yoshi's

The Japanese love American Jazz! So what better combo that a first-class Japanese Restaurant together with a first-class music showroom? Yoshi's is just that. With easy access from San Francisco, Oakland, and the Silicon Valley (San Jose and south bay) the restaurant is always busy and the stage attracts both top name acts and up and coming live music.Our recent Saturday evening came together so smoothly, and it was a delight form start to finish. We ended up sharing a booth with another couple about our age, first timers to Yoshi's and really into the music.Russ Freeman and the Rippington's (contemporary jazz group mainly relating to the genres smooth jazz, jazz pop, and crossover jazz. that's been on the scene for quite a few years) made a stop at Yoshi's as they embark on their 2015 USA tour.We opted for the early show (there's usually two per night) and also an early dinner (restaurant opens at 17:30, first show is 19:30, second show at 21:30)The restaurant filled very quickly, and the staff were busy, yet attentive. About the only area of improvement was our host who didn't introduce himself and also failed to noticed I was on two crutches. He took off for the far end of the restaurant quickly leaving us behind. We got the attention of another host, and a seat much closer to the bar (less hopping for me)The menu didn't disappoint! Traditional Japanese dishes, and western alternative with Japanese influence.We opted for the Tempura Lobster with Pineapple and Jalapeno-lime aioli. Also the Grilled Kurobuta Marinated Pork Chop, honey, ginger, yellow and green zucchini, white corn, sauteed shishito peppers, sansho sauce. The chop was huge and outstanding! Other meals that passed our table looked inviting and delicious.We asked for and got ADA access (again, those crutches) and a very nice booth in the showroom, instead of the closer but less inviting wooden seating grouped at small tables.The show started on time and the showroom wait staff were attentive and quick to fill drinks and 'finger food' orders, and bring our check at closing time. Photography without flash and a ban on video or audio recording was a reasonable house rule.The music was great, and the band members very accessible after the show (at an open table in the bar area) for CD sales, autographs, and photos.

What's not to like about Yoshi's which is a cozy and intimate place for shows? Tonight we were there to see Sergio Mendes and I had placed a phone order on Tuesday but somehow, either I reserved the wrong night and time or the woman at the box office reserved the wrong night and time! So when I arrived to pick up our tickets for tonight's show, they realized the tickets were for last night, yikes! However, the customer service is excellent here at the box office and the man went to check to see if they would be able to take us for the show tonight and they did! We also had a table for dinner as well. And our table for the show was table #20 near the left side of the stage, great seats! So what might have turned out to be an embarrassing situation, turned out very well, thanks to the customer service at the box office.And the waitress in the restaurant was also attentive and always checking to see how we were doing. We ordered the Agedashi tofu, spinach and bacon salad, side order of brussel sprouts, gindara black cod, lobster tempura roll and duck legs and all were excellent. Duck meat melted right off the bone and the cod was sweet and tender. The portions were huge for the salad and duck legs! The show was fantastic as well. I also got my free sea salt edamame in the nightclub for checking in. I think the great thing about Yoshi's is if you have dinner at the restaurant before the show, you can get reserved seats for the nightclub. Just let them know you are also seeing the show or when you purchase the tickets for the show, let them know you also want to make reservations for dinner at the restaurant.

I swung by Yoshi's on a rainy early December evening, to attend a performance showcasing my favorite singer-songwriter Anna Nalick. I was aware that she had previously visited the venue and put on a great show, so I was looking forward to her repeating the magic again! I had already seen Anna many times previously in both Los Angeles and New York City, so I was also looking forward to a change of scenery as well.- Location -Yoshi's is located in Oakland's Jack London Square waterfront area, next to the Amtrak Capital Corridor train tracks, though the sound insulation is good in the theater and the train noise is a complete non-issue. The establishment occupies the ground floor of a multistory parking garage; the garage charges modest parking fees, and validation from Yoshi's results in a nice discount.- Layout -Upon entering, the right side is the restaurant, and the left side is the theater and the box office.I did not come for the restaurant (especially since the dishes seemed overpriced), but for people who dine before a show, they will be able to reserve a table up close to the stage. For people who only came for the show (like me), it's unreserved seating and can be crapshoot, though I did get a decent seat reasonably close to the stage.The theater area itself is laid out like a supper club, with different kinds of dinner tables in a semicircular layout fanning out from the stage. It is a very nice area and has great mood lighting and acoustics.- Service -The waitstaff checks up on the theater patrons frequently, and even though it didn't seem like there was any minimum purchase requirement, I ended up ordering a glass of Stella Artois beer anyway. I liked the friendliness and the efficient workflow of the waitstaff.I wish I had been given better heads-up on the seating policy, however (dinner patrons having the ability to reserve seats, and how the reserved seats are marked).- Afterthoughts -Both the opener Tyler Hilton, and the headliner Anna Nalick, were great. For me personally, seeing Anna in the San Francisco Bay Area, after having enjoyed her tremendously in both Los Angeles and New York City, was something to cherish - and the venue, Yoshi's, was definitely excellent enough to add to the cherished feeling.I will definitely be back, whether it's for Anna, or for another excellent performer.

Only had general admission seats available. All seats are close to the stage.After the concert we heard from a friend if we would of had dinner there they would have upgraded our seats to closer to the stage. Now we know.1 drink minimum although I don't think they monitor it closely. You can order off the menu if you choose too.

Yoshi's is a great place to see individual performers/small bands perform in an intimate setting. It's set up like a supper club with tables and chairs but no room to dance. The acoustics are great and the servers are fast, friendly and efficient. It's very convenient to have dinner at the restaurant next door where they will reserve a table so you can just go over and have a seat when the show starts. The 8 pm shows are great during the week. They run about two hours and get you home at a decent time. Only issue is the venue/bathrooms need an update. The decor is a little outdated.

They have a amazing watermelon Martini I could not get enough. The food was ok. I would be willing to give it a second try but not right away. And the show was so amazing other than someone sitting in our seats but we had a great time and they do have great drinks our server was so amazing think his name was jake!!!!

Great intimate venue. The crowd was all in as we remembered the hits. It was a sing a long for sure.Buying tickets on line was very easy. There was standing room only when I purchased so I new I'd have to stand. Thank God for wall space.

This is wonderful place for not just food but also entertainment. Love the diversity of nightly performers; the venue is intimate and with a mature audience. The menu and food is just as good which is rare...usually you don't get both good music and good food...idk why I'm just saying most places that I've experienced haven't mastered that exceptional duo.Parking is wonderful as they are located below a well lit lot with more than adequate space.If you opt to go to the show w/o having dinner the seating is open. However, if you choose to enjoy dinner there before the show you automatically get resv'd seating at the "premium" tables-no extra charge, just let them know you have tickets for the show that evening.

Came here to see Manhattan Transfer perform, and came early enough to sit at the sushi bar and enjoy the food.It's a bit pricey, but for a 'Night Out' it was fine.Odd to see the sushi chefs wearing gloves...just sayin'The front of house took care of our seating for the performance and our waitress brought it to us toward the end of our meal. Very nice.Very nice selection of fish, all fresh and assembled by a good team of workers. The Caliente Roll was my favorite, very spicy.The calamari was note-worthy as well, well fried and very tender, the sauce rich and flavorful.Enjoy!

We enjoyed seeing Manhattan Transfer here, the singing and musical performances were wonderful. We were given good seats eventually, but the entire process of waiting, getting seated and served was problematic. First, we arrived at 7:30 pm to line up outside for an 8 pm show (we thought). At 8:10 pm the line began entering - after those ticket-holders who had eaten at Yoshi's restaurant and were in line inside (who knew?). After making it inside the doors, there appeared to be no seats remaining that did not have reserved signs, and it was a polite pandemonium as people didn't know where to sit. Eventually (not on our first several attempts to get help), we were told that a staff person would help everyone find a seat. Yes, this happened, but there was such confusion that people were no longer in any semblance of order. The waiter came to our table immediately, dropping the menu at the same time asking for our order. The others (including 2 strangers were shared the table with) ordered, and I asked him to come back for mine - another mistake. I didn't get a drink until the very end of the show. The other couple ordered food that arrived at the table after the show had ended, after they had paid their bill (minus the food which had not yet been served)! Would try again for the right performers, but be prepared for some annoyances.

Yoshi's is conveniently located in Jack London Square Oakland. An easy drive across the bay for a great Japanese restaurant and a show. Packages ensure that diners get access to the best seats in the house. The shows are usually twice a night and priced very reasonably. This is a nice intimate show space, holding only a few hundred people. A great way to spend a Friday or Saturday night or many weeknights for that matter.

Small, intimate venue with great sound. A group of ten of us from all across the country met in Oakland to see Tower of Power Feb. 1-3. There's not a bad seat in the house. We heard so much about Yoshi's from friends who live in the bay area and we were not disappointed. We had great seats, the staff was wonderful and very helpful. The band of course was phenomenal, the sound was perfect, and it was very cozy. Truly a wonderful venue for live music! We did not eat dinner there however, so can't comment on the food.

Yoshi's Jazz Club started as a hole in the wall restaurant in the north side of the UC Berkeley campus. The food was so good that there would be lines going out the door. They then moved to a bigger place on Claremont Ave in Oakland and set up a waiting room with live music for those going to the restaurant. Before long, the music went from casual tip bucket musicians to serious world famous jazz musicians. When the landlord (Dreyer's Ice Cream) of the Claremont Ave dig declined to renew the lease, Yoshi's moved to its present location near Jack London Square in Oakland. Because of its lead time to plan for the move, they were able to build an intimate and acoustically impeccable jazz club that became a destination for the who is who in jazz. Today, it remains to be a treasure for musicians and music lovers alike

Saw Tower of Power January 2013 and was very impressed with the layout of the room, the great sound, and good service from the wait staff.

you will love going to hear a live concert at Yoshi's....It's smaller than the one in SF with a more intimate feel...although I love the one in SF too....this is a must for music lovers....