Oak + Violet

An under-stated spot for great food complemented by an equally great wine list. Music nights add another great layer to the experience. Most tender and moist chicken I've had. Well worth the visit!

Part of the Park James Hotel food service that extends to their bar while the dining space also has the options for the indoor resto, outdoor courtyard and bar seating. The food is modern updated with the usual Cali-American fare. Service and waiters are very attentive. The bar selection is the main strength of the resto with a good selection of crafted cocktails and beers. The food is generally casual especially at the courtyard that can also be an events place or where they often have musical offerings.

Oak and Violet's New Years Eve dining experience was divine. Three courses of delicious food, drinks and fantastic service. Super friendly staff. Shout out to Valeria! The restaurant manager, bartender and servers were so incredibly kind, going above and beyond to make our dinner a memorable one.

Oak + Violet in Menlo Park has a lot of potential, but my recent solo dining experience fell a bit short. The atmosphere is fantastic - beautiful indoor and outdoor seating with live jazz music creates a truly relaxing and cozy vibe. The outdoor area can get chilly around sunset, but they thoughtfully offer heated lamps to keep diners comfortable. The staff was undeniably friendly. The host was very accommodating, especially since I was dining solo on a night with mostly larger tables. I offered to sit at the bar to make it easy, but the host told me that he could definitely honor my preference if I wanted to sit outside and that it wouldn't be a problem at all. I really appreciated that. Unfortunately, communication with my server could have been much better. After a long day, I was craving gnocchi and saw it listed on their menu. Here's where things went awry: Menu Miscommunication: The gnocchi dish was described as "Pan Seared Gnocchi | Arugula, Pesto, Cherry Tomato, Mushrooms, Ricotta Salata." The comma between "arugula" and "pesto" made it seem like they were separate ingredients. I requested the gnocchi without arugula, which the server initially confirmed was possible. Missed Communication: What wasn't clear on the menu, and unfortunately not communicated by the server, was that the pesto sauce itself contained arugula. This resulted in my gnocchi arriving plain, with no sauce at all. Only after it was already cooked and served did the server explain the situation. I did try the gnocchi but I dont want to review it By the time the miscommunication was addressed, my appetite had waned. While the server apologized and offered solutions, I opted to skip the meal altogether and leave. Overall, Oak + Violet gets 3 stars from me. The ambiance is lovely, the staff is friendly, and the live music adds a special touch. However, the menu could be clearer, and communication between staff and customers needs improvement. If they address these areas, they could be a great option for a relaxing and enjoyable meal.

Tonight, we stopped by Oak & Violet to catch the live music. Ken, an acoustic guitarist and singer, performed, and his voice and guitar skills were fantastic. We liked him so much we asked for his business card for private events. We were impressed by the ambiance, and had a great evening enjoying cocktails, wine, and appetizers. The service was excellent, and the patio ambiance was cozy. While street parking is limited, the restaurant, located inside a hotel, offers free valet parking for two hours, with a $10 charge after that and additional fees for overnight guests. We’ll definitely be returning for more live music!

The outdoor setting is very nice, we sat by the fire pit, which had a nice atmosphere to it. There was a live band playing (were told it plays always on Wednesday and few more days a week). Staff was very nice and attending, above and beyond. Food was reasonably priced for the location. Food was creatively prepared and nicely presented, a bit too complex taste combination for me though, but thats my personal taste.

The outdoor seating is very airy and pleasant. We sat at the couches and had the firepit going. Went on a Tuesday and they had live music going! The dinner menu was okay and good was just medicore. The drinks are what stood here. Highly recommend the cucumber gimlet! The customer service was good. The staff is friendly and welcoming. Beware parking sucks and Valet is $30.

Perhaps I'm being a bit harsh but there really isn't anything special about Oak+Violet. The food is okay at best. Nothing screams freshness or character. They're all down the middle, and it is passable food. But then one wonders about the mid-high price point and whether it is worth it. The atmosphere is "happening" and feels like a modern industrial yet cozy garden. I really wanted the food to be at the same level of vibe. But again it just feel flat. Go to this place for a date night, for the mood, and to liven up your evening. Just don't expect magic. Wagyu steak was bland. Pulled lamb had zero character. Beef tartar... just mushy. Strawberry salad was quite good but couldn't save the day.

Great spot for summer evenings (or any other time of the year, really!) Their patio is truly welcoming, almost magical, and oasis in the middle of the town. Enjoyed the food, delicately crafted, the ambiance and how relaxing and elegant all the experience was. We came here a couple of t in es, one bday occasion and another time with friends, truly enjoyable

DO NOT GRACE THIS PLACE WITH YOUR BUSINESS; THEY DON'T DESERVE IT. We've lived in Menlo Park for many years and thought it was time to try it out. NOOOOO!!!!! The four of us went for THANKSGIVING DINNER. The service was OK but much of the food was a disastrous miss and some was outright not edible: not seasoned, dry, cold, burned at the edges... It was so bad that we actually laughed. OUR BILL WAS $530. A coupled days later I left a message for the Manager; I wanted to described our experience. I called again in a few days when I didn't hear from him, and I was reprimanded: he is a busy man, he will call when he can. After 10 days of silence I decided to write this review.

Tonight, we stopped by Oak & Violet to catch the live music. Ken, an acoustic guitarist and singer, performed, and his voice and guitar skills were fantastic. We liked him so much we asked for his business card for private events. We were impressed by the ambiance, and had a great evening enjoying cocktails, wine, and appetizers. The service was excellent, and the patio ambiance was cozy. While street parking is limited, the restaurant, located inside a hotel, offers free valet parking for two hours, with a $10 charge after that and additional fees for overnight guests. We'll definitely be returning for more live music!

After seeing a 5 start review, we gave this hotel restaurant a try. Terrible choice. Everything from the food to the service to the tip being included is why I am giving 1 star. Friday night, not too busy: The octopus tasted so fishy it was inedible Caesar salad had no flavor at all Hamachi was bland The server barely paid attention to us and forgot our drinks twice Final straw was that the waitress who ignored us for most of the night didn't even call out that the tip was included and we were only 4 people. The band was the only good part of tonight.

We were a walk in for dinner last night at Oak + Violet. They were able to seat us right away. There was live music to enjoy on a Saturday night. The menu isn't very extensive but seemed to have options for all types of diners. We started to off with the hamachi crudo - nice portions of fresh fish. For mains, we order the steak and salmon entrees. Well presented with good flavor albeit my steak was slightly overcooked but not enough to send back. Finally, a flavorful and large portion of Tiramisu to end the meal. Our service was spot on.

Oak + Violet in Menlo Park has a lot of potential, but my recent solo dining experience fell a bit short. The atmosphere is fantastic - beautiful indoor and outdoor seating with live jazz music creates a truly relaxing and cozy vibe. The outdoor area can get chilly around sunset, but they thoughtfully offer heated lamps to keep diners comfortable. The staff was undeniably friendly. The host was very accommodating, especially since I was dining solo on a night with mostly larger tables. I offered to sit at the bar to make it easy, but the host told me that he could definitely honor my preference if I wanted to sit outside and that it wouldn't be a problem at all. I really appreciated that. Unfortunately, communication with my server could have been much better. After a long day, I was craving gnocchi and saw it listed on their menu. Here's where things went awry: Menu Miscommunication: The gnocchi dish was described as "Pan Seared Gnocchi | Arugula, Pesto, Cherry Tomato, Mushrooms, Ricotta Salata." The comma between "arugula" and "pesto" made it seem like they were separate ingredients. I requested the gnocchi without arugula, which the server initially confirmed was possible. Missed Communication: What wasn't clear on the menu, and unfortunately not communicated by the server, was that the pesto sauce itself contained arugula. This resulted in my gnocchi arriving plain, with no sauce at all. Only after it was already cooked and served did the server explain the situation. I did try the gnocchi but I dont want to review it By the time the miscommunication was addressed, my appetite had waned. While the server apologized and offered solutions, I opted to skip the meal altogether and leave. Overall, Oak + Violet gets 3 stars from me. The ambiance is lovely, the staff is friendly, and the live music adds a special touch. However, the menu could be clearer, and communication between staff and customers needs improvement. If they address these areas, they could be a great option for a relaxing and enjoyable meal.

Really cute hotel restaurant in Menlo Park! They have a nice outdoor patio. Their cocktail menu was amazing and we loved the Paper Plane, Southside, and Dragon Breath. We shared the truffle fries and the plum and burrata for apps which were delicious. I got the shrimp tagliatelle pasta which was delicious as well. For a pretty upscale restaurant, the prices were actually pretty reasonable. Definitely would come back for drinks and apps.

Restaurant was right off El Camino with ok parking in the neighborhood. I parked a block away behind ducky car wash next door, so took a couple min to walk to restaurant. Outdoor and indoor seating was available and outside was dog friendly. Waiter quickly brought a water bowl for the pup and a pleasant surprise was a special dog menu (similar to other restaurants like hamburgers party with rice and veggies or chicken). My friend and i both got the chilled soup, and salad and a Margherita pizza. Everything was tasty and pricing was the usual menlo price. Total came to approx $50/person.

Pleasantly surprised as soon as we walked in. Live music and beautiful seating inside and outside. Starters were delicious. Brussel sprouts were surprisingly incredibly flavorful & Truffle fries were also very solid. I ordered the Shrimp Tagliatelle pasta. I almost never.. and i mean NEAVER order pasta at restaurants but the description of the sauce intrigued me. The Calabrian Chile cream sauce was impressive with notes of heat, umami & hint of sweetness. Mushrooms paired seamlessly & the shrimp was the perfect protein. An incredibly high quality fish for $29. The only thing i wouldnt order again was their mocktails. They were about $10 and not memorable. Staff was not over intrusive which my party of 6 loved. We were not rushed and truly enjoyed our experience! Overall i plan on returning

FOOD POISONING BEWARE Spectacular ambience and lovely cocktails can't make up for horrendous bouts of food poisoning caused by the truffle fries. Two colleagues in our party had the fries, and both ended up vomiting (amongst other things) well into the morning hours. The incident was reported to the City and an inspection was performed with seemingly no problems, but our attempts to contact the restaurant were fruitless. The staff took a message for the manager, who didn't even have the decency call the sick individuals back. Shame on you Oak and Violet. You were supposed to be our neighborhood gem, not a hidden landmine.

The outdoor seating is very airy and pleasant. We sat at the couches and had the firepit going. Went on a Tuesday and they had live music going! The dinner menu was okay and good was just medicore. The drinks are what stood here. Highly recommend the cucumber gimlet! The customer service was good. The staff is friendly and welcoming. Beware parking sucks and Valet is $30.

Good vibes American restaurant that was pretty empty on a Wednesday evening. I liked the brussel sprouts, pan seared salmon, and new york steak. I've heard certain days feature live music so would love to time my next visit on one of those days. Would visit again for special occasions!

Good service unsanitary, workers not using gloves making the breakfast, touching their hair and pants, pretty gross, not coming back.

08.18.2023 - Date Night After shopping at Stanford Mall, we were famished. As I go through yelp's list for seafood, O+V popped up. Only 6-7min away from the Mall, perfect! Reservations were easy to make on OT with ample slots available. Valet parking is offered, but not sure what the cost is. We were fortunate to find street parking just a black away. O+V is nestled within a hotel. Bar seating, indoor seating and patio seatings are available. It was a warm evening so we asked for patio dining. As the host escorts us to our table, we entered a courtyard type of ambiance with long lounge sofas in the center, patio tables surrounding it with a party room to the right and live music playing to the left. Seems like we chose an evening where a wedding was happening. Awesome! Service was impeccable from start to finish. Our table was wobbly and the host was quick to get it properly leveled. He also offered us complimentary bubbles for the table not being properly ready upon seating. Wow! We were very impressed with their level of customer service. Bravo! If you follow my reviews, you already know, I'm going to order the most (lol). To my defense, we don't live in the area and I have no clue when we'll be back to try other things on the menu. My poor husband is worried that I'll get too full and we'll end up with leftovers (I don't like leftover, therefore, I don't eat leftovers). But I insisted that we order everything I wanted. Guess what? I had to compromise and for-go two shareable items: Goodbye~ truffled fries and charred shishito peppers (sad face). "If only I was with my seastar and bestie gf..." I thought to myself. "Sorry honey. If you were with your sister and bff, I'm sure you guys would have ordered everything" he says. Amazed how he read my mind!. This is marriage. -Back to the food review- Mussels are a must! Super fresh with a kick of spice! Perfectly seasoned and buttery. The 2 levain toasts were the perfect utensils to absorbed all the broth. Brussel sprouts seemed to be Asian-inspired and the flavors were tasty. Nutty, caramel-like sweetness, with a splash of fresh lime juice brought everything together. One word: Tasty! Grilled salmon was clearly the winner between the dryaged ribeye. Tender salmon filet with savory blistered cherry tomatoes, crunchy-sweet yellow corn, juicy squash...every bite was enjoyable, and then some. The dryaged ribeye lacked flavor. This was a disappointment as it was $59. The potatoes were bit on the al-dente side and the greens, oh the awfully bitter greens were just not palatable. The entirety of the dish fell short from the flavor to texture. Pass! Early Girl tomato bisque was served lukewarm. The bisque appeared to be on the more watered-down side. We tried to finish it, but even my hubs was thrown off by it. Pass! Tomato-Watermelon-Burrata Salad was very interesting. I enjoyed the individual flavors, but when I ate all the ingredients together, it didn't marriage well at all. The watermelon slices were sweet, but I felt as though it didn't belong in the plate. The burrata appeared more dense then the burrata that I'm used to. When cutting it, I expected the cheese curds inside to slowly run, but this burrata stayed intact through it all. Pass! Crème brûlée, oh my love for dessert~ Now, how can you tell it's good crème brûlée? (1) When you use your spoon to crack the thin layer of torched sugar, and it cracks! This crème brûlée? It didn't. Very...elastic? Rubbery? It didn't crack. I had to stretched the top layer to tear it off. (2) The texture is supposed to be smooth, creamy with a slight firmness to it. This crème brûlée? It wasn't. Rather, very...wet. The custard's consistency broke. Pass! Only 3 out of 7 dishes that we ordered were delightful! More than half of it fell short. However, despite several disappointments, considering the ambience, the friendly and super attentive customer service, and the price point, I still recommend O+V. Despite it all, 4 stars are much deserved!!!

I had a hybrid business meeting - the kind where you can bring your partner - and someone suggested Oak + Violet. The evening before, I set up a reservation for 4 people via Open Table and requested an outdoor seat. Afternoon of, I got a note that someone was bringing their spouse as well so I modified the reservation to 5 people very easily. Once I got there (on a Tuesday), our table was already set up -- for 5 -- outdoors, just as I requested. The outdoor dining area was gorgeous with the perfect volume of live music. Food was delicious, though portion sizes for appetizers were quite small especially for the price. Service was a bit spotty at times. While the staff was very cordial and my water glass was often refilled without me asking, one of my dining partners had a bit of trouble getting her drink request fulfilled. I think it was a bit of a fluke situation, but since the restaurant is part of a hotel, we think that maybe some of the staff may have also been helping with arriving hotel guests. I would definitely recommend for a business or romantic dinner!

This is a a great spot for a solid meal. I've visited several times and always enjoyed the food and service. I sit at the bar most often and it's always a social group between the other patrons and the bartenders.

Really enjoyed the ambiance at this low key hotel restaurant in Palo Alto. It was nice enough to sit outside and they had lovely jazz music playing in the courtyard. I had a glass of their sparkling wine which was delicious and reasonably priced. We started off with the truffle fries that we finished in probably under 10 minutes because they were scrumptious. I ordered the grilled chicken plate which had veggies and a squash purée. I really loved the purée but overall the dish could have used slightly more seasoning. But for the prices- this was a great meal!

I've eaten here twice in the last 2 years with my kids to kill time before open house at their school. Both times I found the service excellent. They had live music once which was really cool. I expected high cost food because we were dining in a hotel, but I found the prices very reasonable for the area. The food was much better than I expected as well. The last time we visited, the general manager came over and said hello to check in on us. Really nice guy. Definitely will be back more often.

Been here a few times - always a cool vibe, good food and fun drinks. I went here recently for a podcast taping for Chip Conley.

Didn't expect the outdoor seating to be so nice! We came in October so it wasn't really cold but still appreciated the heaters. The pasta was good but I wish it had more flavor. The indoor bar seating is really nice as well. Valet is free for the first two hours which is really helpful, otherwise there's street parking usually. Overall, I enjoyed the ambience a bit more than the food and its a really nice place for groups. I would probably come back for appetizers and drinks rather than a meal!

Party place. Covid approved! Many good appetizers and amazing truffle fries! Steak and salmon is a pass, avoid cauliflower steak, most of the appetizers are wonderful. Cocktails are good! There are only 3 dessert, we try them all. Save room for dessert! Corkage is $35/bottle, but their wine selection was not what we like so we have to bring our own wine. Parking is hard to come by but ambiance is wonderful! Easy to book for table of 10! Will come again!

Thought I came across a hole-in-the-wall when I found this place on Yelp, but truthfully I can see why Oak + Violet isn't more hyped up, despite the exquisite presentation and aesthetics of their dishes and venue. Unfortunately, I found the food mediocre, especially for the prices charged. Here's what I tried: Branzino: definitely the best dish of the bunch. The fish was fresh and cooked to perfection- tender on the inside flesh, and crispy on the outside skin. The sauce was also perfect, and gave the natural brininess of the fish a little extra kick. Unfortunately, the veggies on the side were largely inedible and mostly for aesthetics- I mean who eats stir fried olives? Scallops: was so excited about the jumbo size of the scallops, which pictures definitely don't do justice. However, the scallops were barely seared and seasoned, which was a bit disappointing since it's not hard to do. The sauce was also flat and dimensionless, and I was confused by the combination of peas, seafood mushrooms, and grapefruit that paired the scallops. Oysters: I ordered half a dozen east coast oysters, which were fresh and a good size, which is always a plus! However, for the price of $3 a piece, I would have expected more sauces or at least some presentation beyond simply shoyu (which was WAY too salty and overwhelmed the oysters) + lemon slices. South side: definitely one of the other highlights of my night. Their drinks are beautifully mixed, without a strong taste of alcohol, but they're definitely strong and catch up on you. Would highly recommend this drink! Overall, Oak + Violet would be a good place for drinks and perhaps some light bites, but I would not recommend dining in, especially for a special occasion, because their main entrees definitely fall flat when it comes to execution and taste.

Love this place, the ambiance and layout is definitely upscale. We sat inside, but the outside patio would have been enjoyable during the warmer months. Our table tried 4 different cocktails from the menu and they were all delicious. Staff are super nice and attentive, valet is complimentary but don't forget to bring cash to tip! For appetizers both the Brussels sprouts and truffle fries are highly recommended. For entrees, the Branzino was cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside and moist inside. The wagyu was also a large portion for the price point. They also gave me a birthday shot of tequila and dessert to celebrate my graduation. Will definitely be back.

Came here for dinner on a friday night with reservations. They have valet parking (free for first 2 hrs) or you could find street parking nearby. We sat on the patio and it was one of the most cutest places to eat ever. Perfect for a bday or a date. It was a little chilly but they had heat lamps which was perfect. I ordered the firemelon drink and it was really good! As a table we ordered to share: oysters, burrata salad, filet mignon, papardelle pasta, panna cotta, and chocolate mousse. All of the food was yummy and I'd come here again for a special occasion.

I'm visiting this area and was looking for a place for dinner. I saw the interior dining room photos and I wanted to come here for the vibe. I made a reservation online and was seated right away in their patio area. I wanted to sit inside but I think with Covid they rather have people sit outside. Valet parking is $25 overnight and $10 for two hours. However, if you dine in at the restaurant parking is free for the first 2 hours. After 2 hours you pay $10 at the front entrance. Street parking is available if you can find a spot. What I ordered: Tomato bisque soup Brussels sprouts Oysters (12) South side Fire melon Peach plum salad Linguine trapane 8oz petit filet Dark chocolate mousse Panna cotta Three dishes and our drinks came out first and then we waited for an hour for the entrees to come out. We asked them to check on our food and Felipe came to check on us. He gave us a free salad (another peach plum salad). After we finished our entrees Felipe said he would comp our desserts so we chose dark chocolate mousse and panna cotta. Overall the appetizer, drinks and desserts are the highlight. The view too, of course. Initially I wasn't going to give this place a four star but Felipe really took care of us. Also, the drink south side is delicious and it sneaks up on me!

Outstanding food and service for a hotel restaurant... butternut squash ravioli and pear salad was the best ever, and I'm a NYC foodie.. wine selections also above par by the glass.. well done!! Sarah my server was also amazing!!

Sadly, this place has changed. Now if you've never been, you might be quite happy with this place. But as someone who has been coming here on a regular basis for a while, I can no longer rate it anything more than 3 stars. Before I jump into why I'm disappointed, I must acknowledge that their bar program has actually improved. The latest tropical addition cocktails were beyond delicious. The Bula Bula is one of the smoothest and most delicious cocktails I've had. No wonder I had a few of them that night. If you're in the area, please drop by the bar. Now to the changes: -The old chef left and so did the staff. Previously, the service was very professional, warm, and super attentive. Now, our server was nice, but definitely not on the same level. My husband placed an order for a beer and a while later I placed an oder for a drink. My cocktail arrived and we had to remind her to bring us the bottled beer. She also didn't stop by our table to check on the dishes after they came out. Again, friendly lady, but not what we are used to from O&V. -The food has changed a lot. Our beloved branzino--one of the biggest reasons we drive to this place--is no longer on the menu. Their charcuterie, while still decent, doesn't use the high quality truffle honey, is significantly smaller and doesn't have as many options (used to always have 3meats and cheeses and now it's two). We got their pork ragu (based on the recommendation of our waitress) and the dish was inedible. It lacked seasoning, contained over cooked pasta, was swimming in disgusting oil and came out barely warm. Needless to say, we sent it back as our appetite was ruined. We were not the only ones who felt that way, as the table next to us didn't eat their pork ragu either and were waiting on their waiter to pick it up. Their cheesecake is a poorly executed cream cheese on some graham crust that was melting...can't believe they served it. -Their chill atmosphere was traded in for mass service. I used to love sitting my the fountain, which is now blocked off by a couch and fireplace. Tables are tightly packed together eliminating any hope for intimacy. It also seems to be more of a family place than a night out vibe, so keep that in mind. We don't really live close by; it's a 30 min. ride for us. But it was previously worth it. I doubt we will be going out of our way to eat here, but I will stop for some Bula Bula if we're in the neighborhood.

We ordered the calamari and the baked Brie. Both were good and filling, and our server Sarah was awesome. Would be willing to come back with friends!

Great atmosphere and decor , mediocre service and high prices for what you get - will probably look for other dine options next time. We were a party of 4 and tried a few dishes - 1) shishitsu peppers (appetizers menu) 2) truffle French fries (appetizers menu) 3) mussels (appetizers) 4) shrimp and bacon croquettes 5) bread pudding We also had 2 cocktails - the habanero one and another fruity one (came in with a lychee ) The cocktails were great , but 16$ seem too high . The mussels came in a fairly small portion (10-12). Bread pudding was so-so (too doughy ) The shiahitsu peppers were just ok - some Atlantic sea salt would do wonders The croquettes and the truffle French fries were just ok The service was ....not great - had to call the server multiple times to get their attention and food took a long time to arrive . At the end we asked for a 1/3 and 2/3 split and the server could just not figure this out and ended up splitting 50:50.

Good ambiance and tasty food. My friend and I were set to have dinner, but I got tied up with work and was a bit late. I add this because the wait staff was so nice to her as she waited for her delinquent friend (me!) They also were so nice to us and let us hangout for a bit. We split: - Charcuterie - Brussel sprouts - Truffle fries - Baked brie - Grilled Ribeye Everything was pretty good and they have a few affordable bottles of red on the menu. The brie came out almost cold, but they were nice enough to send it back and make it right. I enjoyed the ribeye and thought the bone marrow truffle butter was an excellent touch! Looking forward to coming back when it's warmer and I can try the outdoor seating.

Awesome food, ambiance and customer service- will be back. Lyle, Chris and team thank you for the personable experience and memorable time!

6/25/2021 OoOoo an overdue GNO - We had bookmarked Oak + Violet and decided it was time to visit the James Hotel in Menlo Park. I met up with one of my girlfriends for drinks and apps and this was our meet half way. We were both looking forward to trying lobster tacos and the e signature lollipop wings but unfortunately they weren't on the menu :( We asked our waiter what happened to the menu and was advised that they had to scale the menu down as the kitchen isn't fully back to operating at full capacity. Whomp whomp. Ambience and Service was 4 stars. Food was overall 3.5 stars. We ended up with fritto misto which was anchovies, squid, and shrimp served with tarragon aoili and it was good. Some were crispy and some weren't. We actually liked the anchovies which aren't usually included at other places. Brussels Sprouts w/chopped hazelnuts was crispy and on point. Love the hazelnuts for the added crunch. Truffle fries wasn't as crispy as we would have liked but the flavor was yum! Cocktails were as easy on the eyes and tasty. We sat outdoors in the courtyard and service was pretty good. Our table was super wobbly but one of the servers adjusted that with a cardboard he folded up shortly after delivering our water. They do valet for free when dining - don't forget to tip so bring cash. Don't be me and forget the cash (insert facepalm) , although if you didn't want to valet, Parking was not hard to find if you want to park in the street behind the building. It's just a hop, skip a block away. It's a trendy spot with a good vibe. If I happen to be around the area, I would be open to coming back to try food once the kitchen is fully operational again and seeing if it tops this initial visit.

The ambiance for outdoor seating was wonderful. Easy to make reservations for party of 4. The restaurant didn't open until 5 but some us came in a bit early was able to chill at the bar area (they allowed purchase of wine and beer) which was also nice seating area. The food was all deliciously made. Flavor was on point and I had no complaints. They were all shareable portions so my friends and I were able to try a bit of everything on the table. The only disappointing thing was oysters were not available that day which we would have really loved to try. Some key highlights: The honey on the charcuterie board was really good with the bread. The rib-eye cooked to medium so very juicy and the slices were huge! Tomato + Burrata very refreshing - the combination of tomato, watermelon and Burrata really worked Brussel sprouts were flavored very well. It had a nice crisp and charred but didn't taste burnt. The drinks were very tasty and alcohol amount just right. The dark chocolate mousse very decadent. I was sharing with friends but didn't want to share. The pieces of chocolate melted on the tongue but almond bits had perfect crunch. I definitely would like to return again to try some other drinks and the oysters.

The oak + violet croquettas were so tasty! I highly recommend. Perfect texture. Poached pear salad had lots of flavor. All the ingredients were perfectly matched and the dressing was light. Seafood in the seafood paella had loads of flavor. VERY tasty. The rice itself could've used some more salt or flavor--maybe even some tomato-y-ness. The mango sorbet was good but nothing special. Service and drinks were good too. Overall, a solid place and would come back. One shareable, one first course, and one entree was enough for 2.

The absolute best restaurant!! This review is way over due but my family and I went here for my dad's birthday in early February and it was phenomenal. Not only was the food and ambiance spectacular but what really stood out to me was the service from the oak and violet staff, particularly Renee and Barassa (i think that's how you spell it). They were so kind and generous. They were fun to talk to and helpful when deciding what to eat! They really treat you like family. That was my first time there but definitely not my last. I recommend this to anyone looking for a night out or for big occasions. You can tell they have a lot of fun here and it was such a memorable night! The food was bomb too!!

Love the vibe here! The food was yummy and the service and ambiance were 10/10. My favorite was the appetizers. Truffle fries and the brussels sprouts are a must-get! The main was alright, I got one of the pasta, it was delicious don't get me wrong, but I think the appetizers were better and also the drinks. I think the main dishes are always changing so maybe the next time I come back, I'll try something different besides the pasta. I recommend this place and will def go back. I want to go here with my fiancé or with a bunch of my girlfriends

A couple friends and I came here to celebrate a friend's bday. Absolutely loved our experience. I didn't actually have big expectations for the food, as I mainly wanted to go for the ambiance but the food surprisingly tasted really great. I didn't take a photo of our main entree but we got sea bass (which was coated in panko), Brussels sprouts, calamari, truffle fries and the bread pudding for dessert. They also gave us a complementary lavender pudding as part of the birthday celebration. I loved how the calamari wasn't fried. I think that and the bread pudding were my favorite. I normally don't like bread pudding bc it's so mushy but this one held it's shape well and was filled with figs! Delicious. The ice cream balance was a bit off tho; definitely needed a bigger scoop. Service was excellent but would have preferred a bit less interruption. It's always nice when the servers know when we need something. I felt like we kept being asked if everyone is ok when we were trying to have a conversation. No parking lot, but valet and street parking are available. Outdoor patio can get a bit windy but they had heat lamps to keep us warm. Overall, loved the vibe and would recommend for a date or girls night out.

This place is very nice for appetizers and drinks. There is only street parking or valet parking, no parking lot for customers. The atmosphere was very nice, I love the open outdoor seating. I ordered the red panda to drink, truffle fries, calamari, Brussel sprouts, and the spinach pasta. -Red panda: 4/5 I love that there was a piece of lychee at the bottom of my glass. It was a great balance of vodka to lychee, not too sweet, not too strong. -Truffle fries: 4/5 I love the pieces of truffle throughout the fries. Delicious! -Calamari: 4/5 I was expecting fried calamari, but instead they were cooked in a red sauce with potatoes and olives. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would when I first saw this dish. -Spinach pasta: 1/5 VERY bland. No flavor what so ever! We asked for salt and pepper and even after adding it, it did not make much of a difference. My mother in law got the pasta with pork, that had no flavor as well. My father in law had the brisket on a bed of mash potatoes, no flavor as well.

Let me start with this dinner was for a large party of 18. Pulling off a successful dinner with 18 diverse guests is pretty impressive. With that said, I really appreciated the food, service, and their organization with servers and kitchen. Atmosphere: Great outdoor dining! Perfect for a California dining experience. Service: exemplary! Food: Appetizer standouts- sautéed calamari, croquettes and Brussel sprouts. Entrée standouts- short ribs and the ribeye. By the way, the restaurant bar was small, but very attentive and made good craft cocktails. So come to Oak & Violet, start with a pre dinner cocktail and then enjoy dinner on their outdoor patio.

Amazing atmosphere very open and bright with fresh air for outside seating. This restaurant bar is in a upscale hotel and all the drinks were balanced and tasty. Our bartender was Ed and really made our experience excellent. He made specialty cocktails based on our preference and each one exceeded expectations. Thanks Ed!

I think i might add this place to my go-to list. They have a very small menu but the food is delicious. Right off, the hostess was kind enough to seat us in the outdoor area. Love the ambiance. Very cozy atmosphere. They also have guy playing music outside. The weather was perfect that day. Bartender did a great job mixing drinks but they are a bit pricy. Our waiter, Rene, was very attentive and checked on us frequently. Overall, this is a great place to hang out with friends for drinks.

Had a really lovely experience here overall for my birthday! Super friendly staff, the food was fresh and the drinks, appetizers, and the sides that came with our main dishes were delicious! Drinks: 5 stars! got the El Camino (basically a Paloma with mezcal) and my partner got the Southside, both of which were excellent Apps: 5 stars on both! Truffle fries which were very tasty! Wood fired Mussels--probably one of the top things I ate! Spicy, flavorful, tender, probably the best mussels I've ever had! Salads: 4 stars I got the watermelon feta salad--it was delicious, but it wasn't what I was expecting. It was more like a salad with a couple pieces of watermelon and a tiny crumbling of feta. Also our salad plates must have come right of the dishwasher so we're veryyy hot so we didn't put the salad on them because everything would have wilted Entrees: 4.5/5. Stars The Nordic Blu salmon: the saffron risotto is the STAR of this dish. It was so freaking good, tied with the mussels for best thing we ate. The salmon was simple, well-seasoned, cooked to perfection, nothing too exciting but didn't really need to be because that risotto was everything Short rib - 3/5 stars My mom and stepdad got the short rib and said that the pasta that came with it was amazing but the actual meat was cooked well but really under seasoned (if my mom has to ask for salt, you know there is no salt on there, believe me!) I don't eat meat so I did not taste it myself, this is just coming from her! Dessert: cheesecake, 5/5! It was my birthday and they gave us a piece of their cheesecake which was tart and delicious and had a really tangy yummy rasps berry sauce I'd absolutely come here again! The staff were really sweet and friendly, thanks for making this a great visit!

When Santa Clara County was still in the red tier, we had to cross the county line to find someplace for a family celebration. San Mateo County, while just down the road, seemed like another planet, because the restaurants were already open. Sneaking over to Menlo Park for a nice dinner kind of felt like we were getting away with something. Even though the streets were pretty quiet due to the lockdown, the Park James Hotel was bustling. We pulled in, but there was no one at the valet station. No problem, since there was plenty of street parking on El Camino. The restaurant is on the first floor, and the tables were nice and spread out, with plenty of heat lamps. We decided to sit inside, with the open walls, where it was a little warmer, but still open air. Everyone wore masks. We started out with the wine. They had a large selection, including a bunch by the glass. The server started us with a couple tasting glasses of a very good Zinfidel. We eventually ordered a Pinot Noir and a really good Cab. Everything was good, even by the glass. These big wines had great complexity, and paired well with our food. The appetizers were interesting: truffle fries, fried shishito peppers, and a nice apple winter greens salad. The entrees were even more memorable. I just had to get the branzini, which everyone seemed to recommend. Seafood watch says it's also known as European sea bass and is a good sustainably raised fish. The brazini has an amazing flakey texture, just like sea bass, and came butterfly grilled with the skin on, nice and crispy. Thank you yelp! The most amazing thing we ordered, though, was a giant Ribeye steak, served on a butcher block. The special went for like $115 and was big enough for three people. It was served bone-in, and the bone was as big as a hammer. The meat was tender and cooked perfectly medium rare. The juicy meat was so rich, especially paired with the bold wine, it made me want to drink more, which made me want to take another bite of steak, again and again, until it was all gone. Dessert was simple but elegant. They had a special affogato which was intriguing, but it was getting late. We didn't want to be bouncing off the walls all night with all that caffeine. Thankfully, they were able to make the espresso decaf, and it was a hit. We also ordered a strawberry panna cotta and some gelato. And more booze, this time a complentary tawny port to round out the meal.

Everything from food, service and the ambience was perfect! It was pretty warm in there but there were a lot of exposure to the outdoors. We tried a good amount of food and the selections were great. I have the braised beef and it was nothing short of my expectations. There was a wedding outside so we had to find parking in the neighboring areas. We will definitely come back

A cute place to grab drinks & some snacks or more after a long day of work. I booked a table here not knowing it was connected to a hotel to meet up with a coworker for drinks & snacks. Parking was difficult but the live music and cute outdoor door ambience made up for it. It's definitely on the pricey side at $16 per drinks, and you can easily drink 3 or 4 of them because they're so tasty! My favorite was the Cucumber Gimlet & and this red drink with lychee (can't find it on the menu anymore)! Both were so good. Tart, sour & a bit sweet but not too sweet. We shared a lovely cheese & charcuterie board with amazing honey!, crispy brussel sprouts, truffle fries (amazing!), and a spinach tagliatelle. Everything was great but the spinach tagliatelle was bland. I would probably come here for maybe drinks and the fries bc they're that good!

This is inside the hotel (I was staying at) and the perfect setting for a work or friends meal. I went with a group of coworkers and it was very enjoyable. We all had a cocktail and they were well balanced. Then I chose the salmon that was very flavorful and the perfect portion. I also highly reckons ordering a side of fried. Server was also very attentive and when we ask if there was music he could turn on, he was happy to. (We sat outside). The only downside is they often have events here so you can't always sit outside if there is an event going on.

I love this place! The food is amazing, my favorite was the baked Brie and the steak. The outdoor seating it is absolutely gorgeous. Great lighting and ambiance. The live music is a nice touch. Great for a date night or a night out with friends.

Yes!! This place is spendy, but that's not a surprise given the location. Great outdoor patio. Delish good and top notch, professional service. Great cocktails. We had a salad, sea bass and charcuterie board, with paper plane cocktail and Aperol spritz. Lovely dinner.

We made reservation as we had an event in the area. I was very skeptical as a lot of hotel restaurants are hit or miss. Well, we were very happy with our meal of 3 different items that were ordered even though the the menu is small. Everything came out fast, fresh, and just the right flavor. I would prefer less salt but I know that is just me. Everything was beautifully seasoned, plated, and well done. There is live band on Friday evenings. Definitely highly recommend.