The Alice Collective
Oakland
(21)
Oakland
(21)
21 customer reviews
Nick W.
Really cool space. Be forewarned this isn't a place to eat lunch
Reviewed on Yelp
Kate H.
This place is just lovely. Be forewarned, it was decorated by someone who clearly spends 99% of their time on Pinterest (seriously, Pinterest vomited all over this place) but the result is quite tranquil. It's a great place to go for lunch on those days when you're on the verge of slapping a coworker.They specialize in biscuits, so this is not the place for all you trendy keto folks. The biscuits, however, are killer. I've had both the fried chicken and the veggie sandwich, and although I'm not a vegetarian, I have to say I prefer the vegetarian. There's nothing wrong with the chicken, but that veggie concoction is just delicious, and it is so beautiful! So get yourself on over their for some tasty, pretty, tranquil times. More...
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Marie M.
Hands down the best biscuit I've ever eaten. Â Sadly they don't do sandwiches or any kitchen-prepped food anymore - just baked goods. Â But seriously. Â The biscuit was so incredible. Â Great space, great staff. Â Would be awesome for a party. Would visit again to hang out and eat biscuits. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Dorothy J.
Wow I had the most amazing twice fried chicken sandwich on a fresh made biscuit here at the beginning of October. I had jury duty and was so excited to find this amazing spot for lunch. Each time I tried to go back it was closed for private party or closed on Mondays. Much to my dismay when I returned at the beginning of November they stopped serving food. So so sad. Another two customers walked in with me and were just as confused. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Shawn W.
Art, Coffee, Biscuits Come Together in Downtown Oakland At Alice Collective Café you get beautiful art, great coffee and some of the best darned biscuits around. Located in the historic Holmes Book Company building, this multifaceted space houses an art gallery, event space, café, and a commissary kitchen that serves as an incubator for small local food start-ups. On my recent visit, there was a great art exhibit curated by Vessel Gallery. The café has high ceilings and is roomy and spacious inside. There are also two plant-filled outdoor areas where you can sit back, relax and stay cool -- even in 90'F weather! But if art is not your thing -- and I would encourage you to check out this exhibit anyway -- then you'll probably want to hang out with your laptop and a cup of delicious Red Bay Coffee (who designed the café coffee program). But be sure not to sleep on the café's food menu. Which brings me to the biscuits. A good biscuit is one of those simple things that can be done really well or horribly wrong. There is no middle ground. It will either be like a nice firm pillow or solid and dense like a doughy brick. These biscuits are definitely in the former category.  Exec Chef Lance Dean Velasquez has created a small café menu that makes use of house prepared items. And the biscuits are definitely the star of the show. On our visit, we started with the Biscuits and Pork Sausage Gravy. Surrounding the deeply golden brown buttermilk biscuit is a white pepper gravy. Like a baked fortress surrounded by a moat of creamy goodness. We dove right in. The flavors were warm and comforting. Like sitting in your kitchen on a cool Sunday morning might feel like. The white pepper was was a nice way to make the gravy as opposed to my more common experience of black pepper. I may have to try that at home. My companion and I shared the Cheddar and Sausage Biscuit and the "Sweet and Savory" Biscuit. The homemade Duroc pork sausage had a nice flavor and was not overly spicy. It tasted like a leaner version of a good breakfast sausage. The Sweet and Savory is a ham, Swiss cheese, and seasonal sandwich. The combination of Dijon mustard with apricot jam had the right amount of sweet and spicy to go along with the ham and biscuit. I could see making this as a regular lunch staple every day. Each of the sandwiches comes with an arugula salad on the side, lightly dressed, plus a few pickled vegetables thrown into the mix. As my lunch companion said, "They are good because they use *real vegetables*".  I'm pretty sure they pickle the vegetables in house as well. If you're looking for a good place to hang out in a beautiful setting, grab truly good coffee, and have some delicious food during your day,  Alice Collective Café is definitely worth a visit. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Valeri N.
I wasnt much of a biscuit lover until I tried the biscuits here at Alice. They were the most unique biscuits I've ever had. It had the perfect amount of crust on the outside which was the defining moment for me when I took my first bite. The inside was flaky and light. It didn't crumble through my fingers as I chomped down on them (ughhh). You can tell fresh and sustainable ingredients are being used as the quality shows in the food.Their whole menu is based around their biscuits and they are definitely the star of the show! Whatever you try, you cant go wrong really. Here are some items I tried.Laguna (Fried Chicken) Biscuit - a nice chunk of boneless fried thigh topped with a sort of aioli sauce and their special relish which made it stand out. My one complaint is that the chicken's crust was a little bit under seasoned. I like mine with a little more soul and spice. Felt like the crust wasnt dredged on too well. But I did enjoy it still.Pulled Pork Biscuit - I really liked this one. Its stuffed with a cabbage slaw and a mound of tender pulled pork. Next time I will ask for extra slaw though because I like to have a better meat to veggie ratio. But for you veggie dodging meat eaters, you would definitely appreciate this one.Sausage and Cheese Biscuit - Surprisingly, this was my favorite one! The sausage was so good! No, I'm not talking about Jimmy Dean's lol. Freshly made sausages with melty cheddar to pull it all together.Biscuits and Sausage Gravy - Tied for my favorite! Hefty chunks of sausages mixed into a savory gravy. Even with the biscuit completely coated with the luscious porky drippings, it never got soggy or mushy!Blueberry Scone - Supposedly they sell out quick everyday. My picky son devoured it before I got a chance to take a bite!Cornmeal Biscuit - The texture on this bad boy is on point. Crunchy from the cornmeal but so soft and buttery! We ate it with the in-house made  Strawberry Jam and Ash Butter. MmMm.Bacon - How can you go wrong with any kind of bacon, but I feel I need to recognize their bacon because these thick slices of pork belly were to die for. Just get a side of it. You wont regret it. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Shardai L.
I just went here for the first time. The atmosphere is so comfortable and modern. The furniture is comfortable. The food is out of this world. The biscuits are packed with flavor and flaky delightfulness. I got the pulled pork buttermilk biscuit sandwich for lunch with a side salad that has yummy beets. My kids got the buttermilk biscuits with butter and strawberry jam. Yum! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Pin C.
I got to go on an outing with @bayarea_buzz (Instagram) and go to try out 5 of their biscuit sandwiches. Â The biscuits are fluffy and very tasty and the fillings were quite delicious. The sandwiches are $10 and above but seemed worth it in flavor. Â The biscuit with mushroom gravy was excellent ! Â I think they sell them plain or with like butter or jam as well..not definite. Â The space there is open, well lighted, and a great place to chill out. More...
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Rockridge L.
Love this place. Â Great open space with tables for meeting over a latte and a super delicious biscuit of the day. Matched it with a salad to lower the guilt, but damn those biscuits with butter are amazing. Can I order a box of them to go?
Reviewed on Yelp
Bex A.
They have the platonic ideal of what a scone should be. I love their scones- they're fluffy but satisfying and just the right amount of butter in the bite. I would go there just for the scones but the space is wonderful too! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Cheryl M.
I've been trying to do more walking during lunch instead of dining out with my co-workers...fail! Too many Yelp bookmarks and great places to eat are not doing me any favors! Sadly, the problem with walking is finding all these new places *squirrel* (distracted) to eat! if you didn't know, Downtown Oakland in changing fast with plenty of new places to see and checkout. The Alice Collective was one of those places you peek in and wonder "what is this place? Is it open to the public? Is it a private office?! I see food!" but hmmmm...Went to Yelp and discovered it's a space for private events, work, and cafe offering Oak & Fig savory pastries/biscuits and sweets along with Red Bay coffee. Cool, I'm there for that sandwich, scone, biscuit.....Er I mean for that "walk" ....Place is airy, full of light with a welcoming feel...the lady at the counter was very helpful since we mentioned it was our first visit. Opted for the steak sandwich with arugula, blue cheese on a baguette and the curry chicken salad on naan...BOTH were super delicious and repeatable! Â Also tried the biscuits which were buttery and light...to me the texture was a hybrid of a scone/biscuit...I'm a fan! The sweet version had a sprinkling of cinnamon/sugar and filled with a cream cheese-buttercream...loved it! Gluten-free option offeredPricing a little high (average lunch $13/person. No drink) but comparable to prices in the area...so if you're more about quantity ("buffet-ers") vs quality I wouldn't stop here...but if wanting to support local business and indulging in delicious breakfast/lunch offerings with quality ingredients in a relaxing (not a lot of people yet) atmosphere, come here! I'll definitely be returning... More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Tucker S.
Very cool mixed use space including a bakery (get the chicken curry sandwich) and coffee shop. Local art from 4th and 7th graders is on the wall and there is plenty of great working space with awesome people.
Reviewed on Yelp
theobald z.
loved this place when we visited for a friends event (and not just because they had a great caterer and a fascinating guest list and performers). very nice space to fill up with your own great party. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Marlo S.
My new favorite place downtown. Gorgeous space and the best biscuits I've ever had. I had a scallion biscuit with spicy jam, my friend had sausage butternut squash frittata. Omg. Scones give Arizmendi a run for their money too, plus Red Bay coffee. Can't wait to go back for lunch to try the soups and sandwiches. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Ozzy K.
Nice, new cafe with local vendors. Â Food is great - especially love the baked goods from Oak and Fig Baking. Â Its a beautiful space that has an outdoor area that is perfect to get some work done. Highly recommend the ginger cookies and the salads.Excited for the Alice Collective! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Mariana D.
My go to spot on mondays 1. Service has gotten better2. Food menu has expanded to include: frittatas, curry chicken naan, Salads, sandwiches, toasted breads, and others- Â Â Highly recommend the ginger snap cookie 3. The true shining star is the coffee !. They serve up red bay coffee and even provide their noted specialties such as the candied yam latte --- seriously - even the red bay coffee trailer on broadway (or is they a telegraph) never has the candies yam 4. Beautiful space: check out the outdoor garden or gorgeously decorated coworking space More...
Reviewed on Yelp
James Y.
I LOVE THIS SPACE.Really friendly staff. I think it's more of an event-hosting spot, but during the day it's a great place to stop in for a conversation or to get some work done (provided you have your own WiFi hotspot).
Reviewed on Yelp
Aaron C.
Was impressed by the cold brew, freshly baked scone and friendly people. Unusual layout for cafe operations, but a nice space. Look forward to trying more of their offerings! More...
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Samantha S.
Beautiful, modern space for a quick and delicious breakfast sandwich (had the bacon egg and cheese on brioche!) and a latte from none other than Red Bay (awesome! ). I sat on the back patio which is like a zen oasis in the middle of Oakland and checked email in the morning with my breakfast... and could've stayed for hours. The place is a venue space in the evenings, and I'm going to find out how to host a holiday party there -- the space is bright and open and would be perfect for an event. Will back for lunch tomorrow to try the chicken curry flatbread or the market salad, and of course the Oak and Fig ginger cookies. Looking forward to having this neighborhood cafe/venue close by. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Tamika C.
The customer service is great. The food looks beautiful and tastes just as good. Will definately be back.
Reviewed on Yelp
Victor G.
The Alice Collective has over taken the space previously known as "Ubuntu Theatre", SIlkwood Fabrics", "Holmes Books". it's operated by the same people who opened "The Hall" in S. F.currently, Oak & Fig Bakery is in the basement, a cafe is here 8-3 m-f. space is available for events in the evening.lots of dining area. no signage besides "272" Â above door and "open"/ "close" sign on front window.offering: red bay coffee, lunch, breakfast, sammies....eats: market salad(10)"daily mixed salad, seasonal vegetable"-house vinegarette, red potato, red cabbage, cabbage, tomato, lettuce, argula, etc... deliz..leftovers:-menu on left post near wall, copy of menu on counter-live replica of food offerings seen under front glass counter, bakes labled but not priced. entrees not priced nor labled. priced on menu.-metered parking nearby. More...
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