The future of Oakland is here

May 28, 11:29 AMOakland Bars ExaminerRon Lee

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The city of Oakland is in a stage of progression and no area more so than the Lake Merritt and Downtown areas.  Oakland’s diversity and camaraderie has long been our source of pride and it is time for our local businesses to fully reflect our culture. To appreciate and promote diversity, art, and soul is to be “Oaklandish” and if one were to briefly describe Mua, it would undoubtedly be described as “contemporary Oaklandish”.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to welcome you to Mua – the future of Oakland.

Humbly located at the crossroads of Webster, 25th Ave, and Broadway, you can stand outside of Mua and never be able to predict the wonderful aura that awaits you on the inside. The graffiti sign that hangs high above their entrance would have you believe one thing when, actually, Mua is many things. It is impossible to pigeon hole Mua into a single category. Mua’s recipe for success seems to be one part art gallery, two parts restaurant, one part lounge, all shaken and poured into a 6,000 square foot warehouse, making for a cocktail of the greatest kind.

As you open the doors and step through the curtained entrance, a pleasant feeling of surprise comes over you. It seems the humble entrance is purposefully designed to induce such feelings of surprise as you saunter into the experience that is Mua. The first thing you will notice is the lighting. Gentle flashing lights of red and yellow establish the first taste of what is to come as the lighting perfectly compliments the colorful cocktails that will satiate any palate. The cocktails at Mua are creative, tasty, and unique. I highly recommend the Pineapple Martini ($10) which is made with their house made pineapple infused vodka. It is frothy, gently sweet, and refreshing. I also highly recommend the Mua Manhattan ($10) and the Strawberry Lemonade ($10). Both cocktails carry a lot of depth in flavor and are refreshingly delicious. The myriad of flavors combined with the free-spirited ambiance of Mua allows you to eat with your eyes, feel with your ears, and taste with your soul.

At Mua, diversity reigns supreme. The crowd is a colorful cocktail of professionals, artists, singles, couples, and families. The high ceilings, ambient music, and creative vibe set the tone for an open-minded atmosphere that promotes a transcendent social environment. It is easy and very natural to meet new people at Mua. Maybe because Mua is a relatively new venue but the crowd is always in a great mood and eager to mingle. I asked Stephanie Tessian, a frequent patron and local artist, what she liked about Mua and she said, “I like the loft-style interior. It is artful and makes you feel comfortable”. Her friend, Allison Swope said, “The vibe is cool and energetic…there are good people here and the venue is aesthetically pleasing”.

The menu is unpretentious and perfectly balanced or as manager John Mardikian describes, “It is contemporary Oaklandish”. The menu has taken classic dishes and pushed them forward in taste and presentation. The Mua cheeseburger is perfect. The focaccia-style bun and the fresh ingredients take a classic American meal and evolve it in a way only Mua knows how. Also recommended is the Chicken Satay, which is chicken skewers served with a mint, cilantro, and sour cream dipping sauce. The chicken is juicy and the dipping sauce is light. Overall, two appetizers and two main course dishes will total around $60. The wait staff is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. The only complaint I have is with some of the bartenders. They may be good mixologists but some of the male bartenders scored low with me as they seem to not understand what great customer service means. Too often was my party ignored as it seemed they would rather take up time conversing with their female patrons rather than serve everyone equally. When you do go, seek out bartender Talia Herman. She is super friendly, fair to all, and a wonderful host. Other than that, Mua’s stock is rising and rising fast. I recommend you taste for yourself before it becomes too popular and the tables become too hard to get. It is that good.

Mua is the reason why Oakland is so beautiful. With all the negative connotations that surrounds Oakland, it is only places like Mua that understand what this city is really about. Oakland is diverse, soulful, existential, and progressive and Mua is the new chief in town. Come to Mua and experience the future of Oakland. I’ll see you there…until then, cheers.

For More Info: MuaOakland