Recommends

Accident Prone

Joined 3 years ago

It is what it is.... Yesterday was my first time at Lake Chalet. I'd heard rumors about expensive, bland food - but decided to give it a try. It was taco Tuesday, after all.

On taco Tuesday, you'll find $2.50 taco specials (the chicken was delicious, the shrimp tacos so-so). On this and other days, their happy hour (which ends at 6) also consists of specials on calamari, sweet potato fries, drinks, etc. Pass on the overcooked calamari (my friend has had the same experience with it several times), but the sweet potato fries were excellent.

Lake Chalet happy hour is a seat-yourself atmosphere, since the servers are too busy trying to get the bar staff to pour faster. If you want to sit outside, be European and ask to share a table - since they won't serve people in chairs at the end of the pier.

This is a nice place to take out-of-town guests or a happy hour rendevous, but you have to take it for what it is. Local brewed ales, more of a bar than a restaurant. Not a place to go if you're in a rush. Also, figuring out which dishes are consistently good will greatly improve your experience.

Doesn't Recommend

cindy k brown

Joined 3 years ago

not so good. Not worth the time and effort. I will not be going back.

Recommends

CSMobileUser

Joined 5 years ago

Sweet Potatoe. So after waiting to go here a pre-xmas gathering brought a girls nite out! The ambiance and service was great! The drinks were tasty & yummy on the first round but seemed to be inconsistent there after. The food: Appetizers were okay (calamari) how could one go wrong! Burger w/Ava & mush & sweet potatoe fries was delish with portion sizes being moderate; yet desert was a bummer! the apple crisp had no crisp & apples were tart! Overall great place to gather & hangout but surely eat before going!

Recommends

Chelsea Lin

Joined 6 years ago

Citysearch Editorial Review. What the Cliff House is to San Francisco, Lake Chalet is to Oakland: a stunning restaurant overflowing with seating that highlights the best views in the city, but culinarily leaves something to be desired. There's no doubt this very un-Oakland venue an aesthetically impressive spot--a more-than-400-seat renovated boathouse situated on picturesque Lake Merritt--with a menu punctuated by the sort of tried-and-true dishes fine dining restaurants gravitate towards: Ahi tuna, flat-iron steak, a basic burger, shrimp cocktail and Caesar salad can all be found. Despite the lackluster food program, or perhaps because of it, drinks are almost a larger draw; between happy hour imbibers and high-rolling diners, the house is full most nights.

Doesn't Recommend

Aggie Star

Joined 4 years ago

Wait by the Lake. As a frequent patron of Beach Chalet and Park Chalet, I was extremely disappointed in the service and drinks served at this new Oakland location. Do yourself a favor and wait another month or so for management to operate the restaurant smoothly. Nice crowds however the drinks were not consistent. First round was great. Thereafter, the drinks were terrible. Lemonade would have been a better option. Avoid Taco Tuesdays, though the tacos were delicious. The restaurant ran out of these mini tacos as guests begged for more.

Great for mingling. Otherwise, save your time and money.