Duende - Oakland

It was a New Years and anniversary event. We are glad we came to this restaurant. We came early and had to wait until things got organized, but were seated at a fine table for two in the back room. The whole place was surprisingly large. The young man who met us at the door was later seen in other roles. We ordered banuelos and camparis on rocks to start. Later we shared the shrimp/chicken paella. We enjoyed our dinner and talking to our waitress. We might come back, but this is a theme restaurant and any guests must be up for this kind of food.

Great food and service a little to bright for a cozy setting. I’d suggest they turn off a number of the overhead lights that make it feel more like a warehouse than a restaurant. Otherwise great

Disappointed upon return to Duende. Drinks continue to be excellent. Service great. The food was cooked well and tasted great. However, in ordering one of the paella (chicken and shrimp) the ingredients were missing!! Paella should be full of the goodies…this one was not. Chicken nowhere to be seen. Felt ripped off.

Drinks took 25 minutes to arrive to table. Food was average.

Excellent dinner, drinks, and price. Great waitstaff but one bar tender had attitude and not very helpful with our questions about drinks, as if we were bothering him/her (sorry, they had a mask on). Overall great!