MUA
Downtown Oakland is a place that often gets a bad wrap, especially from those who have never been there. Although there is a rough side to areas of Oakland there are also areas that are overflowing with art, music and cultural diversity. Recently, Castoro Cellars Chardonnay was taken on by-the-glass at a restaurant in downtown Oakland called MUA. If any establishment embodies the cultural movement underway in Oakland, MUA is the spot.
The restaurant is located in what used to be some sort of industrial warehouse and has used that edge to its advantage. It feels almost as if it is a cross between an upscale restaurant and a nightclub, as a matter of fact that is exactly what it is! The building is two stories and has numerous tables upstairs and downstairs with three separate bars. One of the bars even has a lounge area with leather couches and chairs surrounding small round tables.
As my friends and I ordered drinks and food we found ourselves to be very fascinated with MUA. About ten feet from our table was a DJ accompanied by a guy playing live upright bass over the tracks she was spinning. It was pretty crazy and really cool. It made the dining experience a little more exciting and gave the place a very unique energy.
The food was an assortment of small plates and main courses, all of which were very tasty and creatively put together. We ordered a variety of plates including butternut squash mac n’ cheese, crab cakes, burrata cheese with portabello and a good old fashioned Angus burger. Not to mention some delicious 2010 Castoro Chardonnay!
All in all the experience was great and very unique. If you ever find yourself in Oakland with a sense of adventure I would highly recommend giving MUA a try. You may want to make reservations, as this place tends to be very packed!
Cheers,
Luke
