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Penrose
(Now Closed)New American Restaurant and Cocktail Bar$$$$
Grand Lake, Oakland
34 Tips and reviews
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EaterJanuary 6, 2014Penrose is a chic take on a bar and grill, with lots of live-fire cooking (think grilled bone-in ribeyes, flatbreads, and a raw bar). Cocktails and a stripped-down space are also part of the package.
Frank KimFebruary 8, 2015The flatbread is great, the scallops were great, love the beer and wine selection there, a bit pricey there but cool atmosphere there as well. The dessert was a shaved ice thing was really good.
Amelia ManiSeptember 17, 2017Brunch was awesome, but the music was a bit too loud. We really enjoyed the band and singer, but we couldn't hear each other at all. The spicy Lamb on grilled flat bread and shakshuka were amazing!
On a hot evening get an extra refreshing Zombie cocktail with house made sweet and sour, rum and absinthe. They serve it in a tall glass with tons of pearl ice. I could drink to black out on those.
Emily JordanNovember 9, 2014Expensive but delicious. A lot of care is clearly taken on the preparation and presentation, makes for a great date spot. If you get the steak, get it rare/medium rare-- the chefs do a perfect sear
Jessica SmithDecember 30, 2013Yellowtail crudo with shaved celery and blood orange is exquisite, as are roasted carrots with aioli and their persimmon panna cotta. A wonderful neighborhood place, albeit hard to get in, go later !
Natalie ADecember 17, 2013Brussels sprouts, tempura and chicken were wonderful! The benches on the wall of windows are rather uncomfortable, will sit somewhere else next time. Excellent food and ambiance.
Daniel MarkhamAugust 12, 2014Pork tenderloin flatbread with arugula and cilantro and, I'm sure, a raft of other ingredients that I'm forgetting but are exceedingly delicious.
It was a cold day to seat next to the drafty door but we were rewarded by an excellent meal. Highly recommend the brussels sprouts, swordfish, and lamb. The cafe macchiato was disappointing.
Byron WilkesFebruary 27, 2016Incredibly trendy but frankly I think it's a testament to how good interior design can make a restaurant. Culinary ideas at their base seem inspired but the execution falls flat for this price point.
Yve FontileaNovember 27, 2013The bathroom doors are primarily frosted glass, so unless you're comfortable with folks having a vague glimpse of you doing your business, I suggest you bring a coat to hang on the door's hook.
Great food and rotating cocktails. Never a wait for small tables around the side of the bar.
Tasting TableNovember 13, 2014Head to Penrose after work and try the Vieux Carré ($11), which is made with rye, brandy, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and Angostura and Peychaud's bitters. Read more- Love the addition of the cheese (fontina!) burger. Goes great with the Frappato from Sicily.
Alex KimSeptember 24, 2014Definitely a nice vibe but the drinks are a bit pricier. I'm one to prefer The Alley next door for cheaper drinks and a more entertaining crowd. But if I have a fancy guest probably Penrose.
Tonya ShippSeptember 10, 20182nd time visiting! The music ad atmosphere is great. The prices for drinks are typical. Over 30s crowd!
chin1taOctober 19, 2015beautiful high-ceilinged ambience. fresh flavorful food from an ever-changing menu
Aaron BachMarch 16, 2014Let's get right down to it: Penrose is overhyped. You can get a good drink and this caliber food and a good many places around Oakland. Why go here to pay so much more? Penrose is nothing special.- Yve FontileaNovember 27, 2013Just like any newly opened restaurant, Penrose is still working out the kinks. So, if you find service to be slow, don't get angry like the table next to us did. Enjoy the remarkable food & drinks.
- Plates are small but amazing. Four to five for two people when hungry to full up.
We enjoyed it! Yummy cocktails. Tasty tapas. Fair prices.
Tosh GarnierAugust 15, 2017$60 steak dinner and 2 glasses of wine set me back $100. Was pretty good, but not at all worth the price.
FYI the restrooms are to the right of the cooking bar and further back.
Stephanie IsaacsonMay 8, 2014I got scared when my knife wouldn't cut my delicious-smelling lamb kabobs. Phew, it was just a useless knife! The meat was tender and flavorful.
- Jason MartinApril 20, 2017The food was excellent but it was a VERY noisy environment. Too loud for a restaurant by far. I also thought the service was subpar.
Jay ColinghamDecember 7, 2013The bartenders are slow, inattentive, and the service is generally nonexistent but nice when you get it. I don't recommend the place.
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The third restaurant from Charlie Hallowell (Pizzaiolo/Boot & Shoe Service). Dinner until 10:30, drinks until Midnight.
Permanently closed (Show more)
- Mon–Fri
- 5:30 PM–10:00 PM
- Sat–Sun
- 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
- 5:30 PM–10:00 PM
(510) 444-1649
View menu on http://penroseoakland.com/#menu
Features
Reservations
No
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Visa & MasterCard)
Wi-Fi
No
Outdoor Seating
No
Music
Live Music
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Drinks
Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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