HavenGreat food, unclear vibeHaven's a hot spot in Jack London Square. We got the chef's menu - six courses definitely fit for foodies, with innovative food pairings and rich flavors, We'd definitely go for the food. The rest needs a bit of work. The maitre d' was diffident, paying more attention to his computer than us, and the person who led us to our table was downright grumpy; the music was louder than we'd like. From there things went up. The servers were knowledgeable and clearly enjoyed talking about the food, which was excellent. Worth the downsides for the quality.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMRelatively and but my favoriteRelatively and but my favorite Bay area restaurant...outstanding menu, great service and good views of the Oakland marina!!! It still amazes me that you can find a table on relatively short notice.6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMGet the Market Menu!Enjoyed another amazing meal at Haven this Saturday! LOVE the market menu - it is like a mystery tasting menu. Dish after dish was excellent! Can't wait to return!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved the chef created tastingLoved the chef created tasting dinner and pairing!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat addition to the Oakland sceneWe had a great meal at Haven recently. The appetizers almost rivaled the entrees - highly recommend the strawberry buratta salad and the hankercheif pasta with green garlic. Cocktails are a must to start - high attention to detail and some delicious options. The space is cool but warm enough to dine with your parents. The location on Jack London square is nice to for drink options before or after dinner.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMA Little Heaven in HavenWe had an amazing birthday dinner with six of us. One is a vegetarian and the kitchen was extremely accommodating. We ordered the Chef's choice pre-fixe meal which is served family style - good for large groups. The hits just kept on coming. Everything was incredible and diverse and unexpected. The bar has created it's own tinctures and spins on classic drinks. Glad to see Jack London just keeps getting better. Haven is an anchor for them.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food is eclectic, uniqueThe food is eclectic, unique and extraordinarily well prepared. Serveware is from Heath Ceramics in Sausalito and blends beautifully with the interior design of lovely woods and stone used throughout. The scene is vibrant, well behaved yet casual. The waitstaff is intelligent, attentive and assumes the perfect posture of friendly yet professional. Haven attracts an appreciative audience and has given a tremendous touch of class to Jack London Square.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious, inventive dishesInteresting preparation, delicious flavors. A little pricey and wait staff rather serious. Overall, the food drives the restaurant. Will definitely go back.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMLambFood was very good. However I had the lamb and it needed a sauce on it because it was a little dry.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AM"Died and gone to Haven"We have been to Plum numerous times, which led us to Haven. We sat at the Chef's Counter and had the chef's menu: An unbelievable deal for $60 per person. The food was creative, exquisite, and plentiful. Very quickly it became apparent this was a chef to trust, which enabled me to thoroughly enjoy pork belly and beef tongue, neither of which I would choose to order from a menu. Not only did each plate please, but the sequence and combination were as thoughtful and masterful as a well written concerto, or a deeply satisfying short story. The service was attentive and knowledgeable, and the wine pairings were outstanding. A new monthly must!5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMOverall, a very pleasant andOverall, a very pleasant and enjoyable experience. Unique and tasty plate presentation. The Bone Marrow start was fantastic!5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMDeliciousDelicious and delightful experience! Our food was amazing,
Service was great, and we enjoyed our drinks!
I can't wait to go back!5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat, with reservationsThe food and drink offerings were fun and all tasted wonderful. The wait staff could use some charm school lessons and be reminded that restaurants are still a service business and not be so surly. The cocktail menu is eclectic and everything well done. Haven's bar suffers from what many bars suffer, bartenders that won't acknowledge you or let you know that you're welcomed and they will get to you shortly. Last night's bartender was recovering from a black eye and was obviously taking out his pain on the customers.
Bring a jacket! Haven across from the water and the cold evening winds from the Bay freeze a good bit of the restaurant. Unfortunately, the staff keeps turning on the a/c so eat fast before your meal gets cold.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic experienceSuch a wonderful dining experience. It was our second time dining at Haven, both times for dinner, and both times we were blown away by the quality and presentation of the food, the laid back but also attentive wait staff, and the ambiance which was lively though still conducive to easy table conversation.
The local Oakland wine we tried was also fantastic. It's an opportunity to learn more about Oakland, a city I've grown to love and call home.
It was great and definitely one of our top dining experiences. Thank you.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMHaven nice ambience but menu??Nice restaurant but the menu is so limited. What they have is good however.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMSunday night with friendsGot a great table in one of the booths. Friendly, laid back greeting. Great cocktails. Food was great as usual, but everything was slow. Took a long time to get anything. Three hours for dinner on a Sunday night with a 2/3 full restaurant is too slow. We had a great time and love the creativity of the food. But the pacing is too slow. We will be back for sure.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous!Food was absolutely fabulous...had the tasting menu and each course was flawless! I look forward to going back!5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMFood excellent other thanFood excellent other than a bit heavy on the oil, leaving a bit of an oily after taste.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was excellent - fourthFood was excellent - fourth time there and never a problem with food.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways greatLoved the experience AGAIN. Food is outstanding. Beautifully prepared (I had the lamb dish) and wonderfully presented. Service was excellent. We'll be back.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMBest in the East BayWe had the tasting menu, which beats all others on this side of the bay bridge. A lot of folks who do not like the thought of tripe and sweetbreads will change their minds. Each course was well prepared and tasted amazing. It's not famous like that place in Berkeley, but the chef out does theirs. The drinks also warrant special mention for being well done! Unfortunately, there are very few bar tenders in the East Bay that can compare. The staff was friendly, worked together well, covered for each other, and said bye when we left. Will definitely go back as often as we can...we still haven't tried the bone marrow.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat RecommendationI made reservations at Haven from a friends recommendation. She was correct on all counts. The food was great, the drinks were good and the atmoshpere fun. Haven is located at Jack London Square in Oakland and though Oakland is not one of my favorite cities, it does have some incredible food spots, Haven being on of them.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMLovely Jack London Sq spotThis is the third time I've eaten at Haven; I took out-of-town friends this time and we all enjoyed it. What we liked: The location, the exceptional food, the fun drink menu, and the sophisticated but unpretentious ambience. What we didn't like as much: The waiter who kept suggesting ordering more and more to the point of pushiness. And, I know it the chef's focus is on meat, but there could be more vegetarian and fish options on the menu. In fact I don't think they had any fish the night I was there, which is a little funny for a place right on the water. And it's California, there are always some vegetarians in any group. In spite of those quibbles, I highly recommend this place for a relaxed night of fine dining.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMCreative, inspiring, & sustainable!A girlfriend and I went to check out Kim Alter's latest venture, Haven, in Oakland. We were blown away. The food is sourced daily from local markets and she does whole animal cooking, which I respect and admire. Each dish is beautifully plated and has its own unique profile. The brussels sprouts were incredible (the mint was so right), the beet caviar soup was brilliant, along with the marrow, smoked pasta, and short ribs on oatmeal (my prayers have been answered with this one). Honestly, the palate-cleansing shiso sorbet with meringue powder would have been a splendid end to the evening, but we went on to sample three different desserts - YOLO. Truly one of the most creative and satisfying spots in The Bay. I'll definitely return!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a lovely time. TheWe had a lovely time. The food was all good, well prepared, beautifully presented.As before, there was an originality to the menu and the preparation. The wait staff was particularly notable this time. They were helpful, friendly and clarified the many questions we had.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our first time diningThis was our first time dining at Haven. The food was wonderful. Do not miss the bone marrow appetizer. It was spectacular. The wine service was sub par. The sommelier did not have much information about the wines we were considering. Our waiter was very good and provided many interesting details about how the food was prepared.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is my 4th time diningThis is my 4th time dining at Haven and I enjoy it more and more with each visit. The entrees feature a protien prepared two ways. I had the lamb this visit which had both braised and roasted meats. My friend got the cabbage salad, not anything I would have ordered. It was amazing, as was the turnip soup! We also had desserts which were good and beautifully presented. The staff is professional and friendly. Dine late if you can, as it quiets down after 9:00.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMIncredible tasting menuThis place was amazing! We decided to be adventurous and do the tasting menu and it was fantastic, the chef uses the freshest ingredients she finds that day and the resulting menu is very creative and delicious. The staff was super professional yet warm, friendly, fun and knowledgable. The service was great. But again, the food was over the top fresh from the chilled asparagus soup, to the incredible short ribs (one of the best we have ever had), and chef's rendition on smoky carbonara which included an egg yolk knocked our socks off! Their cocktails are also great and have a creative twist. It all looks out over the boats which just adds to the coolness of the place. We definitely have Haven marked as our newest favorite4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMIf Haven is any notificationIf Haven is any notification for a rebirth in the Oakland food scene then it appears that Oakland is off to a great start. The food and service are on point. Our server was very knowledgeable about the food. I also recommend it for first dates.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMMy favorite East Bay restaurant...gMy favorite East Bay restaurant...great food, outstanding service, recently added outdoor dining and a nice marina view!4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMHaven was a great choice.Haven was a great choice. The atmosphere is hip, the noise level is bearable, and the service was great. The rolls, the brussel sprouts, Trout and potatoes were fantastic. The Pig was good but some of the slices were too tough to cut (undercooked?), the Goat was really good but the shank portion was a bit chewey. Overall, each dish was interesting, unique and flavorful. We will go back for more.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious food, wonderfulDelicious food, wonderful service and we look forward to returning. The trout and banana cake dessert were amazing!Loved the attentive, friendly service from the staff. My new favorite restaurant in the East Bay!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMHaven the hidden gem.This is one of the best Restaurants in Oakland. I know since my wife and i live and work in Oakland and eat out every night.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMKim Alter continues to amazeKim Alter continues to amaze with her seasonal "homey" dishes that are flavorful and satisfying. Excellent bar scene, as well.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMCan't wait to go back. WeCan't wait to go back. We had such an amazing meal and the service was friendly and knowledgable. Must try the brussel sprouts and the asparagus salad while they are in season. The chicken (sous vide) was one of the best chicken dishes I've ever had. You will not be disappointed.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMNot bad for first time....Was there in a group of 5. In general food was good, but all starters and mains has too much salt which is why only 4 stars. Dessert was ok compared to the starters and mains and the group decided next time to get dessert elsewhere next time. There was some hovering by staff to move us off our table during dessert even though we were not there for 2 hours yet which was annoying and disturbed some of my guests.
I would go back for sure if in Jack London Square, but might not make a special trip.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMFood and service were impeccable.Food and service were impeccable. Can't waitnto return soon!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our very first timeThis was our very first time here, and I have to say that we had one of the very best dining experiences we've ever had. Our waiter was outstanding which of course enhances the experience. The food was flawless--we chose from the ala carte menu: the duck, chicken and smoked trout entrees with sides of asparagus salad, a generous portion of mussels, and the most excellent brussel sprouts I've ever tasted. We wanted to lick our plates clean. Such wonderful flavors with every bite. We will be coming again--next time to try the chef's selection dinner @$60/person. Yes!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Dining Experiences Ever!My wife and I enjoyed our one year anniversary dinner here and were treated like royalty. The Chef, Kim Alter, made us a fantastic customized multi-course meal that got better each course.
From delicious soups with bacon and apricot to salads with tender chicken, to melt in your mouth duck, mind blowing bone marrow and pork belly all topped off with house made smore's that are out of this world.
My wife and I live in San Francisco, and have had nice meals before but this little jem in Jack London Square in Oakland was the best experience we have ever had.
The staff was top notch, the cocktails were unique and delicious.
Everything was special and we can't wait to go back.
Thanks Haven!!!4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMHAVEN Oakland: bliss on a plate!Haven Oakland is absolutely fantastic. Chef Kim Alter is a talented chef, who brings her very distinct POV to the dishes she creates. Every bite an adventure in flavor, and every meal inventive and delicious. I cannot rave enough about this amazing resto. And the bartender is skilled at inventing the newest in libations with a "twist."3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic cuisine experience--funFantastic cuisine experience--fun to talk with waiter about various interesting ingredients!!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWhile this wasn't my firstWhile this wasn't my first visit to Haven, I hadn't been there in a the better part of a year. The menu had changed a bit and a Market Dinner option had been added. This was Prix Fixe and totally at Chef's whim. I had no idea what to expect, but knowing Haven't regular offering I felt confident it was a good choice.
And it was. It totaled out at seven courses, all served family style for the two of us (which worked well for the date I was on). While it sounds like a lot of food, in all it was really well portioned and balanced across the whole sitting. Great meal.
I would certainly recommend Haven to anyone thinking about it, and if you're feeling adventurous I'd recommend the Market Dinner. Then a nice walk along the waterfront. Che3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMSurprisingly great for kidsThe food was wonderful and they were very accommodating of our almost 6 year old, preparing a special mocktail for here and she's still talking about it! The sprouts were amazing and the lamb two ways was wonderful.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMVery expensive and small portions.Very expensive and small portions. The Brussels sprouts and turnip soup were excellent!3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMDelcious unfussy food. AttentiveDelcious unfussy food. Attentive and knowledgeable service without being overbearing. Overall friendly atmosphere with lovely views of water.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat all around. ServiceGreat all around. Service and food was amazing. So well taken care of. Thanks Haven!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had the chef's tastingWe had the chef's tasting menu on a Friday night and were astounded by the variety of dishes, the incredible mix of flavors and the quantity of food. Two in our party were vegetarians and this did not phase the chef. Everything was wonderful, including the cocktails, which were inventive and made with homemade bitters and aromatics. Chef Kim Alters will someday be a household name I predict.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMVery well presented and uniqueVery well presented and unique California food on the waterfront in Jack London Square, Oakland. You won't be disappointed.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMAt first glance, nothing seemedAt first glance, nothing seemed to standout on the menu. However, we were pleasantly surprised because everything we ordered was delicious. Best Brussels sprouts I ever had!2/28/2013 12:00:00 AM