BocanovaWonderful food, Awesome ServiceWe were impressed with the great food, but even more so with the attentive and genuine service of the wait staff and hosts. We are definitely going back with kids and without.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat FindThe food was great. The waitress had excellent recomendations and was very knowledgable about the dishes. I will definetly go back.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMOverall, it was great. WeOverall, it was great. We all especially enjoyed the business lunch special. Drinks are a bit on the pricey side, however. But great dining experience and food was all excellent.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMI love this place.I've never had anything I didn't like here. Drinks, entrees, dessert, everything is amazing.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were overwhelmed with theWe were overwhelmed with the flavorful, yet subtle spices and accents to each dish. There were four of us each trying something different and we weren't disappointed in a single dish. The blending of south of the border spices added significantly to the appeal of everything we tried, from the oysters to start to the bread pudding for dessert.
A great Oakland restaurant - will definitely return.5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of Oakland's gems (one caveat)I love everything about Bocanova, except for one thing. They have a great ambience, great staff and great food. But don't bring a vegan. They have been resistant to add a vegan option to the menu. They will work you, but this is Northern California and no menu should be without an option for non-meat eaters.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMRecommended to shareEverything I've eaten at Bocanova has been excellent. I recommend coming with a group and ordering lots of different things to share, so you can really see the range of their offerings.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMAbsolutely love this restaurantAbsolutely love this restaurant ! Be sure to order the Spanish rice.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMYumI had seen this restaurant featured on Check Please Bay Area. I like going to places I've never been. I'll go back here!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Latin American inspiredGreat Latin American inspired food, wonderful Jack London Square location, and efficient service all come together for a delightful dining experience. Lunch on the outdoor patio overlooking the Oakland estuary is a nice way to spend an afternoon. Dinner inside the nicely appointed restaurant provides a fun evening. Above all, the food is imaginative and tasty.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat night outGreat food and even greater service! Our waiter Jeff gave us awesome suggestions and we were happy with all of them. We will definitely be back soon!5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMWe definitely would return!We definitely would return! Our waiter was well informed regarding the flavors of the lobster and white shrimp ceviche mixed with passion fruit, habanero - not too spicy - just a tingle. The flank steak with chimichurri was served as requested - medium rare and hot - just off the grill. And the Seasoned Papas Fritas were so crispy good! For dessert we had the chocolate croissant bread pudding topped with mexican chocolate ice cream - so yummy. The only not so good was the sangria - too bland and no fresh fruit.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and drinks.We dined here for a birthday celebration and everything was perfect. The service was a bit slow but everyone was friendly. Heat lamps make their outdoor dining a delight- even for me, always cold! We will definitely go back.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother good experienceAs always, excellent food. The menu is a bit shorter which is probably good, because it permits focus. Great service from Jeff, our waiter. The only disappointment was the chorizo-encrusted sole, which was a bit dry & tasteless. We have been here many times & always enjoy it.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMJack London RisingThis is an excellent restaurant that is raising the interest in visiting Jack London Square. Great food three visits in a row. A modern warm decor, open, spacious feel, but not too noisy. Great place for larger groups. Service is very good.Parking easy in the JL Square lot, valet available. Good place to share dishes...not a tapas place but flavors and portions large enough youare so good you want to share. What has been delicious? Flank streak with chimichuri, pork loin, slow roasted pork tamale presented in a reconstructed way, scallops to fire for, good dressing on the green salad, roasted beets, a layered sweet potato dishes, and more. My foodie girlfriend said she would let me take her back often!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMbusiness lunchFound the food and service to be supportive of a business meeting. Quiet. Service attentive but not overbearing. Have been there for dinner before and found food and service to be excellent. Their corkage is inappropriate for comparables. Ask manager to remove5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMLast minute score!Made a reservation about an hour before and had incredible pork, sweet potato gratin and beets - add a beer, warm night and sunset and all is good!4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food is to die for absolutelyThe food is to die for absolutely delicious! However, it is extremely expensive. The type of place you reserve for a very special occasion. Definitely recommend for a birthday or anniversary.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMI darn well was there! :-)I love Bocanova and don't get over to JLS nearly often enough. I had dinner there the other night. Had a wonderful time. And then was informed by OpenTable that I hadn't shown up. LOL
Don't worry. I'll be back. Your food is too good to hold a grudge.4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMGood food, service and atmosphere.Good food, service and atmosphere. Always happy with the results.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was one of those OaklandIt was one of those Oakland nights when you can sit outside and enjoy the sunset. I love the happy hour with the small bites and drinks.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were a group of 9 women.We were a group of 9 women. Food was very good, interesting. Service was also very good. This is our 3rd time here (as a group) over the course of the past 3 years and it is enjoyable each time we go.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMImpeccable service, inventiveImpeccable service, inventive and flawlessly prepared pan American menu, surprisingly intimate atmosphere in a beautifully designed space: outside and inside dining equally rewarding experiences.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMThey were very accommodatingThey were very accommodating with my no fat, no sugar diet regimen. Food was exquisitely prepared and presented....flavors danced on my palate even with elimination of fat and sugar. Loved that they had a dessert for health minded diners....meyer lemon sorbet with quinoa crisp....GO BOCANOVA! Will be returning Friday, 4/19/13 with my daughter.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMI have eaten at Bocanova manyI have eaten at Bocanova many times and have always enjoyed both the food and the environment but I must say that my lunch of Carnitas Tacos on Monday was the BEST meal I have had there....it was delicious....service was very good as well.....4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMwe sate at a table in thewe sate at a table in the smaller room that was not close to other tables so it was very quiet. the food was fabulous, ceviche and ahi tuna!!!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMFood is very good. Nice OaklandFood is very good. Nice Oakland waterfront location. Had a very pleasant outdoor lunch. Friendly service. We will be back.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a great place for lunch!What a great place for lunch! Or a Group! Or a couple! The atmosphere is welcoming, staff well informed, service great, and all 5 of us thought our meals were great. Not difficult to hear at all--at least at lunch. Look forward to going back again.4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMAbsolutely great unique foodAbsolutely great unique food - Latin fusion. Just a lot of fun4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMFood presentation and flavorFood presentation and flavor is excellent...service has always been just right. Great Bloody Mary for brunch!4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMLocation, food, ambienceWhat a great evening with friends at a restaurant that we'd none been to. From the service to the food to the view...excellent. Tasty creations on the menu that are all approachable and yet unique, flavors that allow the food to shine, no heavy sauces just enough to enhance the flavors. A truly delicious meal that I look forward to having again!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWas a great experience andWas a great experience and very friendly staff and quite competent.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMDon't Miss Bocanova!We keep going back and back to Bocanova. We discover something "new" each time. A favorite!4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMOUTSTANDING....Chez PanisseOUTSTANDING....Chez Panisse had a fire and we lucked out by changing our reservation to Bocanova!!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMExceeded expectationsFood was really great. Had the quinoa salad with duck confit, papas fritas and the braised lamb shank main dish. All were very tasty, and I would order them again. I like the design and architecture and the ambience of the place. Was there on a Sunday night and it was not very crowded so noise was not an issue. have no idea what it would be like if it were full, which I imagine it gets given the great food and location - right on Jack London Square so many of the tables have views of the water. Service was attentive.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMWe are so glad this restaurantWe are so glad this restaurant chose the Jack London Square area. The food and service are just perfect. Not to be missed is the Quinoa Salad with Duck Confit--amazingly delicious.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMA group of friends and I cameA group of friends and I came to celebrate a winning tennis season at Bocanova. We really enjoyed the food, the atmosphere, and the service.
We had drinks and happy hour food -- ribs, fish tacos, cheese fritters, chips and guacamole, etc. The prices were pretty reasonable. No complaints and I think we would all return.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMHad a weekend lunch date andHad a weekend lunch date and the dining room slowly filled up but not all the way. Still we enjoyed the quiet and fun lunch with a gorgeous view and delicious Latin cuisine. Fried chicken sandwich rocked. So did the huaraches pizza-like meal. The special brunch eggs were also delicious. The restaurant is so beautiful from the Heath ceramic tiles and stained glass accents. And original artwork lining the halls. Very comfortable and fantastic service. Thanks3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent restaurant, unusualExcellent restaurant, unusual and delicious menu choices.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMI have found the food andI have found the food and service consistently well above average; innovative (but not too exotic) dishes and very nice offerings for each course. Staff attentive, courteous, professional, excellent. Thanks.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had an outdoor table onWe had an outdoor table on a sunny day and the view was lovely. Our waiter brought us a glass of champagne when we sat down, as I had requested. We celebrated a friend's birthday and surprised her. The several dishes we shared were interestingly seasoned and delicious. Our waitress was attentive, though she did forget to bring coffee, which we didn't mind. We keep coming back because the food, ambiance and service are so great.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMHad another excellent mealHad another excellent meal at Bocanova. They have an unusual menu. Lots of interesting options for vegetarians too.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMBocanova has been a consistentlyBocanova has been a consistently fine Resteraunt serving innovative food. Always has good service and great drinks.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMMy party of four started withMy party of four started with oysters and rockfish ceviche. I had the lamb, which was tender and very tasty. My husband loved the octopus. We all enjoyed quinoa salad, greens, and sweet potato gratin. Plaintain chips with the ceviche were not as crisp as I would like but otherwise everything was, as usual, marvelous. And that's why we keep coming back.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThis time we invited out ofThis time we invited out of town guests. They had trouble parking and finding
the entrance but they are in their 70's. They loved the atmosphere and the food
and sharing the small plates. The ceviche was especially good. The plaintain dish
was really too small for sharing. The empanadas were perfect to share for lunch.
When we parted they planned to walk around the Jack London pier area.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, interesting menu..Great food, interesting menu.. Slightly expensive however. At first we were seated at a table close to a very loud, rowdy group of guys. It was deafening! We asked to be re-seated, and the restaurant did so without hesitation. They handled everything with grace and professionalism.3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst time at Bocanova andFirst time at Bocanova and was pleasantly surprised. A great variety of food and cocktails. Loved my spicy margarita(forget the name). Will definitely be back.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was very good to great.Food was very good to great. Service was measured, but we were not in hurry. A little to chilly to sit outside, but on warmer nights it is fun to do so. Only minor negative is that we used Open Table to reserve and noted that there were two birthdays being celebrated, and the restaurant did not seem to know nor did they offer anything special to the celebrants. That was OK because we had cake at home. Lively place and a little noisy, but fund to be there.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a wonderful and eclecticWhat a wonderful and eclectic menu with delicious flavors that light up your sense of taste! We had the quinoa with duck confit and pomegranate seeds, grapes, and persimmons. Astounding and was a delightful mix of savory with sweet and pretty healthy too! Also the fish ceviche which had a nice kick to it, but freshness as well. Great attentive and knowledgeable service made for a lovely lunch. Thank you!3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMThree of us shared a varietyThree of us shared a variety of dishes large and small, enjoyed every morsel. Quinoa salad was the biggest hit.3/12/2013 12:00:00 AM