Mägo - Oakland

The people at Mägo just get it. One of the best meals I've ever had in Oakland. We'll be dreaming of the Pickled Mackerel Caesar Salad forever. Not only that, but every dish one upped the one that came before it. Many of the items cooked on this charcoal grill that you see them cooking in front of you. The entire staff, from chef to server were world class people. It was such an awesome experience. My partner has an allergy to Strawberry and not only did they accommodate for that in one of the desserts, but she argued that it was probably better tasting than the strawberry version. I tasted both, she was wrong, but pick your battles, right? I cannot wait to come back. Also the cocktail I got was so freaking good. All in all, the best time to go to this restaurant was yesterday, the second best time is today. If you can, go.

Amazing food and drinks. They change their tasting menu daily! Food was fresh, unique, and I love how the chef incorporates seasonal vegetables. A new favorite spot.

Great atmosphere with a wide open kitchen and a cool, high-ceilinged space. Beverage pairing was excellent, especially the cocktails (wasn 't as impressed by the wine pairings). Dishes were all good, but only some were great , in my opinion. Lamb shank in particular was a bit too rich, with large globs of fat, and no side dishes to cut through it at all. Standouts were the arepas and the blood orange sorbet. Would go again, but I 'm not expecting a Michelin star just yet.

The food was exceptional, but the service really brought my rating down by a star. We arrived for our 8:30 pm reservation for a birthday dinner, only to find that our table was unavailable because the previous guests were late. This has never happened to us at any restaurant before. We were offered seating at the bar or on the patio, and we chose the patio, which was more private but overall quite average. Despite the disappointing start, the food was nearly enough to compensate for it. Each course was unique and bursting with delicious flavors and textures. Standout dishes included the apple ceviche paired with a maple leaf cookie, the incredibly tender pork main course, and the frozen arequipe dessert. The arequipe, in particular, is something I will remember for a long time—it had a perfectly balanced apple compote, creamy dulce de leche semifreddo, and a delicate, crunchy wafer on top. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant for its food, but the atmosphere and service definitely need improvement.

The menu changes frequently, so there's no need to highlight specific dishes. Everything was perfectly balanced and well-portioned. The service was friendly and welcoming. I requested a slower pace for the meal to fully savor each course, and they were more than happy to accommodate. I left feeling satisfied but not overstuffed. I recommend requesting table 16 at the chef's table for some great people-watching. Be sure to try the beverage pairing menu—it’s a must!