665465 Sat Nov 07 16:02:57 -0800 2009 1 2 Los Angeles Area 0 5163953 Oaks Gourmet market on paper seems to be just what the Beachwood area really needs; a neighborhood gourmet market with a lunch fare focused menu of sandwiches, salads and pizzas. But a closer look reveals inexcusable flaws. The brick pizza oven features a pair of faux burning logs. The chicken picatta sandwich was lacking the white bean hummus spread, the chicken was dry and the arugula looked like Rihanna after an evening with Chris Brown. The pulled short rib dip was seriously lacking in dip, barely enough for half the sandwich. Short rib sounds like a brilliant idea for a dip, but the texture was far from fork tender, and seriously lacking that rich beefy flavor accompanies the cut. And even if the truffled watercress was on the sandwich, I doubt it could have saved it. Oak's has a menu that reads like a dream but is really just a list of false promises. I have gone to the Oaks and enjoyed their bakery items and I find the staff friendly but the kitchen here seems to be in need of a Gordon Ramsey intervention. Id say I would need to give this place another shot, but considering the place was slammed and the location spot on, they will keep on getting away with peddling their slipshod fare, Ill stick to Joan's on 3rd. Sat Nov 07 16:02:57 -0800 2009 13339 blackbookali 1 5164136 Yes, a total letdown after a buildup that lasted for months! There is nothing there that you don't see in everywhere else. Blah, blah and blah. Sat Nov 07 17:58:10 -0800 2009 5163953 67147 mandelabra