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Adesso
Categories: Nightlife Bars Restaurants Gastropubs Bars, Gastropubs [Edit]
4395 Piedmont Ave(between Pleasant Valley Ave & Brandon St)
Oakland, CA 94611
Neighborhoods: Piedmont Ave, North Oakland
(510) 601-0305
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 3 pm
Mon-Wed 5 pm - 12 am
Thu-Sat 5 pm - 1 am
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
307 reviews for Adesso
Review Highlights
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"Their menu features Salumi, Slaumi, Salumi." In 100 reviews -
"So, their happy hour is amazing - to put it simply." In 101 reviews -
"I love their grapefruit gimlet and cucumber smash." In 19 reviews
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306 reviews in English
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Review from Michelle S.
Oakland, CA
5/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'd recommend going to this place if you're peckish, but not starving. It's a place for olives and salumi rather than an actual meal. Well, you could make a large meal out of it....for a hefty price. However, they have a decent varieties of salumis and pates of various animal origins and they're pretty good.
The bar stands out to me though. You could just order a standard martini or Manhattan--but their original drinks are worth trying instead.
If you can leave without spending at least $50, I'd be rather impressed.Listed in: Piedmescal
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Review from David C.
4/23/2012
Fully stocked menu of paired appetizers and extensive winelist. Great recommendations for wine, knowledgeable and courteous staff, and affordable prices during happy hour. They serve up a mean duck pate and they hand slice their cured meats. Great place to come wind down after a long day of work.
PROTIP: If wine isn't your thing, they do have a full bar and a wide selection of brews. -
Review from Linda T.
4/16/2012
Aperitivo!
My friend told me that Adesso has their special "happy hour" on Fridays and upon describing it I realized that this is no ordinary happy hour. It's aperitivo, where you buy a drink and then help yourself to unlimited snacks and treats to eat. :)
Alas, it was nearing the end of Saturday night by the time we arrived. We sat and ordered some tasty cocktails--all of which are pretty strong. Since we already had dinner, we didn't order their special salumi dishes. Good thing we didn't because... when the live music started... the free food came out. And it was aperitivo!
And yes, they had salumi!
Tip: The grapefruit gimlet is a standard favorite. -
Review from Rachel J.
4/15/2012
Adesso must just be too cool for me.
The ambiance is supposed to be sexy, but I wasn't excited about the plastic chairs or the hockey game on TV. Wha? I'm at a sports bar? That's weird. The drink menu and dinner menu are at odds - prohibition era cocktails mixed with salumi...? One or the other, but combined it's not adventurous, it's just a collision. The menu is sparse, specific, and limited. There are a few cheeses (four, exactly), a few appetizers (e.g., olives), a barrage of sliced meats, and pate. Note: don't bother coming here if you don't like pate, because it's really the only food of substance on the menu.
Case in point: we ordered duck liver pate, a cheese plate, an arugula salad, and two cocktails. The cocktails were delicious - I had a "billionaire," made of bourbon, absinthe, and grenadine. That was the highlight of the night (aside from the company and the conversation). Our arugula salad was literally just a plate of arugula. Honestly, I could have stayed home and whipped up a more creative salad. The cheese was delicious, but there were only a few slices, and it came with exactly three bites of bread. Why skimp on bread? Why skimp on anything, come to think of it? There were a few almonds drizzled with honey, and I swear someone in the back counted how many were placed on the plate.
After about an hour we got to wondering where the pate was; when we asked our waitress, she seemed stumped as to why "it wasn't brought out." She was our waitress. If it wasn't brought out, it was because she didn't bring it. Instead of waiting another hour, and because the rest of the (tiny portions of) food was gone, we called it a night. If I go back, it'll be to sit at the bar, watch TV, and drink good bourbon. -
Review from Joy L.
Oakland, CA
4/28/2012
Adesso works for me! The last time I was there, the chef brought our table a plate of interesting salamis and pates to try for free, actually two plates(when does that ever happen?)....the time before that, they had some sample buffet of food...the drinks always rock!! They carry a local gin I had never tried, but loved! The staff is super, super friendly and yet not obnoxiously so....I love their pates, but they are extremely varied so I feel llike I'm always trying something new...I mean, yeah, I think I'll be coming here for years to come.
Hate the corner it's on, minus it being right near my friend's house...The building feels too strange, it needs a homier location with a few more tables..... -
Review from Sharon L.
5/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Bloody brilliant. Cured meats and good drinks? I'm all for it. Spoke to the waitress and got a little insider info about how the place works - break down a whole pig and utilize every part (food cost, anyone??). Easier said than done, but simply genius business model. The ambiance is super chill - they put out free focaccia, salads and pâté after a certain time and their menu changes daily. Worth every penny. The type of clientele Adesso draws doesn't hurt either - i.e. people with refined taste. Don't you hate going to bars with obnoxious people who can't hold their liquor... Or their food? I know I do. Better than any bar I've been to. I will definitely be coming back. They're also having a "pig party" on the 20th? Wish I could go but I have to work... Pork belly wrapped in bacon?!! That's what I call sexy time.
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Review from Nhung T.
Oakland, CA
4/13/2012
I like this place, it was casual but modern. It was good Friday when I went, therefore, couldn't eat much besides drinking. However, looking at the dishes made me drool. I'll probably come back to give their food a try.
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Review from Anthony R.
Fremont, CA
4/5/2012
My family and I went there for dinner tonight not knowing what to expect. I looked at the menu from the website before going and honestly, I had no idea what half of the stuff was. But, we are open to adventure and plus, I've driven by the location several times in the past and and thought, " that place looks nice!". So, we went and were greeted by our waitress, Christine. She was more than helpful and explained the menu, what our best options were, and some of her favorites. We had our 4 year old with us and she quickly recommended a menu item that she thought would work (it did!). We went with some sample plates plus the happy hour plate. The duck pate was awesome. The duck liver pate with pork was a little spicy for my taste but what I could handle was great. we also tried the clams and oysters. Both great! We finished off with dessert. We tried the flourless chocolate cake, the vanilla gelato with espresso, and citrus sorbet. The cake was a little dense for my taste but then again, I like flour. The citrus sorbet was really tart and refreshing. The espresso poured over the ice cream was my favorite. I'd be happy to return and try some more items on the menu.
As a side note, our bill was high, but that was because we went a little overboard ordering enough food to try a good sampling. -
Review from Jennifer C P.
San Francisco, CA
I was whisked away for a relaxing day across the bridge in Oakland. We popped in here for happy hour after the afternoon stops before dinner.
Hangar One and St George are poured here - thank you Jesus!
The friendly and efficient staff deserve five stars. They all work together to make sure every table has what they want/need by checking in on you often enough to be helpful but not intrusive.
The cocktails were delicious! They have a really nice list of offerings. I had One Good Knight and then I had Hangar One Straight. Of course I did, and you love me for it.
The happy hour plate they give you is so thoughtful - and big! It had beautiful pieces of sage foccacia and olive foccacia, salumi, and a big salad. I was really impressed. It wasn't crowded, which I actually liked. Sadly this is not always the case so if it is super crowded when I go again, I might not stay.
We had a salumi plate with three types. They have an impressive variety of salumi that is amazing and I don't even care for pork. The Kumamoto Oysters were delicious - too bad they were $3 a piece or I would have had more. In the end, I was full so we skipped dinner at Dopo, sibling restaurant a short walk from here.
This is a sexy venue with great cocktails, delicious bites, and outstanding staff. Adesso is a great place that is not for the budget minded HH experience but you definitely get what you pay for which makes me a shoe in for a repeat visit!
If I lived in Oakland. . . oh hell, who am I kidding? I can't wait to go back! Seriously. Let's go now! Who has Fastrak? We can carpool! -
Review from P K.
San Jose, CA
1/24/2012
Pancetta: Delicious!
Liver pate: Yummy!
Farro salad: Scrumptious!
Grapefruit gimlet: Tasty!
Champagne stopper that shot across the room and hit the wall to the right of my head: DANGEROUS!
Our server was very helpful recommending dishes to order, and we were pleased with the food, including the free happy hour plate. I was freaked out when the champagne stopper slammed into the wall next to me (that could have been my eye!), but our server and the bartender didn't apologize (instead the bartender explained that a bottle was tilted sideways toward our table, so the stopper shot in my direction), and our server just thanked me for picking it up (as if it were no big deal). In the end, I didn't get hurt....and the bartender *did* apologize as we left a couple hours later....
That said, I would love to go back and eat their food again! I'll just be a little nervous about where I sit.... -
Review from Anna H.
Oakland, CA
3/29/2012
Adesso gets two stars for ambiance, and here I'm being generous. Despite the fancy liquor list and the full tables, my boyfriend and I found this place to be a hoax. We tried the rabbit pate, which was dry and more appallingly came with only three pieces of thick cut baguette to eat it with. Why skimp on bread? Next we had the mix greens which though totally plain was yummy enough. Next came the smoke swordfish which was three paper thin pieces of fish and nothing else. Needless we haven't and won't go back.
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Review from Erika M.
Oakland, CA
4/26/2012
Just not my cuppa tea
My sweetheart and I decided to try this place out for my Birthday after not finding a suitable place to dine in the Piedmont area on my Blackberry Yelp app (we're new to the area). The location had plentiful street parking and I'm pretty sure there was also a parking structure nearby too.
The setting alone gets 5 stars! There was bar seating, high tables and also booth tables (well one side was a booth and the other a chair), lights were dimmed and tea candles were on the table-perfect for the rainy evening we spent here. However, I will note that my handyman of a date noted that 'fire hydrant pipes' added an extra touch of class.
Now the menu-I swear it wasn't English but thankfully our waitress spent some time explaining a few items and pointing out her favorites, after I mentioned I was starving. However, this is where the place looses some stars: I basically got an Adult Lunchable. Sliced 'fatty' meat, slices of cheese that tasted exactly like Parmesan grated cheese, sliced bread with extra holes and honey covered almonds. Like I said before, it was just not my cuppa tea. The almonds and red wine were great but unfortunately something did not sit well with my stomach and I got sick.
I would say this would be a great 'after dinner' place to romance over a glass of wine. -
Review from Linda C.
12/9/2011
As I mentioned in my Dopo review, we were sent here to wait for an hour on a rainy night and as soon as we arrived, they had a table waiting for us. Apparently the hostess called over to Adesso and told them to save us a spot! So sweet!
The manager of Adesso was right there, taking us to our table. The decor here is pretty nice. The noise level was comfortable and not rowdy, and it was not too dark or too bright. The crowd was mixed and it had a great atmosphere.
The waitress was a sourpuss and a bit mean; she was really snappy with our orders and did NOT provide good service. Considering that we *were* gonna drop some green here, her attitude made us just get one drink each and call it a day.
The service at Dopo is MUCH better and maybe Adesso should send some of their staff to Dopo for training! I can't comment on the food because we didn't have any of the appetizers, but the drinks were pretty good. Some of the drinks were too sweet, but overall pretty decent.
I don't know that I would come here specifically since it is a bit out of the way, but if I was in the area it would be a choice place for a couple drinks and good laughs with friends. However, if its a full-fledged bar you are looking for, I might skip it... -
Review from Joe N.
Los Angeles, CA
12/7/2011
I bookended dinner at Dopo with visits to Adesso. I hadn't planned part one, I just ended up there at the end of my day with a bit of time to kill before meeting friends for dinner. When asked for a glass of his choice of red, Hanji provided a glass of greatness not on the menu. The chef arrived with a small bit of salad and when both were finished I was ordered not to leave because the chef had more things he'd like me to try. A nice side arrived with just a few bites of salumi, a nice wedge of something head-cheesy and a bit of squid and garbanzo salad. Out of wine? No problem, Hanji added a splash to ensure I had enough to enjoy the food.
While there I saw Hanji make an older woman a (not on the menu) mocha from chocolate he hand carved off a block with a knife. Made the woman's day. I also saw him making eggnogs that I longed to try.
Part two had me dragging my two friends here after Dopo. 6 eggnogs and some bourbon tasting later, we left very happy. Hanji makes a great drink. The eggnog is incredibly light and tasty, imagine a 1/4 of a glass of store-bought somehow whipped up to be a full glass. That light. Nice job guys. I'll return. -
Review from Christina C.
Oakland, CA
10/23/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I love this place! I love stopping here for a glass of wine (or two).
However, I have to say I am very disappointed that they got rid of their paninis.
These things were incredible. The boyfriend and I loved coming here for light snack (sharing of a panini) and a glass of wine.
I have to admit, once they got rid of their paninis, we really haven't been back.
I could be wrong, but this place is usually packed, and it hasn't been as full lately. This could just be my opinion and if I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if they have lost some business because of their lack of paninis.
They have other appetizers, but they really aren't amazing. And in comparison to their paninis, well, there just isn't a comparison.
I definely will be back, because this place has a nice charm and good wine (and as I said they do have other appetizers that are pretty good). Yet still, I would be more of a regular here if they had their paninis.Listed in: Best Wine/ Flight selection in…
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Review from Nate B.
Oakland, CA
YOU GOT RID OF YOUR PANINI'S!!!!
WHY????!!!!
I loved your paninis!!!Listed in: Best drinks!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/6/2011
Even the cheapest wine at Adesso is outstanding!
At some point free food is passed out for snacking… Read more »
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Review from Angela L.
Fremont, CA
10/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Dear Adesso,
After countless hours and disappointing searches for a decent spot that is open after midnight, I think I have found THE ONE- YOU.
Ok, but really, a GREAT hangout spot if you are tired of the dive bar scene and want to go a bit classier with a sleeker ambiance. They have very tasty cocktails (grapefruit gimlet was diviiine), hugely generous portions of pate, and rockin' service!
The boyfriend asked for a recommendation of Italian wine and the server poured him a bit and told him to taste- if he liked it, he would serve him a glass, if not, no problemo... AWESOME! (by the way, the wine was yums and we really appreciated the pre-taste)
The duck pate came in a very generously large jar and was very rich, not overly liver-y, and creamy heaven on their toast. And OH the portion was just huge for pate! HELLO, pate heaven :)
The crowd is definitely young and hip and the bartenders all seemed to know them on a rather personal basis. They were super nice, very helpful, and friendly.
OH and did I mention that they had free appetizers for their happy hour?? And these aren't the nasty cheapo ones, mind you- spicy arugula salad, sliced cantaloupe, a tasty chickpea salad with calamari, and warm cheese & salumi wraps....
my only question is: where have you been all my life????? -
Review from Ed U.
Now I didn't have the full salumi-and-wine experience at Adesso, which is apparently the basis for Michael Bauer's enthusiasm for this corner spot on Piedmont Avenue, so much so that it has made his Top 100 list for the past two years. I came here on a recent Saturday after getting my hair cut since I noticed a few people in there in the mid-afternoon. It turned out that Adesso serves lunch...well, they serve all of two sandwiches, either one for $9. I figured a little Adesso is probably better than no Adesso at all, so I decided to park it and eat there.
The choices were the Adesso Sub with salami cotto, mortadella and prosciutto, and what I ended up ordering - the Porchetta, which consisted of a pancetta-wrapped pork loin sprinkled with chile and rosemary and topped with baby arugula and lemon (see photo). It was encased in a toasted torpedo roll and mixed with a mayonnaise that sharpened the cured flavor of the meat. It was very Italianate in its robust flavors, which I liked, and it dies remind me of (~Pretense Alert!~) the wine bars in the hidden alleys of Bologna. I should definitely come back in the evening for the full experience.
FOOD - 4 stars...classy Italianate sandwich heavy on the marinade
AMBIANCE - 3 stars...spacious with a whole lotta wine
SERVICE - 3.5 stars...attentive
TOTAL - 4 stars...would make a nice starter for a full-blown dinner at Dopo nearby (same owners)...sammie makes a nice break at lunch -
Review from Monica S.
10/30/2011
Went here for the famous happy hour, which lived up to my expectations of deliciousness. I bought a glass of wine for a few dollars and savored some various complimentary pork and seafood dishes.
One of my group is a former butcher who is dating a pig farmer, and she couldn't stop raving about how high quality the pork products were. I trust the woman. She knows her pork. We even sprung for some charcuterie from the menu (I mean, if the free stuff was that good, I had to try some paid nibbles...).
I wish this place was closer to my house, but I'll definitely be making the trek out again soon.Listed in: Best Bites, Libations
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Review from Beverly T.
Emeryville, CA
9/15/2011
Salumi FTW!!!
Expensive as fuck. But delicious as fuck. Service is slow as fuck. So 4 stars it is.
Snacks
Olives: Mmmm nice mix of 3 different types of olives. The green were my fav. They had some weird orange looking ones that were marinated with orange zest I think. No bueno. They were a weird sour/bitter.
Some baked cheese/risotto dish: Think deep fried mac and cheese but with rich risotto. Damn good. Rich, buttery, fried. Need I say more?
Salumi
Capicola, lardo, mortadella and prosciutto are must haves!!!
Side note: It's fun to pretend to be ballin here as you snack on expensive ass salumi. -
Review from Jasmin L.
San Francisco, CA
10/16/2011 4 photos
DINNER DATE: 10.15.11 @ 8 PM
It is hard to miss Adesso as you are making a turn on to Piedmont Avenue. On many occasions as I was passing by, I have witnessed many couples in this dimly lit restaurant raising their glasses and smiling at one another, with a small plate in front of them. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
AMBIANCE: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Adesso is enchanted at night. Inside, you can see cars drive by this street level salumeria. The place is only lit by tealight candles, the light coming from the salumi (cured meat) cabinet, and the streetlamps. Most of the tables are by the window. It is hard to miss the salumi cabinet as soon as you walk in as well as the display of wine bottles against the wall.
Indeed, Adesso is perfect for 3 things:
1. Tête-à-tête
2. Well-crafted house-made salumi
3. Delicious drinks
Adesso was the perfect date night place for us after already coming from a party where we already stuffed ourselves. But vowing to never forgo date nights yet do not want to eat dinner again, Adesso's "salumi, formaggio and salad" only menu fit our small appetite (or at least mine.) They also offer oysters and pate. You will not find big plates here or even sammies for dinner. The drink menu is extensive with pages after pages of spirits, cocktails, wine, beer, etc.
DRINKS:
I asked for Prosecco but our server suggested a very nice Frizzante -- a BUBBLY ROSE ($9) while Mr. P ordered Diet Coke.
SALUMI: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
We started off with CHEF'S CHOICE ($17): lardo, salametto, montalbano, calabrian.
*The meats were well-crafted. No dry edges old cut here. The meats were sliced to order and you will be guaranteed fresh fine quality salumi experience at Adesso.
SALAD:
Served with bread, we felt it was too dry and we needed something to else, our server suggested a small plate of TOMATO SALAD in which they grow their own tomatoes. It was a simple salad of tomatoes, basil and olive oil. It was a nice accompaninent to our salumi plate and my bubbly rose.
FORMAGGIO: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Then Mr. P started craving cheese. So we ordered a CHEESE PLATE ($15): blue cheese, walnuts, thin slices of apples, pecorino, ciabra di capra
*The cheese plate was good but nothing special. However it compliments the salumi.
SERVICE:
Our server and the busguys were super-nice and efficient. Our bread plates kept on disappearing and re-appearing with more slices of toasted bread. Our water glasses were never low. One of the nicest services he have had in a while.
PORTION/VALUE:
Mr. P was more disappointed with our dinner being fixated on quantity and nothing else while I was loving my dinner and bubbly. It was a different story for Mr. P, he said he was still hungry. And we actuall had to get fro-yo at Green Bubble after dinner.
He did agree, though, Adesso is a good place to get drinks and small plates in the hood, possibly just shooting the breeze (which I prefer to call tête-à-tête) with our friends. The meats were visibly fresh and not very salty unlike the pre-packaged kind, although Mr. P could not get over paying $50 for few pieces of designer cold cuts and cheese.
CHECK: $68 including 1 bubbly, soda and 19% tip. (I uttered a silent "YIKES!")
WHY 3 STARS ONLY:
As much as we loved the service, ambiance and decent food, this place is PRICEY!
Mr. P prefers to forget the ~ $70 he paid for little pieces of frou-frou cold cuts. (No, he is not cheap. He would never been allowed to utter such words if it had been our first date but given he had paid $$$$ for probably close to a thousand date nights, the man earned the right to speak up his mind.)
MS FOODINISTA'S WISHLIST:
I wish that Adesso will provide bigger slices of apples next time instead of the paper-thin cut ones. And a side of honey would have been nice to go with the blue cheese.
PS
Now that we know what to expect at Adesso, we will def be back. Adesso is not a place to go if you are ravenous. It is a place to catch up with friends over a plate of well-made salumi and good drinks, or get googly eyes with your honey before or after dinner. For those you are super-hungry, Piedmont Ave offers a plethora of full dining options -- unless of course you want salumi, cheese and cocktail as your main dinner.
You know what, it was not such a far-fetched idea--when I was single I lived on cheese, hummus and wine alone. Oh, memories!
ADDICTIVE FACTOR: 4 Romance and salumi plate! Can Be Potentially Addicting! -
Review from Marion P.
Orange, CA
10/25/2011
Food: I came for the free appetizers. Quite tasty!
Ambiance: Eh, could be better. It feels sort of cramped inside the place.
Service: A few of my party wasn't drinking (or eating), and, even though it wasn't packed, I could tell our waitress was annoyed.
Drinks: Eh, I'm not a wine connoisseur so really, I may not be the best person for this part. They did have a lot of choices in varying price ranges, which is good right? -
Review from Maria D.
San Francisco, CA
9/15/2011
This place is fantastic, but it takes a certain kind of charcuterie/cocktail loving kind of pretentious food snob to appreciate it.
And that is me.Listed in: Nickel Dime Dreaming
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Review from David H.
San Francisco, CA
12/4/2011
Let me first say that I almost never come to the Easy Bay for food, but after coming to Adesso and its sister restaurant up the street, I think I'll be coming way more often.
Started with the duck liver pate. oh. my. good. (no that's not a typo). Seriously one of the best things I've ever tasted. Duck liver and clarified butter, what's not to like. We were literally using our fingers to scrape the side of the ramekin not wanting to leave a single tasty bit behind.
Lardo - Like an M&M, it just melts in your mouth...although I wouldn't recommend putting it in your hand.
Also tried the chef's selection of salumi, and each of the five selections were phenomenal. They definitely have the craft of curing the almighty pork down to a science. -
Review from Stephanie B.
Livermore, CA
3/4/2012
Oh how I do love Adesso. The duck liver pate is ridiculously good as are most of the late night snacks served. Drinks are typically a bit strong, I think, but in a good way. You aren't gonna get anything weak or watered down. The drink menu is creative, changing frequently and the staff is always helpful and attentive enough.
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Review from Brski B.
San Francisco, CA
1/8/2012
I had a divine experience by following a simple pattern: billionaire cocktail, wine, salumi, lightly dressed greens, pate, pickled veg, cheese plate - salumi, salumi, salumi - repeat and repeat again. Yeah, after all the repeating it adds up by the end of the evening. I regret nothing. I'd like to eat this way every day of my life.
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Review from sparkle f.
Oakland, CA
8/12/2011
This used to be one of my favorite restaurants in Oakland. Unfortunately they have dramatically slashed their menu.
Sandwiches, salads, or other items are no longer available. Now it's only salumi, cheese and pate. I don't know if I would call it a restaurant as much as a wine/snack bar.
When I was shocked and surprised to find half of the menu missing, the server offered no explanation whatsoever. Bizarre.
We got up and left without ordering, because my dining partner was not interested in eating "just coldcuts" for dinner.
Had been planning a large group dinner there for my upcoming birthday party. Now I will be cancelling.
Quite disappointing. Their menu was so amazing, why mess with a good thing? -
Review from N. Y.
1/2/2012
Planned a New Year's Eve outing here with seven of our friends. The website boasted a champagne toast, live DJ and great beats and appetizers. Planned our New Year's Eve around this event and showed up. Our table got a magnum bottle of wine and some drinks and settled in to the nearly empty venue. No music, no buzz, no scene. After we ordered $150 worth of drinks we ask about the events that were posed on the website. The sweet waitress had no clue what we were talking about as she said they had no event. Long story short - we showed them the event posting on our iphones and lo and behold the posting was FROM LAST YEAR! You have got to be kidding. I brought all my friends here and there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING happening. No champagne toast or beats or anything! You would think a classy establishment like this would have at least updated or looked at their website in the last year! Super lame.
Plus - the waitress was sweet and brought us some complimentary appetizer dishes. This is why I added a star. She was a sweetheart.
Lame - Lame- Lame!! -
Review from Gisele C.
Emeryville, CA
12/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Love! Love! Love! Did I mention I loved this place??? A very thoughtful Italian wine list paired with house made salumi and pate. I don't think it gets better than that. I left off one star because the prices are steep and I won't be able to frequent this place as much as I would like. If you go you must order the duck liver pate.
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Review from Melanie K.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 12/19/2011
Wah. They got rid of the runny egg and pancetta and greens sandwich. It broke my heart. I love the salumi and cured meats, but the menu seemed to have shrunk considerably. This makes me sad. Adesso, get back to the way it was!
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/24/2011
5 stars for the cured meats, 5 stars for the wine by the glass, 5 stars for the panini with runny,… Read more »
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Review from Liz H.
San Francisco, CA
7/27/2011
I like wine bars but won't return to this one.
First, my boyfriend and I came here for HH and he arrived first. He ordered a beer and explained I'd be arriving soon. With his beer, he got a free squid salad which was tasty tho he hates squid. Apparently, what you get with your drink order depends and is not up to you.
Also, I arrive ten mins later and wait another ten mins (at the empty bar even after I was introduced to the bartenders by my boyfriend) before my order was taken -- and that only happened bc my boyfriend flagged the bartender down.
Bc this is an Italian wine bar and I'm a bit unfamiliar with that region, I asked for a few recs for wine resembling a reisling or viognier. The server offered me at taste which was great, but he chose the most expensive wine on the list, not offering any more economical alternatives. So I asked for another option and felt pressured to come up with a better reason than price... so made one up. I asked for a less tangy alternative and after some push back got another sample. Too intimidated to look at the price list again, I just accepted the glass.
Just after that, my boyfriend ordered an app of rague balls which was tasty but his request for a free squid HH salad for me was refused. We were told that the salad serving my boyfriend received before I arrived was intended for two so we could not get another. Cheapo!
In short, I support new businesses and think wine bars are great for any neighborhood but this place came off cheap, bitter and unfriendly.
We spent $30 for an ok beer, a glass of ok wine, a squid salad, and several small rague balls. I'm not a cheap person and will throw down money for good food and wine esp but such things MUST be paired with a good experience. We didn't have that at this place.
Too bad, my boyfriend had such high expectations bc he knows how I love wine bars. Not this one. I will not be back. -
Review from Eugene L.
My Companion and I stopped by Adesso for a Night Cap the other night.. I like the wide variety of Salumi and the Selections of Finely Crafted Cocktails. We ordered Billionare Cocktails and a plate of Cured Meats to go with it. I really like the ambiance of Adesso . Its a great Date Spot or just as a spot to Chill with friends.
Listed in: Beer, Bars, Midnight Snack Joints
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/31/2010
My friend an I ended up here for a few drinks tonight . Its an Upscale Bar that has great Meat and… Read more »
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Review from Giuseppe F.
Oakland, CA
7/30/2011
Food= Delicious.
Service=Pretentious and poor
Group of four ordered the Emilia-Romagna meat sampler. delicious. Ordered 4 beverages. 4 people ordered two cocktails (we each happened to order similar drinks)- one with Pisco and the other with Russels Reserve 10yr Bourbon. Both cocktail perfectly balanced and delicious.
Server awkwardly stood at table when two ladies were not ready to order. Server never asked how food was. Server could not connect direct eye contact with any person at table to ask any proper question----How is food? How is that most expensive meat plate you asked me to recommend to you? how are those drinks?. Server silently and rudely took signed credit card slip off table.
I don't expect a lot out of a server and/or wait staff but basic service standards are expected.
Upon leaving two employees looked at us all and made no thought or inclination to say 'thank you' or 'good night.' For us, it is those little things that make a place worth going back to.
Point given to them. Their cured meat selection was not only extensive but delicious.
I have been here three times and service never this disconnected.
Man with beard, you know who you are!
Go eat there expecting man beard! -
Review from Joce A.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 6/21/2011
Will not be coming back here again. Was my favorite place, now my least favorite after being discriminated against by the waitress and the manager.
Was going to write a thorough review on my reasoning, but they don't deserve my energy.
(Message me if you want to know what happened. )1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/17/2011
I had no idea they were open for lunch until a few days ago... Has this always been so or is this a… Read more »
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Review from Andrew C.
Adesso added weekday lunch hours a couple months ago.
It's pretty basic with 2 "Butcher Shop Sandwiches" and drinks. Order at the counter and they bring the food / drinks to your table. Pay when you're done.
I didn't see any sides listed and the woman who took my order and explained the sandwiches / menu didn't mention any either. Today's offerings were an Adesso Sub with 3 types of cold cuts and a hot Porchetta sandwich which is what I got. Both were $9.
The sandwiches come wrapped up in butcher paper even if you're eating in. The porchetta comes on a torpedo shaped roll with some light panini press marks (http://www.yelp.com/bi...).
There was a decent amount of juicy pork with a few arugula leaves mixed in (http://www.yelp.com/bi...). The flavor was a little tart with some underlying porky funk.
It was tasty, but a small meal with no sides for $9. I'll stick with Roli Roti for my porchetta urges.Listed in: Reubens! (and other hot…
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Review from Tiki H.
San Francisco, CA
4/8/2011
I think what ADDESSO means in some foreign language that I don't know is: Robbery or Thief. I wish I could give this place zero stars because of a breach of trust. I ordered one beer, crackers and cheese and paid about $23, which I paid with a credit card. When I looked at my bank statement, I saw an additional charge from the restaurant for $59.27!!! I did not authorize this transaction -- but to make matters worse, they don't pick up their phone (why publish the phone if you're not going to answer it?). I am waiting for a response, but am not feelign good about this.
UPDATE: I have a friend in the industry who sent me the owners personal email, which with I was able to make direct contact. The owner got back to me after researching it and reversed the charges. Her "reason" for the error was they had a ticket without a credit card, so they just decided to use mine. Then someone "forgot" to void it out. She acted like this was a common practice. My concern is that if I had not checked my statement , they would have gotten away with this. Most people do not check their statements, especially on corporate accounts. I almost wish the reason was that they had a dishonest employee-- but I wonder if this is standard operating procedure. Think of how much money an establishment may make if these little "mistakes" regularly occur and no one calls them on it. Not certain I should satisfied with their response 100%. -
Review from catherine k.
San Francisco, CA
10/2/2011
The more I come here the more I love this place.
It's just a nice place just hang out. I love their grapefruit gimlet and cucumber smash. Their Pate and Salumi is yum!!! -
Review from Carol K.
7/27/2011
Came for: Happy Hour
Will come back for: another try
Came to check out their HH concept in which they bring out small (they are really taster dishes with tiny bites) dishes while you enjoy the adult beverages. The taster dishes were focaccia pieces (two types), salumi slices (which they are known for), squid salad, and maybe one more that I can't remember.
I'd say 3.5 stars but the tiny bites felt like a tease...
Take-Away: Interesting concept, good drinks, and really cool space; maybe I will come back for a meal and get some sizable eats! -
Review from Lydia W.
4/20/2011
You'd love Adesso if you were looking for an ambient place to get tasty aperitifs, have really fatty + salty meats and pates, flirt over candlelight, and listen to some live jazz.
I probably would have liked it more if I was drinking, was loaded, and was double my current age. My tastes are definitely not sophisticated enough to appreciate the quality of the salumis and in effect, how much it costs.
My companion and I shared the special on the blackboard that was a manicotti with pork ragu and nettles - I'm such a sucker for nettles - which turned out to be two egg-noodle rolls that resembled enchiladas, stuffed with pulled pork and a green nettle-paste. It came with a sauce that wasn't too striking, but kind of sweet and necessary. I liked this dish.
We also shared the Adesso sub which was listed under the panini section so we expected, well, a panini! So we were quite surprised to see a baguette-like sandwich. I actually loved how the selection of meats tasted with the pepperoncini. Not my usual cup of tea, but highly enjoyable. However, not worth $12. -
Review from Iliana P.
Upland, CA
6/1/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is officially my favorite place in Oakland!
The location is quaint and romantic, the music is not too loud and the food and drinks are awesome. I looked over their $5 drink menu and noticed that they featured great Pisco drinks, I asked the waiter which choice was the sweetest and he suggested I try the "Cock of the Rock". Wow! the drink was amazing, one of the best I've had in a long time and only at $5 a pop, unbelievable! But it gets better, around 11 p.m. they bring out all these appetizers for everyone to enjoy free! Mind you, these are not cheese and crackers, these are food items from the menu. The salad, panini and chicken sandwich were awesome.
Good thing this place is kind of dark, so they may not notice that I am there every night munching on the appetizers.
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