Wood TavernPositive-NegativeThe Negative is the noise level - Horrible! The positive is the food and extremely nice waitstaff who allowed three elderly women to remain at their table for two hours while celebrating a birthday.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat SpotThis place is always humming and deservedly so - we had a great lunch (cod sandwich followed by ice cream and pavlova with berries). It took us a little while to be seated (~15-20 mins) - it can get busy at peak hours so give yourself enough time - but service was attentive once we were at our table.6/3/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and service.
GreatExcellent food and service.
Great lunchtime drinks.
Noise level is beyond energetic -- sit near the front if you want to carry on a conversation.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMExceptional food. Too noisyWe thought our meals were exceptional, quite outstanding in presentation, size, flavor. However, the room noise was also exceptionally loud, so much so that we could't carry a conversation as we could barely hear each other talk across the table. Even thoughtthe tables are set closely together, there was no chance for us to eavesdrop on adjacent conversations. I would most definitely return for the food....but not for a social outing or special occasion.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways DeliciousNot precious or pretentious...always delicious...wonderful standards such as their half-chicken and pork chop. Never disappoints5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat lunch, busy atmosphereOne star off the food because while everyone in my party enjoyed their meal thoroughly, it'd be nice to have more non-sandwich options. Otherwise, it was delicious!
One star off the service because it took forever for our food to arrive. The table next to us received their food just as we were placing our order. They had finished, left, the next party sat down, ordered and had finished their food before our entrees had arrived. Granted, we did order a cheese plate to start, but there were only three of us. Everyone was relatively attentive, however, and kept our waters refilled and checked in on us regularly.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Spot in OaklandWe love the Wood Tavern! It is a gastropub extraordinaire! Amazing food, talented service, a great vibe, good drinks, and reasonably priced for the caliber it delivers. If you can get a table, which requires planning ahead, you will have a great experience!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMLove the restaurant. WoodLove the restaurant. Wood Tavern is our favorite lunch spot in Rockridge. All menu items please, especially the pastrami, hamburger, and fried cod sandwiches, and seafood stews. Salads whet the palate. We're older so we don't get out much for dinner anymore; lunch is the main meal of the day. Portions are generous.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMWOOD TAVERNGreat food with interesting combination of ingredients (e.g. artichoke vegetarian sandwich). Good wine list. The only disappointment was lack of air conditioning on the hot day we visited, and the server that obviously was pushing us to pay our check and leave even though there were plenty of open tables at the time.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Birthday Dinner Ever!You'll have to look at my Yelp review because I can't wax poetic here. Geez! I was 1800 characters over. Well, suffice it to say that we agree with the Yelp reviewers. The pork chop is really good. I think the duck breast was the best thing. I ordered the tagliatelle and it was great too. Best starter was crispy pork belly... and after that, the mushrooms in the gnocchi were memorable. Dessert votes went to the profiteroles, as the pavlova was judged not up to our Aussies at the table. Pretty good, they said, but not as good as Nana's. The Pinot Noir from Russian River was a bargain. Highly recommend eating here. We will be back! Service was PERFECT!4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMReputation earnedHad dinner here for the first time. Had heard a lot of hype about it but didn't know whether to believe it. Well they lived up to their reputation. Service was impeccable. Waiter was professional, knew and anticipated what I wanted before I did, and was respectful of the vibe and conversation at the table. He was the ultimate professional doing his job profoundly well at a time when industry standards are quickly fading. The food was impressive. From the first bite of the butcher block and cheese to the last bite of dessert, each and every dish was a pleasure on the tongue, the eyes, and the stomach. My only criticism is not any more attributable to this restaurant than to most others, but the noise level is quite severe.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMSuperb food and service.The food was excellent. We had the cold pea soup and the asparagus for first courses, and split the ahi tuna over couscous for our main dish. All 3 dishes were excellent, full of taste. Fresh ingredients cooked just right. Presentation was superb, and the service was excellent. The servers explained the menu well. The food was brought out in a timely manner and they were very attentive for water refills and answering questions. The only reason I knocked off a star was for the ambiance. The restaurant is small and the tables closely placed together. The bar is a big part of the room. Just so one knows that and doesn't expect romantic dining, the place is a gem. My wife and I will definitely recommend it and go back for more meals.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food...good for pairingGreat food...good for pairing with wines. Great service.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMI had the skirt steak sandwich,I had the skirt steak sandwich, my wife Carole had the surf and turf sandwich but my son Jared (first time Wood Tavern visit) and his two buddies Andrew and Kevin swore by the burger and the bread (not a bun). The french fries continue to be a great complement to the sandwiches.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat meal. I would certanlyGreat meal. I would certanly come back. Delicious food and they took my Open Table note and kindly placed a birthday candle on our dessert. Thank you!
My only comment is this - We felt that we were being rushed out. I made my reservations far in advance and it was a birthday lunch I was given my dear friend. I don't think it is unnatural to want a leisurely lunch that goes over 90 minutes.
It may not have been their intention, but there's a fine line between great service, and making your guests feel like they should have ordered dessert already.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMLove the place. My first timeLove the place. My first time for lunch and they were awesome!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWent with my co-workers forWent with my co-workers for lunch at Wood Tavern - great food, great service. We had a great time.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMAs usual, the food was outstanding,As usual, the food was outstanding, both the duck, which was tender and flavorful and the pork chop, which continues to be an amazing value. Portions are very generous. Service was excellent. We only regret there wasn't enough room for more!4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMexcellent!Wood Tavern is always a wonderful choice ... great seasonal food, wonderful service, interesting cocktails, and a well-selected wine list, Try to score one of the four seats at the saute station. It is noisy here, though, not the place for a quiet intimate dinner, much more the kind of place for a lively evening.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMalways reliable for good foodalways reliable for good food and excellent service. Still too noisy.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing! This is my new favoriteAmazing! This is my new favorite spot. Make sure you make a reservation, this place is always busy. Gnocchi is to die for.4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMwood tavern is consistentlywood tavern is consistently my favorite restaurant in oakland! great cocktails and wine. the cheese selection is always enlightening. the scallop risotto was absolutely transcendent!4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMI love the vibe of this place,I love the vibe of this place, and service is friendly. There's no feeling of being rushed between courses. Speaking of courses, the pork chop was very tasty, though it's more of a sharing portion since the cut is so large. It came with wonderful little crunchy pieces of pancetta. The steak was amazing when I had it at a previous time, so don't miss that! It was a bummer my boyfriend's duck was not as sumptuous as we wished it would be. They've done well with the menu, but if you have a party that wants a large selection, you won't find that here. They only do a few things but do them very well!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had reservations for aWe had reservations for a table of four for Easter Week. Carole and I hosted our friends Basil DePinto and Katie Murphy. wouldn't you know when we checked in, both Kathy and Benjamin acknowledged Basil, who we found was a regular patron. We shared the potato soup (and yes, our waiter brought us four soup spoons for the cup). We all had sandwiches: Katie the skirt steak, she remembered from growing up in Watsonville, Basil had the enormous pastrami sandwich (he only ate half and brought the rest home). Carole and I had the burger and fries: she, medium well and mine medium rare - both exceptionally cooked. Benjamin treated us to desserts on the house: nut ice cream profiterole with banana slices and a strawberry bread pudding.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMTerrific gastro pub. Great locationThe Woody Bloody Mary with Chipotle Tomato Juice one of the best ever. Delicious Puree Soup, roasted beets and purple haze goat cheese, and one of the best hot pastrami sandwiches this side of NYC. Terrific service with nice lighting and decor. Would probably have given a little higher food rating; but two of our party had a vegetarian articoke sandwich which was bland. Would definitely return on a flight into Oakland. Dinner menu looked excellent also.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMhave never had a bad mealhave never had a bad meal here -- always exceeds expectations -- especially love the pork belly!! But everything is excellent -- the pate, salads, sandwiches and mains -- i love wood tavern!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMLunch is easier in which toLunch is easier in which to get in then dinner. The Pastrami sandwich was the best I've ever had. I've had various NYC deli too. Service is great3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMOur first time at Wood TavernOur first time at Wood Tavern was a nice treat. The food was lovely, the wine was delicious, and the service was outstanding. It was my husband's birthday and both the hostess and our server were both very sweet about it, wishing him Happy Birthday several times. Even brought a little candle with our dessert - the butterscotch panna cotta, to die for! When a glass of wine was suggested that we didn't enjoy, the server promptly took it back and replaced it with another, outstanding one. Great job, Wood Tavern!3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMA Gem in North OaklandA neighborhood gem in North Oakland. The seasonally changing menu features a half dozen appetizers, a half dozen entrees - all prepared with a sure hand using the freshest ingredients - this is high quality prices at reasonable prices. Service is warm and friendly - they'll remember you on your second visit. The wine list is short and sort of excentric - 7 or 8 pinots but only one zin for example - mixed drinks are the stars here. The room is nothing special - on a busy night it feels crowded, (because it is) - and if there's a game on it can get REALLY loud. The on street parking can be challenging.1/9/2013 12:00:00 AMWood Tavern is absolutelyWood Tavern is absolutely my favorite go-to place for lunch, dinner, special occasions, no occasions... anytime I can get in or think far enough in advance to make a reservation. Even though I don't eat pork or shellfish, there is always something on the menu that is wonderful and memorable.11/29/2012 12:00:00 AMGreat spot for a date or aGreat spot for a date or a special occasion. Actually i'd eat here every day if i could A) afford it and B) get a seat. This place is always packed!11/15/2012 12:00:00 AM