Mua Oakland Bar & Restaurant

Mua Oakland is an eclectic eatery in Oakland with a two-story-high ceiling and the vibe of an artist's studio. Gigantic sketches lean against the back wall, and the place is delightfully cluttered with miscellaneous objects--a tea kettle, a painted wooden folk-art head, ceramic sculpture, a vintage lamp. Exposed ducts, pipes, and wooden beams give the place an industrial vibe, but the food is anything but utilitarian, artfully constructed and beautifully plated. For seafood lovers, there's grilled salmon, blackened catfish, and tuna sashimi, and for die-hard carnivores, there's a one-pound rib eye steak, lamb cheeks, or a half-pound hamburger. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan substitutions are available.