Really creative and interesting food, wonderful service. They don’t rush you at all. It was hard to get a table but very much worth it. Thanks for a lovely evening!
This place truly deserves its star. Every dish we tried was deceptively simple yet layered with complexity and intention. The dashi egg custard tart was one of the best bites I’ve had in a long time; I could have easily eaten a dozen. Exceptional food, attentive service, and an all-around a memorable dinner.
Recently went there for dinner after wanting to go for SO LONG and I am so tempted to just make another reservation to go again! Everything was absolutely delicious. No notes! Except I wish they also had a bakery so I could just order the dashi egg tart with roe and lapchong brioche anytime I wanted.
Wonderful food. Great service. It was our first anniversary and had reservations at 5 pm. There were 4-5 tables that were reserved and, at the time we were there, we were the only ones there. Service was personable. Everyone was attentive to our needs. We were able to bring our own wine ($30 corkage fee). From start to finish every dish blew our minds. I always have a fear with tasting menus leaving me hungry, but not here. Our bellies (and hearts!) were full. We will definitely come back for more!
Reservation is hard to make since they only have a few tables. But it’s definitely worth the effort of getting a table. The food is not only just great but also tailored well. It absolutely deserves the star, and the dinner experience can definitely beat lots of starred restaurants around the San Francisco Bay Area. We especially love the egg tart with trout roe, the quail, the corn pasta, the squash shrimp tempura (just too many to be listed in this short paragraph ). And all the fruits they used are also fresh and taste good. Also as a Taiwanese, I must say that I’m definitely intrigued by (and also proud of) seeing the inclusion of Taiwanese sausage in this dish. And it also tastes really good.
Sun Moon Studio absolutely exceeded every expectation I had. This recently Michelin-starred gem showcases why Oakland's dining scene is truly world-class. The intimate setting makes you feel like you're part of their culinary space rather than just dining out. Alan Hsu and Sarah Cooper have created something truly special here. Their farmer and producer-driven approach isn't just a buzzword concept, but it's evident in every perfectly executed dish on their tasting menu. What impressed me most was how each ingredient, while part of a cohesive whole, had its own moment to shine. For the menu we were served, the young ginger brought the perfect heat and brightness to the soy milk tofu, the cured tomato elevated the black cod to new heights, and the buttery soft apricots paired with equally tender short ribs were nothing short of sublime. The menu is constantly rotating based on the seasons and what is best and I'm sure it will blow you away. What also stood out was their thoughtful approach to beverages, with an excellent selection of non-alcoholic options for those who don't drink. They're also fantastic at accommodating dietary restrictions without compromising the experience. Practical notes: Book at least 6 weeks in advance (reservations fill up quickly!)
truly a phenomenal experience from beginning to end. sarah and alan are masters at work and managed to cultivate a warm, homey, and comfortable menu that felt elevated, inventive and, at times, funny. i won’t post an in depth description of certain dishes. as other reviewers have mentioned - the menu changes daily here. what i will say is that everything i had, i enjoyed. i experienced new ingredients like gamtae, and new techniques on familiar ingredients and dishes. i did not drink alcohol and opted to try the two non-alcoholic spritzes on offer. both were wonderful! all in all - what really made this experience a 10/10 for me was the service. marley was such a delight and pleasure to talk to. everyone was so courteous. and the entire team came out to say goodbye as i left. i’ve never experienced anything like that in my life and it was really quite powerful as a final impression. this was an intimate dinner where the chefs and their team truly cared about me and my dining experience. at the end of the day - that’s all im looking for.
I brought my wife to an absolutely wonderful date night at Sun Moon Studios last weekend for our anniversary. Sarah and Alan are artists as much as they are amazing chefs. Every element of each dish is unique and thought out in terms of combinations of flavors, presentation, and cooked perfectly. The whole team was so lovely and welcoming, and we could not have asked for a better experience. We left feeling so cared for and very well fed! Although each dish is small, there are many courses, each one absolutely delicious and distinct. We enjoyed the olive oil cake the following morning for breakfast, which was a lovely way to extend the experience. We are already looking forward to visiting again in the future to try whatever the seasonal menu offers!