Fantastic, fresh, creative Mexican cuisine - places like this are exactly what downtown Oakland needs to keep its upwards momentum. The sangria is delicious, and the plates are wonderful. My only complaint is the small portion sizes - it's never enough! The Botana de Pico de Gallo is the perfect balance of heat, sweet, and salt, while the Sopecitos practically melt in your mouth. You can increase the portion size to four servings for an extra few dollars - it's worth it. On the ""Especiales"" menu, the Cochinita Pibil (slow cooked marinated pork with fried plantains, corn tortillas, and other tidbits) is incredible. The dessert menu was a nice contrast of classic and creative, with selections like coconut flan, rice pudding, crepes, and a variation of bread pudding. Service was friendly and perfectly timed. I can't wait to go back! Tamarindo is TINY and they do not currently accept reservations, so to avoid the long waits, plan for an early dinner and show up when they open. Also beware of patrons who think this is a child-appropriate restaurant - it's too small for screaming toddlers.
Pros: Fresh, delicious menu selections; sangria is awesome; friendly service
Cons: Potential for long waits with no-reservation policy; parking can be problematic during peak hours;
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