Yet another great addition to the ever-burgeoning bar and restaurant scene of Uptown Oaktown and I love everything about it!
The genesis for this unique spot, with the clever reference to a Jack London tale, goes something like this...
"Make Westing - the result of a life-long friendship between co-owners, Glen Kaplan and Chris Foott, and their shared affection for booze and bocce. After traveling to faraway lands, Brooklyn and Oxford, the pals have returned to "build something rad" in "beautiful and badass" Oakland. Enter non-Olympic sport bocce and an accessible cocktail menu inside an industrial steampunk man cave." sf.eater.com
And based on what I saw, they succeeded with the "rad, beautiful and badass".
Throwing down that edgy, bustling Oakland vibe in a perfectly preserved AND enhanced industrial space, including an outdoor patio and full-size bocce court - all while serving up gourmet bar bites and bangin' cocktails to appease the super selective foodie in all of us.
I recommend this cocktail - Williamsburg Lemonade with bourbon, bointreau, xanté pear liqueur, lemon, club soda accompanied by a selection from "Things in Jars"- like the Cioppolini and Shallot Jam with garlic, black pepper and figs. This stuff is so melt-in-your-mouth delicious, it will make you turn down butter. And things "Outside the Jars" - like the Roasted Chicken Sandwich with bacon aioli, romesco, arugula and red onion will make you forget everything you know about sandwiches.
I've saved the best part for last. It's only 1 block from this incredible venue. Yes, make westing, make westing indeed.