Sidebar is close to where we live, so we go every once in a while and are always pleased. The place is always very busy, but not very noisy. Because we can hear each other, we linger over our meals and aren't eager to leave. The bar is in the middle of the room and the tables are on the sides. They have a good wine list and lots of delicious specialty cocktails. The hamburger is always good; the grilled swordfish brochette is excellent; as are the steamed mussels. During pleasant evenings they open the big front windows and you can enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Merritt, one of Oakland's crown jewels. Clientele is very diverse, just like Oakland.

Sat at the Bar and had one of the wonderful burgers on the menu. Service was solid, and the ambiance quite nice. A neighborhood gem filled with local vitality! I shall be back to further explore the menu.

This is my neighborhood & we go at least once a month. The food is simple and uncomplicated American food well done. I only order a couple items because they are so good: the burger I believe to be the best burger in the Bay Area. Always perfectly cooked, with a side of house pickled onions and cuc's, a slightly spicy sauce, and an uninteresting bun of perfect texture to hold together under all the juicyness. YOU MUST order the 'regular herb fries' as it otherwise comes with large cut baked fries which I find just plain wrong! If I'm not in the mood for the burger, I get the mussels which are always great. Cocktails are super and I love that they have locavore versions. My only wish is that they'd change up the menu which has been almost exactly the same for a long time now. I also think the entrees on the whole are too big and too heavy...great steak and frites, etc. but a couple lighter dishes would be nice. This is a neighborhood gem. Don't go for creative cooking but do go for really good food at reasonable prices, great cocktails and friendly folks.

The Michelin guide says three stars are "worth the detour." Well sidebar is worth a detour. Maybe not a great 500 k detour, but if you happen to be in the area, you should go there. Terrific drinks and fabulous food at reasonable prices. Great atmosphere too. Not too big so it might get crowded, but on a Tuesday night we did not have to wait and found a spot on the kitchen counter.