Overall my meal here was a bit hit & miss. There are glimpses of some real potential however, and I think one could be happy given ordering what they do best, should they have the chance to find that out. Warm duck confit, frisee, arugula, buttered squash, pomegranate, freekeh. $15. (dish rating, 75%) - Very good grain based dish that works as a reinterpretation of duck fried rice. The freekeh used, something I came across here for the first time, works as a great substitute to rice. - I was most surprised with how well the grain worked. The texture was interesting and effective. It a softer texture for a grain with a soft chewiness in it that most resembled to brown rice to me, but without the crunchy hardened shell that might come with it. Flavor of the grain wasn't something I noticed. There was a soy based mildly sweet and salty sauce mixed in with everything that dominated any presence the grain may or may not have. Somehow it wasn't as dense of heavy as rice. It also seemed like there was some delicious duck fat coating the grain. However its presence isnt heavy. - The duck was wonderful. It was the strongest flavor of this dish, yet it was complimented well by other parts. I found there were fairly generous bits of nicely cooked duck leg chunks thrown in the grain. It was prepared such that the meat was still quite juicy and the presence of duck was unmistakable, particularly with the end notes of each bite. - The butternut squash and pomegranate seeds were a welcome bit, lending some sweetness and denser bits of texture to blend in with everything. - Although I liked the greens, I wish there was a more of presence of that to blend in with everything else. - Portion size is pretty generous. Perhaps because the grains, I didn't find it to be as heavy and hard on the appetite afterwards. Octo-dog. Olive salad, saffron aioli, chips. $11. (Dish rating, 40%) This was an interpretation of the humble hot dog. An octopus tentacle is used in place of sausage. A mixture of aoli, green olives, and some pickled greens are used in place of relish. - About average dish. I found the Octopus to be well cooked, but most other parts to fall short. - The octopus was very tender with a soft chewiness to resemble the texture of a regular sausage. It is dense and richer. The flavor of the octopus was present to a good degree and delicious by itself. It works on a more subtle level. - Other components were less favorable. I think use of the thick aioli with the tart pickled bits and green olive, while nice by themselves, but seemed to overpower the octopus. There was a lack of balance between the two. Furthermore, it seemed to make the dish heavier without justification that I could appreciate. Its still pretty good and creative, particularly with the use of olives, but I think the aoili could a more subtle presence. - The bread seemed unremarkable. Nothing about it stood out flavor wise. I thought it was a tad too dense and heavier than I'd like. I don't mind richer dishes, but I often prefer that the source of heaviness doesn't come mostly from starches. - The potato chips were very carelessly prepared. Bits of it would harden to a very unpalatable hard texture. Some bits could not be chewed through with effort, and needed to be spit out. This effect was inconsistent, so I'm sure it wasn't intentional. They were decent enough otherwise. Value for brunch seems quite reasonable. Few items were over $20, with the $15 range being about average. You get a free pastry with the Yelp check in. Service was good. The staff were very attentive and informative when it came to items from the kitchen. Demeanor was more cordial than friendly, but certainly by no means cold. Ambiance was pleasant. I liked the large open space with brighter colors, the open kitchen and bar. It makes for a comfortable lunch and brunch space. When I visited, the restaurant wasn't full, and the place was never too loud. I think the menu and kitchen may benefit from some extra attention to ideas and execution, but overall I liked the place. Not bad.
(3)Robert W.
Came here one night in search of the perfect paella! My reference point was paella in Valencia, so it was going to be a tough match. Started with their broccolini dish which was actually quite interesting and enjoyable, good flavors, perfectly cooked. Then had their squid ink bomba, which I guess is sorta like paella. Not bad, a bit under flavored, and could have used a bit more seafood, but so far I would say the best patella like dish I've had in the east bay. Definitely worth checking out.
(4)Renee B.
Staff made my day amazing service....food excellent. We had the best time!!! Thank you!!!!
(5)Craig I.
We've now been here three times for dinner and it's wonderful. Atmosphere is casual but upscale. Super friendly staff, place has a buzz with open kitchen and big bar. Sitting in window seats fun casual way to dine, or inside you feel the excitement Food is world class. I've enjoyed the whole fish, octopus and other dishes. The sides are refreshing and have a great mix of flavors If his place was in SF you wouldn't be able to get a table. Another East Bay gem!
(5)Eric L.
Shakewell, a curious yet non-descriptive name for a restaurant, serves Mediterranean-inspired tasty food with a varying menu and energetic atmosphere. It's located in Lake Merritt, an oasis neighborhood in greater Oakland. The restaurant has an awesome vibe and serves great food. When I visited Shakewell, they offered a Yelp check in for a free housemade pastry.
(5)Taco T.
The happy hour is a great deal--a selection of tapas at 1/2 off and some drink specials. The bacalao croquetas were my favorite--nicely garlicky, with a great texture. The accompanying squid ink aioli was a nice visual touch.
(3)Gabrielle D.
Went today for brunch, fairly early - there was no wait! The sangria was tasty. I ordered the eggs with bacon and potatoes. Everything was very good, the potatoes are heavy. My brother got the same thing except with sausage, which were huge! Bring your appetite!
(4)Cheryl R.
We loved this restaurant! We couldn't get a last minute Friday night reservation but they said they save tables for walking and 4 of us were seated 10 minutes after we arrived at 7:00. We tried so many things and they were all soooo good!! Most of the dishes were for sharing which was perfect because we got to try all different dishes. All of the sauces were so delicious. We are looking forward to returning soon.
(5)R B.
Went here with David for Friday date night. Neat little tapas joint in hipster section of Oakland. Got there early enough to not need a reservation. The food was great and not - each dish hit and miss. Drinks were typical. We had the falafel first which was a highlight. Nothing like fresh falafel! Then the figs stuffed with cheese and fresh Serrano. These were great!! The flatbread was ok - truffle oil makes anything good, but this was just missing something. We got the mushroom bomba made vegetarian for yours truly, which apparently really needed the chicken it was supposed to come with! Just a flavorless mass of rice. David got the fried chicken he was impressed with. But the highlight was the tapa of the day - a crostini with diced beats, quail egg, and bacon. Didn't realize they hadn't honored my vegetarian request till the first bite - and I was able to pick off bacon on the rest, but this is definitely a good preparation for beets! So yeah, glad we tried it and wouldn't go back.
(3)Suzy S.
Absolutely loved our evening at Shakewell. We were welcomed warmly on this chilly Fall evening and took a seat at the bar. Started with perusing the drink menu where there are many interesting selections to choose from. Top of the list: Autumn Cozy, wow! I really enjoyed this concoction that was made by the creator, Amy. She is a very talented Bar Chef and has created a drink list that I would love to try, one by one. Of course one wasn't enough, if one was good, two was even better and I am a huge fan of the Autumn Cozy! Our food was excellent and very nicely presented: Grilled Calamari, Roasted Cauliflower and a Chicken and Prawn Bomba (Shakewell's version of Paella). As with the drink menu, I was so intrigued by the Dinner menu that I would like to work my way through it and try everything! The food, the drinks, the talented drink master, the warm service. What's not to like? We are headed there again very soon and I'll keep you posted!
(5)Desmond L.
Always have a good meal here. The fried chicken is ridiculous. If you have kids, go early.
(4)Annie A.
This might be taking over as my new favorite spot. Been for brunch and dinner, and every single thing I've tried is perfect. The staff is extremely nice, good service and terrific drinks. A great experience with exceptional food. The squid ink bomba was especially incredible.
(5)William H.
The host was nice enough to get us in without a reservation on a busy Saturday night. "We'll make it happen," he said with a smile. It might not have even been the case, but the act made me feel just a little bit more special. We sat down and our waiter explained our menu. Supposedly Shakewell got its influences from Moroccan, Spanish, and Tunisian cuisine. I had not tried any of those three, so I knew it was going to be an educational night into the food arts. We started the night with a beet salad. It was actually three types of beets, an soft earthy orange one was quite delightful. It was mixed with arugula, mint, and mozzarella cheese. Our second dish was the chicken meatballs, covered with a tangy indian-curry-like sauce. It was very moist, and oddly, did not taste like chicken. The wife enjoyed it more than me, but still a very different dish that I recommend people to try. Lastly, we had to get a Bomba, like many of the reviewers on Yelp have tried. It's a paella that comes in a clay dish that usually serves two or more. We vouched for the clam and chorizo Bomba. The clams were really fresh, and the sauce that was glazed over it was spot on. The rice with shredded chorizo was good, but would have been better with some more spices. They had some chopped olives that were really salty, which exploded with flavor, but I wished that taste was spread out more in the entire dish. All in all, it was still a very good plate of food. Lastly, we ordered a simple dessert. We got the dark chocolate torta with ground pistachios and fresh raspberries. It came in a long rectangular bar, displayed nicely with the fruit and nuts. It was smooth, strong, and very rich. I don't think it would've been something that I could finish myself. Great for dark chocolate lovers! All in all, I recommend trying Shakewell. It's a bit pricey, but definitely different from the average dinner out. Great service and lively atmosphere pushes it up a notch too.
(4)Andrea P.
Went here last night with high expectations and we REALLY wanted to love this place. The service was great, the wine list was great, the El Matador (Shakewell's take on a Manhattan) was great! The food was very mixed. By far the best dish was the Bacalao croquetas, crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Maybe a little too much squid ink aioli on the plate. Bacon wrapped dates came in second. The piquillo sauce was amazing, as was the contrast in textures between the bacon and dates. But, the bacon was overcooked. Also had the Fideua. We found it to be very bland and one note. The pork belly was very overcooked, the shrimp was slightly overcooked, and the sauce that came with it had no flavor. Lastly was the asparagus. It was cooked perfectly, but came with an unsightly, and not very tasty glob of lukewarm shallot aioli. We'd love to be able to recommend Shakewell. But, the food fell short for us. Maybe other dishes in the menu are better executed?
(2)michele c.
Overall 'twas excellent, especially as is a hotly anticipated new place- I usually wait for hype to fade to venture in. Glad I didn't, was a fine night in Oakland The cod bacalaou perfect- balanced cream and potato and fish. The heirloom squash salad with goat cheese excellent, one of those dishes I can't wait to replicate. The flatbread perfectly executed- crisp, light. I'm weird about getting bread with my salad though, and didn't- next time I'll ask. Drinks were scratch, dessert churros perfect size and level of sweet (conservative:) Will definitely come back, as looks like the chefs will have a strong commitment to seasonal/local.
(5)Jason C.
Don't miss out on coming to Shakewell. This place is amazing. From top to bottom it works. The thing about this restaurant is that it's dynamic: it has great staff, fantastic food and a cool relaxed ambiance. The seating configuration, style and staff are non-traditional which throws some people off at first who may be hoping for a 'when you're here you're family' kind of night. This place is has something for everyone in terms of food; just prepare to bring your sophisticated palate or you will be disappointed. Me and my girlfriend couldn't wait for Shakewell to open; with the hype of Top Chef and Jen,I wanted to keep my opinions reserved until I had tasted of the food. Tim is amazing; he's a warm, welcoming individual that is courteous to all guests. Jen works with what can only be described as 'passion' in the kitchen to produce some of the best food I've ever eaten. Every time we go here we are blown away. Everything we order is such a surprise. By surprise I mean you'll be trying to identify what's in your food because it's so delicious your mind starts reeling over the flavor you're eating that is SO good.let's talk about the drinks, because I didn't forget about those; all the drinks here are fantastic, and there's also a drink on the menu for everyone as well. The bartenders are respectful, treat people well and are super friendly and professional. The drinks were delicious and thoughtful, so if takes them two minutes to make your drink, don't blow your lid. We've been there twice for brunch and three times for dinner, and every single time they've nailed it. If you want the best food around Lake Merritt, and some of the best food in East Bay, and some of the best food in the Bay Area, Shakewell is the place. This food is top of the town.
(5)Betty L.
Just openï¼very different kind if food from other place，very fresh and tasty..ceative ...food with loveï¼as grand opening ， service and food are very good. Have to give them 5 stars. Will be back soon.
(5)Laura M.
I need to move to Oakland. Heaven would be if I could walk to Shakewell and sidle up to the bar- weekly. The Nero Bomba, wood oven baked rice dish with local seafood - warm creamy, rice, a little crunchy in areas, with salty black ink and squid - similar to the way Jen Beastie made it at Scala's, but now more rustic, and more interesting, smoky and visually appealing, more sole - maybe because this is HER restaurant. (Jen's Nero pasta at Scala's was my favorite thing to eat.) We all enjoyed the braised pork shoulder and the chili-chocolate short rib. The falafel with romesco was the best we'd ever had. We snarfed the Churros with bittersweet chocolate sauce, in two seconds flat - my daughter starting drinking the chocolate with a straw, so we ordered a second one. This time my 24 year old"man" nephew exclaimed with a squeal "its so fluffy! paired with his cream sherry, he was getting an exquisite pancake and syrup flavor that thrilled him. The bar is inviting and wow, the talent - also their bar take the snob thing right out of those craft cocktails. No silly mustaches and suspenders. Service with Yamona was flawless, even with our 9 year old and a scattered husband on his cell phone, we were a challenge. Hosts were kind even though traffic pushed us well beyond our reservation time - Tim Nuggent knows how to warmly welcome the full spectrum of guests
(5)Danny H.
Went here for brunch on a Saturday. We really enjoyed the mini-pastries that come with your Yelp check-in which provided a nice sweet introduction to the meal. The service was very good, and they readily accommodated our want to split dishes by providing separate plates and offering to change them out after each dish. We had the "shakshuka" baked eggs and the fried chicken sandwich. The baked eggs were very tasty, my only complaint would be that the portion was a bit slight and without enough toast. The fried chicken sandwich was absolutely delicious, everything was very well done. The chicken was pounded thinly to make it easy to eat, with a very satisfyingly crispy exterior. The spicy mayo sauce with the pickles were great additions, and the bun was soft and crispy and buttery. Yumm. Our brunch cocktails were pretty average, although I would have been very satisfied with them had they been priced $2-3 lower. Could very well be a 5 star place, but unsure having not had their dinner.
(4)Denise W.
Despite the wait..the shaved summer squash paired with the Early Bird from the bar makes it all ok!!
(5)Tanny K.
I am a huge Top Chef fan and couldn't wait for this place to open. My husband and I had a rare date night and decided to thy this place. We went at 6 pm on a Wednesday night and did not have a reservation. We were offered a communal table or the bar. Both had the same really uncomfortable bar seats do we took the table to sit across from each other. The service was ok, not great. A little slow. The food was some of the worst I had in years. I got the deviled quail eggs that were ok and my husband got some really over seasoned cod croquettes. They were so salty they were pretty much not edible. For the entree I had these chicken meatballs with a really horrible sauce. I are one of the five and then stopped. Was not worth the calories. My husband had short ribs. I usually love short ribs. These were so bland and tasteless. Again not worth eating. The only thing I ordered that I liked was the sweet corn. Hard to mess this up. If not for the corn I'd give this place 1 star for the worst $80 ever spent on a meal. Go to Michel Bistro a few doors down. Food, seating and service much better than Shakewell!
(2)Courtney C.
My Best Friend and I stumbled upon this restaurant one Sunday for Brunch and the food was so good. I loved the fact that the food was so different from what I tasted before but it was amazing. They take your normal everyday brunch items and make it their own. I purchased their Fried earl grey bread pudding with strawberries, buttermilk syrup, whipped cream and a side of eggs and loved it. I also got a taste of the potatoes my best friend ordered and they were perfectly seasoned! I would defiantly return and recommend this place. The only downfall I noticed about this restaurant was their lack of turkey options. Their brunch menu consist of mostly pork so if your not a pork eater like me they don't have many choices to choose from.
(4)Jasmine W.
This restaurant does not add anything positive to the culture and cuisine of Oakland. Over priced, disjoined menu, terrible table service, food was a C at best.
(2)Gee Bee S.
Well attentive service and the rosé they have is amazing. I love super dry rosé. I was actually just walking by like a starving mindless zombie when I noticed this place and the buzz of people eating healthy yet delicious looking food. The restaurant was completely booked with reservations but they allowed me to sit in the community tables and I was served before other reserved diners. I actually liked sitting at the community tables. It was spacious and I was in luck because there were no other people there, I had the privacy to enjoy my meal. I ordered the beet salad and the baracoa croquet. The croquet was light and crunchy on the outside but I couldn't get used to the stringy texture of the middle. I think it's a personal thing. It reminded me of a light crabcake more than a croquet. It was the perfect amount of salty topped with parsley. I cannot do justice for the beet salad but I have many words. I feel like repeating them would be ingeniune. I have already posted my thoughts about it in the tip section. Portion size for the salad and appetizer is "small" but perfect for conscious eaters.
(5)Greg S.
Positives: Gracious host, attentive staff, tasty food, cheerful atmosphere. Opportunities: Small portions. Very expensive. e.g. two shrimp for $14. (Although pricey, the place was crowded. Maybe I need to find a different career.)
(3)Jasmine A.
I really enjoyed my dinner here last night. We came in around 5:40pm and it wasn't busy (they just opened at 5:30pm) and got to choose our seats. The tables are a bit small so my long-legged friend needed to switch spots with me but overall the atmosphere was very modern and industrial yet welcoming. Bacalao croquetas, squid ink aioli - Crisp on the outside soft on the inside. It's made with potatoes and something else (I forget) It's like a potato puff. I found it a little salty and a little burnt but it was still yummy. Sangria - $10 is a little steep for this drink but it was still good. Braised pork shoulder, pickled green tomatoes, basil, hot sauce, Lebanese flatbread - This is probably my second favorite dish of the night. The meat was moist and not over cooked. The flat bread was crisp on the edges and soft towards the center. Beware of the peppercorn Manila clams & chorizo, carrot-jalapeno sofrito, green beans, saffron aioli, oil cured olives - My favorite dish! I loved how there was some heat. It was very moist. Not too "fishy" tasting...and now I'm salivating thinking about my left overs. Last but not least: Pink Pearl Apple Tart - I think I could have eaten like 3 of these slices. Not too sweet but definitely not a tart apple. I tasted more of a sweetness in the pastry dough than in the apples. Welcome to the neighborhood! I'll be coming back soon.
(5)J.A. K.
We love Hopscotch, Desco, Venga, The Barrel Room, even (sometimes) Camino. Shakewell--eh, not so much. Flawed execution mars the overall concept: Bacalao croqetas. Wimpy, no flavor except mashed potatoes. A few shreds of texture to prove that something else was in there, but no real salt cod flavor. Both Cana Cuban/Oakland and Trabocco/Alameda, do MUCH better. If you're too cheap to add it in enough quantity to taste, why even bother? Short rib-stuffed mushroom. Good, not remarkable. Short rib sauce was oversalted. Queso fresco was just a few crumbles of tasteless white, and there were so few pickled shallot shreds, again it was just color on top. A few more would lighten this up. Crab toast: Dungeness crab, pain de mie. We hate false advertising. This was crab salad, not plain crab; and poorly cleaned. The best part was the perfect toast. You'd be surprised how many celebrated restaurants do a lousy job on toast. If only the filling had matched the bread! Duck liver mousse, wild huckleberry gastrique. Bland mild pate, too sweet huckleberry sauce - guys, did you think this was an ice-cream sundae?!? - and stale bread sank this promising concept to the almost inedible. Grilled shrimp, cornmeal fenugreek blini. Shrimp weren't fresh; two small blini had wrong texture and taste to add anything good. Green onions were eye-wateringly sulphurous. The sauce had little flavor of chipotle or citrus. We wouldn't order this again. Roasted beet salad, friseé. We adore beets but this was a fail. Friseé was mediocre quality. Dressing was more like tart red wine than sherry. Some beets were unpickled and some too strongly pickled. The feta wasn't enough to offset the sharp dressing, and listed croutons were MIA. Fried romanesco cauliflower, basil, romesco. Spouse called this the best dish and I agreed. Lightly battered tempura style, not greasy, and the romesco was a good accompaniment. This is one of those rare vegetable dishes where we could easily have eaten two plates of it! Seville orange tart, crème fraiche. This was a lovely little dessert tart of a shortbread crust filled with a lively orange curd. I requested the crème fraiche on the side, as I like it but spouse doesn't. The lightly whipped tanginess perfect to offset the curd, but he liked the tart just as it was. We both agreed this was an above-average dessert: simple, but well-executed. Overall: We loved Nugent's great service staff and lively dessert, but disliked almost everything Biesty produced. The food was sloppy, cheap, and disappointing. We might come back to try the bombas and entree plates....or maybe not.
(2)Stacey W.
Lots of hype to live up to but that's what you get when you launch on Kickstarter. The space is warm and full of life, and invites you in to stay. Lay out is similar to previous occupant but vastly improved from a dining experience. You can actually hear yourself talk, whereas before you were just flapping your gums and wondering if sound was emitting. The good: wine list. Variety of small plates somehow comes together. Tastes are great. The chix/ shrimp dish was spectacular, as was the fruit pastry. Also the ribs (wow). Chefs are really engaged, making the rounds, being friendly and personable. Gawk that must suck but they smile all the way through. Staff was super, super, super, even making room for an unexpected extra guest. The bad: nothin' The ugly: nothing. Looking forward to a return soon.
(4)Ken S.
Outstanding, surprising and superbly executed restaurant experience. Do not believe for one second the one and two star reviews from some of the young, impatient, petty and very unworldly elite Yelpers. This is a true surprise for Lakeshore and it is now it's finest restaurant. Shakewell is all about great and savory drinks (get it?), but then it is a great Spanish tapas bar and restaurant too. Tim is super hospitable. Jan is cooking her ass off. The cod (squid ink aioli) and persimmon starters were subtle and sublime. The Torta Espanola was lighter than all I have ever had and ended up as the best I ever had.The bomba really surprised me as the best paella I have had. James at the bar introduced me to a new Mezcal - Pierde Almas - that was a revelation. Get the theme? Everything was an A (music, lighting, staff, food, drinks) and as in great restaurant experiences, there were challenges ,samples, many questions and "leave it to me" moments rarely seen in most restos, but handled beautifully by staff. When you are good and confident, you can display this ultimate level of engaging your customer. By the way, the key is sitting at the bar and talking with the staff, seeing the food and drinks pour forth and asking their opinion on what to order next. Engagement and Experience are the new goals in dining out. In any case, Shakewell is a really great place that I want you to try! Those Elite Yelpers with negative reviews,(often off topic and about their own perception of being served or not, without any adult understanding of the ways things work in life ) really missed the boat when they downgrade a place this good and this real for what seems to be their own downright petty approach to something they don't even understand. This is inaccurate reviewing, wrong headed and a disservice to Yelp and the public, so I am calling for their heads - they need to be vetted for their accuracy and weeded out . Instead of showing me just how shallow they are (all dressed up and pretending to write like food reviewers) , they should try a dose of humility and get some culinary education. I know they are just kids but I would like to school all those poor little lost Elite Yelpers, so busy with bulk reviewing that they can't be expected to get it right, no less enjoy anything.
(5)Christie d.
The first thing we had was the Fried squash blossoms which were just okay and totally forgettable. But the bacalao was AMAZING! Salty and creamy and just about the best thing I've had all month! The heirloom cucumber salad was refreshing and tasty. I thought slightly heavy-handed on the salt but my husband said it was perfect! The tomato and olive oil bread was a treat. Spongey with olive oil in the very best way. Then we had the Bomba. The chicken and prawn Bomba. Oh yes. It needs a little hot sauce but it is good. Good good good. I'll be back for more sangria, bocalao and Bomba. Yummy.
(4)sabrina a.
Went about a week after they opened with two friends. Our reservation was somehow mixed up in their system so we had to wait for about 40 minutes until a table opened up. Normally that would irk me, but the hostess and co-owner Tim were very lovely about it. And, ok, you get a pass for a little while until you work out the kinks. Plus, an on the house round of kava always helps. And the food! Outstanding. Falafel with peppers was wonderful, so was the octopus. Summer squash salad was phenomenal. Nothing we had was terrible (although the bomba (rice dish) we chose didn't change my life or anything, and the braised pork shoulder was a little tough), and the wait staff was extremely helpful. Great vibe, looking forward to going again.
(4)Janice T.
Really solid four stars; I would give it 4.5 stars if I could. Went on a Saturday night around 9pm. 25 minute wait for two-top (since they annoyingly do not take reservations for parties smaller than 6). Ambience: Busy and buzzing, cool decor, good vibe. But it was pretty cold in there--low 60s by the front door/bar where we had to wait. (It was warmer outside, so they must have had the A/C on!) Service: Very good. I didn't catch our server's name, but he had a distinct mustache (styled with the curly Qs). He was always there when we needed him, friendly and helpful, and we never found ourselves waiting for anything. The food also came out very quickly; I swear the salad came out in less than 5 minutes! Food: Pretty great. It's sort of tapas/family-style shared smallish-medium sized plates. We ordered: Delicata squash salad--yummy, not overdressed, interesting flavors. I would have liked a slightly larger portion for the price, but it was a strong dish. Jamon croquetas--basically fried cheese sticks. This one was just okay, but it came in a creamy jalapeno pepper sauce that was AMAZING; I could have had a bowl of that! Chicken albondigas--chicken meatballs in this tomato sauce. Delish! Meatballs were moist and cooked just right, sauce was tasty; my only complaint is that I wish the sauce was thicker, so that I could get a lot more of it with each bite of meatball. But the sauce kept sliding through my fork, and drenching the meatball on my plate just left a pool of sauce that got in the way when I was trying other dishes. Carrots and turnips--I loved this dish, though could have used more turnips (the ratio of carrots to turnips was about 8:1). I loved the very strong seasoning, but my husband thought it was a bit too much. The carrots were not overcooked to mush as they are in some restaurants, which was nice. Pork shoulder--came with pickled tomatoes (my favorite part) and heavily salted naan. It definitely came together as a dish when you got a little bit of everything, but the pork on its own (while super tender) needed the heavy salt from the bread and the brightness of the tomato. Husband liked this one better than I did, and he said it was even better the next day as leftovers, when the sauce had had more of a chance to soak into the meat. Bittersweet chocolate torta for dessert--good, not too sweet, light but not too light, and the husband loved the cocoa nibs and pistachio crunch on top. I thought it was good but not amazing. We didn't order drinks (having just come from a bar), and the whole meal with tax was $75, plus tip. We were definitely full when we left. A good experience, and we will be back. Bonus: saw chef Jennifer come out into the restaurant towards closing time. :)
(4)Marie J.
Food is bland. Taste like "hotel wedding food" - prepared for the masses; cafeteria like! Service is meh' Simply put: A group of us (5) dined.... Left paying a wopping bill and still unsatisfied.... So much we stooped for Mexican!!!
(2)Alexandra S.
Have been there twice already since it opened only 3 weeks ago. The bar is wonderful and beautiful. The drinks are seasonal, fresh, and the cocktail selection is very interesting! The bartenders are gorgeous and the staff is friendly and charming. The food is amazing! Love me some calamari, sardines, and cod croquettes. AND THE DESSERT!!!! Get the churros. You won't be dissapointed! Yum :)
(5)Lisa H.
I need to begin this review by attesting my absolute LOVE for Spanish food, borderline obsession. I have yet to find a place in the Bay Area that truly knocks my socks off, however. Back In October, I had the good fortune of traveling to Spain and eating my way through authentic tapas, daily servings of Iberian cured ham and fresh cheese (not just manchego), plus wine with every meal, for when you are in Spain, do as the Spaniards do. Ever since I got back, I have tried to recreate Spanish culture in my dining experiences, thus I was so excited to see a new place to try in the Bay Area. Plus, this gave me an opportunity to explore Oakland more. I had read the mixed review of Shakewell in San Francisco Magazine, but was curious to see for myself, hoping I'd come out of it with a true home run meal. Nevertheless, my dining experience turned out to be exactly what the review detailed: Shakewell is fine. They do a few dishes really well and provide a fun and friendly-plus quintessential Bay Area trendy-atmosphere. I'm not disappointed, per se, but would have enjoyed exceeding my expectations, matching many of the rave reviews on here. My friend-who had been previously-and I split four dishes: a tapa, salad, main and a side. We did not order their star dish-the bomba-as both my friend and the review called it disappointing. There was one truly fantastic standout in the braised short rib stuffed mushrooms, kicking our meal off to a palate pleasing start. After that, we ventured to the seared ahi salad and I found myself, once again, in the restaurant trap of an over priced and underwhelming salad. I'm not sure when it become commonplace to charge over $10 for some arugula tossed in a vinaigrette, topped with a few slices of avocado and a fairly meager serving of seared ahi, but I can find far more satisfaction-in taste and quantity- at the Whole Foods salad bar. So, the salad was fine, just not worth it overall. Next came the lamb kefta "meatballs", served on skewers drizzled with cucumber yogurt and mint. The menu describes they came with quinoa and harissa, but don't be expected a whole side of quinoa as that too tops off each skewer in a very delicate sprinkle. I liked all the flavors together and that they were on skewers for individual portions, but I have had better lamb kebobs at casual mediterranean spots. We ate those with our side selection of brussels sprouts tossed with bacon (duh, who doesn't serve b-sprouts with bacon nowadays?) golden raisons and pine nuts. Now, I am nearly batshit crazy about brussels sprouts and eat them practically every day. I love getting a nice crisp outer layer with a perfect roasting job. Shakewell took a steamed approach, which honestly left them a little lackluster and too soft for my taste. I did like the flavor combination, but believe the dish would prove more successful with a better texture of the brussels sprouts. Overall, I repeat that everything was fine. I liked the atmosphere and wouldn't be opposed to returning, perhaps exploring other menu options to see if those might prove more exceptional.
(3)Presley A.
Try the crab toast, just do it.
(5)Mark C.
They have perfected their formula; quality ingredients, excellent/tasty recipes, execution/presentation......there is little left for them to do now except continually change the menu to reflect local/seasonal ingredients and creativity....which they seem to have a handle on. We did get to meet with Jen and Tim and talk food....they are so dedicated to their success they enjoy talking with customers to hear what they have to say and think. Very open and productive attitude. We had 5 dishes: 1) little gem salad was perfect - grilling the lettuce first is always a winner in my book and it is here as well; there were fresh slices of tomato that added sweetness/balance 2) Octopus salad - tender, tasty and refreshing with crostini topped with a creamy spread; excellent contrast to our other dishes 3) Fried Romanesco broccoli - another wonderful dish of crunchy deep fried veggie still very firm on a romanesco sauce; perfectly prepared and plated; a generous portions as well 4) Lamb Kefta - very smoky flavor which to me means grilled over wood.....but so perfect and delicious. The yoghurt and red pepper sauces were incredible together and with the fried mint leaves made an great taste combination 5) Bittersweet chocolate torta - great flavor and texture.....with an almond paste/sauce......perfect finish. Jen came out and personally delivered an appetizer on the house of the persimmon, serrano ham, basil, galliano, smoked sea salt......it was generous for her to do that.....but it was also soooooo good! Thanks Jen and Tim from Mick and Joyce for the new great place in town, we will be back to try other dishes soon especially the Bomba.
(5)Patrick T.
Grabbed an after work drink here. The decor and service was fantastic. Drinks (wine) were small and expensive. Didn't have food. Will probably re-vist when in Oakland again for food and reassess.
(3)Kat S.
Loved this place! We needed a quick place to grab some good eats before heading home. We ordered the fried cauliflower (omg), lentils (holy cow), and the bacalao croquetas with squid ink aioli (winner!!!). We split all 3 plates and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Our server was also a bar tender and was so friendly and honest. Loved loved this place. Great vibe, better food.
(5)The Invisible Patron L.
From the small plates that may be shared i.e. Fried Anchovy & ahi pepper stuffed olives, Duck Liver Mousse, or Chicharrones that are smoked to their main courses a group or person cannot go wrong. The Chef is awesome!
(5)Kate K.
Yeahhhhhh. The fast paced tapas style is too stressful to enjoy. Also the food comes basically pre-prepared and not hot or too hot. I understand what they are trying to do but to me this experience was no better than a chain restaurant in that way. The wine list was obscure and expensive for the experience. All in all it was hard to enjoy the rushed experience, especially with a group of 6 considering that the menu Is "built to share" yet nothing was shareable.
(2)George M.
Our friends that live in Oakland suggested it and we were pleasantly surprised by this place. It is essentially a spanish restaurant with more of a mediterranean focus on the food. Drinks were really good also and although there was a wait, it wasn't too bad. Would definitely recommend it!
(4)Lois B.
What a wonderful dining experience. Love what they have done with the remodel on the old Mezze decor. Open, light, modern. The food was fantastic; amazing flavor combinations, everything done to perfection. We asked our server to make choices for us and were treated to Fava bean pesto, pan a gusto, chicharrones, chili oil, pine nuts and Serranito", grilled bread, serrano ham, tomato jam, quail egg as our starters. Excellent. The Lamb & beef kefta, harissa, tzatziki, toasted quinoa, mint was to die for; tender, amazing sauce, perfectly done. We had the Market catch with was whole fish fried with olive oil, lemon and some red pepper, and herbs stuffing it. Tasty skin and perfectly cooked fish. Grilled delta asparagus, shallot aioli, dill, chives, crispy chorizo absolutely tasty! Finished off with a flourless chocolate cake and marinated cherries. The service was attentive, friendly and timed perfectly. Will definitely go back again and again.
(5)Calvin L.
Haven't been here for dinner, but the Grand Lake/Adam's Point neighborhood has really needed a stellar bruch spot for years (Grand Lake Kitchen and Kitchen 388 just not doing it for me) and Shakewell definitely hits the mark. Highly recommended. And don't skip the pastries.
(5)Rene C.
So, now "lowly" Oakland is THE TOWN. "Uptown" is a state of mind that has spread to Lakeshore and who knows where next. That brings us to Shakewell, or in the parlance of the day, Another Ain't-No-Thang Spiffy New Oakland Restaurant. Shakewell is that latest exemplar of something remarkable, engaging, and imaginative going on in Oakland,the place of Commis, Pican, Haven, Brown Sugar Kitchen, and first-wavers Baywolf and Oliveto. Okay, I've not mentioned a couple of hundred other of The Town's new classes and old schoolers too numerous to mention. What do you think this is? Urbanspoon? Zagat's? A San Franciscan's terminally "but-enough-about-me-what-do-YOU-think-about-me" self-gazing take on culture and cuisine? (Hey, I was born in San Francisco, raised there during my earliest days, and came of age in Britain. So, I've got tribal rights and rites to exercise and excise, dig?) Let's cut to the chase: Shakewell provides a damned near brilliant take on Mediterranean (Spanish, Southern French, Northern African) fusion that manages to evoke The Town's evolving multi-culti bohemian bonhomie amid urban grit and urbane grace. Lakeshore, which in years past was an always charming if sleepy district, has now become a charming and suitably precious district (Oaklandish with some pedigree), what with the Boot and Shoe Service here, Bistro Michel's there, Penrose everywhere, and so on and so forth. Shakewell helps add still a bit more Portlandia to the port town of Oakland's Lakeshore neighborhood. Isn't this how Rockridge began its reboot back in the late 1980s? But, I digress... Minus points, minus points....Hmmmm. Um, well, yes, Shakewell's cuisine occasionally conveys that which the persnickety among us can identify as occasional "toode," "pretense,"and "too-cool-for-school" brio, albeit somewhat tempered under the guise of nonchalance by way of technical derring do. But the food is startlingly good, even as the kitchen and staff continue to tighten and evolve: rather like The Town itself. Shakewell, Lakeshore, The Town: another Aint-No-Thang bit of brilliance to mess with this San Francisco native's mind OAKLAND, STOP IT!!! STOP MAKING ME LOVE YOU!!!!
(5)Kane M.
Ugh.... this kind of place irks me. It isn't that the food is bad, its just Bay Area pretentious and VERY expensive for what you get. Other than the bill, its hard to define why I don't like this place, but I'll try. 1. Noisy... not usually on the top of my list of don't-likes, but it fits into a bigger picture. 2. The food was decent... not great but decent. The fried olives ($8) are crap... sorry, the flavors just don't pop in the mouth. Olives tend to have a deep savory taste, but battered and fried hides that. The Bomba was a decent tasting bowl of rice ($21), wife had peppers and shrimp... app sized for $20. All app sized for the price of an entree. 3. The decor just seemed to miss the mark. My wife said she liked it. I think it is representative of my whole experience there... each part of the decor was fine by itself, but all together, it just didn't work. 4. Servers. Too relaxed. I think some places can get away with servers all tatted up in their street clothes with beards and piercings, but again, what you pay just doesn't justify it. 5. THE BILL. Lawdy. $260 for 4 of us with a bottle of their house Cava. I've worked at Chez Panisse, Aqua, and many other of the finer side of dining and I expect SO much more for what I paid. Its not that any of the points made are a breaker for bay area restaurants... in fact, 1-4 I would consider normal for the bay area (except maybe #2), but when you go to a place that has all the elements of being casual; loud, tapas style, relaxed staff, average plus food, etc, I hate paying what I would for a fine dining place. Cut the prices in half and I'd come every once in a while... there is just too much good food in the area to justify paying that much.
(2)Chris G.
Incredible food and service. Called ahead after a twilight round of golf on a Wednesday, table was ready outside (they have a pseudo patio space) and got the royal treatment - my friend is a well tipping regular so I'm sure that helped (and as an industry insider I can tell you it does). Yvette was our server and I'm not kidding when I say I felt like we OWNED the place she was so accommodating. She knew the menu, didn't mind us lighting up cigars and even dropped the word "hella good" when describing the entrees. We had the fried chicken and hold the phone and drop the mic because the show was over after that. Super tender and the yogurt sauce was wet. That means good. Clams, falafel, and anchovy stuffed fried olives followed. My only disappointment was that the kitchen closed before I could order another round of the olives but I would have just kept eating them all night they were so good. Bottom line; Shakewell knows how to treat a guest and fill an appetite. I've had their brunch too and this place is Official.
(5)Ree D.
So where do I start! This place is 8 weeks old but i know it's gonna be a big hit. Tim took our reservation for 13 & it was so sweet of him to call the day of & make sure if we had more people they needed to accommodate. We ordered lots of stuff. But my faves are the octopus salad, & definitely the squid ink bomba. Oh my goodness it was delicious! The service was so on point & the waiters were extremely nice & helpful. It was so cute of them to keep walking by to make sure our glasses had water in them lol. If I'm in the Oakland area this place will definitely be my go to spot.
(5)Autumn R.
Yesterday a group of us went to Shakewell for their cocktail hour. The staff was really friendly, the atmosphere was great and the service was amazing! James the bartender was very friendly and made awesome drinks. I really enjoyed the $5 sangria during cocktail hour and the bacalao croquetas, they just melted in our mouths. After a few drinks during cocktail hour we decided to stay for dinner. They were very prompt at seating us, the place was filling up rather quickly. Our server Yvette was very nice and offered good suggestions. The duck confit and the crab toast were really good. Our friend dining with us had the pinchitoz moruno and she said it was really good. I really enjoyed the total experience, it's a great addition to our neighborhood and we will definitely be back again!
(5)Lisa S.
Just had an amazing brunch at Shakewell Kitchen... The Bloody Mary was fantastic and both my husband and I loved our entrees. I had the roasted chicken hash which was flavorful and hearty. My husband had the scramble which was equally good... We saw several other delicious looking egg dishes go by. This will definitely be our favorite local brunch spot from now on!!! Thrilled to hear they are extending their service to include lunch as well!!
(5)Gabrielle N.
I wanted to love this place since it's in my neighborhood. But I probably won't go back after my first experience. There are too many restaurants in Oakland to give a sub-par one another shot. Sorry. The seating is weird. You can make reservations but probably won't get one since I think they have a handful of tables for reservations and the rest of the place is first come first serve. First, the service was very friendly but SLOW. I know the place is new but the concept of serving food/drinks efficiently is not. The bartender (or so we thought) he took our order but we actually had to wait for another bartender to make the drinks because apparently that guy couldn't, so that took at least 20 minutes if not longer because she was so busy. But the drinks were actually good and she sent us an order of quail eggs to make up for it even though it wasn't her fault (I don't actually eat quail eggs... I was grateful for the gesture). The food came surprisingly fast compared with the drinks, but for the prices I expected bigger portions! This is Oakland, not SF. I wasn't entirely clear if it was meant to be tapas but the portions on both the small plates and the regular dinner items all scream tapas. I excitedly ordered the churros for dessert only to find they were little undercooked puffs of dough. Not impressed. Overall, the bartenders/servers seemed incredibly confused and disorganized and the food was just ok. Later that night after we got home, my boyfriend and I both started feeling really nauseous so it was definitely something we ate here. That just added to my decision not to go back -- maybe for a drink 6 months from now when they've hopefully worked out the kinks.
(2)Gwen C.
Really great vibes, good service, and yummy food and cocktails!
(4)Caitlin N.
Came here for tapas with my best friend. The dining room was full, so we sat at the bar. It took a while for the wait staff to take our order, but once our order was placed the food came out immediately. All of the small plates were amazing. The sangria however, was more of a (very strong) mixed drink than a traditional wine and fruit sangria. Overall, it was a great experience and I will definitely be back!
(5)Kip W.
It's hard to come up with superlatives adequate to describe how fantastically good this brunch experience was. We were long-time fans of the previous occupant restaurant (Mezzè), so we had delayed our first visit. I am now destined to be a regular. I had the falafel patties with eggs, my spouse had the chicken hash. Both dishes were original, flavorful and cooked perfectly. The falafel had a nice crisp on the edges and the eggs were poached to just the right degree of doneness. The romesco sauce was very tasty and the sprigs of fresh herbs added the perfect fragrant notes. The chicken hash, however, was the show-stopper. The Mediterranean spices (curry meets middle eastern flavors) were superbly blended with chicken and potatoes in a moist and delicious stew. So, so, so tasty! We'll be back. And soon.
(5)Daniella B.
My honey and I have now been to Shakewell at least 5 times and have always been amazed with the incredible flavorful handcrafted food made with love!!! After living in the Bay Area for over 14 years & having dined at the best restaurants around, including Gary Danko, Jardiniere, Nopa, etc., I can honestly say that Shakewell is the best restaurant experience around; we always want to go back for more. It's also incredibly cool that the staff are locals and the ambiance feels "Oaktown" for real; non-pretentious and all about a fabulous dining experience!!!
(5)The Q.
Came here last month. recommended by a family member who said a little gem of a restaurant opened recently in her neighborhood. Started with HH, bartender was friendly, drinks were unique, they use fresh juice and homemade tonic but on the light side (they measure their alcohol pour) and small plates were okay (deviled quail eggs, fried sausages & bacalao croquetas). Dinner was Da Bomb! Had their squid & ink bomba and it was to die for! I would come back just to eat this again. Highlight of the evening was having Chef Jen Biesty visit our table. :)
(4)Shannon B.
Service was shotty, but food, drinks and atmosphere- yummy!
(4)Mustang L.
Excited to try this place since I followed Jen Biesty on Top Chef. I ordered the eggplant to start. A uniques dish due to the harissa on top of the bread. Tasty and delicious the eggplant was creamy and I've not had it prepared that way before. The inside is decorated like most Oakland eateries nowadays, handle bar mustachioed guys in flannel walking around pouring water with reclaimed wood and stone all around. I also had the bistro steak which was AHMAZING. There was a piri piri sauce atop it that was described as a salsa type sauce with peppers and tomatoes, garlic....yum. The artichokes and fingerling potatoes were crisped and salted to perfection. The Server was EXCELLENT. Very professional and on top of it and the Bussers were great and cute. I even got a glimpse of Jen. The best part of the place (aside from the steak) was that it was Super Gay! As a gay newly wed I was happy to see my Gays running around, excited, serving great food. My wife had the octopus, sardine, agua fresca, white corn and calamari. She herself is a chef and was impressed with the way each flavor was identifiable: honey, fennel, pepper etc. She said she was surprised at the price of the calamari as it is a cheap product and there was a $1.00 worth on the plate and they sold it for $15.00. She also said the avocado with the sardine was unnecessary, as the sardine was delicate. We had the churro's and flan for desert and both were tasty and fun. I wish them success. There was a bit of a long wait time between dishes that are small in portion, so they might want to think about serving bread or pickles in between. We went on the first Friday they were open, so it was new for them.
(4)Fanny Y.
Great ambiance. It's open and airy with a cool bar area. Servers and bartenders were really nice. The squid ink bomba was a little bland and definitely not recommended for a first date (your tongue and lips gets tinted black). The lamb kefta, octopus salad and sangria were all good.
(4)Yashpaul S.
Had brunch. Was looking for sophisticated, good food. Way too expensive for the simplistic, tasteless plates we had. Portions are good for snacks. Not a full meal. Maybe they're better for dinner. Too bad I'll never know.
(1)S. G.
Finally, a restaurant that knows what it is doing. Everything about this place is perfect. The quality of the food could not be better. It is super fresh and it seems as though they care about everything that is put on the plate. This restaurant will be reserved for special times out. I hope that it doesn't change. The squid bomba is a must, as well as the sardine croquettes.
(5)Dan L.
We came for brunch on a Saturday. Nice Lakeshore location in Oakland, lots of other busy breakfast and lunch places nearby. We had the tortilla espanola with duck (good) and a octopus hot dog "octo-dog" (it was just okay, but kudos for creativeness, who would have thought to put an octopus tentacle in a hot dog bun?) We had a coffee and an agua fresca, both were good. The service was very friendly and very good. I would like to come back and try it again some time soon. The dinner menu looked enticing.
(3)Ronn B.
The food here is very good, my wife and I enjoyed everything we ordered. The service was attentive, the atmosphere is friendly and the food was excellent. The noise level is a bit high, so not good for an intimate dinner. We got an early reservation at 5:45 and by 6:15 the place was full-up. There is however bar sitting available. As a starter we got the bacalao croqueta, which was soft, a hint of saltiness, but not overwhelming and very delicious. We also got the sardine toast avocado, pickled onion, arugula, pan a gusto, chili oil which had a nice but not overpowering sardine flavor, and may have been the freshest Sardines I have ever had. After that we had the grilled romaine hearts salad. The grilled flavor was really nice, not a burnt flavor at all, but really popped out with a geniune charcoal flavor that was quite pleasant. We elected to forgo the main dishes as the sides all looked great. The flatbread is considered a signature dish here, we very much enjoyed it, but to us it wasn't the highlight. We also got sides of the lentils and the sweet corn, both were very satisfying. We definitely will comeback and try a meat dish. They have bomba/paellas, but none were a combination of foods that we would normally eat, but other diners seemed to very much enjoy them. Would love to try this is they change up the menu to some other foods we eat.
(5)Patrick M.
Wow - That pretty much sums it up. Amazing food - I've dined at Shakewell three times, always with groups (the better to try more items), never had a dish that was anything but wonderful. Definitely on my rotation of places to take foodie guests. Recommened for groups of at least four so you can share a bunch of dishes.
(5)Gee B.
Outstanding! Service, food, ambience more than meets my standards of They Know How to Run a Restaurant and go up from there. The place reminded me of some of the most sought after restaurants in Manhattan. First, I have to tell you this, I sampled their pastry, which is something I seldom eat because I often find pastry too sweet and heavy, but damn! Who the hell makes pastry like that outside of France? Lightly sweet, high-quality-buttery-flakey goodness, delicate sweet creamy center with the essence of, I believe, tropical fruit. Wow! I wanted more. I went for brunch and had an omelette with wild mushrooms, kale and and some other damn ingredients (with cheese I've never heard of )I don't remember, but it may have been the best omelette I've ever eaten. I also had a side of fennel sausage patties, which I enjoyed. The portions were generous and I couldn't eat it all. My husband had fried bread pudding. Light, but filling somehow (my husband is a heavy eater and just managed to finish it). I took a bite and was surprised how much I liked it. Was one of the best damn things I've ever put in my mouth! Brilliant preparation, presentation, flavor, texture, not too sweet. Hope it's on the menu when I return. I could eat that for brunch or breakfast. Oh yeah, the owner probably heard me running my big mouth about how damn good the food and service was and came over to introduce himself. He stayed a while, chatted a bit and reminded me of that guy at a party you wished you were related to.
(5)Ava C.
The squid ink bomba was not as good as Duende's, but they have a bunch of other very delicious dishes here. The sausage sage starter was so yum, and the bacalau was a highlight. Order the fried cauliflower side, you won't regret it! The place gets super crowded...make reservations!
(4)Lisa F.
Five of us go out every month to a new restaurant and have a "moms night out." We all have kids and work so these monthly outtings are really important to us. We try to pick well rated restaurants so we won't be disappointed. Well, we arrived and realized our table was directly next to the open kitchen. So it was brighter, warmer and louder than the rest of the restaurant. We asked to move before we were even seated but there were no other tables. Fine, we would deal with it. One of my pet peeves, is when a restaurant doesn't accommodate a party of five with at least five of whatever appetizer is ordered. Personally, it should be automatic, but the server should at least warn the party that there won't be five deviled eggs or croquetas or whatever. This did not happen. One of the gentlemen who served us out croquetas noticed immediately that we were a party of five but the order only had 4 croquetas. He told us he would bring out another one right away. HE was awesome. Unfortunately, he was not our server and was only helping bring that particular dish to our table. None of the other people who brought food to our table made the offer or even said that they noticed. Our server certainly didn't say anything. Look, it's not that a restaurant is required to do this. It's just that many of the ones we've been to over the last 18 months, have been quick to accommodate our group and make these types of offers. It just helps make the experience so much better. The food was...ok. If the menu is small enough, we typically order one of everything so we can try it all. This menu was too big for us to do this. Some things were great. The fried anchovy and aji pepper-stuffed olives were delicious as were the bacalao croquetas, squid ink aioli and the grilled little gems, boquerones, french feta, pickled onions, avocado, lemon vinaigrette. We ordered lamb, pork shoulder and bacon wrapped dates. All good, but not great. We also ordered the carrots and turnips as a side and the spices on the carrots were a little off. I'm not sure exactly what spice was used, but it did not pair well with the carrots. Overall, the experience was OK. Not great, but not terrible.
(2)Jacob S.
Hip but approachable. Great food, great vibe. It's Mediterranean(ish) with sort of a California flair and leaning more towards tapas style. Everything I ate was perfectly seasoned.
(5)Vinay G.
Overall this place is excellent. While the service was a little spotty the very first time we went, every time since then it has been great and the food is always delicious. Go for brunch, dinner, whenever and you will not be disappointed.
(5)Tina M.
My new favorite East Bay restaurant! Had a fantastic celebratory dinner at Shakewell recently. The menu is creative and appealing. The meal was perfectly executed and delicious. I had a delicata squash and watercress salad with siracha yogurt dressing,. In response to my food allergy, the chef came out to speak to me and then altered an amazing pan seared Black Cod with chanterelles entree for me. The atmosphere is energetic, with good music, busy and a bit loud but we could still enjoy our conversation.
(5)David T.
A bit overrated, but perhaps I'm just getting fussy in my old age. Nothing I ate was bad, it just wasn't memorable. Other restaurants do this genre much better, But its a nice neighborhood spot and to be commended for trying hard. Drinks are really good and the bartender was helpful
(3)Heather W.
I was SO excited to check this place out because 1. I used to live in the hood and it's fun being back; and 2. the Yelp reviews were terrific; and 3. Menu looked yummy. Hate to say it but the dining experience missed the mark just about across the board. The interior is kind of weird...not sure what the theme is and the setup doesn't really flow well. The menu is kind of tapas style with small to medium sized plates. What was shocking was the price point for the "larger" plates. $25 for a plate of sautéed prawns and peppers. Literally that's all there was and the prawns were probably frozen from Costco, the dish has no flavor and it was very expensive. It should have been $12. On the other hand, my husband got the $24 steak and the steak was pretty good. Nice flavors and it came with a lot of farro or some other grain. At least there was more value from the dish. We also ordered the calamari ($15) to start. The flavors were pretty good but it wasn't hot. One bit you'd have lukewarm squid and the next bit it was teetering on cold and then the next bite was hot. Very inconsistent. When we ordered the calamari the server asked us "oh, I should have asked you if you wanted flatbread with that" making us think that the flatbread was a complimentary side to the calamari. Well, bill came and it wasn't. Another $10. That pissed me off big time but byt the end of the meal we just wanted to get out. I will say my cocktail (tequila and grapefruit) was delicious. We were super bummed that this place was such a disappointment and that we made a lot of money for a crappy experience. We live in SF and could have had a really good meal for the same price as in Lake Merritt. I sure hope this was an off night. I hope the restaurant does well and attracts more people to Lake Merritt since it's a great neighborhood.
(2)Sam P.
We ate here tonight. The food was very good to excellent; good ingredients and great flavor. The paella, octopus, falafel and flatbreads were killa. The service was great too. Impressed.
(5)Shelly S.
I really don't want to be writing this review. I went to Shakewell several times upon their opening and like my other two reviews indicated, I was in love. But then something happened. First I noticed that the service wasn't as good and then I noticed after a couple more visits that nobody from the early days seemed to work there anymore. Their service in the beginning was dynamite! Servers personality and attention to detail. What a shame. Now the food and drinks.....that seems to have changed too. First, I've tried several of their winter drinks and haven't found one I like (two friends have said the same). I finally requested a drink from their summer menu - the Lakeshore Cooler. But they didn't have one of the ingredients so it wasn't as good. I tried a couple of off the menu drinks but wasn't impressed. As for food, one of my favorites is the squid ink dish. Last time we ordered it we actually wanted to send it back. There was zero flavor and the squid was tough. All 4 of us in our party took one bite and agreed it needed to go back. But unfortunately we never got the waitress' attention again until we got the bill and though we barely touched it she didn't ask about it. At that point we were so disappointed we just didn't say anything. As for the other dishes, the squash dish was different and didn't really work for any of us. The mussels were OK. Seemed to lack flavor again. I actually wanted salt on the table for our dishes. That's a big no-no! Anyway, this was my 4th visit that I wasn't too crazy about. I definitely won't give up on this place but I'm now more inclined to go somewhere that's consistent (Boot & Shoe, Sidebar, Mua if I feel like a walk or bike ride). So sad about this.
(3)Cazsh R.
So glad to have this place in the neighborhood. Here's what I had at happy hour at the bar: house Tempranillo which was very good. Tasted the sangria which also liked, but I stuck with the Tempranillo for the second glass. Food: pan con tomate (a little different than what I had in Spain but still excellent.) 4 slices toasted bread with a great balance of softness and crunchiness. Loved this but didn't want to fill up on it. Bacalao Croquettes were lovely, not greasy. Again a great balance of crunchiness, soft insides and nice chunks of fish. I was glad to be tempted by the quail deviled eggs. Only 2 small little eggs/bites come with the order, but they are heavenly delights. Fried stuffed. olives were nice, very salty (as they should be) and perfect with the wine; they just keep you drinking ;) another reason why I am glad I can walk to the restaurant. We ate at the bar when the dinner menu started at 5:30. The squid bomba was one of the best paellas I have had. But I shouldn't forget the fresh green bean side dish which were the perfect complement to the paella. I am impressed how great things were from food to service since they just opened. I was a little surprised that the happy hour menu only discounted some of the drinks and not the food. Still, I look forward to going back and trying table service. Might up this to a 5 star after that ;)
(4)Royce L.
Nice addition to lakeshore! Lively scene for a Saturday night. We really enjoyed the lamb skewers and falafels. Bombas were not bad too. The only mediocre part of the meal was my cocktail--just kind of plain. I had higher hopes for it based on the description...which I can't remember any more. Hehe tequila something...
(4)Angela P.
This review is for the happy hour only. We walked here on a sweltering hot day after visiting the Oakland Zoo. We had only one qualification that we were looking for- air conditioning. Given that in this instance, our standards were low, stumbling upon Shakewll was a pleasant surprise. Not only did they have a/c, but they had a happy hour menu. $5 Sangrias- sold, in addition, they offered yummy bar bites. We started with persimmon, serrano ham, basil, lillet, smoked sea salt; hold the ham, then had bacalao croquetas and fried anchovy and aji pepper-stuffed olives. This was the perfect pit stop pre-movie and dinner. Not to mention the staff was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. The only caveat would be is the happy hour menu is not very vegetarian friendly.
(4)ML ..
Over all experience was indeed just OK. Tried four dishes, a couple cocktails...nothing stood out really. The cocktails felt flat and the flavors had no finesse to it. The food could have been hotter on arrival. They also could have been more spaced out, but instead it all came out at once. I have to say this was similar to my experience at Scala's, as well, but was hoping for something different here. It was just a whatever dining experience. We could have ordered more food as we were hungry, but alas, we didn't have faith that the other dishes were going to shine. We left and went to our current favorite local spot nearby and ordered more drinks and food to end with a better food experience.
(3)Audree H.
The short ribs and flan are to die for. The service is great, the folks that work there are nice (and cute too!). I'll be back for sure.
(5)Daphne H.
Very satisfying. The food is delicious. I ordered the Bomba and it was more than enough. I didn't get to finish the dish. I haven't been able to get a reservation but I have been able to walk in and get a seat at the window. Although it's tapas style, the portions are more generous than your usual tapas, which my pocketbook loves. It's still expensive but at least you don't feel totally gouged.
(4)Patrick W.
wow - really great meal! interesting dishes with a lot of flavor. great atmosphere. amazing job at getting your drinks just right. seriously yummy. I'm gonna remember biting into the perfect short rib for a long time. :) service was spot on too.
(5)Lily A.
Absolutely delicious! We came across this place on yelp today, called at 5 for a reservation but everything available was too late so we drove down around 5:30 to try to snag a table. We were sat immediately at a small table outside but I have the feeling you need reservations ahead of time to sit in the dinning room. We ordered the octopus salad as a starter, the fried cauliflower as a side, and the bomba with mussels and the pork shoulder to share for dinner. Everything was so good we cleaned the plates! Drinks were not too bad either. I would not say it is light eating but it could also be what wee ordered. Really pretty restaurant with delicious food!
(5)Ann P.
What a great addition to the neighborhood!! We love Oakland development as much as we love good food and get very excited when a new, hipster restaurant opens up. After traveling to Spain and having tapas there, I was skeptical about tapas restaurants back home, but this is probably the closest to the real thing. The drinks were so delicious and we could tell their bartenders knew their mixology. The food was mouthwateringly delicious. We were so impressed by the presentation, the size of the portions (this is not one of those tapas spots where you leave still hungry), and the TASTE. Every bite was so delicious!! Our group had the bombas with the chorizo and clams, the short ribs, the pork shoulder, the sweet corn, fingerling potatoes, brocolini, and the coquetas. Everything was so good and the house made hot sauce was so yummy that if they bottled it up, I'd definitely buy it! The ambiance was cool and casual. The interior looked awesome. Great use of space for the amount of space that they had. The service was SUPERB. We had a baby with us and they were so nice to set up the high chair and take our stroller to store while we ate. There was a slight mishap with a prior reservation we made, but they more than made up for the mix up and were so incredibly welcoming. We felt very catered to! This will definitely be a regular spot for us. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Heather K.
Heard about this place from several people and my boyfriend has been craving paella so it just seemed like we needed to come here. Their bomba bowls are their version of paella and are awesome. Fun and lively environment, great music. Drinks looked great but we shared a large beer and were very satisfied. Server was very knowledgable. I will come back here again.
(5)Gunner C.
Wow! What a beautiful restaurant! Gorgeous wood work. Nice energy. I mean who in there right mind could give less than five stars on this alone never mind the food. I took a friend here for a little business lunch today at the suggestion from one of there staff (my client) that I had met at my shop. (By the way, if my then client and his girlfriend hadn't been so wonderful and nice I probably wouldn't have been interested in changing my usual lunch spot. Just say'n.) The food was very good, okay it was excellent. The lamb shawarma couldn't have been any better and desert was nothing less than to die for (Cinnamon medjool date bread pudding, toffee sauce, vanilla ice cream). ( I'm sorry but they need to raise the price on this desert. ) The staff attentive, very welcoming and personable. Ambience, cuisine... I could totally feel the love. Overall I can only say that Shakewell has renewed my faith in culinary arts. Thanks for the wonderful lunch experience!
(5)David K.
Worth every $$$ for excellent food & great cocktails. Service is cool. The owner takes pride in serving. Bartenders & servers are friendly as well. Food, is what's really cool. Light on salts, which means they focus on bringing out the best of food itself. Along with Desco, this is my fovarate place in oakland :-)
(5)Brian B.
Came in for brunch. Had a poached egg and chorizo number that knocked my socks off. Friendly service at the bar, great interior and fantastic signature cocktails. My girlfriend wanted a cocktail but couldn't decide so we asked for the "dealer's choice." The bartender asked a series of questions and came back with a custom drink. While the brunch I ordered was amazing, I feel like I could have ordered anything on the menu with the same results. Shakewell? Shakegreat is more like it.
(5)Ander C.
I have come here a several times - for brunch, my anniversary dinner, lunch. I think brunch is the best meal here. I love their bread pudding with pomegranate. One time it came with the raspberry sauce and it's not as good as the brown sauce. I think I tried pretty much almost everything on their menu. It's pretty good but pricey. Most of the food is not salty enough but I like how they have home made hot sauce. Make sure to ask for it. The place itself has awesome decor and overall you like hanging out there. The waiters are friendly. And the owners are great. It's a place you bring ppl to impress. The only complaint I have is how pricey the food is and lack of salt.
(3)Jason G.
We were in Rockridge last week to have dinner with friends, and my wife requested a restaurant within walking distance, with good food and good drinks. Shakewell was the place our friend booked, and wow it really fit the bill. Shakewell is a hip Spanish restaurant, combining both tapas-style and entree-sized offerings. Drinks: They have a great, inventive cocktail menu. We sampled four of their listed cocktails, and then three more "dealer's choice" where you can choose an alcohol and a style and let the bartender wow you with something new. Everything was damn good. Food: We ate our way through a significant percentage of their menu, so I feel confident that we have an accurate sense of their food, and it's damn good. Small plates & salads: Fried anchovy and aji pepper-stuffed olives - I found this a little odd. It's a hot, fried olive. But the rest of my party loved them. Bacalao croquetas, squid ink aioli - Fried potato balls, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Delicious. Falafel, romesco, spanish chorizo - Kinda similar to the croquetas, both in texture and presentation. And in yumminess. Chicharrónes, smoked salt, espellette - Fried pork rinds. If that doesn't appeal to you, then avoid these, but I think you're crazy. It's like a light porky potato chip. Turkey-zucchini albondigas, goat cheese, sumac, mint - Tasty spanish meatballs. Duck liver mousse, black berries, walnut raisin levain - Mmmmousse. Mediterranean cucumber salad, fresno chili, poppy seed, lime, ginger - Cool and refreshing, this was a nice counter to the rest of the small plates. Large plates: Local squid & ink Bomba with carrot jalapeño sofrito, roasted peppers, pickled fresno chilies, aioli, preserved lemon - This is like a spanish version of dol sot bi bim bop. Kinda like a paella served in a hot stone pot, where the rice gets very crispy around the edge. So you get multiple textures just from the rice, and then bursts of flavor from the squid and the vegetables. Really good. Spanish octopus, potatoes, celery hearts, salsa verde, arbequina olives, spanish chorizo - I am a huge sucker for well-prepared octopus, and this was a gigantic win. I kept trying to convince the table to order another, but we kept trying other dishes instead. Thankfully they were also really good, but I'm still jonesing for another octopus dish. Fried chicken, fenugreek yogurt, chili sauce, fried thai basil - Spanished-up fried chicken. Quite tasty, but this isn't the item that I'd call a must-have. Service was very good from beginning to end. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful, and the servers worked together like a real team. Overall, this was a spectacular experience. My only complaint is that they're not located in San Carlos, where we'd be able to eat here with some regularity.
(5)Sonya T.
Had really high hopes for this chic neighborhood place. Top chef contestant and all. Chef was hanging out at the restaurant if you're into that sort of thing. Came for dinner and ordered lots for two and both of us were kind of torn on why we didn't enjoy it. Duck mousse and toast was good. Duck confit in lettuce cups was dry and bland. Shrimp with Israeli couscous had a funky floral scent. We thought maybe it was the preserved lemon. Squid bomba was a huge portion with lots of inky rice. Wish we had more seafood and less rice. Did not enjoy the creamy aioli. Lastly, we had churros with a dark chocolate dip. It was the best dish we ordered next to the mousse. We drank Agra Fresca and tea, appreciated the non alcoholic options. Probably won't be back any time soon.
(2)Jackie S.
We celebrated a birthday at Shakewell in mid-July and had a fabulous time there. I didn't expect any less from the two Top Chef past participants. The Spanish food was delicious, although it was on the saltier side. It is recommended to make a reservation, especially on a Saturday evening. There was a line when we finished and we had an early dinner at 6:30pm. Now, on to the food. Everything was tapas style so everyone shared. We had 6 people and ordered 8 dishes and 4 desserts. - Duck liver mousse - I didn't have any, but it was well-received by the men in our group. You'll need extra bread since the - Chickpea flatbread - I liked it since it had squash blossoms! - Bacalao croquetas - So good with the squid ink. - Fried chicken - I didn't eat any, but everyone liked it. - Spanish octopus - One of my favorite dishes since the octopus was very tender and cooked perfectly. - Clams and Chorizo Bomba - Had more popping flavors compared to the squid ink bomba. - Squid Ink Bomba - It's fun to see your guests' teeth and mouth black from the squid ink. Flavors were really rich from the squid ink. - Roasted potatoes - This is a side dish, but was really salty. Potatoes were well roasted to the point of them being fried. Not one of my favorites. Desserts were amazing and highly recommended. - Summer peach with puff pastry - Very pretty presentation until everyone in the group destroyed it with their forks. - Flan catalan - Not as good as what we made in our cooking class in Barcelona, but still creamy. - Blackberry linzer torte - Good torte crust, but seemed like a typical berry tart. - Churros - Freshly made to order and with the delicious dark chocolate sauce. Yum. Restaurant was easy to get to and there was parking along the street. If we are in the area, we would love to go back.
(4)Peg S.
The grilled octopus was outstanding - tender and paired well with rest of the flavors in the dish. Such vibrant colors, too. Sangrias were nicely chilled, strong, and sophisticated. The squid ink bomba was underwhelming for the price, with mushy rice (miss the crunchy texture of paella) and a tad too much aioli overpowering the dish. Fried anchovy olives were ok, couldn't taste much beyond the deep friedness. Super popular and busy (order wasn't taken for over 15 mins, food wrongly delivered to our table, etc.) - we almost go lost in the shuffle, but one wonderful server saved the day.
(4)Cynthia C.
Solid brunch with some spice and heat: -sunny egg sandwich, good, not sure if I love the charred poblano peppers, nice smashed potatoes -jicama salad, nice acid, maybe smaller jicama pieces? The flavors were so bright spicy and clean, loved -Straus Greek yogurt, coconutty granola, mango and strawberry, can't go wrong with this combo Iced tea is off and hot tea is a mass produced generic bagged tea. I would skip both. Great service and farther down lakeshore, making parking a bit easier.
(4)S N.
Very good with a very good atmosphere. Staff was very very nice I enjoyed my brunch. I hate the French toast it was good but could've been cooked a little longer. The chicken and churros was good and the potatoes were very tasty!! 4 outta 5 stars would go again once I try other things out here.
(4)Sandy L.
Oh yes! I admit it, I'm a sucker for celebrity food chefs. I've watched Top Chef from season 1. I watch a bunch of Food Network shows. I've been watching cooking shows since I was a kid (Frugal Gourmet, Julia Child, old school Yan Can cook). I love to watch food shows. I then LOVE to eat at restaurants where the person was on the show bc I'm always curious, "did that actually taste good?" or is it all pretend. Ok, now that we got that out of the way. 1st time I went was within 90 days or so of their opening and the last time we went was just before the 1 year anniversary. Loved it the 1st time, loved it the last time. Chef Jenn was there both times doing what she does. I'm always too embarrassed to bother her (or any other chef) for a picture or what not, so you'll have to trust me. The menu changes seasonally so I think the only thing that was still on the menu were the jamon croquettes. But this last time, there was some octopus dish, TO DIE FOR, and I don't even like squid that much. Also, I really liked the bomba (like paella). The desserts were creative, but not that great, but the "mains" (its small plates for the most part) were so good, I forgive the desserts not being stellar. P.S. thank you for allowing reservations, but I do 'get" why you weren't accepting them in the 1st place.
(5)Jack R.
Taylor Swift says to "Shake It Off," and that's the theme as I meet Miss Bad Idea Bear to tell her about Miss Yoga, since she's curious to know how things are going. Plus: Miss Yoga resembles Gillian Anderson. Minus: Miss Yoga doesn't believe in monogamy, is into hippie stuff, and we have very little in common. Seems like a no brainer, Miss Bad Idea Bear says, maybe she's full of good ideas after all. We split the eggs, with the house made fennel sausage, and a chorizo scramble. Both were delicious, 5 star delicious. But, I just can't shake off whatever it is that draw me to Miss Yoga. And Miss Bad Idea Bear just laughs when she finds out that Miss Yoga is nearly twice my age. Hopefully it's just a phase, and that I'll snap out of it soon. Or maybe my friend's collective laugher with do the trick. P.S If you check-in here, you get free coffee bread
(5)Rebecca C.
I came here with pretty high expectations and was a bit disappointed. This place is open with great ambience but a bit too cold for February. Among the cocktails, we tried camp's fire with cava, but the drink as a bit flat, probably needing a bit more acidity to stand out. The best dish was the beet salad - fantastic combination of the freshest ingredients one could find with good balance for the dressing. The fried anchovy olives were interesting in concept but I couldn't really taste the anchovy. Prefer just straight olives to these. Lamb kefta was decent but very far from the versions in Greece - expected to be more tender. Avoid the grilled octopus with toast. The octopus were a bit on the softer side and just didn't go with the toast. One should go and taste the ones at Coquetta to see what an octopus dish should taste like.
(3)Clare B.
New favorite in the O. From entry to exit, my experience was perfection. I was here with a group of 6 and we split some bombas (paellas) and small plates. Both the jamon croquetas with poblano sauce and bacalao croquetas with squid ink were out of this world. Excellent cocktails as well. I started with the 50/50 martini with gin, dry vermouth, lavender bitters, and flower petals, and moved onto several others (it's a bit hazy now). Many reviews here sing praises of the desserts which, sadly, I skipped, so I plan another trip back to sample the goods. I can't write a review without shining a light on what it was that truly made the experience for me--the service. There's a gentleman with a perfectly coiffed mustache that is hands down the best Server that I have ever encountered. He's attentive, knowledgeable, genuine, knows every last detail about the menu, and just exhibits true passion for the food. And why not? It's amazing. An excellent experience overall.
(5)Bianca C.
I went here for brunch one Saturday. It was busy-ish but we didn't have to wait long, which isn't bad considering there were 4 of us on a Saturday, the morning of the farmers market. Yelp had a deal when I went for a free pastry with check-in, which was a definitely plus! The pastries were good and served quickly while waiting for the other food. It would have been nice if they were served warm though The pulled pork sandwich was messy, but super good. Served with arugula, chipotle cocoa ketchup, and roasted sweet potatoes. My boyfriend had the tuna (which I don't currently see on their online brunch menu since their menu changes), which was okay, but probably not something we'd order again The environment was nice and the service was friendly and fast. Overall though, I found this place to be a bit pricey for the food, so perhaps a tad overrated. I'm glad I tried it, but I think it might be a little while before I'm back for more.
(3)Jessica C.
The customer service was great ! The bartenders were really nice and answered all of our questions ! I'll be returning to try the food and other drinks on the menu .
(5)Joe D.
Another incredible night at Shakewell. Our original bar team reunited. Amy, James, and Derek (aka Chulo) making it special. Tim and the front of the house are rock stars. Two new dishes, the prawns with fregola and the lamb kabob are so off the hook with the complexity of flavors. Jen is the best, just Beasty! We can't wait to celebrate 1 year with you.
(5)Guisela L.
Wow what a find if I must say so myself *taps myself on the back*....we ordered the croqueta, bomba, and fried chicken...and two yummy cocktails. I was scared before we came in because I picked the place on a whim based on being hungry and wanting paella. The funny thing is the paella ended up tasting just ok and everything else was a real winner. Side note: in case you decide to order the paella it isn't a big one like you normally find elsewhere so plan accordingly if you eat a lot like we do haha. We are definitely coming and probably ordering all of the same things since we were so impressed. See you soon Shakewell.
(5)Stephani M.
#19 Shakewell was my first destination for Oakland Restaurant Week. I saw the event listed on yelp so I knew I wanted to be a part of this occasion--so I called a few friends of mine that also LOVE to eat. My three friends and I arrived a little after 9pm Friday night. The place was super crowded, and this is always a great sign, for me, in any restaurant. Some people hate long lines and view waiting ever so perjoratively. I see this as a positive sign for good food and wonderful service. Even though they seemed almost full to capacity, we were greeted at the hostess stand almost immediately and led to a wonderful table. The interior is modern and trendy. High ceilings with a light wood running across the top. There is an open kitchen lining the back wall of the restaurant where one can take a gander as the chef creates delicacies for the dinning audience. On the right side of the restaurant a long bar runs almost the entirety of the space with neatly displayed adult selections. The tables are spacious and the chairs are quite comfy as well--I was easily able to arrange my broken foot on the chair across from me, comfortably I might add, without bothering anyone around us. Our server, Jeff, came right over as we were getting settled. He told us about Oakland Restaurant Week, but we already knew, this is why we came. He offered us drinks while we looked over the menu options--two friends ordered martinis, one friend had a glass of wine. We decided to begin with Falafel sprinkled with chorizo served over top of a delicious sauce. Danny ordered the tuna as well for a starter. Both were truly amazing. The only problem with tapas is that I always want more...but the good thing about tapas is there is always more coming ;) Next, the beet salad looked absolutely amazing. The beets were dressed with feta cheese. This was delicious, as I usually find beets with goat cheese, of which I am not a huge fan...but give me feta and you will see me smile ;) I also ordered the hearts of romaine...AWESOME! I ordered the grilled shrimp smothered in a chipotle citrus butter sauce. They were to die for! We shared a cauliflower plate with fresh basil and a savory dipping sauce. Mary got the lamb kefta. This seemed like a really healthy portion for tapas. I was impressed. The Prix Fixe menu highlighting Oakland's Restaurant Week offered Petrale Sole, with yukon potatoes and a yummy arugula salad with dessert for $30. What a deal!!! We also shared the duck confit. Crazy huge portion! After all that, we had an upside down spice cake with fresh vanilla bean ice cream. As we were enjoying this final portion of the meal, Jeff brought us another dessert ON THE HOUSE!!! Okay, I am in food coma heaven! The service was truly top notch, Jeff was superb. He was always there when we needed him , listening to one of my friend's special dietary needs and making sure they were met. He never bothered us when we were doing fine, but was there somewhat magically whenever we did need him. Thank you Jeff--I think we showed our appreciation in the tip ;) I am proud to be an Oakland resident and happy to be enjoying Restaurant Week here in my neighborhood. Why go anywhere else for spectacular cuisine when it is featured right here in Oakland. Shakewell was introduced to me via yelp...and for this, I thank you. Stephani Smiles for Shakewell ;)
(4)Elsie S.
Went to this place for my birthday last month. The duck liver mousse with the whole grain nut bread slices were tasty and ample portion for 6 people. ChickPea flatbread with the zucchini blossoms was just delightful. Also enjoyed the Bacaloa Croquetas. For entrees, the grilled octopus was delicious, the fried chicken was tender and moist, the squid ink bomba was rich in flavor and the clams bomba was fine. Ordered a variety of desserts, but the standout was the fresh churros with the chocolate sauce. Would come back if I am in this area.
(4)Christa N.
Wow. This place is amazing! I've eaten here for both brunch and dinner. They give generous portions and everything is absolutely delightful! I tried their Seafood Bomba and it was truly satisfying. The ambiance is great for a date night or if you just want to enjoy yummy food.
(5)Jen C.
Came here with some girlfriends on a Thursday evening around 6pm and the place was decently filled. We were seated at a spacious table right behind a divider with cutouts(?). Our waiter (who was really helpful and attentive) suggested a few items off the menu. We decided to order a few things and share them all. (Including the prix fixe menu of the week). APPETIZERS/MAIN: - Bacon wrapped, chorizo stuffed medjool dates, piquillo sauce: Anytime I see the words "bacon wrapped" I'm usually sold unless it involves mushrooms or mollusks). I normally don't like sweet tastes with my savory foods, but this dish was quite good as an appetizer. If you aren't a fan of dates I would avoid since the taste can be quite strong (my friend gave me her portion, haha). - Fried cauliflower, basil, romesco: So simple, yet so good. And they actually give you quite a lot too. Definitely would recommend. - Manchego, membrillo, pan a gusto: Nice little platter of cheese, bread, and almonds. Pretty standard. (See my photo for reference). - Bomba (Marisco, manila clams, mussels, prawns, petrol sole, piperade, green beans, saffron, aioli, lemon): Like I said I don't like mollusks but other than that this dish was quite tasty. I personally wish there was more shrimp, but they didn't skimp out on the clams and mussels though. And I would have preferred more rice to cream ratio since it got a little overwhelming near the end. - Roast chicken mole, pablano-panzanellam, saffron onions: One of my friends can't eat seafood so she decided to order the prix fixe menu which came with this as the main along with a salad and dessert. This was actually a good portion and all four of us got a piece with leftovers for my friend to take home. Even if you're not a fan of mole you could still eat this dish since the sauce is on the bottom rather than drizzled on the chicken. DESSERTS: - Churros, spiced bittersweet chocolate sauce: I saw this and was the most excited about it before I came here. The churros were PERFECTION. We all agreed that it would have been better paired with a less bitter chocolate sauce though. We actually ended up dipping it in the other desserts and liked it far better. - Alfajor sundae, dulce de leche gelato, almond shortbread, sea salt: If I had to pick just one I would have chosen this since it was great all on its own. If you like caramel you will enjoy this dessert. Could have done without the shortbread, but the toppings were a great touch. - Vanilla ice cream, upside down spice cake: This was the dessert that came with the prix fixe menu. Nothing extraordinary, but actually went really well with the churros.
(4)Nina Y.
I really enjoyed this place. I found it after looking up places people who had been on Top Chef and in the Bay Area. I found out that Jen Biesty opened a restaurant in Oakland. I really enjoyed seeing her food on the show, so I figured I would go try it out. A friend that lives in Oakland and I hadn't seen each other for quite a while so we grabbed dinner here on Valentines Day. Friend-tine's date I called it. We were seated by the kitchen and I was able to stalk (okay maybe not stalk) and take pictures of her. I really do wish I met her too. We ordered the following: -Falafel, romesco, spanish chorizo: fried and delicious. The falafel was nice and light, but also the chorizo added this smokiness that I really enjoyed. -Bacalao croquetas, squid ink aioli: another ball of fried goodness. the squid ink aioli was delicious. The bacalao is a salty cod and it made the croqueta delicious. -Marisco, manila clams, mussels, prawns, petrol sole, piperade, green beans, saffron, aioli bomba: This is like a paella, but made in a wood oven fire. It's definitely a different taste than a regular paella, but a good different. All the different items - the clams, mussels, prawns, and fish - were all a great addition to the rice. Definitely a great dish to share with a friend or date. -Brussels sprouts, bacon, asian pear, lemon zest, pinenuts: hmm these were a good rendition of brussel sprouts. I've been obsessed lately, and I loved the bacon bits (which is normal), but the little surprises of pear were a great addition as well. -Churros, spiced bittersweet chocolate sauce: small bite sized churros and we were able to dip it in this chocolate sauce. -Sangria: from what I remember, it was delicious, wished there was more of it, and always - more fruit in sangria! Overall, great meal, great service; the waiter definitely gave us lots of suggestions. Protip: there are some really great seats in the restaurant. By the kitchen is really cool to be able to see the open kitchen and the food coming out, or by the window of the restaurant. Get a bomba and some croquetas - best parts of the meal!
(5)Leanne G.
This is my second review. It was also my second time eating at Shakewell, and well, it was so good that I felt the need to express my satisfaction. The ambiance is wonderful: elegant and inviting. The staff was friendly and attentive. Extra points to being knowledgable about the menu and accommodating to my nut allergy - the waiter made me feel completely safe and at ease, which is not always the case in my dining experiences. And now, the food... If you are a meat-eater, the beef and lamb kefka was mouth watering. If you eat fish, get the ceviche. If you're veggie, get the market vegetable bomba. But I've been here twice and everything I've eaten was scrumptious, so whatever you get will probably also be delicious. Stoked to have such a high-quality restaurant in this neighborhood!
(5)Elizabete Maria T.
Fantastic. I love this restaurant.
(5)Amanda P.
I was looking for a new place to try for dinner in Oakland, and ended up at Shakewell. It was a great experience! I called to ask if my 2 year old son was welcome, and they said of course, and got us a great table. Our server was fantastic, explaining the menu to us since it was our first time. They made us feel very comfortable (not every nice place makes a family with a 2 year old feel so welcome). The food was also great. The only reason for the 4 star was that it was pricy. I am all for value and that you get what you pay for. Had it not been for the very small portion on the shrimp dish, I would have felt like i got my value worth. Overall, very good and i would return.
(4)Sean A.
This place wins on every level. The drinks are amazing, the food is amazing and the service is amazing. Best mimosa of my life courtesy of mynisha who you should try and get for your server cause she's amazing
(5).Vanessa G.
Went a few nights after opening and had a really great meal. The bomba (chicken and shrimp) was the standout dish (of my order) but it was overcooked. Also tried the fried olives which were delicious. might help to grab a reservation for now, even the bar area was full. Some communal tables and areas near the front are also available and a stand alone bar area. The drinks were delicious as well. Pricing is average for the area $10-14 tapas plates, parking is pay street parking, no lot (thats Lakeshore for ya!). Great area for a stroll afterwards!
(4)Teenie K.
This is based on only one visit for luncheon. Five stars for: Very well prepared "Green Quinoa" dish - very complementary ingredients and flavorful; Accommodating and attentive service; Awesome venue space and wonderful location; and all that for a relatively new restaurant that I had never even heard of. My visiting friend from Boston is the one who suggested it, after doing an online search for restaurants in a convenient location for all parties. what a great find, and now I know of a favorable place to go to! I did find the staff/employees dressed very ordinarily (no dress code? maybe one or two men seemed in "uniform," but the others could blend right in with the patrons or people from outside). Perhaps changing this would add more sleekness to the resto's image as a whole.
(5)Laryssa S.
Love Shakewell. Somehow the owners packed 5star food, service and atmosphere into a small nook on lakeshore ave. We have been here a few times and consistently the food is incredible. Anyone who purports that the food is mediocre is just trying to be a food snob (I've seen some reviews). The menu seems to change every time we go and yesterday we had some knock your shoes and socks off lamb kefta. Other memorable dishes: Jamon Croquettes, lamb shank bomba and mushrooms stuffed with short ribs O.M.G. Go to Shakewell you will not be disappointed!
(5)Tara P.
We were passing through town after a day at the lake and weren't planning to eat out. We showed up in our athletic gear with no reservations and our 2 young boys. In spite of our unprepared looks we've never been made to feel more welcome. They made room for us at the counter, seated us quickly and offered our son a coloring page. This is by no means a kid hangout & they don't have a child's menu but that's not a problem for our sons who are adventurous eaters with good pallets. I would go back next time without the kiddos but am so grateful to the staff for making us feel so welcome as a family. Their hostess & manager are seriously the sweetest people on earth. We orders to smalls & four entrees. Everything was conceived by a true talent. It was eating art. We had the squash blossom first. It's fried and stuffed. Could have licked the plate. Then the falafel, best ones I've had in ages. My sons ordered the chicken (which is actually meatballs with an Indian inspired flavor). My 8 year old ordered the squid with artichoke. He are the while thing and lived every bite. I had the Albacore tuna. Cooked perfectly!!! I just hate when people over cook tuna. No worries here. My husband had the braised beef. All dishes were so perfectly done the hardest thing about eating at a place that prepares such good food is deciding whether you'll have something new next time or order the same thing because you've been craving it ever since you left. Fed a family of four with 2 appetizers for under a $100. Nice!
(5)Maggie K.
This is my favorite spot for brunch! Everything is delicious and the service is fantastic! I've been there for dinner once and it was equally delicious, although it's more like tapas at entree prices... But still really good!
(5)Bukky E.
Went Sunday evening with a friend. We decided to come here at the last minute so had to choose between a 5:45pm and 9:45pm reservation. Service: Very friendly staff and waiters. Everyone was excited to be a part if your dining experience at Shakewell. Food: We ordered 2 small plates, 1 salad, 1 bomba for two people. The grilled octopus was the best octopus we've ever had. The deviled quail egg received glowing reviews on yelp but was not particularly memorable for us. The paprika added too much smoky flavor in my opinion. The beets and burratta salad was superb. For our entree we ordered the clams and chorizo bomba. Bomba is a type of rice used in paella. The bomba was delicious! Drinks: my friend ordered the lakeshore cooler and said it was nice and refreshing. Our waiter was also the resident sommelier so we asked him to pair a wine with our entree. He brought a really tasty Spanish red blend. The wine came in small narrow tumblers. Our only wish was that they came in wine glasses so we could swirl and get the aromas of the wine. Overall: Fantastic dining experience! I'm so glad such a fabulous establishment hS opened up on lakeshore.
(5)Karen F.
I love love love this place. The food and service are always on point. Tim, the GM, is almost always there and super friendly. Their brunch shakshuka is a winner and it's a great place for date night. We recently discovered their lunch menu as well. One of my favorite things is their turkey burger (offered for lunch). I realize turkey burger may not sound all that exciting, but this is a juicy turkey and zucchini burger with fried onions and creamy goat cheese. Drinks are awesome as well.
(5)Sal G.
Great new spot opened by two former Top Chef contestants. Very high quality Mediterranean-inspired fare, far outdoing the former Mezze that used to occupy the same space. You will wait for hours for a table, but it will be worth it. Or...you could just sit at the bar and eat the same meal. Let's face it: with this being the hot, new, place in the area, it's overwhelmed on most nights. And given the food here, it will continue to be for some time to come. I can literally say that most everything we ate was divine. Highlights included the breaded and fried olives, stuffed with anchovies, the beef short ribs, and the amazing lamb kefta, which were probably the best I've had anywhere, with such a great flavor. If you're a local and looking for that next, great restaurant to open nearby, stop looking, because this is the one. Hats off the the owners for rolling out such a delicious menu. I'll be coming back for quite some time.
(4)Dina L.
A new star in the rising dining empire that is the Lakeshore area. I love when the food and atmosphere come together so nicely. Wednesday night & the place is full and buzzing. We were welcomed even though we didn't have a reservation. Two seats at the bar and we were off to a great evening. I'm a big cocktail fan and this bar rocks. The drinks are very tasty but my Pisco sour was a wee light. The bartenders thoughtfully craft your drink right down to the signature S. Next time I'll try the Matador, their version of a Manhattan with smoked bitters. Yum. Small plates and inventive paella-like dish called a Bomba. Get the squid ink. The ink turns the silky rice into a weird black that demands to be tasted. The squid was very tender albeit small pieces. Hot peppers and preserved lemon make the dish a bit savory, spicy and salty. Each bite made me want the next. The beet salad with buratta, hazelnuts and mint was earthy,sweet and crunchy. We scrapped the plate. No room for dessert this time but the flan looks good. Wanna a little sweet- try the gourmet popcorn place down the street.
(4)Jenn D.
They knocked it out of the park. Went yesterday with Canada and mini for Fathers day. We arrived early for our brunch reservation and the host (also co-owner) was able to seat us immediately, even though the place was packed. Everyone from the busboys to the servers were all great, attentive. Even when mini started to cry a random server came over with some yummy preserves to make her happy - above and beyond the call of duty. All of the food was fantastic. We had the granola, ceviche, plum/peach cheese plate, the chicken & churros and the tartine - plus two drinks. Every item was perfect. Would definitely recommend this place and will for sure be returning as soon as we can. Well done, and a welcome addition to Oakland!
(5)Irina P.
Just had a huge brunch here with another 10 friends of mine and this is what I think: the coffee wasn't that great, I asked for a latte and got a small cappuccino. The food was pretty good even though a little too spicy for breakfast. The Mimosas were great and the atmosphere. And they also tried to charge us 10$ more each!!!! Why?
(3)Vanessa S.
After having dinner at Barlago with Lorrayne, we came here for an after dinner cocktail. One of the owners greeted us right when we walked through the door. A very nice guy. We told him we were only here for cocktails so he showed us seats open by the window. We were helped by yet another flirtatious waiter. Definitely a good evening for us single ladies. I don't remember what L ordered, but I got the Carribean Buck (White Rum, Spiced Rum, Orgeat, SW Demerara, Lime, Bitters, Ginger Beer, Cinnamon, Black Pepper). It was an interesting cocktail. It was good, but I'll most likely order a different one the next time I am here. Their menu looks good, but I think I'm going to have to try out their brunch first. The menu for brunch looks so good. I've got my eye on you, Fried Bread Pudding!
(5)Justme L.
Hubby and I came here for a quick date night one month ago. We sat at the bar and service was excellent. Full menu service was available. All the dishes we order were good and I had no complaint. We will be back since we live just right around the corner.
(4)Annie F.
Went to Shakewell the other night for a holiday dinner with a few of my friends. First off, making a reservation and the front of house are incredibly easy and extremely friendly - a great place for groups! The decor is cozy but modern, and it's not too loud or quiet - just perfect ambience. Drinks: phenomenal. I had the matador and if you like bourbon, you will definitely like this drink! You can taste how much care was put into each drink, and you can tell the staff really knows what they're doing - I tasted hints of every ingredient used. The wine menu is also a solid range of prices which I appreciate since wine is getting quite expensive these days! Food: Extremely creative, as other reviews have said Lots of meat - veggies can order small plates but there are no large plates for them. The bombas were good, but not my favorite - I mostly enjoyed the small plates and the entrees. My chicken was perfectly cooked and had a wonderful flavor. I also liked the croquetas, and all the salads (which were super original but not too over the top and weird). Food also came promptly! Service: this was the minus a star, unfortunately. We just ordered WAY too much, and I wish the waiter would have told us. I know that's really our fault, not the restaurant, but at nice restaurants, they usually give us a heads up. We asked if we should all get entrees after splitting many small plates, salads, and bombas, and he was like, '"sure." Our waiter also kept forgetting to get drink orders from people. That being said, he was extremely nice. All in all, we had such a good time. It's fairly pricey, so best for special occasions, but if you are going out for a nice dinner, I'd definitely recommend Shakewell!!
(4)Trinidad V.
We give all of our dishes 5 stars! Best French toast we've ever had. Fritos plantain dish was delish and jicama salad was unique and flavorful!! I'd go on raving but I don't have much time. I don't give a lot of reviews but this one deserves it! AND... Service was awesome!
(5)Madhuri K.
First time having dinner there. Shared everything with 2 friends. We had Chicken skewers- good Stuffed mushroom- only one- not the best item and not good for sharing. Beet salad- really fantastic Brussel sprouts as a side dish- really good Lamb kofta- delicious Squid bomba- delicious Cornmeal short bread- good Churros- good Would definitely go back.
(5)Wolf R.
The ambiance and service is lovely, but the food is not that good. It's not terrible, but the dishes will leave you wanting for the price you paid. Beso in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood, for instance, has much higher quality tapas, paella, wine and other Spanish selections for a much lower pricepoint. We got an appetizer, the paella (marisco bomba), and the prix fixe which included the petrale sole, a salad, and a dessert. The appetizer was a seafood croquette that was so salty is was nearly inedible without booze. The arugula salad was also incredibly salty. The paella was just not good. the rice was soggy, with no crispy bottom because it was clearly not made to order as most Paella is, in the shallow iron pan. This came in a casserole dish and seemingly used pre-cooked rice. The seafood itself was OK and decently portioned. The spice cake dessert was dry, but indeed spicy. The churro dessert was by far the best thing on the menu. For how expensive it is, and given comparable, better restaurants elsewhere, I would avoid it. Go to chinatown instead to eat.
(2)Kate G.
So nice to have another great restaurant! Arugula salad and the fish sandwich is the way to go for lunch - fresh light delicious. The salmon was good but not great. And there's a waiter there who I just really liked. Shaved head, beard, thick rimmed glasses. Can't wait to check it out for brunch.
(5)Jenn M.
Thumbs-up: Delicious food Thumbs-down: Food comes with HAIR We tried the Bacalao croquettes squid ink aioli, bacon wrapped chorizo stuffed medjool dates with pickle sauce for appetizer and they are tasty. However, the squid ink aioli came with a curly black hair stuck in it.... At first I thought it might be my own hair so I tried pulling it out, but the hair wouldn't budge. It was buried deep inside of the croquette! For the main course we had Duck confit, spring mussels and the braised beef short rib. Love the duck confit, it was cooked perfectly and not too fatty, just right amount of crispy out the outside. I also strongly recommend the short rib, it was super ender and flavorful. Overall, I really like this place. The ambiance was great, drinks were creative/well thought out. Our server, DJ, was pleasant and wonderful at making dish suggestions. The only thing that I will watch out for is the disgusting hair in the food...it didn't seem to concern them at all when I brought that to their attention, which really makes me wonder if that wasn't an uncommon incident for them...
(4)Meg W.
Best restaurant in the Grand/Lakeshore area! We were tired of the usual sushi/pizza/thai spots that make up most of the restaurant options in the neighborhood so we decided to give this place a try. We went on a Wednesday night and the place was full, but there was no wait. The front of the house staff were very welcoming and attentive and the ambiance was classy and warm, but not too stuffy. The food came out with perfect timing. But the highlight was definitely the food! We got the bacalao croquetas, the marisco bomba, the salt spring mussels, the grilled asparagus, and the chevre cheesecake to share amongst 3 people. Everything was delicious - particularly the muscles, bomba, and asparagus. I only wish the serving of the asparagus was a bit larger for the price. By the end of the meal we were all stuffed and super satisfied. This is going to be our new go-to neighborhood place for bringing visitors to show them the best of what our little hamlet has to offer. Can't wait to try brunch!
(5)A S.
This place is pricey, but has some nice cocktails and the bomba is tasty. The carrot habanero sauce they make in house is good, but seems to be lacking some spice and depth. It would be nice to have another option for a little spice. Spring pimm's was fresh and very good. The bomba had a nice crisp to it and was hearty. I think it is expensive for what it is, but you just have to know that's what you're getting yourself into when you come here. The atmosphere is beautiful (nice lighting, etc.) and the staff is very friendly and attentive. You should expect a line and limited tables (if at all) available around the evening. if you're ok with being patient you can be a vulture and wait for seating at the bar or near the windows and swoop it as soon as someone leaves.
(4)Aj B.
What a great find! Just had an incredible roast chicken sandwich while my partner ate a salad and we split an order of aVacado toast. All fresh and delicious. Staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and quick. Fantastic dessert, white sangria, and iced coffee, too. Oh, and the music was good, too!
(5)Shaena B.
The service is fabulous and the food and drinks are fantastic. Been here 2 days in a row.. And coming back for the bottomless mimosas tomorrow!
(5)Annette U.
Brunch was delicious! I had Moroccan inspired eggs (delicious) and our table split the bread pudding. That bread pudding was a gift from the gods - hot damn! I also asked our lovely waitress for some butter and she brought out homemade jam for my toast as well. I love the decor - wonderful brunch spot. We also got to meet Tim and his dreamy blue eyes - great experience!!
(5)Elba G.
I was really excited to check this place out as it's just a 5 minute walk from our apartment. My husband & I planned to have our date night dinner there so we were stoked. We walked in and realized it was cocktail hour so we sat at the bar to get some drinks before dinner. I had the white wine on the list and he had the a beer. The bartender took quite some time to look at us (I believe there was only one other party at the bar) and wasn't very friendly. It took quite awhile to get the drinks because she was chatting with her colleagues who were still setting up for dinner service. It took longer than it needed to. Ordered some olives. Again, she wasn't mean. But she definitely wasn't nice. Very transaction-like. Really did not dig the vibe. I guess I just had higher hopes for this place. We ended up deciding to get dinner elsewhere since we found the service to be lacking. I'm bummed about the service, not sure if I'll be back. Apparently, other Yelpers have had better luck so maybe my visit was just a fluke.
(2)negar s.
Bomba. That's all I have to say. It's like a arroz con everything. It's so good. The flavors were amazing. Came with friends. We ordered lots of different items to share. That and the duck confit salad were absolutely incredible. Great atmosphere. Service was so-so. A few times she would forget we were there and other times she would be there to grab our plate when we weren't ready but she was trying. That was evident hence no stars deducted. The food and drinks were just wonderful. Definitely going back!! Yummy!!!!
(5)Aishwarya K.
Just had brunch at Shakewell... so tasty and flavorful! The shakshuka was almost as good as mine - that means it was very delicious ;-) Poached eggs on falafel, smoked trout tartine all amazing. Love the Bloody Mary. Only off thing was outside seating. We called ahead to see if we could come with a canine friend and sit outside. They totally welcomed us. Great in theory, but it was soooooooo hot in the direct sun! Just know that there are no umbrellas or shade for outside tables. I know that was our own choice, but it made an otherwise exceptional experience a bit uncomfortable. Staff was very sweet and accommodating though, bringing out water for the pup and checking on us regularly.
(4)Marc S.
Steak dish was excellent. great balance of flavors with the sliced grapes and great spices in the farro. My only complaint is that the flatbread was much too salty. Good service, knowledgeable waiter and good wine pourer.
(4)Jennifer L.
Checked this place out with a friend, as we were looking for a place for happy hour. The staff assisted in accommodating my food sensitivities, but once that was over, they mostly ignored us for the rest of the night. We sat at the bar, since we like to chat with others as well as amongst ourselves. The main bartender was cold, matching the decor, which gave you a sense that the place as a whole was trying too hard to be cool. We witnessed the bartender making an espresso and knowingly shorted the person coffee, as the cup had fallen off the grinder, mid grind and left have the coffee on the counter. The best part of this place was the falafels, definitely a must if you check this place out.
(2)Elguero s.
This, without a doubt, the best place to eat along Lakeshore avenue. Food: 5+ stars Everything we had for dinner was amazing and pretty authentic. I'm not a dessert guy, but even the dessert menu looked appealing. Booze: 4 stars Creative cocktails, a great selection a dessert wines and amaros. Slightly anemic selection of wines by the glass. The list needs more selections from Spain! Only 1 Rioja, nothing from Ribera del Duero or Catalunya. Service: 3.5 stars Friendly attentive service. All our food [small plates, salad and main dish] came within 30 seconds before we had even finished our cocktails. Dining room painfully loud.
(4)Phillip M.
Four of us went to Shakewell to partake of a chef's tasting meal that resulted from a friend's Kickstarter donation. We shared around 20 different dishes, with each course paired with appropriate wine or cocktails. Each course built on and up from the previous one. There wasn't a loser in the pack. The bacalao, octopus and stuffed squash blossoms paired well with a glass of cava. The beet salad and flat bread were nicely complemented by a delicious sherry cocktail (with sweet vermouth and orange bitters). They brought out the calamari bomba with squid ink and the sweet white corn led to the marinated grilled steak, and well it just went on and on. We were too busy enjoying to keep track of everything. Then there were the desserts. I think we had 6, all were to die for. The pomegranate granita was particularly refreshing. Shakewell is a great addition to the neighborhood and portends well. Well worth the trip across the bay. We will be back.
(5)Jax S.
Shakewell has become a favorite brunch spot for me. I go every weekend with friends. The food is beyond amazing and the menu always has new items to try. Tim and his staff are always very welcoming and extremely friendly. He makes the experience much more than just eating out but makes you feel valued as a patron of his establishment. I highly recommend Shakewell to anyone looking for high quality food in a fun and friendly environment.
(5)Kimberly J.
Our double date gave us a good excuse to try Shakewell and see if it lives up to all of the hype created by 7x7 as one of the best new restaurants in 2014. With its relaxed but trendy ambiance, I can see how this place is a great spot for a date night or celebratory meal. As the only vegan in the group, I thought our server did a great job sharing what dishes I would enjoy and how they could easily modify what seemed like a meat and seafood heavy menu. We tried the off-the-menu vegan bomba which was similar to a paella rice dish stuffed with lots of veggies and lentils. Our fave veg dish turned out to be the side of lentils and my guy thought the lamb kebobs were excellent. Shakewell is on the pricier side, so unfortunately, I won't be eating these lentils and fried cauliflower small plates on a regular basis. But, I am definitely keeping this on my list of places to splurge on for a fun night out.
(4)Erran A.
Fantastic and Unforgettable! Your tastebuds will keep your lips smacking with every tasty bite. The brunch is unlike any other. The morning pick me up drinks are similar until you get to the Goooood Morning part, that's when the game changes Michelada looks delicious as I was on my Moto and could not partake. Coffee lovers would find the Café Olé Olé Olé an awakening delight. I had the sunny side up eggs, white beans, kale, crispy fried pork shoulder. Very nice. Next time I'm having chickpea flatbread, cured wild salmon, sheep's milk labneh, capers, pickled onions, herb salad, záatar. Go! Get your brunch on! You'll be glad you did! Did I mention they have a full bar? Ps. DINNER IS EFFING AMAZING!! Dinner was what I first had, don't know where to begin, knife and fork please!!!
(5)Joe T.
Wow! I've been to several restaurants where Jen has been the chef (the old CoCo 500 was my fav), but she's really tied it all together here. Ambiance, flavors, vibe, cocktails, service. Really well done and right in my neighborhood. Easy to call this spot one of my new favorites.
(5)Donna D.
Came for brunch date with hubby and enjoyed the flatbread with smoked salmon Labneh and zaatar. He ordered the short rib sandwich and I got the pork belly with white bean and eggs. Delicious. His sandwich was very strongly flavored with the blue cheese. We also shared the chimchurri potatoes. Those would have been perfect if they sliced the baby potatoes into quarters because the fried crunchy parts were the best and slicing them into quarters would give more fried surface area to munch on! Really good though, can't wait to come back and try dinner Nice atmosphere for date
(4)Becky C.
I feel bad giving this place three stars, because there was so much to like about it, but then there were other items that firmly took it down a notch. First of all, I love the location. It's within walking distance of my house so that's great. Kudos to another restaurant for moving in to the neighborhood. The ambiance is lively which is great, but when they remodeled the space I'm not sure the architects took soundproofing into mind with the design because it was LOUD. I literally could not hear my friend talking across the table and one seat over. Our server was very nice and knowledgeable about the menu, but she recommended a dish that none of us loved: the braised pork shoulder. To be fair to the restaurant, I make this particular dish at home and it's pretty well reviewed by all who have eaten it, but I'm not a professional chef - much less a Top Chef - so I would expect something that I can cook to be taken to new levels. Alas, it wasn't. Now, I don't want to hate on the food too much. There were things that we really loved. The bacalao croquetas with squid ink aioli were amazing. Much better than the ones at Cesar or Barlata. The falafel was also very good. I was a little confused by the fried anchovy and aji pepper-stuffed olives because none of the 10 or so that made it to our table were stuffed with anchovy. We checked, trust me. That was why we ordered them so to not have one anchovy amongst the batch was disappointing. The carrots were undercooked so that was really weird too. Finally, everyone raves about the bombas. I wanted to love it, really I did, but I just couldn't. It was fine, but it was nothing to get excited over. I've had better versions of similar dishes at Cesar and Barlata. Since others here have mentioned the drinks, so I wanted to remark on those as well. I ordered a glass of the sangria and it came served over ice. There was very little fruit in it and it was pretty bland. I ordered another glass and it came with no ice, only half full, and was mostly fruit and very little wine. You could taste the alcohol in the macerated fruit but again, the wine was pretty bland. I love sangria and I've never had one that was bland so I don't even know what was going on. If I'm on the fence about whether a restaurant is merely okay or is actually good I will usually give it another shot, but with Shakewell I don't think I'll be going back to dinner. The prices were much too high for the serving size and I really felt like we were paying for the cool factor of eating at a Top Chef's restaurant. If we do go back, I think it'll be for brunch.
(3)Raymond R.
I cannot say enough great things about this place. This review is long overdue. I live a few miles away and I've been here at least a couple dozen times (usually for brunch). The menu is consistent enough for me to to have go-to favorites, but always has some slight additions that keep me excited and coming back for more. Some may have issues with the price, but when you consider the product quality and consistency along with the great service, the price is easily justified. Like it or not, Oakland is getting expensive folks! I've tried almost every brunch option. My favorite is the Open Face Egg Sandwich. It's SO tasty and the portion is huge enough to out you in a satisfied food comma afterwards. The pastries are to die for. I have yet to have one I haven't loved and they change on occasion which I appreciate. The atmosphere and decor are also key. I've been here with friends getting loud and tipsy and I've been here on romantic dates with my boyfriend. The environment works well for both. Shakewell has become a staple in my community and I couldn't be happier about it.
(5)Stephanie P.
Quick and dirty: We were not impressed, and we probably wouldn't return. However, the service was really fantastic (MINUS the annoying people constantly trying to remove our plates before we were finished), and I'd really like to call that out in this age of bad service. I loved the concept and the location (great addition to Lakeshore Ave.!), and thanks to some great write-ups I expected to love it as well. We were greeted by friendly people, and our server was fantastic. His timing was great, and he was really in tune with our needs. The menu was filled with yummy-looking and unique items. We settled on: --Vegetarian bomba (entree): This was the best of the bunch. Packed flavor, warmth, texture, variety. It was good and I'd order it again if I returned. --Shrimp from the wood oven with feta and butter beans (starter/app size): Really surprisingly lacked flavor. Shrimp a bit overcooked. Just nothing of note going on with the dish, in spite of well-chosen ingredients. --Roasted delicata squash salad: Nice mix of ingredients, but failed to really impress or leave an impression. It was healthy and beautifully presented/plated. It was also chilled, with did nothing for it. I would leave the roasted squash warm and plate it that way. Cold and mushy, it was just sort of weird. Our server gave us some kind of house-made hot sauce, which was a nice touch, but we weren't sure what we were supposed to put it on. It had a nice flavor but I can't remember what it was made of. We also had two of the specialty cocktails at $12 each: Autumn Cozy and El Matator. Also pretty meh. They just didn't have the layers, the excitement, the complexity, the balance I seek in a $12 cocktail. The Autumn Cozy lacked balance more; it was heavier on the rye and amari and it needed the other flavors it was designed to blend and highlight. $75, before tax and tip, for three dishes and two cocktails. We just weren't that impressed. Nothing was bad. The worst parts were the noise (this place is LOUD!) and the bussers constantly trying to take plates before we were finished. Very disruptive. But the food and the cocktails are what I'm in for, and this place just doesn't deliver for me. Too bad, because conceptually it was spot on!
(2)Misha T.
The hype is deserved. Shakewell was quite great. Also, be willing to sit at the bar if you want try to get seated more quickly. My friends and I split three dishes: the squid ink bomba is a must have. A quick protip is to make sure you eat the crispy bits on the side of the bowl. We also got the bacalao croquettes which were a bit too salty. Finally the shrimp with beans wasn't bad, but there was like a hot 6 beans in there. Are we in a bean shortage? I had something similar happen at a different restaurant.
(4)Lindsay Z.
We had dinner here last night, and can't stop raving about this place to anyone who'll listen. Disclaimer: I contributed a small amount to their Kickstarter campaign and have been anxiously awaiting the opening. We finally made it over! We lucked out with a parking spot right across the street, and then were greeted at the door by Tim, who was thrilled that we had reservations, as he'd had to turn away a bunch of walk-ins right before us. (They're not on OpenTable people, go to their website to make a reservation using Chowtime.) We were shown right to our table, getting a glimpse of Jennifer in the kitchen, and our waiter quickly brought water (he left the bottle with us - love when places do this!) and explained the menu. It took us a while to actually look at the menu, as we were busy admiring all of the fabulous details in the room. The chairs, the ceiling, the rock walls, the wood-burning oven, the decor - it is a beautiful space and obvious that care and thought went into every detail. When we finally did look over the menu, everything looked good. Seriously. We joked about closing our eyes and pointing at things to order. Our meal started with cocktails, both of which were delicious. The Lakeshore Cooler was refreshing on a hot night, and the Adonis was the first sherry drink I've tried and liked! The wine list has lots of Spanish wines, and we really enjoyed the two we tried (one red, one white). As for food, every single thing we ordered was delicious. My favorite dish overall was the Grilled Calamari - the plate was beautiful to look at, and every single item on it was perfectly cooked and seasoned. We agreed that if we hadn't already ordered so much food, we would have ordered a second plate of it. Soooo good! Another thing we loved was that vegetables aren't an afterthought here. The salads and side dishes have interest and are delicious all on their own. Case in point was the Green Beans & Snow Peas dish - served cold with orange peel, hazelnuts and scallions (among other delicious things) this dish was one of the most interesting vegetable dishes I've had in a while. Get this before it's gone and out of season! We cannot wait to get back here for another meal, and only wish we lived closer. So happy this place is open and doing well!
(5)Pam S.
Went to Shakewell with a friend soon after it opened, and took a seat near the bar as we waited for our table to be ready (we had made a reservation). Unfortunately, it wasn't until 30+ minutes after that we finally had a table. The manager (?) was very apologetic and offered us a complimentary appetizer, but it was a very long wait especially since we were really hungry. I enjoyed the tender octopus salad, but I'm honestly having difficulty remembering what else stood out. I'd probably give it 3.5 stars at this point., but I am still not sure about Shakewell - I need another visit to figure it out.
(3)Dean H.
Tim and Jen are very passionate about food and it's very apparent in their restaurant. The food was outstanding and the service was top notch. The menu has a Mediterranean/Spanish influence, which is a refreshing change from a typical meat n potatoes menu. The food has flare and is edgy and complex while still providing a comforting feel. Such a rare feat. The attention to detail was evident in all the dishes. My friends and I had one of our best meals in 2014 here, which was a great way to cap off the year. If I knew someone was dining at Shakewell, I would tell them that they must order the following or we would no longer be friends: - APPETIZER: bacalao croquetas, squid ink aioli (salted cod croquettes) - SALAD: roasted beets, satsumas, labneh, kale-herbs, walnuts, honey-tangerine vinaigrette - ENTREE: chicken & prawns bomba (paella type dish) - DESSERT: Saffron panna cotta, cardamom meringue, tangerines (best part of the meal) Order the above and it will change your life. Bon Appétit!!!
(5)Brski B.
So this is what we had: persimmon, serrano ham, basil, jerez xeres sherry bacalao croquetas, squid ink aioli falafel, romesco, spanish chorizo roasted delicata squash, black lime, sriracha yogurt, toasted pumpkin seeds, watercress, cilantro bomba: manila clams & chorizo, carrot-jalapeno sofrito, saffron, oil cured olives, parsley wood oven roasted prawns, butter beans, feta, garlic, tomatoes, marjoram grilled lamb kefta, harissa, yogurt cucumber sauce, quinoa, mint churros, spiced bittersweet chocolate sauce pink pearl apple tart, manchego cheese There was not a real miss anywhere on this list. I found the pink pearl apple tart kind of bleh and one of my dining companions found the persimmon a little boring. The bomba (basically a paella) was good but I was not wild about it. However, in toto, the restaurant is a nice little spot with a great little vibe and very well made food. A solid 4 stars, but why not 5? Well, when a place is this fundamentally good, it elevates itself into the higher echelon. And to be there, to be 5 stars, the place must be great. I can't go that far with Shakewell but I'd certainly enjoy going back.
(4)Scott T.
One of my new favorite spots in the neighborhood. Great food and service. And the bartenders are easy on the eyes.
(5)Alex C.
Shakewell has been very popular in the neighborhood. We tried to stop by a few times on at Friday or Saturday night only to be turned away by the long wait times and the week in advance reservations required to secure a table. We stopped by for lunch this weekend to find out what all the buzz was about. Shakewell did not disappoint. Nice atmosphere and good service. The dishes were unique and tasty. I had the "Shakshukla" and it is was delicious. Shakewell is a great addition to the neighborhood and worth visiting even if you don't live near by.
(5)Joe D.
First thing I must say is that the host and wait staff COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE WELCOMING when we first walked in. Asked if we had been before, gave a little explanation as to their approach, and were generally very upbeat and kind. We decided to embrace the sharing philosophy that Shakewell suggests, so we ordered 3 items to share. Fried sausage with sage leaves and ginger aioli: Wow, a great way to start a mea! I'm not even a huge sausage (or pork, in general) fan, but the combination of tastes in this dish were phenomenal. Bistro steak: I literally don't even know what to type here...one of the best dishes I've had in Oakland since moving here a few months back. Again, the combination of all of the flavors is what really made this dish stand out. Not just a slab of steak with some sides on the same plate; this is a medley of deliciousness. Grilled flatbread (side): A small side plate to go with our main dish, but the flatbread stood out in their own right for the amazing smoky eggplant. We both very much enjoyed our drinks as well. I had a Summer Berry Flip (watching the bar tender prepare this one is a treat in itself). She had a tequila mixed drink that was also tasty, though it was a bit heavy on the liquor. This is one of those places that make you happy and proud to live in the neighborhood!
(5)Siu L.
I highly recommend this restaurant. My boyfriend and I stepped in on a Friday night around 7pm and we were immediately seated. We ordered a couple appetizers and a bomba. My favorite dishes were the croquetas and the chicken and shrimp bomba! The bomba was really flavorful with the aioli and wasn't dry. Everything came out really quickly, we were in and out of the restaurant within an hour and left very satisfied! I definitely plan to come back to try the other bombas dishes.
(4)Lisa T.
The food here is amazing. I got the braised pork. I did try one of their Bombas that my bf ordered and it was great. The cocktails here are good too. I got the early bird with mezcal added in. Great place to start with drinks for a small group and then move into dinner.
(5)Jessa C.
We've been meaning to come here for awhile, since we always pass it on the way to Lin Jia, and we finally got a chance today at lunch time. The host and servers were very friendly and attentive, and unfortunately, that's the only positive I can come up with. The fried olives were the best thing we had, but nothing to write home about. The fried chicken was dry, under salted, and burnt. The portion was also quite dainty. Was expecting more for something called a plate. The cod sandwich was also dry and bland. The portion of fish was way too small, and the bun was big and fluffy. The fries that came with it were undercooked, with no salt. The quality of the food did not match the prices at all. Bummer!
(2)Donna U.
My husband and tried Shakewell last Saturday. Went in and sat at the bar and tried about five small plates. The food overall was pretty good and came out very quickly . Fried sausage safe leaves-very good Bacalao croquettes-excellent Octopus-very good Fried olives with anchovy-very good Sardine toasts-very good The service from the bartender was really lacking! She seemed very put out when we ordered our drinks. Husband is really into mixed cocktails and had a couple quick questions about the smoking gun. She wasn't even that busy at the time but she was extremely short with us and it was clear she did not appreciate him asking about the scotch. The other bartender made our second drink and he was friendly and even smiled when serving us. May go back again down the road but if we see her behind the bar we will head to another restaurant . Bummer because we liked the food, decor and location.
(3)Kym P.
We had an interesting experience here. The hosting staff were all wonderful, they made space for us at the bar when we arrived early, and were actually able to seat us a little early at our table as well. Our server was very attentive at the beginning, he checked in on us quite a few times to take our drinks order and to see if we were ready to order food, we admittedly took quite a while chatting and perusing the menu. We ordered the Octopus, Sardine, Prosciutto and Melon, Short rib, Grilled calamari, and clam and Chorizo 'paella'. The food was ok...it definitely had it's own Californian flair to it. The wood oven baked paella was interesting, I think our server did a good job of setting our expectations, and perhaps based on that we shouldn't have ordered it. It wasn't really to mine of the hubs liking, but we have spent too much time being spoiled with open flame paella on a beach in Espana, so that's probably more on us than the restaurant. The rest of the food was good. It didn't wow me. There was nothing I liked enough on the menu to say I'll definitely go back there. If you're in the area, sure, go check it out. Definitely a place that has a lot of hype and perhaps will do well long term based on the fact that it is reasonably priced for the quality and quantity of food.
(3)J Y.
Excellent food. Jen Biesty doesnt disappoint. The only reason why I'm giving 4 stars is because whoever was expediting on the night we were there did a terrible job of expediting. Dinner for 2 and we ordered 3 small plates and it all came out at the same time. If anything, 3 plates don't fit on a table for 2 - but seriously, who brings out all 3 small plates at the same time? I felt super rushed and the seemed so haphazard. Put some more thought into how you bring out the food. This is such a rookie mistake for a restaurant run by a great chef.
(4)Kim T.
Yes, another post related to my birthday! My sister and pseudo brother in law took me out for a bday dinner. She made a reservation online but could only find one at 9:15. She requested an earlier rez and they notified her the next day that her rez was changed for 8:15a...great start! Unfortunately, there was some traffic (stupid beyonce concert) so we were about 15 minutes late. The hostess did not even flinch and welcomed us with a warm smile and let us know our table would be ready in a few minutes. The restaurant was buzzing for a Tuesday night but was not packed. We were seated fairly quickly. Our server was very attentive although I found him and the staff that engaged us to be a bit over-cheery. My sister and I ordered a cocktail but agreed they were very heavy on the syrup. I like a "creative" cocktail but I always get turned off by too much sugar. I drink my coffee black, people. We started the meal with the octopus and falafel small plates. Both were delicious and rich in flavor. My mother had just made me a pot of paella for my bday so I stayed away from the Bomba. I took the server's recommendation and ordered the albacore. My sister and her boyfriend had to order the exact ssame thing and opted for the Chicken and Prawn bomba. The albacore had a bit of an Asian influence so it felt out of place with the meal. The bomba was good but not great. This may just be a particular taste but they were disappointed the chicken included dark meat and would have preferred just white meat. The prawns were a touch over cooked but not rubbery. Overall, the restaurant is a nice addition to the neighborhood. It did not blow us away but the great service and good food will bring me back.
(3)Alastair M.
great food, great service, may be our new favorite neighborhood restaurant. Has great veggie options (my wife tends that way), but also tons of other items. You can't finish one of the Bombas by yourself. But they're delicious.
(4)Maryann M.
We came here tonight after patiently waiting for them to open for the past several months. It's always nice to have another new neighborhood spot, especially when the menu looks so appealing! We were beyond the starving point when we got here, so it could have gone either way with our first vote of the place. Fortunately, they were really fast when we needed them to be, and paced us out as we started to not be so cranky-hungry. Standouts for us were the Lamb Kofta and Ahi Tuna (We both agreed that we had never had sugar snap peas taste that delicious before - and who would've guessed they go so well with tuna?!). I tend to reserve my reviews for places that I love or that left a bad taste in my mouth, and Shakewell certainly left me planning to come back for more. Thanks for taking such good care of us, Tim! Plan on having us as regulars. :)
(4)Reynaldo P.
My wife had gone to this place a week before with one of her girl friends and she thought I would like the venue and she wasn't mistaken. We went on Sunday for brunch and it was delicious. She ordered the seafood stew and I had a fish and chips dish. I also had a yummy ague fresca. The service was excellent; she made sure we had everything we needed and came to check in on us periodically. The bread of my sandwich was soft and doughy and I thoroughly enjoyed. And my wife devoured her stew pretty fast. My only gripe was that the chips were overly salty, but everything else was amazing. We can't wait to come back and try dinner.
(4)Y H.
Got there 5 minutes before they closed and we still got seated! POSITIVE! Atmosphere - casual and laid back. Service - good service. I had a waitress who knew the menu well and introduced good items on the menu. Food - delicious! Got the chocolate/hazelnut pop-tarts which wasn't too sweet at all. I love the cripsiness and flakiness of the pop-tart too! We also got the short rib sandwich. The meat was tender and flavorful but the blue cheese might be overwhelming for some if you do not like blue cheese. But overall, this dish was delicious. I also got the shashuka. I didn't know what it was, and I actually liked it, especially for someone who doesn't like chickpeas or anything grimy. I definitely would come here again and try other things on their menu!
(4)Asha L.
I have been looking forward to Shakewell opening for a couple months. Every time I would walk by the space, I would try and peek and get a gander at how the restaurant was progressing. I stopped in last Thursday and I must say, it was well worth the wait! Our waiter was kind and knowledgeable. He explained how the menu was broken down and on average how much food to order. He was attentive without being overbearing which I really appreciated. Now...the food! Deviled Quail Eggs $4 - 2 cute little eggs, sliced in half and wrapped in serrano ham and dusted with smoky pimenton - a delectable mouthful. Fried Sausage & Sage Leaves $6 - I am a sage lover, but this dish wasn't my favorite. Baccalo $6 - Light, airy salt cod heaven. Let's leave it at that. Romaine Salad ($?) - Smoky hearts of romaine paired well with buttery avocado, briny boquerones, rich manchego and a vibrant vinaigrette. Calamari Negro Bomba $15 - Serves 2-3, plump grains of rice and perfectly cooked calamari. My favorite part was the crispy bits that stuck to the sides of the dish. Mmmm. Churros & Chocolate Sauce $whocarestheyaresogood - If you think you are too full for dessert, order these anyways. Light, fluffy, melt in your mouth you won't regret it good. Oh! Great cocktails (get the Summer Flip) and a wonderful wine list. Cannot wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!
(4)Lindsay W.
My new favorite spot on Lakeshore. The chicken meatballs and the pork shoulder were just out of this world! The pork comes soaked in it's yummy juices and they give you some bread to soak up all the yummy goodness. In addition, they also have a nice cocktail menu and the decor is quite cute. Since it's hip and trendy, I definitely recommend making reservations for dinner!
(5)Renata L.
Awesome service from beggining to end!! From everyone in the restaurant. That by itself is 50-60% of my experience. We had our toddler with us who wasn't in his best behavior but everyone was very nice. We went for brunch and had some roasted potatoes, the fat bread with smoked salmon and the open face sunny side up egg sanduiche. We got the potatoes first and the first impression was that they were a way too oily but when you try...They are just perfect. My husband had the sandwich and l-o-v-e-d it. Coming from him it must had been really really good. He is the type that always find something wrong with something. I tried a little piece and it had an amazing combination of flavors. I had the flat bread and it was great. Great flavors and the perfect ammount of cream cheese, salmon and herbs. I was kind of expecting it warm so it was suprising that it wasn't. Maybe I should have predicted this as it had smoked salmon. We are definitely going back.
(5)TRproz P.
We were impressed from the moment we stepped in the door. We live in the Lake Merritt area and it was past 9pm on Friday night (8-22-2014), and we were looking for a place to have an impromptu date night. We were up for something new and we finally decided to check out this new restaurant so we hopped on our fixie bicycles and road down the hill to Lakeshore. We didn't know if the restaurant was still open and luckily it was!!! We locked up our bikes and we were instantly greeted at the door and the place was packed. The open layout and decor was beautiful. The only table open was this long wooden table hidden behind this beautiful metal divider by the host stand, and we took it. The table was perfect because we love having extra space and we had a great view of the entire restaurant. The host brought us water and she was so friendly and welcoming and she gave us the run down on what to order. We didn't realize the menu was designed as tapas so it made ordering fun because my date and I got to share everything. And let me tell you, EVERYTHING we ate was DELICIOUS. WE ate every crumb off of every plate, literally. We started off with drinks, and we both ordered 1 round of their specialty "Cooler" drink and it was refreshing and on point with flavor! First dish to arrive was a small plate of Octopus that was seasoned with celery, olives, chilies and saffron aioli on small toasted bread slices and the combo was DELICIOUS. Then we shared this creamy corn crab soup that was literally the BEST soup we have every had. It was just the right amount of cream where it wasn't too creamy and the crab was a nice surprise of hidden AWESOMENESS. Then we shared a Bomba dish: the Chicken & Prawns with braised fennel, piperade, tomato and fino sherry....which is like paella....and it was SMACKIN!. And for dessert, we shared the flan and a berry pie that came with a slice of cheese I can't recall the name of....and OMG...it was so good i'm speechless. Customer service was on point all night. When the server was too busy to deliver a drink or to grab our dessert order, he made sure to send someone our way and we appreciate the little things. It's been a LONG time since we have experienced such great CUSTOMER SERVICE like the staff at Shakewell provided and as we exited the restaurant we received warm goodbyes. BEST DATE NIGHT at a Restaurant of the year so far, and we weren't even dressed up! I highly recommend this place. And after doing a little research, this place was funded through an awesome Kickstarter campaign. If we had known about this campaign when it launched in 2013, we would have surely donated. So glad Shakewell made Oakland it's new home!
(5)Victor C.
Amazing food, great space. The squid and ink bomba (like paella) was the best thing I've eaten this year. Only negatives were poor on tap beer selection and high prices, but tapas is usually ridiculously priced anywhere in the U.S. Despite that can't wait to go back.
(4)Elaine L.
Despite the fact that Shakewell is brand new, it has really figured out how to deliver on on the food. The pork shoulder, short rib, calamari nero bomba, and fried sausage sage leaves were the true highlights, though we also really enjoyed the deviled egg, fried stuffed olives, and grilled shrimp. For dessert, the flan and blackberry tart were also quite good. The space is also beautiful and airy and perfectly captures the Oakland food scene. Final verdict: If this is the first stab at it, they're going to kill me with consistently delicious cuisine!
(5)Jennifer H.
Okay, i will admit it. When my husband suggested this new place called Shakewell, i thought, whatever... Uninspiring name, another small-plates-for-entree-price hipster hangout. But then he mentioned it was opened by Top Chef alum Jen Biesty, and it became necessary, nay, urgent, to visit as soon as possible. I'm not proud my reality tv fandom, and (in my defense?) there are plenty of Top Chef-ers that would have the opposite effect. Anyway, I made an easy online rez and we were off. We started with the cold octopus appetizer, served with celery, olives, and saffron aioli. The octopus was incredibly tender and succulent, and perfectly seasoned. My husband wondered how long they have to massage it to get it so soft. It's amazing. Next up: grilled romaine hearts salad. The romaine was just slightly charred on the tips, so that it had a grilled smokiness but still retained its fresh green crispness. It came with pink pickled onions, a tart counterpoint, and boquerones, pickled anchovies. I couldn't resist ordering the chicken albondigas -- meatballs that are usually made with beef, which I don't eat. The chicken in these had a rougher texture than mere ground chicken, which leads me to believe it is either hand chopped or processed in some other, more labor intensive way. It's worth the work --the meatballs are juicy, served in a tomato pimenton sauce, and disappeared from our plate with amazing rapidity. The only dish that didn't blow us away was the manila clams and chorizo bomba. The waiter explained that bomba is to paella what arborio is to risotto. Couldn't he just have said it was a kind of rice? (I have eaten "bomba" in an Italian restaurant in Tokyo that was an inflated, ball-shaped pizza that is covered with prosciutto and pierced and deflated before you eat it, so I was really just needing a broad strokes explanation). Rather than paella, he explained, it is cooked in the brick oven in a clay dish. It arrived yellow with saffron, studded with clams and bits of chorizo. Very reminiscent of paella --but when we dug in, the rice was still watery, no lovely crisp crust on the bottom. And compared with paella, the dish was subdued, lacking the bold mix of seafood, saffron, sausage or chicken that we associate with yellow rice served in a flat dish. Once I had accepted that it wasn't paella and to quit expecting those flavors, the dish actually grew on me. It did have a subtle mix of flavors, and it was tasty. But next time I will try the squid ink one instead. At this point, we were really, really full. The dishes are bigger than the average small plates place. By the way, why oh why do people make small plates for sharing? "We are going to give you less food, and then you have to share it with everyone at the table." !!!? What if we did that at potlucks... everyone show up with food to share, just 3 bite on a perfectly composed plate is fine. We'd all starve. Give me BIG plates for sharing, please! But I digress. These are bigger than the 2 bites you get at many other establishments for small plates, and we actually couldn't finish the bomba... which didn't stop us from ordering the blackberry tart with manchego cheese. The tart was really more of a flat pie, double crusted, served with a big wedge of cheese balanced across it. Very satisfactory, and my husband loved the contrast of the cheese with the blackberries. Personally I'm more of an ala mode girl myself, and I was too full to fully savor it. But we'll be back soon, so I'll have another chance.
(4)Donna G.
My friend and I had a gal's movie night out. We went to Flipside and we wanted cocktails before the movie, so we stumbled upon Shakewell. I wish we had dinner here instead of Flopside. So my review is for my drink, Autumn Cozy. I am in love. This is a whisky drink with cinnamon infused rye, maple bitters, and some other goodies that go amazingly well with each other. Aromatic, smooooooooth and warm, even with a cool block of ice in the center of my drink. I came back after dropping off my friend and met another friend for a last call drink. The restaurant is lovely and very adult. Too many restaurants are trying to accommodate everyone including little ones. It is nice to go somewhere without stepping around a stroller or hearing a sudden scream. However, it is loud with the dining area right next to the bar and open kitchen. But I think I will be back in about a week to try out the dinner and that lovely, lovely Autumn Cozy again.
(5)Thomas J.
My wife and I just ate at Shakewell for opening night. The food was interesting but tasty and the service was very impressive for any night ...especially their first night. The cuisine is Spanish / Moroccan style with portion sizes just right for sharing. The Deviled Quail Eggs wrapped in Pancetta were delightful and the entree was delicious Paella-like rice dish with prawns that they called Bomba with a side of grilled broccolini. We were also impressed by the cocktails. Try the Lakeshore Cooler - super refreshing!
(4)Paul K.
Shakewells is good...really good...incredibly good. So good that I went there three times in the first 10 days it was open, and I live 40 miles away. In those visits, I tried most of their menu. Dinner standouts are the seafood bomba, anchovie olives, croquettes, and bees knees (drink). You can't leave until you try dessert...in highly recommend the churro's. Service is always top-notch. I am not sure what the few others are complaining about here--I've never had anything but remarkable service. I'm moving to Lakeshore to save on gas!
(5)Rob F.
Yesterday I had brunch at Shakewell. Oh my was it delicious!!! I had Poached eggs on falafel cake, spanish chorizo, romesco sauce. Say what? I've never seen anything like this on a brunch menu and it was delicious!!! I had their falafel at dinner before and I don't know how they do it but they are sooooo tasty!! I went with 5 friends and tried to their dishes as well and all of them were delicious. It looks really great in the daylight too with the large front windows fully open. It feels like you're on vacation :)
(5)Betty A.
Great addition to the neighborhood! Love the well crafted cocktail menu and amazing service. Sit at the bar and ask for Amy or James and they will take care of you. I brought my two best friends here and we had a 11 course meal that Amy picked out single handily. Thank you Shakewell for your amazing food and staff!
(5)Joshua J.
What a refreshing addition to the dining options in the neighborhood. Expectations were very high and Shakewell exceeded them all. After just 2 days open the service hummed along as if it were open for years - it's impressive to see so much attention nailing the entire package and not just turning out great food. The food was exceptional on all fronts. Surprisingly, the menu had a great depth and balance to it (and not just food - they really nailed the beer and cocktail list...can't comment on the wine as I was on a mission to sample the entire cocktail list). The portion sizes were very generous and the price point on all dishes is very reasonable. I can't recall what they're called - so we'll simply refer to them as the "fried sausages" - well...they are the tastiest fried appetizer I've ever had (sorry fried Oreo). These are a must for every table (perhaps they should just have a plate waiting on every table). The space is gorgeous and it should provide a nice long-time home for our new neighbors.
(5)Leah D.
Shake -poor I went out with my husband on Saturday night hoping to enjoy a nice meal without the kids. We ordered the appetizer of the house, seared tombo tuna topped with olives and aioli, shared the chicken and shrimp bomba topped with - you guessed it- aioli, and also the grilled asparagus, served with a generous helping of....AIOLI! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a dollop of aioli. However, it was surprising that all three dishes had the exact same dressing with no difference in flavor or seasoning. It made for a less exciting flavor experience during dinner, and a less than appetizing after dinner experience. We spent the night close to our bathroom, enjoying the aioli into the wee hours. I called the restaurant to let them know that both my husband and I were sick all night. They called back to apologize but made sure we knew we were the only customers to complain and asked if we would be back to dine there again. Not a classy response, in my opinion. Won't be returning for more.
(1)Tom A.
WOW!!! This is a fantastic food event that is instantly addicting. Stop reading this and just GO! Fried stuffed olives are explosions of yumminess. Bacalao croquetas are creamy and dreamy. The grilled flat bread and summer squash salad were culinary adventures on a plate. I can't find words to describe the joy of the calamari negro bomba. My only complaint would be that they don't warn you about needing a side of ice cream with the churros with spiced bittersweet chocolate sauce. The chocolate sauce needs a buddy! I'm truly sad I can't live there!
(5)J. S.
Third time's a charm (as was the 2nd and 1st!) We were impressed after our 1st dinner here (2 nights after opening) really amazed after the 2nd and completely smitten after the most recent great evening at Shakewell. The menu is unique and expertly prepared. The Bombas are amazing (try the black squid version) and a really great way to explore something new. If you're a rib fan these are going to the top of your list. Service is friendly and really knows their stuff. At our last meal we let our server lead us and his suggestions made the whole group happy. The mescal cocktail has me ditching vodka(!). The only problem I have with Shakewell is that I'm supposed to share. I will go solo soon and indulge myself! Keep it up Shakewell and keep your pricing as is - you are going to be a HUGE hit!
(5)Maria T.
Incredible! New hot spot for me and my friends to dine!
(5)Elizabeth R.
It was one of those meals/experiences that were pretty good, not great...and I was hoping for great. I had a very good cocktail, the Lakeshore something. We tried an appetizer the waiter recommended, the sardines, not so good. I was hoping they could do something with sardines to make them special but they weren't too good. My husband likes sardines and he didn't think it was very good either. I guess that's my fault got going on the waiter's recommendation, but I like to ask the wait staff for recommendations. When we ordered, I asked for one dish at a time so we could share them, but that didn't happen. We had to wait at least 30-35 minutes for the dishes after the sardines. Then the salad and the beets came together. The romaine salad was pretty good, not great. I thought the beet salad was quite good. And then there was another long lag. The table behind us got their meal quite quickly and was eating while we waited. That was a little frustrating to watch. Then the shrimp dish (good), the pork (great), and the flat bread all came out at one time. The flat bread was good but since there was bread with the pork, we didn't need it. I wish the waiter had told us about the bread. We had the churros for dessert. They were good, not amazing. It was an okay experience and a lot of that had to do with the timing of the food coming out. Maybe I had built it up too much in my mind and so it was tough to live up to it. I'll give it another chance but I won't be rushing there for a while.
(3)Tim N.
We've gone back often; menu changes frequently; fresh, creative and flavorful. The weekend brunch is fun and the weeknight prix fixe dinner is a really good deal. Tim, the host, is so friendly and energetic; and we heard that Chef Jen almost Beat Bobby Flay on his TV show. We love this little gem!
(5)Kat B.
Tasty Mediterranean starters, very good entrees. (Awesome short ribs.) The sides were a bit random, not super well paired with the entrees. Very good cocktails, great craft beers - 2 on tap, 9 (8 beer, 1 cider) bottled. Not crazy about the sangria. Looking forward to come back for proper tapas. Good service. Great start!
(4)Joshua L.
Best weekend brunch in Lake Merritt!! Service is great, food was top notch and the price wasn't too spendy for the quality.
(5)Leona C.
Without knowing any of the history of the owners, we strolled in on a Wednesday evening without a reservation. Apparently, they are booked months out. Congrats! Luckily, the stars were aligned that night, and three seats opened on a communal table. Unlike many new restaurants that have exploded in the Bay Area, Shakewell shook out all the anticipated opening kinks and we had a perfect, unhitched dining experience. Fabulous wine selection. We ordered a few things off of every section of the menu and every bite was delicious. Service was on point and helpful, without hovering. It's hard to stand out in Oakland, as every other week a new Hot and Trending spot opens. You will not be disappointed here. Welcome to the neighborhood!
(5)Cornell G.
We went there tonight and the food was amazing. This was one of the better dinners that I have had in a while. I had reservations, but we got there pretty early. So, we checked in with the hostess and headed to the bar. The bartender was receptive and even made a nice suggestion on a drink. The drinks were good. The meal was great. The beet salad pushed this rating to where it is. I have not been a fan of beets, but I will definitely order this again when I return. The short rib was tender and the lamb was good, as well. I will be returning soon.
(5)Joel B.
Shakewell opened in the Lakeshore District of Oakland a mere two months ago and they are already hitting their marks! We barely were able to get a reservation early on a Wednesday evening and by the time we were finished with our dinner there were many people waiting to eat and the wait is worth it! Based in Spanish-Mediterranean cuisine, their menu is intended for sharing from small plates and salads to Bombas (a Paella-inspired dish), and roasted fish and meat dishes. We kicked off with the two most refreshing cocktails on their menu, the Summer Berry Flip (Haymens Old Tom Gin, fresh lemon, egg, Shakewell lavender syrup, berries, lavender bitters), and the Lakeshore Cooler (Hanson Cucumber Mint Organic Vodka, Cocchi Cmericano, fresh lime, Shakewell dill syrup). The cooler was super refreshing and vibrant although asking for a touch more of the dill syrup if for no other reason because I hadn't ever had a drink that included dill syrup! The Berry Flip is a beautifully colored and structured cocktail and full of a mouthful of lush flavors, including egg white which we usually prefer, however, this drink was a bit thick with egg so its consistency in the mouth feel took away from its overall experience, but it definitely served its purpose as a start to a lovely dinner. A sip into the cocktails we ordered the grilled romaine hearts. I am a newfound fan of grilled romaine having had it only twice before at Diavola and Townie, with Diavola's being the favorite thus far, yet the Shakewell version is worth noticing. Perfectly charred romaine is married with white anchovies, salty Manchego, pickled onion, creamy avocado and bright lemon. This is a great starter to enjoy with a couple of cocktails while figuring out what to eat next! We decided to share two dishes: the chicken & prawns Bomba (braised fennel, piperade, tomato, fino sherry $24), and the chili-chocolate braised short rib (arugula, pickled fresno chilies, butter beans $19). Both of these dishes were really wonderfully prepared. The rice in the Bomba was perfectly cooked (in lobster broth, by the way) and even though it didn't have that crispy crunch to the bottom of it like Paella often does, this dish was fragrant, rich, and pleasantly filling. The chili-chocolate braised short ribs were a great accompaniment and offered a mouthful of dark rich stew-like meat and sauce with the creamy and tender texture of the butter beans. We paired these dishes with a glass of medium-bodied, slightly spicy Aragonez blend - Adega do Monte Branco; Alento, Alentejo from Portugal. Shakewell is a fun and vibrant neighborhood restaurant rich with a variety of complex smells filling the room and offers a welcome and unique direction for the taste buds while offering a good value along with friendly, professional and attentive service.
(4)Todd C.
Big fan. Very attentive and fast bar tender who served us drinks and food. The drinks were more subtle in flavor and not overwhelmed by the stupid crap they put in high end cocktails these days (who wants cinnamon in a cold mixed drink?). Very tastey. Delicious arugula salad, really good lentil side dish. Met the owner who was very nice and welcoming. We'll definitely be heading back.
(5)Ed F.
We had an amazing experience at Shakewell. Perfect addition to the neighborhood. The space is open & cool. Started with the El Matador cocktail, can't go wrong with bourbon. There were four of us so we ordered lots of plates to share. Waiter Jeffrey recommended the sausage sage leaves. I would not have ordered but they were yummy. We had the chicken & prawns bomba, which was delicious. Lot's of choices , can't wait to go back & try everything else!
(5)Courtney G.
Awesome hostess named Ariel! Meats and seafood are from sustainable farms and fisheries. Standouts were the ceviche, flatbread with babaganoush eggplant dip, and chicken and prawns bomba.
(5)Fred S.
I LOVE SHAKEWELL. It's perfection. All the sophistication of the best New York City establishments, the eclectic charm of Oakland, FANTASTIC FLAVORS, adorable waiters from Italy and other places near and far. Oakland is the bomb and SHAKEWELL is bomb central! Every detail screams cool. I feel elevated!!!
(5)Erin F.
Love this spot already! Great menu and cocktails and service was really impressive, especially given they have only been open a few days. Loved the design, space, staff and food, will definitely be back.
(5)Patrick R.
I Stopped in for an impromptu dinner here with my girlfriend Sunday evening, and we were very impressed! It was crowded, but we were able to find a spot at the open-seating bar without a reservation. The cocktails are very good, and there are some creative options. Our bartender was nice, outgoing, skilled, and efficient. She made us feel comfortable and taken care of. The food was really fantastic. Kind of a mediterranean/california/comfort food mix. There's a real earthy heartiness to the fare; it warms the belly and the soul. Fried anchovy stuffed olives were a great small plate, as was the prosciutto with melon. We had a squid ink Bomba that was, in fact, the bomb! Also a shrimp dish that was very good but not as memorable. While you can have variations of many of the dishes they serve at other fine bay area restaurants, everything we ate was fantastic. I'm not sure I've ever had squid cooked so perfectly. Presentation is pretty good but not overly artistic. My bomba was simmering when it arrived, and I enjoyed its tempting aroma taunting me while we waited for it to cool enough to try a bite. Service was efficient and friendly. Decor is kind of a modern rustic moorish/mediterranean open space. The bar takes up a good portion of one side. It's noisy but not deafening. I'd caveat this by emphasizing we ate at the bar, not a table, so I can't really review the quality of service for a group at a table. I don't usually like to review a place unless I've been there a few times, but I'm really enthusiastic about this joint. I'd go back anytime and bring an appetite. It's fun! It's tasty! It doesn't take itself too seriously!
(4)Fernando L.
The food is too salty and overpriced and the plates are pretty small. There are just a few tables, so you need to share them lacking a reservation. Also, it was cold inside. And incredibly for a tapas restaurant, you have to pay for the bread! On the plus side, the waiters were really kind.
(2)Alicia M.
I'm completely befuddled by all the four and five star reviews - where do you all normally eat around here, kfc? Short Version: This place was a definite mleeeeh and we won't come back. It gets two stars because I reserve one star ratings for those where I get food poisoning or find hair or insects in my food - i.e. the utter bottom of the barrel places. Specific Gripes: Bad service, and the food and drinks were mediocre at best, truly bad at worst. - Service: The service was atrocious - the staff who greeted us acted as if she had much much better things to do and couldn't possibly be bothered to see if there perhaps might be a table for 3 people at 5:30pm on a Thursday. Really, 5:30 and the whole darn place is reserved? Finally, they deign to seat the 3 of us, outside, at a two top after explaining, no no, you can't have the empty and not reserved outdoor four top because there aren't four of you so why don't you squish around this two top where one of the chairs is in danger of tipping over because the sidewalk isn't level. Sweet; thanks. - Drinks: Ordered a rye sazerac; twenty minutes later something showed up, not sure what that thing was though. It was horribly saccharine and then sat there barely touched the entire meal, even after I ordered a glass of wine. - Food: Most importantly the food; wait, where is the food? Waiting and waiting and waiting..... and then when the food finally arrived it was cold and flavorless, the portions tiny and the prices high. How did they make sausage and sage bland - is salt strictly verboten in that kitchen? We also had the chicken and shrimp bomba, which was watery, tepid rice with dry chicken and overcooked shrimp. Really $29 bucks for that tiny dish of crap - it's insulting. Recommended alternatives: Boot and Shoe, Camino or Bistro Michel if you want to stay local or venture to Jack London Square and go to Venga Paella if you are hankering for Spanish.
(2)Fzarond K.
This bathroom feels a bit cramped, a stall and a toilet and a sink all right there. The most perplexing thing is the dual men's signs on the door. A triangle and a circle both, like a decision should have been made but was not. The women's door is the same.
(3)catherine c.
I think the food was quite good. Unfortunately, we were shamed by the host for lingering too long at our table, so now that's all I really remember.
(2)kristi s.
I did not enjoy this place at all. The atmosphere is not good...insanely loud and too bright. We had to eat at the bar because they don't take reservations (I hate this) which means we are eating our $150 meal with people crowded up against our backs. The food was inferior to Duende (very similar menus) which is dark and nice. We did have a pork shoulder entree that was delicious but everything else was just ok. My throat is sore from screaming to be heard. Not a pleasant meal. 2 1/2 stars, especially given the price.
(3)Heather S.
I don't often write yelp reviews, so please bear with me. Lakeshore avenue needed a restaurant like this. We were early for our reservation and decided to have a drink at the bar. I think the Mixologist overheard us saying we were hungry and they sent us a complimentary amuse bouche. We were seated a little before our reservation, which was wonderful. The standout dishes of the night were the octopus (amazingly tender), the tempura squash blossoms, and the grilled shrimp. Beautifully presented, fresh, delicious, hospitable, and at a great price. We left the restaurant planning our next meal there.
(5)K m.
We loved the food and the drinks were all flavorful . The staff was charming and fast on their feet . We will be back!!!!!
(5)Michelle B.
The mussels were perfectly cooked and melted in my mouth. Also highly recommend the octo dog.
(4)Denis B.
The dinner was very good. We enjoyed the anchovies in olives , the flatbread, the octopus and all were delicious. Our entrees were the grilled squid (outstanding) and the shrimp and chicken Bomba (like paella) and both were great choices. the desserts were also praise worthy.
(4)Roger S.
It's rare I write a review the night I leave a place but Shakewell is deserving. Our waiter Andrea from Italy was awesome! This place is really meticulous about customer service and I just think that's how the co-owners Tim and Jen roll. It makes a big difference. They know it and now we know it. Andrea recommended some great reasonably priced wines by the glass and we have a 1500 bottle wine cellar so we know our wine decently. My wife and I had the sausage in sage leaves with ginger aioli, the beets with burrata, the chicken albondigas, and the short ribs with chocolate sauce. The savory food was outstanding - really excellent! And we had to get some to go because we needed to try the churros for desert which were out of this world! This place was jam packed on a Saturday night too and is a definite star of Oaktown! We have lived in Oakland since 1993 and just love the choices of amazing restaurants here. This city has the best weather in the world, some of the most down to earth people you will ever meet, and now becoming a culinary mecca with places like Shakewell and many others. We will be back!
(5)Valerie C.
Well intentioned but I felt it lacked pedigree. I do think it's cool that they chose to name their rice dishes after the rice instead of just calling it a paella, I suppose that was what set the bar in terms of my expectations. I was disappointed. No prized socarrat but a soggy puddle under the rice. The right kind of music can really determine the tone of a place and I thought the loud club music brought the ambiance down. Service was friendly and not bad, but not outstanding. Overall, disappointed with the experience.
(1)Bonnie C.
Delicious and inventive! Shakewell is one of those hip and trendy places that really delivers in terms of food execution and warm hospitality. We came here for Mother's Day brunch and were personally greeted by owner/GM Tim Nugent, who I remember seeing on Top Chef Desserts. He really sets the tone of the restaurant - welcoming, friendly, classy and trendy, but not pretentious. I ordered the chicken and churros, which was amazing. Those were the best churros ever: crispy, fluffy, savory, delicate and flavorful. I love the inventive take on classic chicken and waffles, and my friend and I agreed that we much prefer churros to waffles when it comes to fried chicken! The mild spices and sauces really harmonized the whole dish much better than I've seen at other places with a hunk of chicken sitting on top of waffles. And the fried chicken was incredibly flavorful and juicy. We also had a side of crispy potatoes which was generously portioned and yummy as well. It's a pretty hip place but they were very welcoming to kids too, considering it was mother's day. All of the food was delicious and well executed. It's evident the chefs are pouring their heart and soul into the dishes. I can't wait to try out their dinner menu!
(5)Adam S.
Eh, it was fine. Stopped in for a drink. Service was sllloowww. And it was just a drink. I think one of the causals may be that the cocktail menu is too ambitious for a new place, causing the bartenders to take too long to perfect each one, which in turns slows down service on a busy night. Cocktail was ok but not worth waiting almost 20 mins for. Will probably return for dinner one night, but with the knowledge that it could be a long meal. So, eh. Like the French place down the block I had very high expectations and both places have been ok but nothing extraordinary.
(3)Anne V.
The owner met us at the door and the whole place had a friendly, casual vibe. I loved that they served a small 7oz. size of their draft beers. The prawn and chicken Bomba was delicious and the Short Rib was flavorful and small enough to leave room for dessert. The problem is the waiter never really seemed to care that we were his customers, never asked if we wanted a second drink or if we wanted dessert, so we left without either, and we would have ordered, and paid for both. It seemed like our waiter had too many jobs. He was waiting tables all over the restaurant and was also mixing drinks at the bar. Hope the service gets better because everything else about it would make us regulars.
(4)Steve R.
The place looks great-some of the appetizers were excellent (sausage sage leaves), and some were just ok (octopus). Service seemed a bit off as I waited for 10 minutes to get my cocktail after the rest of our party were served. The Bomba rice dishes were not as flavorful as I had hoped. I'm hopeful they get some of the kinks out and it's great to have this place in the neighborhood.
(3)Chloe F.
I loved the food and I thought the service was absolutely amazing. Will definitely be a regular there.
(5)Brittni Z.
This place is great. I cant believe I am just now trying it. Its located right on the Lake Merritt strip. My partner and I are always looking for exciting brunch spots and this definitely is just that. We were seated quickly by friendly staff members and our waitress quickly came to greet us. I ordered a bloody Maria and didn't recognize any of their fancy tequila so took a recommendation and it was good! We received a free pastry with yelp check in,which my server brought me what she said was her favorite and although I tried to save it for desert, one bite let to 5 bites then gone. It tasted like creme brulee in the middle of a pastry, yum. We got our food and it was beautiful like a work of art. It was a smaller portion of food, but each bite was simply delicious. If you are looking for a big plate of breakfast food, probably not the spot for you, but worth it if you are looking to treat your mouth to something new. The dishes were even decently priced enough that if you were super hungry you could get two things, which my partner usually does anyways. The decor and atmosphere was lovely as well, I will surely be back to try something else.
(4)Jamie B.
Food was amazing! We had the croquetas, the arugula salad, stuffed peppers and chicken & prawns bomba. All fantastic! Will definitely come back!
(5)Carter H.
This place rocks! Have now been on several locations over the past three months, and I never leave disappointed. First, I love the energy and vibe; it just a great neighborhood joint where you want to hangout among friends...and the front of house and waitstaff certainly make you feel that you are among friends. Second, the bar and bartenders are energetic, interactive and creative. They have a top-notch selection of standards, supplemented with a lot of lesser known but exceptional finds. Lastly, the food....ridiculously good. Never a bad bite, and always tough to make decisions; being with a group is a plus when you can as you'll get to try more of these amazing treats. I love the bombas, and it is fun to share a few among a table as opposed to a single entree. These guys are exactly on point for what this neighborhood needed and are on the forefront of what is to come. Lakeshore is just getting better and better.
(5)R B.
Expertly crafted cocktails that change with the seasons, created by friendly bartenders who immediately make you feel welcomed. Food is fantastic! Innovative dishes are seasoned to perfection; try the chicken meatballs, falafel, or pork dishes. Brunch offers up creations I've never seen anywhere else in the Bay Area; nice twist from the norm. This is a neighborhood gem. The service is great; from the minute you walk in, you are treated like a cherished guest.
(5)H T.
this place is really cute. i came for brunch on saturday, and there was no wait. i didn't feel like brunch food, so i had the octo-dog, which was basically a grilled tentacle (which looks like a hot dog) on a baguette. it was really tasty! i can't wait to come back and try dinner items as well as the cocktails.
(4)Emily P.
We had such a great experience at Shakewell! Both owners seemed very involved in the best way possible; Tim was so kind and attentive personally finding a last minute reservation for our party of 6 and Jen made sure to greet us as well. The restaurant interior was beautiful but still comfortable for a casual dinner. As a vegetarian, the veggie bomba recommended by our waiter (not sure if it was on the menu) was incredible as was the cauliflower with romesco sauce. Meat-eaters at our table loved the bomba with clams, half chicken, and stuffed mushroom as well. I can't wait to return and try more of the creative, flavorful dishes at Shakewell, a wonderful addition to the grand lake neighborhood!
(5)Noah B.
Yummy food, although not all dishes are hits. Service is friendly, but needs a serious bump in skill, knowledge and awareness. Two servers didn't know what a menu item (bacalao croquettes) was on a recent visit and I kept having to search the dining room for minutes whenever I needed a new drink, additional dish or the check.
(5)Lauren C.
I was pretty excited to try this place, as it seemed to a be a long time in the making! My husband and I stopped in at primetime on Friday evening and scored a spot at the bar at the front window, which is a great spot! The service was quick and attentive, and the menu was explained to us (tapas/salads/small plates on top, shared plates below). We weren't crazy hungry, so we shared several small plates and a salad. Presentation was lovely for each, and all were delicious. My fave was the squash salad, so fresh and yummy! Hubs didn't love his beer, and the server offered to replace it with something else. For dessert we had the blackberry tart with manchego cheese...awesome!! The owner came over and explained that it was a twist on a childhood favorite of his...apple pie with cheddar cheese. (Which I totally thought my dad, who is from upstate NY, made up! But apparently it's a thing in Vermont, too.) Anyway, we had a great experience from start to finish and will definitely be back to try the shared plates!
(5)Tracy A.
We went for dinner when grandrents were in town. 4 generations, 10 people so we tried every single dish....no kidding. GREAT service and ambiance. AND EVEN BETTER FOOD. The small plate program worked well with a large group with everyone sharing food and conversation. It was kind of hectic at our table so we went back 4 nights later with one other couple. We were right.....this place is fantastic!!! Order anything.....its ALL carefully prepared and presented. Cant wait to return.
(5)Cynthia B.
This is the kind of place that just makes you feel glad to be alive. We had another fantastic meal here and it keeps getting better. We had so much fun enjoying every new dish that came along, the flavors are just the right mix of fresh, unexpected yet not fussy at all. The portions are perfect and the service is so friendly!
(5)John P.
I am so glad to have this addition to the Grand Lake restaurant scene. The interior is fantastic in it's plain-flat-Spanish-modern meets Moorish interlace pattern way. The powder coat plate steel tables are so smooth to the touch and "clink" nicely when your thin walled short tumbler taps an edge down on it. I like dining on nice handmade sturdy stuff and Shakies really has it my friends. The staff are good- like those pros over at Flora, A Cote, and Boot. They are timely but not rushed, friendly without being sloppy or too informal and they know (for the most part) the grub they be slinging. And what of that grub? It's fresh,crisp and vibrantly spiced. The beet salad is to die for. Get one. The tortured romaine with little white fishies is yum if you get the right bite. Every dish made me pay attention, then focus and think again, then taste, think and have another bite. Lots of good balance along with playful creativity. What about the booeezz louise? The cocktails were good. not drop and worship in silence good- but high standard good. Some of the house invented stuff was great. The wines were good even though I only had one. I cannot wait to come back and make my way through the rest of the menu. Cheers and Thanks guys!
(5)Bob A.
Coming into an increasingly crowded Oakland restaurant market, Shakewell more than holds its own. Having been there twice now, what's most surprising is every mouthful of everything we ate. Somehow our new "celebrity chef" finds a way to pack every dish full of distinctive and exotic flavors, enhanced with cruchy textures. From our experience, the best of Spanish, North African and Mediterranian cuisine imaginable. And by the way, in the past, each time I heard or read "tapas" I have sort of rolled my eyes, thinking, the portions will be small, not very flavorful and pricy. Well, that's all changed now, Shakewell has set an entirely new standard in small plates. The reason? The portions are just right, not at all small and not too large, full of flavor, beautifully presented and more that fairly priced. The same goes for their wine and cocktails. Finally the servers, both food and bar are each, to a person excellent -- as are the hosts. Shakewell operates with impressive, knowledgeable, easy and welcoming professionalism that only comes from real pros. It's so nice to have them in Oakland.
(5)susan m.
A friend suggested we go there to try the new neighborhood restaurant -- initially I wasn't thrilled but thought what the heck. They are VERY warm and welcoming, which is lovely. The noise level is about at the astronomical level, not so lovely. Our party could barely hear each other unless we were almost shouting. The menu is varied and, for the most part, the dishes are well prepared and quite good. We shared the Harissa, beet salad, and Bomba. I was thrilled to see salmon on the menu, as I have food issues and need to be somewhat mindful about what I eat and how it's prepared. I specifically asked our server to have the kitchen cook the salmon more than would be usual, as undercooked in the center can be trouble for me. He blithely assured me that the salmon is cooked all the way through and seemed to casually dismiss my request. Everyone at the table received their entrees prior to me. When the salmon was brought to the table a few minutes later I cut into the center and, unsurprisingly, it was very undercooked and not edible for me that way. I got the attention of another server who hurriedly took it back to the kitchen for further cooking. My party sat at the table eating their dinners while I waited about 20-25 minutes for my dinner to make a reappearance. When that finally happened, it was delivered with a snarky "here's your well done salmon." The salmon was slightly more cooked is all; why it took 25 minutes for that to happen is a mystery to me. Our original server stopped by the table to ask how the fish was. I took the opportunity to (nicely) tell him I'd asked for a more than usually cooked piece of fish in the first place, and that it might be to his benefit to listen more attentively and honor the customers requests. He perfunctorily said he apologized, and sped off. So--to sum up--they're a fairly new place and I'd consider trying them again once they've been around a while longer--but, as said in other reviews, the food is good not great, the service is choppy, very slow and doesn't fully appreciate the concept of attending to the details (except for our busboy who was wonderful), and the noise level is not conducive to real conversation. The latter made us decide to exit without ordering dessert, and enjoy some ice cream at home where we could hear each other.
(2)Lawren B.
Shakewell is a beautiful spot located up on Lakeshore near Trestle Glen. The drinks and food are wonderful. The cocktails are creative, the bartenders use uncommon syrups, flavors (such as chamomile tequila), and combinations. I highly recommend the chorizo bomba and the flatbread appetizer. The beet salad, summer squash salad, and melon dishes were great, but when I go back I will focus my energies on the bomba and flatbread with charissa for sure. My favorite server is Yvette. She's amazing. Go to there!
(4)Perry C.
very good brunch food, atmosphere is top notch, home made ice cream was spot on
(4)Paul A.
Had dinner with a buddy the second week they were open. Thought all of the dishes were solid and tasty and sensed that they could be even better as they settle in. Appreciated the solid wine list - not too long, but thoughtfully chosen and the waiter was familiar and made a nice recommendation. service was crisp and professional.
(4)Cathy C.
I've been to Shakewell twice recently. The first visit my friend and I ordered right. I had the salmon and she had the clam and chorizo bomba. Both were outstanding. We finished every bite. The only downside was the noise level was in 5 bell range. We could hardly hear eachother without talking very loudly.It might be where we were seated- towards the back of the restaurant.The 2nd visit, with my husband,was mixed on the food. We had the heirloom cucumber salad, which was cool and crisp but way over-salted. We also had the grilled calamari- we liked this dish, very good. Last, was the chicken and prawn bomba - we thought the dish was overly rich (butter?) and too salty.The after-dinner coffee was very good. I'm kind of down on over-salted food, so I'm hoping that the 2nd visit was an off-nite. The first visit was so promising.
(3)Virat R.
Whent here with a friend, the pad is really nice clean. Just not a lot of options for food at the bar, kinda odd we saw a lot of people eating in the seat down area but they would not let us order food at the bar...? Thought that was a bit odd, also not a whole lot of choices for drinks, they got few good bottles but not your normal resturant/lounge bar. Overall I likes the people who work their really full of energy and happy to have you in. Would give it one more try and see how it goes.
(3)Molly C.
I would have loved to give Shakewell 4 or 5 stars based on having brunch there a few times. On those occasions we really liked the spicy, creative dishes and good cocktails, the friendly host and waitstaff and the cool decor. Based on this we said to ourselves, we must try their dinner sometime! So I happened to be in the area last week and stopped by for dinner. I am very sad to say that, while the food was quite good and the staff just as friendly as at brunch, I feel their pricing is way out of line for what you get. The menu is the modern ambiguity about sizing type, with small plates on the one hand, and obscure other categories on the other. I had lamb kefta at $22 -- which I thought I reasonably could assume would be a main dish. Instead it was 5 meatballs on a stick. Good meatballs, but hardly worth $22. So, since I was hungrier than 5 meatballs, I also ordered the falafel, which were also good, but there goes another $9 for 4 falafel. With dessert, a cocktail and a glass of wine and tip, I paid over $80 for one person. This has considerable dampened my ardor for Shakewell, I'm sorry to say. I'll probably go back for brunch sometime, but felt pretty f ripped off when it came to dinner. Glad I didn't order the $32 seafood stew.
(3)Michelle C.
We got seated right away at a bar when we walked in. I agree that this place is more on the expensive side for what you get. The few appetizer portion we ordered was literally 4 pieces of melon for $$$, the kind of sample size you'd get at Whole Foods. Squid bomba was good. Again very little portion of squid but filling with rice. Every bite had a citrus lemon zest to it that was refreshing. Service was friendly and good.
(3)C B.
Booked a table for 2 for my GF's B'Day. 7.30PM dinner time. Place was to the rafters and very loud. Got last table by the wait-servers station on the way to the bathrooms which added to the commotion. BTW, at about 8.15PM, or so, the place got SO LOUD it was literally impossible to have a regular conversation. People were literally screaming at each other to make themselves heard. Nothing but hard edges all around, floor, ceiling, walls, etc., which amplifies the sound. Owners should do something to soften up the place so it can absorb the "triple bomb" noise level. Food was, in general, OK to good. We had 4 appetizers, one shared salad -- wild arugula, pears and cabrales cheese. Salad overall had a sweet flavor, most likely the cheese. Not a great salad. The appetizers were on the skimpy side and one of them, the stuffed squash blossoms not necessarily the best rendition I ever had. I never had this dish in Spain altho it's very common in Italy (my grandmother used to make it all the time and, perhaps, that's an unfair comparison -- Salerno (Naples) cooking against their interpretation of what this dish is all about). BTW: Check out Oakland's BELLANICO's version, a stellar rendition in my view, as a comparison. On theother hand, the Bacalao croquetas was the best of the bunch. The "main" was the chicken & prawns bomba. Since they use the "traditional" Spanish cazuela dish to cook this -- I assume in the wood burning oven -- it's hard to cook the prawns properly, that is, so that they are cooked but not hard cooked, same thing for the chicken which was dry and chewy. Overall, however, the dish had no real flavor definition,the rice lacked any kind of saffron flavor and also missed the intensity usually provided by high quality chicken stock. In my view, a big disappointment but that's the way they choose to do it. Finished with a "Catalan" flan which has nothing to do with traditional flan but managed some flavor, nevertheless. If you're in for a "night out" mostly drinking with a minor amount of attention paid to the food Shakewell is a good place for you. If you're looking for honest, quality Spanish food, you're better off elsewhere.
(3)Claudia d.
Thumbs up for this welcome new addition to the Oakland restaurant scene. I read the buzz (and am an unabashed "Top Chef" fan), so chose this for my birthday celebration with my family last night. Could only get a very early reservation, so sent a note asking to be informed if something became available later in the evening. Sure enough, I got a personal call from Tim, one of the owners, to let me know we could change the time. He couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating on the phone, and it was therefore no surprise when he came over to our table for a friendly chat before our food arrived. From the greeter at the door, to the busboys who cleared our plates, the entire staff was simply sensational. There is absolutely no pretension or stuffiness here, and from what I observed, every guest was treated as if they were VIP regulars. A special shout out to Brendan, our server who is also the sommelier, who gave us impeccable recommendations about everything with which we asked his help. Again, his friendliness seemed so natural without being forced. All the food was imaginative, bursting with flavor, and well prepared. I find that main courses at most restaurants tend to be the least exciting, and this was true at Shakewell as well. Although all were good, the two meat dishes (chili chocolate shortrib and braised pork shoulder) were a little underwhelming. However, the two bombas, were great, with the Nero (squid ink and seafood) being the standout entree of the evening. I'd go back in a minute just to eat it. As for side dishes, the lentils were excellent, while the fingerling potatoes were less interesting. Unfortunately, we weren't able to sample the desserts (which sounded delicious0, partly because we totally over-ordered and were completely stuffed, and partly because my daughter had brought a beautiful birthday cake which awaited us at home. Honestly, next time (and there definitely will be a next time), if I go with just my husband, I think we'll order a few appetizers and maybe a salad, then share a Nero bomba so we have room left for dessert. As I told Tim as we left, I'm so happy they chose Oakland for Shakewell and predict a long and happy future for them here.
(5)Sig S.
Shakewell is a winner. The Bomba a baked rice dish knocked it out of the park. Also had grilled romaine hearts that were the sh#t. We were told the place is new. They will be around for a long time to come. The passion is in their aesthetic and food
(4)Janie D.
What a wonderful place! The food is outstanding. The wait staff is awesome. The cocktails are delicious. I had an Autumn Cozy. The Smoking Gun cocktail is also a great drink. We had the bacalao croquetas, the Brussels sprouts, the chorizo stuffed dates, the persimmon and jamon serrano pintxos, the mussels, and the clam and chorizo bomba. All delicious!! For dessert we shared the chocolate torta and the churros. Divine! I want to live next door to Shakewell so I can go at least weekly. Tim, the part owner and pastry chef is so gracious, fun, and accommodating.
(5)Mike O.
Oakland's restaurant scene continues to skyrocket, with Shakewell the latest fantastic addition. We were in on the 24th for dinner, only two weeks after opening and things were hitting on close to all cylinders. We had a 5:45 reservation that I wanted to push back slightly to 6:15 and Tim was more than accommodating when I called. Given the size of the restaurant is not large, I did want to make sure that I was not messing up his seating plan. Started off with some cocktails - I tried the Alpha Amor, a tequila and mescal based drink from the drink menu. The hubby ordered off the menu and got an Aviation. Both were delicious. We started with Bacalao Croquettas - beautifully fried salt cod and potatoes, with seasoning that imparted both sweet and salty. Next was the Roasted beets with burrata, toasted quinoa, hazelnuts and mint. I am not the biggest beet fan, but this was a lovely combination. The quinoa gave it a wonderful crunch and toasted flavor - I could just snack on that quinoa. To me the hazelnuts did not add much to the dish, but also did not distract. Grilled Calamari with Leeks and Romesco Sauce was next. Calamari perfectly cooked. Nice char but still beautifully tender. Romesco was smooth and flavorful. I have been making Romesco sauce at home recently and leave mine a bit chunkier, but the smooth sauce worked perfectly with this dish. Chicken Albondigas were very flavorful meatballs with peppers, tomatoes, almonds and sherry. The sherry really made the sauce, and made it set itself off from being a chunky version of the romesco sauce with the calamari. Finally we had a Bomba - went with the Calamari Nero. We both love squid ink and this was another great dish, with the richness of the squid ink being absorbed by the rice. The preserved lemon added the vibrancy and acidity to the dish. I would have liked a bit more, or I probably should have stirred the dish first and made sure it got incorporated into every bite. Through all of this, our waiter and the whole staff were very attentive, without being pushy. We were not rushed at all, as another recent diner appeared to be (although given there other reviews, it seems that they are difficult to satisfy). Staff was very well trained - knowledgeable and helpful. We had no room for dessert by this point, but gives us yet another reason to come back (along with many of the other savory options on the menu). Well done. Glad to have another great restaurant in Oaktown!
(5)Jordan M.
Great place, great environment and amazing staff!! Only reason I have it 4 stars is because they got my order wrong but the dish was still very good!!!! Must try this place!!
(4)