- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Marc 49
Categories: Nightlife Bars Wine Bars Restaurants Tapas/Small Plates Wine Bars, Tapas/Small Plates [Edit]
4915 Telegraph Ave(between 49th St & 51st St)
Oakland, CA 94609
Neighborhoods: Temescal, North Oakland
(510) 652-2100
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 5 pm - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 12 am
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
237 reviews for Marc 49
Review Highlights
"I especially like the way back patio."
(in 28 reviews)
"I loved the outdoor patio that had heat lamps."
(in 14 reviews)
"...affordable (see: panini, quesadilla, fruit and cheese, etc."
(in 10 reviews)
Loading...
237 reviews in English
-
Review from Andrea D.
Oakland, CA
1/26/2012 5 Check-ins Here
I love this place. The food is tasty and cheap, and the wine is abundant, and they have a few decent beers on tap for the friend who doesn't want to indulge in the wine.
It has a nice ambiance that makes you feel like you are in for a wallet-thinning night, when in fact you are getting an amazing deal. The wine flights are a good deal and let you taste some of the best that they have. When ordering a glass, generous pours are given, and I gladly accept them!
The back patio is where all the action is, and the outdoor heaters make for a pleasant outing even in cold weather.
Great service and selection that make a me a regular in this hip local joint. -
Review from Christine P.
Hercules, CA
1/23/2012
Temescal was the hood and Marc 49 was the spot chosen for a midweek catch up session with the girls. Keep your eyes open when trying to find the place because it can easily be missed. We sat in the back patio...cute and intimate but with the high walls, it may leave you feeling a bit confined. Not a good spot if you want privacy, since it's a small area and no music is playing, you can hear the conversations from the nearby tables.
They have a good selection of wines and the servers were pretty nice as well as knowledgeable about their offerings. The appetizers were tasty but don't expect to get full from them. There's many other places to have a meal in the Temescal area but do stop by Marc 49 for some wine and appetizer noshing. -
Review from Nicole L.
1/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Walking into this bar just before meeting a friend for pizza at Lanesplitter's down the street was a good decision.
Welcoming, homey, soft decor, and a fireball of a bartender made this experience wonderful.
I wish I remembered her name, but as soon as I sat down, she asked me what I wanted, and when I was trying to decide between three wines, she poured me a taste of all three.
Now that's service. And a great way to bond.
I was there on a slow night, right at the end of graduate school, ready for a beverage, and I got one. Their wine selection is good. I believe Jan M called it "suitably long" and I absolutely agree. There's a wide variety to meet every taste, and they have a great selection of "By the Glass."
When my friend let me know she was in the area, and I needed to go, they closed my tab in a timely manner.
I look forward to returning! -
Review from A S.
Oakland, CA
2/4/2012
Paula is fantastic. Please give her a raise. Sweet, knowledgeable, and warm--love. Like the space, the wine, the food looked great (we were too full), the prices...one wee thing, though-- please switch out the scattered fluorescent bulbs! Especially out back. Lighting fit for the E.R. really wonks the mood...you've got those great lights on the sidewalk, get some for the hallway & out back! But keep the jazz & Tom Waits coming. We will definitely be back, especially for Paula. But we'll come hungry next time.
-
Review from Patrick S.
Oakland, CA
2/2/2012
Tiny wine bar with an open air patio in back (with heaters). Wine selection was interesting, but I would love to see a few more choices. Bartender was fun and let me do a taste off when I was picking my next red. They have food apparently, but I only viewed it on my visit.
-
Review from nancy n.
Berkeley, CA
2/2/2012
I love this spot.
Paula, is great!!! I love wine, but am a bit of a neophyte when it comes to the in's and out's of making selections. I always feel like I leave Marc 49 knowing more about how to taste and select wines. I have also had some great food pairings- portions are very, very generous- I suggest splitting plates with a friend.
I have had great times out on the back patio as well as sitting at the bar.
This is definitely one of my "happy" places. -
Review from ANGELA K.
1/8/2012
OMG!!
We came here after eating dinner at RUDY'S CAN'T FAIL!!
I'm sooo glad that I came here with my lil sis, our Bride to be and her Maid of Honor last night.
The ambiance of this place was very laid back and warm.
The decor is really trendy and classy.
It's a small wine bar.
I wish it was bigger.
The wine selection was endless and so hard to choose from.
We all ended up ordereing flints of 3!!
Their BUBBLE wines are DELISH......
Our waiter was nice enough to give us a sample of 2 red wines. (The bottle was already opened).
Their appetizer and desserts looked sooo good, but our tummy said NO!! LOL!!
Reasonable pricing at least!
There's only ONE BATHROOM (Man&WOMAN) together.
There is a private parking you can park your car, but be careful there's a lot of strange people asking for your money.
Bring a pepper spray with you just in case.
Overall, I would love to come this wine bar again and again!!! -
Review from kimberly d.
Gulfport, MS
2/1/2012
My favorite place in Berkeley! Great wine, amazing food and great atmosphere! Wine tasting 3 or 4 at a time for about $10. I just love this place!
-
Review from Thary D.
Oakland, CA
1/11/2012
Great staff! So accommodating. Great selection as well.
However, the setup of this place is annoying even for staff (who were chatting it up with us about the lower tables making it hard for them to stoop down to put down the wine glasses). It's also annoying trying to eat like this. I know they are making it more loungy and classy, but it's just not necessary. There are higher 2-person tables around, the counter was good, and the small outdoor seating. But I usually come with more than 2 people and end up not very comfortable.
I've only ordered the oysters to eat here, and they are delicious. -
Review from Jan M.
Oakland, CA
11/12/2011
As a semi-struggling twenty-something who'd just moved out, I was reluctant to walk into a place that called itself a "wine bar", despite the inclusion of the word "restaurant". But I'm so glad I did! The food is delicious and affordable (see: panini, quesadilla, fruit and cheese, etc.), and the portions satisfying or lovely next-day leftovers, depending on the size of your stomach. The wine list is suitably long, and they have plenty of beer on tap and in bottles, if you are so inclined. There's a lovely little heated patio in the back when it's not raining, and there are sweet little tables between short, comfortable chairs, as well as nice, cushy bar seats.
But what really makes this place so lovely (and dare I say, chill) is the people who work here. Paula, the regular bartender, is fun, engaging and knowledgeable, and can help you choose something you'll like, whether or not you're a wine connoisseur (which I am most certainly not). The servers are attentive and friendly, besides being genuinely nice people. I always feel like I'm among friends, whether I bring people or come by myself. -
Review from Maggie L.
Berkeley, CA
10/12/2011
OH. MY. GOD.
Talk about multiple orgasms in your mouth. ;D
The restaurant is located on Telegraph Ave and it's a really small restaurant, so it's really easy to miss. The boy and I walked past it before we even realized it. Inside, the place looks really classy; there are mirrors and framed photos all over the walls, small comfortable chairs to sit in and nice little tables. It really red and brown all over, and looks reallllyyy comfy, like you're about to sit in front of a fireplace.
They specialize in small plates, and let me tell you, those small plates are effing DELICIOUS. We ordered the Rock and Roll bruschetta, which let us choose 3 different bruschetta combinations, so we went with the Soloist, Classical and Jazz. All three was absolutely AMAZING. I literally wanted to lick the plate. I've never heard of eating cantaloupe with prosciutto before, but after I tried the Soloist, that was all I wanted to eat, period. The classical has such savory tomatoes, that it was to die for! I've never had tomatoes that tasted soo good! And lastly, the Jazz. the eggplant, tomato, pesto, basil and cheese went along so well.... I could have died happy eating this... MmmmMm
On top of this, we also ordered a quesadilla with steak and the telegraph panini. Both were also very delicious, but I don't think they can compare to the bruschetta. The panini was packed with a lot, but not too much chicken, which was a plus and the quesadilla was overfilling with tomatoes, mushrooms, and steak. We weren't able to finish the quesadilla so we brought it home, warmed it up the next day, and it was still really good.
The service here is pretty good. They were all really friendly and tried to talk to everyone. The boy and I came on a Sunday, and from what our waiter told us, they were forced to cut back on staffing, so it took a while for our food to come out.. which was DEVASTATING because all we did was sit there and smell other people's delicious foods!
However, all in all, I will MOST DEFINITELY come back here again! Their food is just TOOOO GOOD to pass up, even if I have to wait a long time! -
Review from Mikayla M.
Oakland, CA
11/5/2011
AAAAAMMMAZING!!
I live down the street from this place, there ususally so packed that I've been discouraged to wait to get in. Weds after the Occupy Oakland strike to the port, some friends and I were looking for some good eats, and one of them reccomended this spot. I've got to say we LOVED everything we ordered.
* dozen Buckley fresh oysters
* blue cheese + carmalized onion bruschetta
* Berkeley Panini - eggplant, roasted peppers, arugula, and Havarti with a black olive tapenade
* Oakland Panini - Grilled Portobello mushrooms, grilled zucchini, caramelized onions and fresh Mozzarella with pesto sauce
* 51st Panini - Prosciutto, caramelized onions, and Havarti cheese with balsamic vinaigrette
I'm def gonna need my once a week fix on this place! The lighting was dim, that tables were kinda low. There was outside seating, and a nice beverage menu. The only minor issue we faced was, there seemed to be one server for the seated section [except for the bar] she was working inside/outside and it took a little longer then we'd hoped to get our check when we were ready to leave. No biggie.
LOVE YOU MARC 49!! -
Review from Jess V.
Alameda, CA
11/27/2011
5 friggin stars for just Paula alone!! She absolutely made the night - gave you what you needed, didn't hover over you, did her thing behind the bar, super friendly vibe without being fake-y feeling. 5 more stars for 20 oz draft beers. If you're hesitant to come because you're not looking to do the wine thing, have no fear, Paula, 20 oz drafts & a delicious cheap menu of bread, fruit & cheese (bruschetta, fancy quesadilla etc) & urbanish Oakland vibe of the place makes it a worthwhile night. No complaints.
-
Review from Nina F.
Oakland, CA
12/16/2011
Nice wait staff, good wines, tasty bar bites (we especially liked the meat and cheese place with the toasts), but I will never go there again because of the incredibly uncomfortable seating. The tables are low-to-the-ground coffee tables. The way the space is arranged, seats have to press up against the tables, but there's no place to put your legs! As a result, you have to sit crammed against the table twisted sideways. I just got home with a horrible crick in my back and hip. Also, the red velvet cake tasted like cake mix, with no cocoa flavor at all.
-
Review from Garland W.
San Francisco, CA
8/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Nice selection of wine.
Beer choice.. kinda standard.
Seems like a nice place to take a date and just hang out.
It's cozy here (aka: kinda small).
The area/neighborhood can get a little sketchy... Oakland.. whataya expect?
(about the Oakland comment: don't think i'm a snob... come'on... we all kinda know wassup.) -
Review from Ed U.
"Cozy" is a four-letter word in my book, a rather unctuous term that really means you're sitting like a sardine in a rusted tin waiting to be spread on a slice of month-old Wonder bread. But I have to say this place is cozy, and I mean that in the sincerest possible way. I do. Temescal really has some interesting eateries in this neighborhood, and I've never really stopped and browsed since my last fried chicken sandwich at Bakesale Betty's a couple of years ago (...I still feel guilty about that one.)
This one is set between a taqueria and a tattoo parlor, so how could it possibly go wrong? It doesn't. It's a low-key wine bar with a solid tapas menu with happy hour discounts on robust glasses of the grape. I tried a $9 goblet of the 2007 Folkways Revelator!, a buttery Meritage blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc that went down smooth and fast (see photo). To accompany it, I ordered the Soloist, a three-piece $6 bruschetta with mascarpone cheese, prosciutto, cantaloupe, and shredded mint leaves that made a refreshing counterpoint to the wine (see photo).
It was the ideal early evening appetizer as a solitary visitor. I could also eavesdrop on three conversations at once. All I remember was some woman having bad sex on a Tahitian holiday with Hitler during the peak of the Third Reich while screaming obscenities about the budget deficit. I could have mixed up the story. Anyway, seating is awfully cozy in there. The scene ranges from hipster to oldster with several points in between. Really a comfortable spot if you happen to be in the area near 51st and Telegraph. Look for the twinkly string of whites lights in front, otherwise you'll miss it.
FOOD/WINE - 4 stars...nice combo of tastes offered here
AMBIANCE - 4 stars...did I mention that it's cozy?...with a speakeasy/thrift shop vibe (see photo)
SERVICE - 4 stars...very helpful and not intrusive...thanks Allison!
TOTAL - 4 stars...I'd be hanging out here a lot if I still lived in Oakland -
Review from Mariza S.
Redlands, CA
8/15/2011
Marc 49 is the perfect place for a nice wine flight, or a good beer. I've come here for parties, dates, gathering of friends, etc... It seems to fit all occasions, which I love!
The alcohol is great and the food is good. Overall, this place is solid! I love coming here and relaxing on a nice sunny day. -
Review from Liv K.
Fremont, CA
7/13/2011
Came here for dinner. Shared 3 sandwiches - Shattuck, 51st and Telegraph. Chicken, Steak and Prosciutto. My fave was the prosciutto one...because the others were kind of bland. I don't know if it was because we chose wheat bread for all 3 and all 3 had caramelized onions, but they all sort of tasted the same. They were all good, but not excellent. The chicken was a bit dry, but I was sort of expecting that...because chicken is difficult to cook just right.
The service was excellent and attentive. They didn't try to sell us a bunch of extras. They checked on us frequently, but didn't rush us.
We sat in the outdoor patio, which was small and intimate, yet very nice.
Parking is easy with street parking and a parking lot dedicated to the Temescal District shops. This would be a great place to go to drink wine and hang out with friends. -
Review from Krystal H.
Berkeley, CA
11/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is the perfect place to go for a date or to catch up with an old friend. It's SO cozy and inviting, the instant I walk in the door I want to order a bottle and lounge for the rest of the night. Haven't dabbled too much with the food options here, had a panini once, and oysters another time -- both were good. I recommend the sangria if you're craving something that tastes like the holidays. Love Marc 49!
-
Review from Leah E.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 5/28/2011 7 photos
Saturday Date Night: May 21, 2011 @ 10:20 PM aka "END OF THE WORLD"
Some people probably chose to hide in their basement awaiting the end of the world but I was sipping a very nice bubbly at Marc 49 with my man.
HOW TO FIND:
If you blink you will miss this tiny wine bar on 51st and Telegraph but the fairy lights outside will beckon you to come in to quench your thirst. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
DECOR:
The decor is mixed nostalgic, gothic and speakeasy-ish. Black and white pictures of the generations before us (including the young Elizabeth Taylor) cover most of the wall on the the side. Red velvet curtains framing a huge mirror cover the opposite wall gave Marc 49 the feel that you are in dracula's lair. (There is also back patio that looked like a steam wooden sauna but I did not check it out during this visit.) http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SOCIAL SCENE:
The patrons that night were hip 20s to 40s friends and lovers lazily lounging on the low leather benches sipping glasses of vino. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
My man and I chose the low table and chairs by the window. We were there for the food!
BUBBLY: Reasonably priced at $8 a glass, this champagne was nice, fresh and with a generous taste of honey.
STRAWBERRY FIELDS $6: Greens with blue cheese, candied nuts, strawberry slices and sweet strawberry dressing. A light sweet delicious salad! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
BROADWAY PANINI $7: Chicken breast and pesto panini. He added a Monterey Salad (lettuce, pear, candied walnuts, blue cheese) for just $3 more! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SOLOIST BRUSCHETTA $6: 3 generous slices of nicely toasted baguette, crispy but not hard, topped with goat cheese, proscuitto and melon. Eventhough I had to take out the proscuitto slices that were fresh and not even a hint of dry edges, I really enjoyed these toasts sans the meat. Delicious with my salad! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
BROWNIE: It looked prettier than it tasted. It was sweet with mounds of whipped cream and a little bit on dry side but it completed the meal.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SERVICE:
The food and drinks at Marc 49 deserve 4 stars. The staff deserves 6 Stars. Only at a neighborhood place can you get the kind of accomodation we received last night. When we walked in at 10:20 at night, the kitchen was already closed. Our server said that it was a bizarrely slow Saturday. She joked "maybe because it's the end of the world but wouldn't you want to just drink wine and run up your credit card instead of hiding?" They decided to close the otherwise open until 11pm kitchen early. Seeing our disappointed faces, they reopened, told us not to apologize and order whatever we wanted on the menu and served us kindly and ungrudgingly!
LOWDOWN:
We wanted a light dinner and a night cap after a family party then watching "Pirates of the Caribbean 3" at the Kabuki before calling it a night. Marc 49 is the perfect spot for either late night dinner and drinks in Temescal, catching up with your friend, a quick weekday date night dinner or going solo.
They also serve tapas aside from what I mentioned above. Extensive offerings of wine reasonably priced at $8 per glass or $26 per bottle.
Marc 49 is a real neighborhood gem and is now added to my short list of favorites!
$40 including tax before tip. With $20 Groupon, this very enjoyable meal was only $27 including a Diet Pepsi, tax and 20% tip.Listed in: 2008 Saturdays with Boyfriend, Chic and Swanky NOT in the…, Cheap Eats in Oaktown, 2011 Saturday Date Nights, Vino Bella
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
10/21/2008
Date: October 20, 2008 @ 9:00PM-10:30 PM.
Occasion: Sunday Date Night with boyfriend.
Venue: Easy… Read more »
-
-
Review from Hana H.
10/22/2011
Wine: Love their wide selection of red and white wines. We've had a flight of pinot, cabernet, syrah, and zinfandel. All were awesome!!! Feel free to ask the servers for their recommendations. $14 for a flight of 4 was very reasonable.
Food: Not the place for you if you are very hungry and want full course dinner. No main entrees. They only some good selections of appetizers, oysters, salads, panini and desserts,
1. The oysters were nice and fresh. $20 for 1 dozen. Reasonable.
2. Bruschetta ($6): Not impressive. The baguette slices were too thick and soft (when they were supposed to be thinly sliced and "roasted", not lightly toasted). I didn't really taste the garlic, the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The chopped tomatoes were in big chunks and not aromatic at all. $6 for 3 pieces.
3. Shrimp cerviche ($8): I've had it better elsewhere. The shrimps were cut into tiny pieces. I couldn't really taste the lime. The whole thing in a tiny bowl. Not a good spend.
4. Meats and Cheese ($9): There were 3 pieces of proscuitto and about 5 pieces of the Black Forrest ham and Jarslberg and Havarti Cheese, but where were the spicy Coppa salami?
5. Pumpkin pie ($4) was homemade. Soft, not too sweet. Good for this festive season.
Service: Great team of servers. They were professional, friendly, knowledgeable about their wines, and efficient.
Rating:
1. 5 stars for wines
2. 5 stars for the service
3. 3 stars for food
Overall: 4 stars. I will be back for the oysters, desserts, wines and great service. :) -
Review from J E.
Oakland, CA
10/24/2011
Totally adorable little wine bar. Sat outside on the back patio-really nice ambiance all around. Good selection of wines and light menu options. The bruschetta we ordered was amazing, I could have had 10 orders of that and called it a night. Our paninis and salads were really good too. Great place. If we didn't have an awesome wine bar we area already loyal to, we would be here every other weekend.
-
Review from Shauna F.
Oakland, CA
8/21/2011
Great little wine bar!
A friend and I enjoyed snacks and drinks on the back patio this afternoon. Our server was very knowledgeable, giving detailed descriptions of the substitution and special wines. He also offered to give my friend a sample of the substitute malbec when she hesitated. She was happy with hers and I enjoyed my rose.
The 51st sandwich with prosciutto, havarti and caramelized onions was delicious. My buddy mixed and matched bruschetta. They were alright but I was underwhelmed. I suppose the ambiance and wine list are the draw here, not so much the food.
Next time, I intend to try a wine flight as I know veeeeery little about wine and this is an adorable place to learn! -
Review from Brian K.
8/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great little wine bar. The interior decor is something the lady in your life will love (especially if that lady is you). My wife swooned over it. We ended up sitting outside, which was great because they have 4 overhead heaters whiched worked greatly.
Our table got:
-2 wine flights (4 wines)
-1 glass of wine
-1 beer
Our waitress was a little 'flighty' - pun intended, but managed to get all of the right drinks out. They didnt have about 5 of the wines on the menu, but did have substitute wines that were great.
Quality - 4/5
Service - 3.5/5
Ambiance - 4.5/5
Value - 4/5
Overall - 4/5 -
Review from Kymberli C.
Concord, CA
I love this place more and more each time I come here. If there are no tables to sit at, please do sit at the bar... the bartenders are very friendly and entertaining too! We came for dessert... cheese plate (you can choose to have it with fruit or meat, we chose fruit) and chcoolate mousse... both wonderful. You can also enjoy flights of wines here 3 2oz pours for $11, or four pours for $14. You can choose anything they have too even their specials. Great place!
Listed in: Drink Drank Drunk..., Wine Me...
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/15/2010
Super cute little wine bar! There are a few tables for seating but they aren't your average… Read more »
-
-
Review from Joe A.
San Francisco, CA
7/3/2011
Wednesday night is $1 Oyster and $4 20 oz draft beers.
Here's what I had:
Mirror Pond Ale ($4)- Great Beer whatever the occasion and only $4 Draft
6 Cheasapeake Oysters ($6)- Tasted fresh and delicious, nice mignonette alongside
Bruschetta ($6)- I tried one topped with Mascarpone, Prosciutto, and Cantaloupe. Tasted great and worth ordering
Paso Robles salad ($3)- Wonderful, worth ordering
Steak sandwich "The Shattuck" ($7)- Sort of tough to bite through and a bit bland. Adding Tabasco sauce actually helped this sandwich in terms of flavor.
If you order a sandwich you can add a salad for $3.
Marc 49 is worth checking out and I will definitely return on another Wednesday night. -
Review from Hanna P.
7/1/2011
A great little spot hiding in the streets of Oakland!
At first glance, you might walk by without noticing this hidden gem! I walked by it a couple of times trying to find it until finally I figured out that this little wine bar was the place I needed to go. It is really small and I can see this place getting really packed on the weekends.
My friends and I came here for the food and IT IS BOMB! We ordered the meat and cheese plates and couple of the salads and paninis. For a wine bar, I was surprised at the quality and quantity of the food.
The wine selection is abundant and for $4 for a big glass of beer, it's a great hang out spot for you and your friends. It's super chill and nice and cozy. (: -
Review from Shannon K.
Oakland, CA
5/1/2011
Dear Marc (49):
You frisky little wine bar. I've been in Marc 49 a few times and it continues to please me. It's a great date spot, small and not too noisy. And it's awesome to lounge around in the comfy seats in the bar area with a few friends.
The wines are always good and the bartenders/servers always have recs if you tell them what you desire. One of my friends ordered a glass of wine. Solid choice. My other friend ordered a sangria (more on that in a second), and I ordered champagne with raspberry infused sake. You heard me! It was so good I may have had more than one. It arrived and had this delicate pink/purple hue and tasted like heaven (with bubbles). Now, the glass of sangria, and I use the word glass loosely, was more like a fishbowl on a stem! It required my friend to use both hands to drink. Each sip her face would disappear for a moment and she would resurface breathless and exclaim, I'm not getting anywhere with this! We had 2 drinks to her one. It was enormous and quite tasty (we kindly offered our assistance).
They have a happy hour on most nights. They also serve beer, for the non-wine enthusiasts; oysters; small plates; and, paninis. There is also a back room/patio perfect for a larger group, if you are so inclined.
All around it's becoming one of my favorite go-to places. Well done Marc (49), well done! -
Review from Andrew C.
Marc 49 is a wine bar / small plates restaurant that's easy to miss walking by on the sidewalk. Somewhat dimly lit with a retro loungey feel. Leather chairs, velvet curtains, iron chandelier and pendants. It was a beautiful evening so we opted for the enclosed patio vs. sitting inside (http://www.yelp.com/bi... http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
They offer wine flights of 3 x 2oz pours for $11 or 4 wines for $14 and as a nice touch they write down the wines on a piece of paper so you don't have to work to remember what you ordered (http://www.yelp.com/bi...).
We got 4 of their small plate items.
- Hummus (http://www.yelp.com/bi... $7) - Pretty standard. Would have liked some lemon flavor for more pop
- Jazz bruschetta (fresh mozzarella, basil, sliced tomatoes, grilled eggplant and pesto http://www.yelp.com/bi... $6) - 3 surprisingly large slices of bread. Nice fresh ingredients, tomato could have been riper.
- Quesadilla (Fresh tomato, Portobello Mushroom, Mozzarella, Chipotle Aoli, in a Spinach Tortilla http://www.yelp.com/bi... $6) - Big and tasty.
-Meat and cheese plate (Proscuitto, Black Forrest Ham, and Spicy Coppa Salami with Jarlsberg and Havarti Cheese http://www.yelp.com/bi... $9) - Was actually smoked Gouda instead of Jarlsberg (no biggie). The spicy coppa had a delicious kick.
We thought the servings were generous for the price and had more than enough food for the two of us. Service was attentive and helpful in their wine suggestions.Listed in: Temescal
-
Review from Rene C.
1/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
"Where in the Hell is the place"
We found a parking spot right on Telegraph Ave, but no sign of Marc 49? My wife then says, well what's the place called? My wife then points my head in the direction of said wine bar. There it was, we were parked right in front.
It was interesting that we planned on having a drink at Marc 49 when later than night we would be meeting up with Markus. And there is another coincidence in there that I won't mention because he would kill me if I said it.
This wine bar is 5 star every which way including sideways. The room is warm and comfortable and tended by super knowledgable waitstaff and bartenders. The wine list is very creative and has some real interesting selections. My wife and I split a flight of three wines ($11), a cava, French rose and a white blend called "Inca" from Argentina. If you see the "Inca" on the menu GET IT! It's one of the most kick ass whites I have tasted in a long long time.
We didn't get a chance to sample any of the food, but the menu looks like a winner. The Ceasar salad looks killer and very garlic-y. -
Review from Lisa C.
Updated - 2/22/2011 4 photos
Consistently impressive each time we're here. We started coming here awhile back, and it has been our default when in the area. The place is not all that big, especially since now the patio is under construction. But we usually come with a group of four. The food menu remains simple and the same- appetizers, salads, paninis. We've gotten the cheese and fruit plate to share on multiple occasions and it makes for a good snack or after-dinner nibble.
If you're in the mood for wine and somewhere low-key, I highly recommend Marc 49.Listed in: Wine-ing It Up
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
2/16/2009
Though the food is simple, it's still one of our favorite spots in the Berkeley/Oakland area. I… Read more »
-
-
Review from Rebecca R.
Oakland, CA
1/14/2011
Yum!
I cashed in a groupon with a friend a few days ago. $40 (that would be $20 for the $40 groupon of $40 merchadise but no tax or tip) gets you 2 large pints of standard but quality ales on tap, a glass of pretty good merlot, the cerviche & half a dozen oysters (all of which were happy hour specials), the broadway & the college paninis with side salads. This was very satisfying indeed!
The paninis were soo good! I am impressed with the chicken breast, which was marinated & tender--too often these fellas get rather dried out! The pear goat cheese pecan salad was lovely. The Mixed turkey/ham/salami was the uber yumminess. I was not completely into the spinach salad. love spinach, love the citrus segments, and the beets, but the fried onion slivers overpowered the salad in a sort of vegetarian speck sort of way. Loved the cerviche, that will be a definite revisit one of these days! The oysters were fine enough. How can you really go wrong? I skipped out on the mignonette vinegar water, didn't do it for me. And the oysters had a bit more shell bits I was fishing out of my mouth than I recall from the ever so awesome shucker at El Rio on Fridays!
Loved the ambiance on a Wednesday at 5:30pm. The back area was closed off, and it was dimly lit. The low tables were ok, but I would have worn pants if I knew it was quite that low! I felt more like I was wolfing down my sammy before I dropped it in my lap. Sitting at the bar was an option, but it def had the feel of a women's singles bar up there! But I will definitely come back again.
Piece of advise, esp on a Wednesday with $1 oysters: get there early! the room started to fill up with large groups! -
Review from Phan H.
Berkeley, CA
10/2/2011
Absolutely love this place. I rarely give places 5 stars, but this place deserved it. I had a party of 6, and sat in the back patio where it is heated. Ordered a few bottles of wine with a cheese and fruit plate. Everything was great, service was fast and friendly and the wine selection exceptional. Had a good time talking and having a great time with friends and family. Conversations are private, and its a really intimate and private setting.
-
Review from Monica S.
11/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
If you're on the prowl for a glass of expertly chosen wine and a small nibble, Marc 49 is a rockin option this side of the bridge.
When you're in the competitive culinary landscape that is Temescal, your dining options are vast and varied. But when you're specifically focused on a dimly-lit, quiet, sultry night out, Marc 49 nails it with ambiance and wine.
The food won't really impress a serious eater as the meals are more like morsels and the entrees are almost altogether non-existent. But there's a pretty decent selection of small plates and paninis for bites in between sips.
Apart from the immediate dining and bar area, there's a tucked away room off to the back right. It's completely wooded and cozy and you'll likely find tables filled with readers, quiet lovers, or gossiping ladies. If a sauna and a treehouse had a baby, it'd be this spacious retreat (minus the heat and branches, of course). -
Review from Markus N.
11/16/2010
I'm confused. The first few reviews I read (is it cheating to see what others have written before writing yourself?) were all glowing, yet the five stars were not proffered. Why so stingy with the stars? It isn't like we have a limited supply.
I'm going to go back and stick a fifth, in places a fourth and fifth, to those reviews that seem to be short a star or two. Maybe they fell off.
Two triple-jumps from my front door is this fine little establishment. How lucky for me (especially given that the starting line is Sura and the halfway point Barlata and, if I got dizzy and jumped backwards I'd be at Superstar). Oh so delicious, you Temescal. On occasion a little packed with humans (I'll pass these evenings), Marc, especially earlier in the week, almost always has a stool for me. With company I elect for the cozy chairs at tables, which (if you're mad creative like me) you can rearrange to make into kissing chairs - where you sit immediately adjacent to your companion but face in opposite directions enabling, if you're inclined and she's willing, the kiss.
The wine list is comprehensive, but not exhaustingly so. The bubbles are just right, and on an oh so tired evening such as the one prior this is what I typically fancy. The panini blesses your belly, as will the cheeses. The oysters are oysters.
I visit less frequently than I ought. I'll change this. Maybe, with luck, I'll see you there too. -
Review from Lorrayne L.
Oakland, CA
My time spent here was short, and I was distracted by my wonderful companions last night. However, the establishment has a certain je ne sais quoi. The inside is very cozy and intimate, and I would love to bring my real camera in sometime to shoot the place for reals. There's a genuine 'likeableness' in the atmosphere. Perhaps it was the bubbly wine and my company that was doing most of the happy glow effects for me, but I'd like to think the bar helped to contribute.
As I sat there enjoying convo with The Commodore and M-kun, my eyeballs wandered. And I liked what I saw. Simple yet elegant bar with super cushy chairs. Bar height chairs. Chairs so high I had a little difficulty getting on one, sober. That was funny. I love laughing at my clumsy self. The wood of the bar is beautiful to look at. The highly polished wood grain is mesmerizing, and my eyes wandered to stare at the area in front of me often. Towards the front were tables with shorter chairs (my height chairs), and the wall decor was minimally stated. I also kept staring at the bartender. Couldn't help it. She had a nice shirt on. /cough cough.
Last night was an excellent night to try this place out. Balmy weather and cozy insides. That's what made this excursion memorable. Oh, and of course, the peeps I was with. Luffs ya girls! -
Review from Farah S.
7/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great little spot for a few nibbles and a glass of wine. Very relaxed, unpretentious place with friendly staff. Special oyster deals on Wednesdays. The outdoor patio in the back makes you forget you're NOT in a Napa backyard.
-
Review from Angelica B.
West Los Angeles, CA
12/23/2010 2 Check-ins Here
My impetus for coming to Marc 49 was twofold: location and Groupon! I don't live in the Bay Area, but was up last weekend to help my sister move, so I figured that it would be worth trying out.
Though the Groupon I purchased was for the Berkeley location, we ended up at the Oakland location due to some construction that was happening at the Berkeley site. The Oakland crew was more than happy to accomodate us and honor the Groupon. This was a definitely check plus in my book!
This little place is cozy and has an atmosphere that is supposed to transport you into a French wine bar. While I would not recommend it for large groups (very little seating), it was fine for our party of four. To start, we ordered a round of Sangria (Sangria Sunday, so a glass of Sangria--a healthy portion too--was $4), Jazz bruschetta (fresh mozzarella, basil, sliced tomatoes, grilled eggplant and pesto) and a dozen oysters (2 kinds--Chesapeake and Buckley, both really nice).
For our main dishes, we ordered Paninis with side salads.
-College Panini
Spicy Coppa Salami, Black Forest Ham, Proscuitto,
and Jalsberg cheese with balsamic vinaigrette
with Napa salad
Tender baby spinach, fried onions, fresh beets, and orange segments
with a honey mustard and lime vinaigarette
-51st Panini
Prosciutto, caramelized onions, and Havarti cheese
with balsamic vinaigrette
with Paso Robles Salad
Butter lettuce, green apples, candied walnuts and crumbled
Bleu cheese in a Blue cheese vinaigrette
Between the four of us, we were very full upon finishing our meal. The food was fresh, simple, and tasty, very reasonably priced. While I would not say that the food was remarkable, it was definitely solid and coupled with their wine selection, when I am in the area again and have the chance, I would return. The also have a $1 oyster deal on Wednesdays--that's something I'd like to take advantage of! -
Review from Jennifer S.
San Francisco, CA
9/24/2011
I loved the outdoor patio that had heat lamps. The atmosphere was very relaxing and I felt like I was in my own back yard. The happy hour recommended wine was great and another wine recommended by the waiter was also amazing. The appetizers are pretty filling, we got quesadilla and hummus.
-
Review from Deanna A.
1/16/2011 2 Check-ins Here
$1 OYSTERS: Lonnie A. and I took advantage of Wednesday's $1 oyster deal. There are two type of oysters: Chesapeake (big, lean) and Buckley (smaller, buttery). I prefer the taste of the Chesapeake. Buckley was a little to 'seafoody' for me, plus the flavor wasn't consistent between the oysters. Oysters are accompanied by fresh lemon wedges, this vinegarette sauce, and hot sauce (if requested). The vinegarette is highly recommended.
TIGER PRAWN QUESADILLA: Huge shrimps and aioli spread on a spinach tortilla. Delish.
$4 Olive combo and 4 pieces of toasted sourdough.
THUMBS UP!
LOCATION: On Telegraph. Street parking (which is limited), plus Walgreen's parking lot. This is a cute area of Telegraph. The restaurant itself is cozy, clean, and neighborhood chic.
PEOPLE: Even paced and easy to find a seat around 6:30. Once 7pm hit, it filled up.
YES I would come here again. See you next Wednesday!
WHO ARE YOU TO COME HERE? If you want to decompress after work or a commute from the city. If you want a relax in a true neighborhood restaurant/lounge. If you want to eat some oysters.
