. Most dishes taste great with their unique flavors, except the ling cod. It is way too salty.. The waitstaff attempted to provide attentive service, but due to a shortage of staff and a high volume of customers, service was kinda limited.Great ambience and charming decorations in the restaurant 5/5. Overall it’s a nice experience dining in here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Ysabelli Cusi
Popped in for Restaurant week and opted for their $75 4 course tasting menu. The hostess was very kind and charming which built up the anticipation for the rest of the night. However, once we were served our cocktails, fear began to creep in. My friend’s tasted like chilled pickle juice when the menu said there was pineapple and all sorts of tropical flavors. Mine was decent, not great but decent. We were then served a gazpacho as our first course. The experience was like spoon feeding ourselves vinegar. I love a vinegary taste, but this wasn’t pleasant at all. Then onto the Cod… It was over seasoned and just tasted like pure salt. Purely disgusting and indigestible. Thankfully, the steak with black garlic purée was delicious. However, the plating was funny with one asparagus split into three. How generous. You also can’t go wrong with dessert which was pretty and pleasant. In all, for its price point, I was deeply unimpressed and saddened at the steep letdown this night turned out to be. We had high hopes when making the trip out all the way to the East Bay, but were sent home crushed. Thanks.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
ayush kalani
Ideally, a 3.5/5.My friend and I visited Mägo during the Oakland Restaurant Week (priced at $65 pp). From outside, it looked like a regular building, but once inside, Mägo offered a charming atmosphere. The indoor area had a warm, intimate feel with soft lighting, perfect for a quiet dinner. They also have a back patio with heated lamps, making it a versatile spot depending on your preference. They also had blankets for us to use because the weather was extra chilly and rainy. Their patio area is mostly covered, so you should be fine if it starts raining unless you are seated at the table we were at. Our table was slightly exposed to the outside elements, and with the strong winds, we could definitely feel the drizzle, but it wasn't a big deal. We just moved our seats, and we were fine afterward.The food had its ups and downs, but unfortunately, the service significantly impacted the overall experience. Our Restaurant Week tasting menu, which consisted of only 4 courses, stretched out to a staggering 2.5 hours. This slow pace put a damper on the evening, especially considering the number of courses.The menu itself was an interesting mix. The jicama, rhubarb, feta bunuelo, and radicchio starter had intriguing flavors, but the execution felt a little disjointed. The bunuelo was hard like a brick and wasn't much cheesy. I liked the rhubarb, but my friend wasn't a fan.The ling cod, maitake "ajiaco", capers, and avocado were pretty good, with the ling cod cooked perfectly and the maitake mushrooms adding an earthy depth. The avocado was a little salty, but it came on the side, so it didn't really impact the overall flavors of the dish. All in all, it was a great dish.The beef carne asada was a bit of a letdown. While the asparagus and black garlic were interesting accompaniments, the beef itself wasn't as consistent, and some pieces were a bit dry.The pan de coco with plantain butter (an additional $8) was phenomenal (MUST TRY). It was a delightful combination of sweet bread and creamy plantain. We devoured this in no time. I'm still dreaming about it. ?The torta de zanahoria (carrot cake) with rum raisin and cinnamon was another great dish that delivered a classic carrot cake flavor with a boozy twist. All the textures and flavors complimented each other really well, and the cold ice cream on top really took this dessert to the next level.Overall, Mägo has a lovely ambiance and some creative menu ideas. However, the incredibly slow service significantly detracted from the experience. While our dinner started off with some okay dishes, it definitely ended on a high note.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Chris Peterson
This restaurant is advertised as Colombian influenced, but it’s not. The only true Colombian items are: arepas, plantains, buenos, one liquor specific to Colombia (Aguardiente), and lastly the chef. Although the rest of the menu is rather anything but Colombian, all of which does not equate to a being called a Colombian restaurant. It should be the menu and in this case with the lack there of with true or inspired Colombian dishes which makes it apparent it is just an upscale restaurant, just not a Colombian one. The positives are the atmosphere of the dining room and the courteous staff. I wouldn’t recommend this restaurant for anything but tapas on date night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
James Jones
I don’t think they like my skin but that’s ok he had a fair skin black person work the door be cause they probably work better …. Boy the Bay Area is officially whited out .
Atmosphere: 1
Steph
Enjoyed the Latin cuisine.As a colombiana- one star. Nothing about these flavors or elevations where staples of our heritage.Just another overpriced Latin restaurant.Maconda in Alameda doesn’t have tables, that’s how authentic it is!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Scott Sibley
Exquisite on all levels, rustic yet sublime. Unusual offerings and excellent service in a comfortable setting make it definitely worth it's considerable price of admission. Chapeau, chef Mark and team! Would you consider offering lunch?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Georgina Hansford
Food quality and value was phenomenal. The menu changes, but when we went all the seafood was so fresh and expertly prepared for very nicely flavored dishes. The breads and dessert are amongst the best we’ve had. Their wine list is nice, with unique wines curated from under-represented regions. The sommelier recommended wine was perfect for our taste and meal. The restaurant itself is tastefully decorated and very spacious. I liked the open kitchen gives you a view of the cooking. Overall an excellent experience I hope to repeat soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Arepas
Nikki Schrager
Tasting menu. Delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
andy stewart
Excellent tasting experience both food and wine, each course was all about flavor.
Food was tasty, but for $100 a head and to still be hungry afterward, why spend that much dough? Also wait staff is surly. We endured a couple hours of quiet judging disdain from a wait person who is obviously not very happy. Again, I ask, why spend $100 a person to subject yourself to that? I guess some people just like to spend a bunch of money to be treated poorly. Not me.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Serena J.
If you enjoy tasting menu experiences, I think Mago is a nice treat. I particularly enjoyed the cocktail pairing - why don't more restaurants do this!?My one complaint would be that the food was a little blander than I'd like, but it was inventive and unique compared to other tasting menus in the area, and a pretty reasonable price.
Natasha F.
Very good food and overall we enjoyed our meal here as part of a birthday celebration.An interesting "concept" high-end restaurant with a small number of seats and a focus on the food.That said, some dishes were a little underwhelming. I feel like they're going for fine dining but it's sort of in between casual and fine dining.
Jason
Stopped in with a few work colleagues and went for the 12-course tasting experience (I opted for beverage pairings as well).The atmosphere and service were nice and casual, which was appreciated by my colleagues. The sommelier was very knowledgeable about the beverage pairings and spent time chatting about some of the more interesting pairings.The food was decent, but in my opinion, wasn't reflective of the price point of the experience. Every protein was cooked pretty well but I did find that several of the courses were underseasoned or slightly unbalanced. Highlights for me were the charred yam and apple sorbet.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Meredith S.
This restaurant is a fun experience but omg is it outrageously expensive. We went here with 3 people, only one ordered alcohol and the total with tax, tip, plus an additional health care tax they add was $700. That is more money than I've ever spent on any meal ever. And it is worth at most half this much. I won't be back.
. Most dishes taste great with their unique flavors, except the ling cod. It is way too salty.. The waitstaff attempted to provide attentive service, but due to a shortage of staff and a high volume of customers, service was kinda limited.Great ambience and charming decorations in the restaurant 5/5. Overall it’s a nice experience dining in here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Popped in for Restaurant week and opted for their $75 4 course tasting menu. The hostess was very kind and charming which built up the anticipation for the rest of the night. However, once we were served our cocktails, fear began to creep in. My friend’s tasted like chilled pickle juice when the menu said there was pineapple and all sorts of tropical flavors. Mine was decent, not great but decent. We were then served a gazpacho as our first course. The experience was like spoon feeding ourselves vinegar. I love a vinegary taste, but this wasn’t pleasant at all. Then onto the Cod… It was over seasoned and just tasted like pure salt. Purely disgusting and indigestible. Thankfully, the steak with black garlic purée was delicious. However, the plating was funny with one asparagus split into three. How generous. You also can’t go wrong with dessert which was pretty and pleasant. In all, for its price point, I was deeply unimpressed and saddened at the steep letdown this night turned out to be. We had high hopes when making the trip out all the way to the East Bay, but were sent home crushed. Thanks.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Ideally, a 3.5/5.My friend and I visited Mägo during the Oakland Restaurant Week (priced at $65 pp). From outside, it looked like a regular building, but once inside, Mägo offered a charming atmosphere. The indoor area had a warm, intimate feel with soft lighting, perfect for a quiet dinner. They also have a back patio with heated lamps, making it a versatile spot depending on your preference. They also had blankets for us to use because the weather was extra chilly and rainy. Their patio area is mostly covered, so you should be fine if it starts raining unless you are seated at the table we were at. Our table was slightly exposed to the outside elements, and with the strong winds, we could definitely feel the drizzle, but it wasn't a big deal. We just moved our seats, and we were fine afterward.The food had its ups and downs, but unfortunately, the service significantly impacted the overall experience. Our Restaurant Week tasting menu, which consisted of only 4 courses, stretched out to a staggering 2.5 hours. This slow pace put a damper on the evening, especially considering the number of courses.The menu itself was an interesting mix. The jicama, rhubarb, feta bunuelo, and radicchio starter had intriguing flavors, but the execution felt a little disjointed. The bunuelo was hard like a brick and wasn't much cheesy. I liked the rhubarb, but my friend wasn't a fan.The ling cod, maitake "ajiaco", capers, and avocado were pretty good, with the ling cod cooked perfectly and the maitake mushrooms adding an earthy depth. The avocado was a little salty, but it came on the side, so it didn't really impact the overall flavors of the dish. All in all, it was a great dish.The beef carne asada was a bit of a letdown. While the asparagus and black garlic were interesting accompaniments, the beef itself wasn't as consistent, and some pieces were a bit dry.The pan de coco with plantain butter (an additional $8) was phenomenal (MUST TRY). It was a delightful combination of sweet bread and creamy plantain. We devoured this in no time. I'm still dreaming about it. ?The torta de zanahoria (carrot cake) with rum raisin and cinnamon was another great dish that delivered a classic carrot cake flavor with a boozy twist. All the textures and flavors complimented each other really well, and the cold ice cream on top really took this dessert to the next level.Overall, Mägo has a lovely ambiance and some creative menu ideas. However, the incredibly slow service significantly detracted from the experience. While our dinner started off with some okay dishes, it definitely ended on a high note.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
This restaurant is advertised as Colombian influenced, but it’s not. The only true Colombian items are: arepas, plantains, buenos, one liquor specific to Colombia (Aguardiente), and lastly the chef. Although the rest of the menu is rather anything but Colombian, all of which does not equate to a being called a Colombian restaurant. It should be the menu and in this case with the lack there of with true or inspired Colombian dishes which makes it apparent it is just an upscale restaurant, just not a Colombian one. The positives are the atmosphere of the dining room and the courteous staff. I wouldn’t recommend this restaurant for anything but tapas on date night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
I don’t think they like my skin but that’s ok he had a fair skin black person work the door be cause they probably work better …. Boy the Bay Area is officially whited out .
Atmosphere: 1
Enjoyed the Latin cuisine.As a colombiana- one star. Nothing about these flavors or elevations where staples of our heritage.Just another overpriced Latin restaurant.Maconda in Alameda doesn’t have tables, that’s how authentic it is!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Exquisite on all levels, rustic yet sublime. Unusual offerings and excellent service in a comfortable setting make it definitely worth it's considerable price of admission. Chapeau, chef Mark and team! Would you consider offering lunch?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food quality and value was phenomenal. The menu changes, but when we went all the seafood was so fresh and expertly prepared for very nicely flavored dishes. The breads and dessert are amongst the best we’ve had. Their wine list is nice, with unique wines curated from under-represented regions. The sommelier recommended wine was perfect for our taste and meal. The restaurant itself is tastefully decorated and very spacious. I liked the open kitchen gives you a view of the cooking. Overall an excellent experience I hope to repeat soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Arepas
Tasting menu. Delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent tasting experience both food and wine, each course was all about flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was tasty, but for $100 a head and to still be hungry afterward, why spend that much dough? Also wait staff is surly. We endured a couple hours of quiet judging disdain from a wait person who is obviously not very happy. Again, I ask, why spend $100 a person to subject yourself to that? I guess some people just like to spend a bunch of money to be treated poorly. Not me.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
If you enjoy tasting menu experiences, I think Mago is a nice treat. I particularly enjoyed the cocktail pairing - why don't more restaurants do this!?My one complaint would be that the food was a little blander than I'd like, but it was inventive and unique compared to other tasting menus in the area, and a pretty reasonable price.
Very good food and overall we enjoyed our meal here as part of a birthday celebration.An interesting "concept" high-end restaurant with a small number of seats and a focus on the food.That said, some dishes were a little underwhelming. I feel like they're going for fine dining but it's sort of in between casual and fine dining.
Stopped in with a few work colleagues and went for the 12-course tasting experience (I opted for beverage pairings as well).The atmosphere and service were nice and casual, which was appreciated by my colleagues. The sommelier was very knowledgeable about the beverage pairings and spent time chatting about some of the more interesting pairings.The food was decent, but in my opinion, wasn't reflective of the price point of the experience. Every protein was cooked pretty well but I did find that several of the courses were underseasoned or slightly unbalanced. Highlights for me were the charred yam and apple sorbet.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
This restaurant is a fun experience but omg is it outrageously expensive. We went here with 3 people, only one ordered alcohol and the total with tax, tip, plus an additional health care tax they add was $700. That is more money than I've ever spent on any meal ever. And it is worth at most half this much. I won't be back.