i heard of b through friends who had been to the SF location. so i got a group of my boyfriends together on a friday night and headed out for some dinner and drinks. we got to b right as dinner was getting into full swing..and were seated in a few minutes..our hostess (misty, i think) recommended we try the love on and the don riley, two of their specialty drinks..one was deliciously sweet, raspberry vodka and champagne, and the other a more subdued lemony tart iced tea concoction...the drinks were fantastic, and let me tell you friends, i know my drinks...we were greeted promptly by our fantastically gay waiter leonard...the menu was amazing!! tons of starters to share..we ordered mussels in pernod, with fennel and shallots, delicious veal meatballs that came in an unexpected roasted red pepper sauce, and the spinach salad with pancetta vinegrette, and smoked salmon salad with mache, and citrus creme fraich, all recommended by our waiter...did i mention he's a hottie too? the food was complex yet simple, rich and yet sublime...the first course was a knockout, so we ordered a bottle of wine...if you don't try the lemelson pinot noir, you are a fool! the restaurant was full, and the energy was amazing..entrees ordered were a meaty and firm swordfish with an arugula smashed potato and a citrus dressing of some sort, a beer braised shortrib that melted in your mouth finished with cranberry and orange gastrique, and one of the most delicious and fresh tasting broccoli rabe and ricotta cheese pizzas..light, crisp, and piping hot..the crowd was mostly young, hip thirty somethings, but there wasn't a pretentious vibe at all..the servers were calm and collected in the middle of a busy friday night..top notch service, amazing, well crafted food, great ambience, and an eye opening new view of what oakland has to offer..i was surprised to find the owners disguised as the hostess and pizza guy ( which is so cool) and can't wait to have another night at b!! i give them an a+
Pros: great service, amazingly well crafted entrees, cool, fun atmosphere
Cons: can't think of a single one, everything was great
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