Oak & Rye — Restaurant in Los Gatos

Five-star food. Just about everything is superb.

Sometimes there’s a little “we know we’re cool and now think we’re a little better than everyone else” vibe. That’s always sad when that happens to the best spots. But USUALLY I can get away without feeling like that walking in. But a few years ago, we ate in, but my mother wanted some food to go (she wasn’t with us) for us to bring home to her afterwards. They came back and told us everything was put in, except “Chef said we cannot make the beet salad to go.” When I asked them to double-check that, they came back and shortly repeated more of the same, explaining something about the quality of food and certain things being better for take-away then others. But I mean, good pizza is kinda important to have hot and not reheat too long (or it’ll dry out and the crust will get hard), and that was fine to take home. And I explained we lived walking distance away and it would be enjoyed right away. Anyway, that didn’t matter apparently. But at the end of the day, I don’t care what you’re charging. It’s friggin’ pizza. And we’re now actually talking about a beet salad from a pizza joint. Are we really getting this serious now? It was just…more of this nose in the air stuff that’s not in the spirit of what I wish this place was.

Anyway, for those bothered by this and not put off by our own reactions to this (which I get, to come degree, if that’s you), we then came up with a simple solution. I asked for the beet salad “for here” before we left. When it came, I said I was full and asked for it to be boxed up to-go. Problem solved. Small victories in life, ya know?

Anyway, don’t let that stop you from enjoying pricey but fantastic pizza and a good atmosphere. Honestly. That other situation was years ago anyway. Still super lame. But whatever. The food NEVER disappoints. That’s the important part. And fun side note: the bathroom is worth a visit. Hard to say if it’s cool…? I don’t know what cool is, clearly. But it’s definitely a...

We went to Oak and Rye tonight and had ordered for pickup. Our plans changed and we ended up wanting to eat there. I go to the front to ask the host, Eddie, to change our order to eat-in. We figured this should be easy given our food wasn’t prepared yet.

Right before I go to the counter, I hear the host say to the customers in front of me that he can seat them now or they can wait a couple minutes for an outside table. They opt to eat inside. I look around and notice a few additional spots open inside as well, so I expect that it’d be easy for them to seat us inside. Note: We are only a party of two, similar to the folks he just talked to. When I go up to ask, the response from Eddie is that I’ll have to wait an additional 55 minutes to be sat down. I thought that was a ridiculous estimate, especially given I could see empty tables, and he had just told the customers before me that there were seats open.

Then after I question it, he actually ends up admitting that he can’t sit me down because my takeout order meant I only gave an 18% tip (they have a mandatory 18% tip policy for takeout orders — yes, ridiculous). His exact words were this “Why would I seat you if you only paid 18% gratuity?” What on Earth?? Number one I gave gratuity for a takeout order. Second of all, I already paid the 18% tip, hell I already paid for my order. Why wouldn’t I be treated like any other customer?

After a bit back and forth (where he was speaking to me in a VERY rude tone) he finally agrees that we can sit in the front.

Oak and Rye: My recommendation to you is to put customers FIRST. Whether they are takeout or eat-in — treat them equally. And make sure your employees don’t have a short temper when a customer makes a simple request like this. Very unprofessional. Based on the other reviews here, Eddie may be “the manager”? A terrible...

I've always loved this place, but last night unfortunately, ruined it for me. Our server refused to switch out one of our drinks that we didn't like and was rude about it. No, "I'm sorry," at least! I heard her also say the same thing to the table next to us saying "I guess no one likes their drinks tonight" in a sassy way and out loud for us all to hear. I wanted to speak to the manager to understand this policy because I have never been to a restaurant where they wouldn't accommodate you if you literally couldn't drink your drink. The manager made it SO much worse. He came out cold and with the biggest attitude and again, no "I'm sorry." He said that this is our policy, we're a small business and to not expect it to be different in the future. Basically telling me to not come back and that he couldn’t care less.

TO THE OWNERS, you are losing customers with a manager like that representing your business. I couldn't believe how rude and dismissive he was with a total disregard for customers' satisfaction.

Additionally, I have always loved the gnocchi and would come here just for that. It used to be light, fluffy and melt in your mouth. Last night, it was hard, dry in the middle and tasted stale. I would have looked past this is the negative experience with the service didn't happen. Then, to top it all off, I was over charged for the pretzel for $12 when it clearly said $11 on the menu.

This place used to be one of my favorites and I recommend it to everyone, but unfortunately, that will no longer happen. All around...