Chef/Owner Rick Hackett opened Bocanova almost 5 years ago and his second Jack London Square restaurant opens on Tuesday, 8/19. Jack’s Oyster Bar & Fish House is between Bocanova and Forge Pizza and specializes in seafood (naturally). It’s kind of a traditional oyster bar with a modern focus, that uses local ingredients, located right on the harbor. I had a great time at Media Preview Party with Brenda from Bites & Bourbon, and her husband Patrick. We tasted lots of dishes from the menu, and a couple cocktails too. All in the name of research.
photo: Christina Mitchell
I tasted classic and original cocktails and my favorites were the boozy Manhattan (Old Forester Bourbon, Carpano Antica, Angostura Bitters) and the refreshing Dillicious (Dos Manos Blanco, St. Germain, Lime, Sugar, Dill, Cucumber). There’s also local wine and beer on the menu.
Executive Chef Peter Villegas and Chef de Cuisine Nate Gabriel know how to work with seafood. I tasted 15 dishes and everything was fresh, flavorful and interesting. Here are my favorites:
photo: Christina Mitchell
The Charred Octopus (Piquillo Pepper, Potatoes, Oregano) was tender and cooked to perfection.
photo: Christina Mitchell
French Fries are sometimes an after thought in other restaurants, so they’re not worth the calories. These were delicious. Creamy on the inside, crunchy on the outside…it was hard to stop myself from eating the whole platter.
photo: Christina Mitchell
The Tuna Poke (Soy Sauce, Green Onions, Habanero) was cool and refreshing and surprisingly spicy.
photo: Christina Mitchell
The Dungeness Crab Cake with Corn Puree was really tasty and full of crab. You know how sometimes crab cakes are all bread crumbs? Not these.
photo: Christina Mitchell
The Clam Chowder (Bacon, Smoked Potato, Thyme) was creamy, hearty and baconny. A bowl would be perfect on a cold day.
photo: Christina Mitchell
The Main Lobster Roll (Housemade Pretzel Bun, Cole Slaw) kind of caught me off guard because I’ve only had a New England Lobster Roll. I was confused because the lobster was warm, but almost raw. It was the flaky, buttery bun that encouraged me to devour the whole thing. And as you can see, people were especially …um… assertive when that platter came out of the kitchen.
photo: Christina Mitchell
I should also mention the oysters at Jack’s Oyster Bar, right? There are 12 different types on the menu, and almost all of them are from the West Coast. The featured oyster will be $1.50 and others will go for $3 and for every oyster sold, 25 cents will be donated to The Watershed Project.
photo: Christina Mitchell
For dessert, they served a super tasty Vanilla Soft Serve with Salted Caramel and Cornflakes in a shot glass. I had three.
Well, I’m happy that Oakland has a new oyster bar and fish house. And after everything I tasted, I would say it’s worth a trip, even if you don’t live nearby.
336 Water Street, Oakland
Christina Mitchell
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You captured that dessert perfectly – it’s almost sinful :D. I love the photo of the hands grabbing the rolls – great moment capture, couldn’t be more perfect! I am so hungry and have been craving for bay area food since I’ve been in Florida! It’s just not the same at all.
Thanks, Brenda! But from looking at your instagram pics, it looks like you’ve been eating well in Florida :p
Meaty crab cakes are the way to go. I need to try this place out. Thanks for the great pictures and review.