Pican - OaklandFirst time and loved itI heard from my former coworkers that this restaurant was great, and decided to make a reservation there to meet an old friend. We were there on a Tuesday, the restaurant was almost empty, so it was really nice and quiet so we could talk comfortably to catch up on all the news. I would imagine the noise level can be different when the place is full.
The host was great, our server was great (don't know their names), and the food was great too. All we had were Caesar saladas, and I expected the usual. But this salad was different - something different in the dressing, and definitely differently cooked chicken. So from the boring this salad was elevated to super tasty! We also had cocktails, Pican punch, and they were delicious!5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGentrified SouthernGood food and atmosphere, high prices. Enjoyed a wonderful lunch. Food is gentrified southern fare. Loved the fried green tomatoes. Menu is heavy on the meat items, so if you're not a carnivore, you're likely to be ordering the side dishes. I tried several and they were all good. The atmosphere is beautiful, it's quiet, the chairs are super comfy and the service impeccable. One of Oakland's best.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGoodThe food was good. Spicey but good. Great service. It's very pricey, so make sure your wallet is well supplied with greenbacks. :)5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMTook mom to Pican for Mother'sTook mom to Pican for Mother's day, our server Michael was very thorough and even served as amateur photographer several times per moms mimosa induced requests. The courtesy was without measure, we established that brunch at Pican will be our new Mother's Day custom..oh the food makes you wanna slap ya mama, on Mother's Day while listening to Dear Mama, buff said..chuuuch..5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMBirthday Dinner!It was a great experience. We loved the ambiance and all the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. The hosts and waiters were dressed to the Ts, food was good and drinks were wonderful!!!5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMDad ApprovesDad was visiting from Redding, so I wanted to be sure that pops could experience this Oakland gem. He is hard to please, but after dinner he couldn't stop talking about their pork ribs.
Also, I can never get enough the cocktail the Blackhand. It is dangerously delicious,5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMHigh end southern foodDelicious and decent portions. It is a nice venue for a special occasion or needing to impress someone.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat food, beautiful interiorWe've been to Pican many times and have never been disappointed. Since the last time we were there, they had changed the menu somewhat, but our favorites were still there. The ribs are incredibly tender and moist and the barbecue sauce they're simmered in has just the right amount of kick. One of our group tried the meatloaf and was so impressed, he insisted we all try a bite. And we all agreed -- who knew meatloaf could be so good? Though the fried chicken is good, the ribs and even the meatloaf are better. If you haven't been to Pican, give it a try. Dinner for 4 with drinks and dessert came to $250, which may be on the high side for regular dining, but it's well worth it.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMAs per usual, our dining experienceAs per usual, our dining experience was extremely enjoyable. Looking forward to returning very soon as it gets better and better.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM3rd visitOn our third visit we had to wait a bit past our reservation time and felt they wanted us to enjoy drinks in the bar. We did and enjoyed another great meal. But, after three visits we're ready to take a pause and enjoy other fine area restaurants.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMMy favorite restaurant in downtownWonderful as usual. We have been there 3 or 4 times. I had the fried chicken with mac and cheese this time. It was just as spectacular as the ribs which I usually get.
Great service.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWith our 7:15 reservation,With our 7:15 reservation, we were seated on time with no wait. The food and service were fantastic. It was a nice relaxing 2hr meal.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMGood food, Excellent StaffThe staff was gracious, and the selection of Bourbons was fantastic. Delivery of the food itself took a while, but the restaurant was pretty full for a Wednesday night, so I can't count that against them. Presentation was great, and the portions were generous.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMWent to Pican for my husband'sWent to Pican for my husband's birthday, wonderful food, beautiful table and great service. Valet service for $7 was great. Beautiful live piano music made a great romantic atmosphere. Will definitely be returning.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMBest fried chicken I've everBest fried chicken I've ever had in my life, and I'm not even a big fried chicken fan! Wonderful mac and cheese, too. Attractive restaurant, nice staff. We were celebrating our 29th anniversary and they were sweet and gave us each a free glass of champagne.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMBourbon TastingCame for the bourbon tasting. Very informative, good bourbon, great food and environment. The staff is friendly and very attentive and the experience is delightful. Great event for people new to bourbon as well as seasoned bourbon veterans. Try it-you'll have a nice time!4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and great service.Great food and great service. I will go back again4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMAlwlays enjoyableAs before, we love this place. Food is great, brunch service was slow but no one was in a hurry so it was fine. Highly recommended4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMCelebrated my daughters BDay!Celebrated my daughters BDay! Great food and service!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMSouthern HospitalityThe ambiance at Pican is wonderful. The waiters and maitre'd were very friendly and accommodating, joking with my wife and I and making sure we enjoyed every minute. I booked our reservation online and mentioned that it was my wife's birthday. They gave her a special surprise at the end of our meal which made the whole experience that much more enjoyable.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMcant beat itI have fallen in love with picans and so have my friends, everytime we discuss going to dinner somewhere, picans always enters the equation.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was, as usual, outstandingThe food was, as usual, outstanding and service was attentive, though we did have to wait to get our check because it was crowded.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMA brunch and lunch spot in Oakland.I love this place, it's a great place for brunch in downtown Oakland that can't be missed!4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMCan't wait to go back! BourbonCan't wait to go back! Bourbon list is extensive, and cocktails are skillfully prepared. The bar is lively, and the food is substantial and thoughtfully prepared. My husband and I had a wonderful time. Save room for the pecan pie.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMPican never fails to please!Pican never fails to please! Great atmosphere, friendly staff, great drinks and delicious food!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Dining Experience!Have had a consistenly excellent dining experiences at Pican! My advice is to remain open and talk to the staff! The won't disappoint you and you will be delighted! This recent visit, my friends and I were gifted with complimentary drinks and dessert and were visited by the head chef and the owner simply because we engaged ourselves with our servers, who recommended us to receive those honors. Not to mention the food and drink are off the hook, but that goes without saying!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMI took some guests here forI took some guests here for a business lunch. Everyone was very happy with their meals, every dish was a success. The kitchen was very accomodating to special dietary needs (and the dish was still delicious!). I'll be back.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food prep, quality andThe food prep, quality and presentation is always excellent. This is a real gem - a must-try.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMAt lunch the restaurant wasAt lunch the restaurant was rather quiet, but have eaten dinner there a couple of times, and the place is lively, cool and attractive. The food is very good, especially their fried chicken with the honey dip.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMPican is a true gem in Oakland,Pican is a true gem in Oakland, with a unique menu serving delicious southern cuisine. The service is always wonderful, and the staff very friendly and welcoming. It is a restaurant one always loves to come back to.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst time trying southernFirst time trying southern style food for brunch, and I was not disappointed. Every dish we ordered was delicious!3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMTop notch service, wine andTop notch service, wine and fare. I had the trout and my date ate the meatloaf. We were expecting solid but what we got was phenomenal! Helpful, respectful and responsive servers. Great addition to Oakland's foodie scene. We will definitely be back.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful venue, great menuWonderful venue, great menu variety. The service from the time you enter until you leave is impecable. Warm and friendly. The shrimp/grits appetizer and the Georgia Pecan Tort were excellent as was the Jambalaya. Pican's proximity to the Paramount is also very convenient if you are catching a show. Would highly recommend Pican!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMI loved the Catfish, FriedI loved the Catfish, Fried Chicken, and Shrimp and Gritz.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMParty of 3 for an early dinnerParty of 3 for an early dinner on a Thursday evening...Service is outstanding, food was fun to eat and savory. I took co-workers and they enjoyed everything about the restaurant. Its not cheap, but we felt the value was in the overall experience. The mac and cheese, collards, and shrimp and grits (a little spicy) were especially enjoyable.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMBest restuarant in OaklandBest restuarant in Oakland - be prepared to have a wonderful meal in a beautiful restaurant (and be prepared to spend a bit of time and $$$ there!) 3rd birthday in a row at Pican. I will deffinitely go back.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMI was working in Oakland andI was working in Oakland and found this wonderful spot. Awesome experience really nice people who provide excellent service and good food - what a combination!3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMA fantastic experience. TheA fantastic experience. The food was wonderful and the service attentive but not intrusive. The Jambalaya, with the house ground, smoked Andouille was the best we've had. Will come again!3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMThe dinner menu is much improvedThe dinner menu is much improved and very good. I went here 2 years ago for dinner and it was just average but perhaps they have a new chef because the food was yummy, with a kick, and very nicely presented. Lunch was only so so. The fried chicken was OK but the crust was a little hard. The crawdad pie was bland and needs to come off the menu, which is pretty short as it stands.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMMy family loves bourbon. PícanMy family loves bourbon. Pícan has an absolutely phenomenal selection of bourbons. The true gin was so incredible-unique, earthy totally drinkable just on the rocks. I plan on finding some for my New Orleans-style jazz band's Launch Party. The food was great, but the service is what puts this place over the top. They show you their personality, they are friendly, kind, and helpful... Can't wait to come back. The bartender was also very sweet to me while I waited for the rest of my party.3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Atmosphere, Great FoodI've hosted 26 ppl parties here and used it for a romantic dinner and everytime I leave satisfied and happy with my experience. The fried chicken with truffle honey is amazing and I also like the jambalaya risotto, so much so I have a hard time trying other things on the menu bc those are so good!2/2/2013 12:00:00 AM