Bombera — Restaurant in Oakland

Bombera, a Mexican-Californian fusion establishment, confidently defines itself as such, and it doesn't take long to see that this self-assuredness is well-founded. My experience at this dining haven was a triumvirate of culinary excellence, stellar service, and inviting ambiance.

Admittedly, I approached Bombera with modest expectations. On paper, it appeared to be just another run-of-the-mill Mexican-inspired eatery. How wrong I was.

To begin with, the team at the host stand set an impressive precedent by tending to our every need before we even settled at our table. This initial care set the stage for an exceptional dining journey. Shortly after we were comfortably seated, our server appeared with impeccable timing – not too hasty, preventing any sense of rush, yet not too tardy, ensuring we didn't feel abandoned. It was as if they had an innate sense of when we were ready to embark on our culinary voyage.

In the United States, it has become increasingly common to encounter menus brimming with an overwhelming array of choices, a scenario that can be somewhat daunting. Bombera takes a refreshingly different approach, offering a concise yet well-structured menu comprising around 20 to 25 carefully curated items, spanning appetizers, entrées, and desserts.

Our selections for the evening were the Queso Fundido and Pozole Verde. I approached both dishes with a degree of skepticism, a sentiment that was swiftly dispelled. The Pozole Verde, in particular, was a revelation. Contrary to my expectations of a potentially bland and insipid offering, it delivered a delightful balance of flavors, with just the right consistency – neither too thin nor overly thick. The medley of chiles used in its preparation was precisely calibrated, resulting in a plate that sang with authentic Mexican notes.

The blue corn quesadilla elicited mixed feelings. While the queso Oaxaca approximated authenticity, the thickness of the tortilla left us questioning whether our upcoming entrées would follow suit in quality.

Fortunately, our entrées arrived to redeem any momentary concerns. The Pork Carnitas proved to be a highlight – tender and brimming with flavor. The black beans, while not particularly noteworthy, served their purpose adequately. The Duck Carnitas Chile Verde, on the other hand, left us somewhat perplexed. While undoubtedly tasty, its place within the overarching theme of the menu remained unclear, straddling a line between Mexican and Californian influences.

Anticipation swelled as dessert loomed on the horizon, but alas, it was a rollercoaster ride. The chocolate pot de crème left much to be desired, with each bite overwhelming the palate with an intense surge of chocolate, lacking the sought-after balance.

Throughout the meal, our server exhibited unwavering attentiveness, ensuring that we felt neither rushed nor pressured to conclude our dining experience prematurely. The wine selection, though modest in size, was meticulously curated to complement the meal.

In conclusion, Bombera presents a captivating blend of Mexican and Californian influences, a testament to its culinary prowess. While some dishes soared to impressive heights, others fell short of the mark, creating a tantalizing mosaic of flavors and experiences. The establishment's warm and inviting ambiance, coupled with exceptional service, sets the stage for an enjoyable evening that dances between the traditional and...

So I was really looking forward to dining here after all of the great things I read about it, but honestly we left feeling a bit underwhelmed. It started off well, our reservation was at 5pm right at opening time. The ambiance is very nice and the guacamole and salsa that came with the chips were very good. The spicy carrots were very highly recommended, that dish was considered the best on the menu from our waitress and she said the chef took 8 years to perfect it. That's a long time so as a non vegan I gave in to try it. We specifically asked for the spicy sauce on the side because I wanted to give some to my 7 month old daughter to try too, and when the dish came it was all over the top. The kitchen didn't honor what was asked for and it wasn't the only error made that night. The sauce and beans that came with the carrots were hearty and yummy, the sauce was fine, spicy sauce with almonds was a little strange to me, I was glad I tried it, but I wouldn't order it again.

The fish tacos were large we ordered 3 and were just okay for me, after eating one that's all I wanted. The crema sauce it came with was good but the fish itself didn't have any flavor at all, it was fried well but I wouldn't order it again, second dish in a row I felt that about. Finally the chicken came, but it was a while wait and then when it did come the whole chicken was not on the plate. There was a thigh and breast missing. We mentioned it to the waitress and then the manager came by the table looking confused, but all he did was say sorry about that, and that it was the first time it had ever happened (as if we were lying about it, or that we don't know the difference) that was really a let down and pretty annoying, after that he just walked away...it fell below the standard of dining for me and the expected customer service (especially from a Michelin star rated restaurant) because that was just about the last interaction we had before leaving. It was also strange to have folks taking plates out from under us while we were still trying to get our things together and it felt pretty intrusive to have that happening when we clearly were not ready for that at the moment. Overall, I felt disappointed to come for a birthday dinner and that wasn't even acknowledged, our waitress was more set on talking about the spicy carrots than anything else and it just wasn't what I expected after looking forward to coming for so long. I didn't leave hungry but I definitely didn't leave satisfied either, sad to say because I wanted to love this place and become a regular. Instead we were give 3/4 chicken fake plated as a whole and now it makes sense why the half is $30 and the "whole" is $35 because the whole kitchen did not make it...

I really wanted to like this place, but let me tell you why I will not be coming back and not recommending this place. As soon as I entered the front area, the host (white, presumably transgender? Dont care, just want to describe for accountabilitypurposes) gave me a big attitude. No welcome greeting, just "how can I help you?" Umm, I'm here to have dinner. Lol. Is that ok? Of course, I did not say this, but I did say I was there for dinner and that my parents would be joining. He/she gave me a death stare when he/she found out I had no reservation. The host offered me a table in the very back. Ok? Didn't know I needed a reservation, but no worries, I understand. But what's with the attitude? The back room was empty, so I asked if i could sit next to the window. The person walking me to the table said sure. My parents arrive, orders have been placed, and chips, salsa, guac, and drinks have been served. While we're eating, well into service, the server asks us to move seats because a reservation is going to need to sit there. I'm very reluctant and uncomfortable moving seats because we have already been served, and why did they say it was okay, and food has already been served. At this point, it is very tacky, rude, and unprofessional to have guests move after food has been served. At first, I refused, but I was with my parents and did not want to upset my mom, so I complied. Best believe that if my parents were not there, I would have left the restaurant. The food was good. Pork and Tamale dish were great. The fish tacos lacked flavor. But please do better, I understand that your host and most of your servers are white, and you cater to the white community. But if you want to stay in this community, you're going to have to get better at welcoming and being hospitable to all guests and not doing that rude stuff to people willing to pay for overpriced "elevated mexican food" or there will be consequences. I could get better mexican food at many other restaurants in the Fruitvale or other communities in Oakland. "Elevated" lol Mexican food is not worth the terrible...