06/02/09

disappointed fan

by noodlelover1

I love the food at Spice Island, but I just had the worst experience. I told my server that my friend was going to be 15 minutes late, but she was very nice and agreed to seat me right before the busy lunch hour began. I ordered a drink and planned on tipping well. Then 15 minutes later the owner/manager stopped by and berated me for taking up a table during the busy lunch hour (when there were still quite a few tables open), and my friend showed up 30 seconds later, as I had warned the server. I don't think I'll go back now because the manager was so ungracious.

• Pros: food
• Cons: service

03/28/09

Extensive Menu and Side effects

by OrganicBeauty

I feel terrible about this because the waitstaff were so nice, but both my partner and I experienced a severe stomach illness after eating a the Spice Island Tea house. We ordered different meals entirely but they both contained seafood. I don't want people to stay away from this establishment... just maybe the seafood...

• Pros: Extensive Menu, Amiable Waitstaff
• Cons: Stomach Illness

01/16/09

I'd recommend ordering take out.

by JoeyJIllBIll

The food needs no defense -it's amazing. The environment is pretty dang filthy, but hey, it's Oakland!!

My real complaint is that the manager and much of the wait staff is just plain mean.

The manager has some real temper issues -I've watched her scold servers in front of a full dining room for obvious mistakes -like slipping, or spilling water. I've been personally attacked by this woman by making the mistake of asking if I could substitute a side. Over the years, I have yet to find more than a handful of friendly servers. It's like from the minute you walk in, you're made to feel like they don't need your business.

• Pros: food
• Cons: environment

03/12/08

Great Southeast Asian Food and Fun champagne cocktails!

by AsianStar31

Visiting Pittsburgh from NYC and came to this "hole in the wall", but don't let the shabby exterior fool you. Inside, it's dimly lit and romantic in a shabby chic sort of way, with different chairs and funky looking tables. The food is very good, we tried some Burmese cuisine because we love the Burmese place at home, and we thought this was actually better. The service was casual but friendly and prompt. They have a small but interesting wine and beer list, and the champagne cocktails were great with appetizers. The main courses were very substantial, although it could've been a tad bit spicier (accomodating the clientele, more perhaps?) In any case, the place was great and we will definitely revisit when in da 'burgh again.

• Pros: Cool vibe, great food, fun champagne cocktails
• Cons: Noisy, crowded, no reservations

09/19/07

THEY HAVE A LIQUOR LICENSE!

by foodiegrrl

I was on Citysearch looking for restaurants that were BYOB and I found this place. But when I got there, it turns out they already have a liquor license, and they now charge this huge corkage fee when you bring your own!

I complained to the owner, and he was cool about it. He said that he's tried to contact citysearch numerous times to try and change the listing, but that the information is never updated.

This place is good and the food is tasty, but unless you want to pay a lot, I wouldn't bring your own wine.

• Pros: Good food, cool vibe
• Cons: No BYOB

02/23/07

Best Myanmar Restaurant

by eatma

It is the best Myanmar (Burmese) authentic restaurant that I ever have in this country. Atmoshpher is unique. The servers are friendly. The Giner Salad and Rainbow Salad are awesome! Beef Curry is yummy. Daily Chief special soup is wonderful. `Chin Paung Kyaw` is one of the best menu.

01/15/07

Great Food at Decent Prices

by longjohn1966

I'm new to Pittsburgh coming from New Jersey, and I love this restaurant. I especially love the Sambal Goreng Udang, an Indonesian shrimp dish, and the Mohinga, a Burmese style noodle soup with flavorful fish broth. I've had this dish in a Burmese restaurant in Philadelphia, and the one at Spice Island is much better. The place has a pretty cool vibe, different chairs and tables, kind of coffee house feel. There's a nice wine and beer list also.

• Pros: great menu, cool atmosphere
• Cons: parking, loud

01/04/07

ok

by pittreview

This place has decent food. Good location to Pitt. Small, quant feel. Very responsive owner. Thanks.

• Pros: ok food

11/14/06

Great food, Hip Wine and Beer List, Funky Atmosphere

by jjjones1102

You have to go here. The food is tasty, the portions are generous, but best of all, the wine list is unusual and way off the beaten path. I can see whoever picks the wines actually thought about the menu,unlike so many places where all you get the typical shiraz, cabernet, and chardonnay. And you don't see any Budweisers or Coors in this place either. It's all about taste, not about what's the most popular. Whoever run this place really did their homework, and yeah, you can bring in your own for a pricey corkage fee, but I'd rather try something different for a change - a short well thought out menu and wine and beer list to go with it.

• Pros: Tasty food, great beer and wine list, hip atmosphere, prompt service
• Cons: crowded, popular, no reservation policy

11/10/06

Great Pacific Rim food

by lgsmith

Spice Island is one of my favorite lunch time Oakland restaurants. Wonderful tea menu (Thai tea is wonderful). Very good thai, indonesian, and Burmese food. Very quick and freindly service.

• Pros: very good inexpensive food
• Cons: can be crowded, but the seem to handle it well