Commis Bar

“My only prior experience with Commis' culinary output was tracking their takeout format during the pandemic, making this my first opportunity to witness the menu executed in its native environment. Arrived slightly behind schedule due to a minor orientation error on approach from the west. The prominent exterior 'Commis' signage is actually positioned over a secondary doorway—blocked by a rope and obscured by a black curtain—which I mistakenly flagged as the threshold. After waiting until 5:06 PM, I stepped further east down the sidewalk to discover the actual entrance. Once inside, check-in was seamless. I was engineered into a stunning table boasting an uncompromised, direct line of sight into the kitchen —an ideal vantage point for observation. For those driving, district parking is highly efficient; there is an open lot a three-minute walk away completely integrated with the ParkMobile app. The dining room operates with high aesthetic intent. The table setting is beautifully minimalist, accented by fresh floral arrangements. Ambient audio consists of low-profile, rhythmic electronic beats without discernible tracking, allowing the focus to remain on the room’s acoustics. Notable property asset: the restroom features neatly folded, reusable linen cloths, a detail I always inspect and appreciate. The beverage program opened strong with a well-balanced cocktail featuring a flawless, hyper-clarified ice block cleanly monogrammed with the house branding. Plating geometry across the board was visually stunning. Certain courses were deployed using a strict three-point presentation matrix on the table, showing deliberate service choreography. The clear peak of the engineering here is their legendary signature dish: the slow-poached egg yolk resting in a malted cream base with smoked dates and crisp alliums. It is a brilliant study in texture—velvety, rich, and profoundly comforting. This singular dish justifies the entire booking. From an operational standpoint, the pacing of this meal was exceptional—easily ranking in the top five dining experiences I have tracked globally. The kitchen and floor staff maintained a hyper-focused, synchronized posture throughout the multi-hour window. Service movements were fluid, deliberate, and entirely free of friction. Crucially, the clearing of empty plates was immediate, and successive courses materialized without a single dead gap. Staff check-ins were frequent but entirely non-invasive. This baseline pace never wavered, holding perfectly steady even as the dining room reached peak capacity later in the evening. A masterfully managed system.”

“Celebrated my husband’s birthday here and it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable dinners we’ve had in a long time. The service stood out from the moment we sat down. Fresh cutlery for every course, the table cleared and tidied between dishes, and the staff walked us through the ingredients and story behind each plate. The 20% service charge felt completely earned. The menu blends Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and Northern California influences — Thai-style sour and spicy notes, fresh oysters and herbs, Chinese pork meatballs, duck glazed with Shaoxing wine and soy, a Japanese-inspired beef rice — all reflecting the chef’s Chinese-Thai roots. The flavors really suit an Asian palate, and the portions are generous. I thought the snapper was the grand finale, but course after course kept coming until we were completely full! The rose ice cream at the end was unforgettable — floral, light, and not too sweet. And the plating is genuinely art. The chef loves pairing dishes with flowers: delicate blossoms over the sashimi, a dew-covered mini lotus leaf resting on the meatballs. Every dish was a feast for the eyes. Food, plating, service — all at a Michelin two-star level, and at around $279 per person before tax it almost feels like a deal. Location is in downtown Oakland with public parking a 2-minute walk away (I’d recommend the garage over street parking). Highly recommend!”

“The service was outstanding, thank you Israel and team. The food, pacing, and atmosphere was phenomenal. It was the best fine dining experience I have ever had. What made it the most special was the sommelier, Andrew. The wine pairings were so good, unique, flavorful, and exciting!!! I seriously was blown away. Thank you for a great evening and birthday celebration.”

“I went to Commis on my birthday. The food was amazing, creative and good mix of flavors. The atmosphere is very cozy and chill. Servers were all nice and they all wished me happy birthday. The chef come to the table for one of the dishes. One thing I wish had been better was the service: although the servers were kind, they rushed through explaining the dishes, which made the experience feel less refined compared to the level of attention I’ve received at other Michelin-starred restaurants.”

“Dined here in July 2026. Overall a decent experience, but quite underwhelming compared to the other Michelin 2 stars in the Bay Area. Not too keen on coming back unfortunately +/- The menu was just ok. The highlight was the chef’s special—slow poached egg yolk. The white corn, pork belly, and drunken hen were also delicious. The rest was either decent or downright bad - Added the caviar supplement, but it was a waste of stomach space—definitely wouldn’t recommend +/- Decent service and interior decoration”