The Wolf

Tom Ross

Wonderful neighborhood restaurant. Excellent food, drinks and service. Don't forget to try the fried slightly spicy Brussels sprouts.

P. I.

In celebration of my 10 million views on Google maps reviews. About 45 years ago when I was about 14 years old, some kids tried to bully someone at a local park and I stepped in and gave them hell. I didn't know it, but at the time. Michael Wilde, founder of the Bay Wolf restaurant, was watching me stick up for his sons who were being bullied by some local bullies. I developed a relationship with him over the years, even trying to work there on more than one occasion which he allowed once or twice, but then quickly fired me telling me, " look. You're a musician. Do music!" He was right, I did, and it worked out like crazy. I stuck my head in here tonight out of nostalgia, looking for a place to celebrate my 10 million views on Google maps, but the smell of the food drew me in, the executive chef has authored some of the greatest dishes currently served in Oakland, the service is completely on point at a level that you'd have to experience to understand, and the kitchen and staff are a living, breathing, throbbing organism, beautifully functional, with a heartbeat and a mission. This is the high class Novell cuisine that made Oakland and the Bay area famous. (Some might say Berkeley, but Michael was always on another track from Alice to begin with, and I was there to witness it so don't mess with me) I stepped in and asked to eat at the bar, ordering the heirloom tomato salad, which completely blew me away, and was so beautiful. I really had a hard time disturbing it to enjoy it. The tomato, hints of pesto and olive oil, savory tomatoes and burrata cheese, all flowed together so well that I asked for some bread to sop up what was left over. My main dish was the rotisserie chicken, succulent and tender floating in a small layer of what I can only call. Yummy chicken juice, (is there any really "high class" way to approach chicken? I don't think so. This is food for the working class no matter how you plate it) the portion was generous and I ended up taking half of it home. Throughout the night I enjoyed three glasses of Luli Pinot noir from Monte Linda vineyards, the perfect subtle accompaniment to these flavors, and finished up my meal with their delicious lemon cake, served with blueberries, and a small scoop of homemade gelato. Details really make the meal for me, like the fact that they were serving fresh Acme bread with homemade butter, and that everyone I talked to seem to have an intimate understanding of the menu. This place is nostalgic for me because it is one of the first places that I discovered fine cuisine under the tutelage of Michael, and through the years, I learned a lot about life, politics, human dynamics, and spirit, from watching him handle the restaurant and watching employees deal with one another and the public. This place was a school for me. While not inexpensive, this place is the spot that you bring someone to for a special meal, and the environment, is quiet, inviting, with an open kitchen design that allows you to see what's going on. This place, along with Corso in Berkeley, is among my favorite fine dining experiences in the East Bay and I cannot recommend it highly enough for those that appreciate the extra quality, care, and attention to detail that go into every meal at establishments like this, of which there are not very many. Six and a half stars. Thank you, Michael.

Mathias Freifeld

Delicious food the burger was on point. The wine on the list from Greece it’s really good.

Dan Rosman

I love The Wolf. Cocktails are great, wine list is impressive, and every dish out of the kitchen has been outstanding. So good.