Miguel R.
Yelp
I do not call California's Bay Area home. In fact, I live in the opposite side of the Golden State- the South Bay, so I went to Wizards and Wands while on vacation. Weeks before my trip, I saw an IG reel that recommended this place. How does an SF restaurant show up in an Angeleno's IG real? I am sure there is a logical explanation- like I heart-blessed some SF eateries reals and thus this one showed up due to the hint to the algorithm. But, I rather believe that there is a magical ghost (like Myrtle) in the machine, who path-lighted this joint for me to enjoy one day. It is important to note that the IG reel described this place as a Harry Potter restaurant, but in reality it is Potter-coded. Meaning, that, only in my mind did I see Harry Potter connections, nothing in the place was actually Harry Potter endorsed. Honestly, this did not sully my enthusiasm, and i am only a casual Potter fan. This will hit a true Potter fan hard- like in the opposite way of the Avada Kedavra curse.
My friend Denise and I went a few days after December 25th, and a few days before New Year's. Meaning, we were just able to walk-in. If we had gone in a previous day, the place would have been super packed cause of the festive glamour! What I did not expect, was for the place to be heavily decorated for Christmas, in a way that was immersive, beautiful, and elegant and yes Potter-esque. At one point, it did feel like we were in the Great Hall, sitting as Dumbledore awarded points, while candles floated above us, and future Death Eaters broke bread with Hufflepuff. I want to note, as my pictures show, that the work of transportation to Daigon Alley, was made possible by the decor and effort of the place, its decorations were not streamers in a gym, they were replete and thoughtful, they scored on purpose fulfilled.
Inadvertently, Denise and I had lucked out as we visited during the lull that happens after the Christmas rush and before the New Year Eve's day's blast. This may be a cheat code that might be helpful for people who want to enjoy the Christmas decore without waiting in line or being part of huge crowd.
One of the servers, I did not get her name, told me that she turned on something, and to look at the wall. I stood up to record. It was a digital dragon that felt true and cool. I caught a 19 second video that sees the dragon look directly at me, then look straight and then he/she/they shot fire. I was close to the act, I saw the night sky that mirrored space clouds, and I saw the fire disperse from a starting point of an awfully big fire ball. It all seemed so real, for a fraction of a second. It felt like I had witness a dragon show, in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. I imagine that in between trials there would be events to entertain the crowds, like in real festivals. here in the muggle world. Again, I can see how a true devourer of Harry Potter Lore would find this place there personal Eden.
I ordered the magic beans, and when they came they were fire roasted with a torch on the spot. And this did not seem cheesy either, it felt engaging, and how peanuts would be roasted in a hard bar, like a Hell Angel's bar. And of course the Hell Angel's would be literal in this world, not bikers. Denise and I also shared the Shepard's Pie, the Golden Arincini, and the Warm Pretzel Wands. All the food was good, but nothing to describe in detail. Every bite, was solid, enjoyable but just solid version of what they are. Meaning do not expect to eat bites that will make you say wow, or re-imagine the taste of what is good, again, the food was strong and solid, which help sustain the entire experience. One of the arancini, also, had wings that made it a golden seeker.
When I went to the bathroom the toilet also had a sign that said, "Ministry of Magic this Way" which was funny and bathroom humor is hard to make funny.
Denise and I shared a couple of cocktails and shots. She had a dirty butterbeer and I had the Missletoe Espresso Martini that had a spell attached to it, which revealed itself after the server lit up a paper that burned neatly. The drink itself was good.
On my way out, I also learned the appropriate way to pronounce mimosa. It is mimOsa not mimoSA, which is helpful to know.
If you are a Potter fan go here, if you are just into experiences go here, I would strain myself to find a legitimate complain about this place.