Steaks, pasta, salads. Casual. Oak BarReviewed by Kristen Kjeldsen

     If you are looking for a casual and comfortable atmosphere, with fare that is a cross between comfort food and cutting edge, visit Zack's Oak Bar & Restaurant on Willow Avenue. The establishment reminds me of the old show, Cheers, where everyone seems familiar and is happy to see you as you walk through the door. The bar buzzes with conversation and mellow music, such as Van Morrisson and Santana, and Zack's location on the corner of Willow and Third, with large windows facing both streets, gives it an open, airy feeling.      The dinner seating is located in the rear of the bar where there are light-colored walls and a dark green ceiling that gives the small area depth and sets a relaxed tone. Regardless of where you are seated, you can gaze at old shots of Hoboken that adorn the walls around you and try to determine the modern-day locations of the areas depicted in the photos.     Zack's menu offers a selection to satisfy almost any appetite, which was comforting for me to learn because I was there with two family members - and the three of us have very different tastes. One of us prefers a light and healthy fare, another likes pasta, and the third was definitely in search of comfort food. After studying the menu, we agreed to share potato skins with cheese and bacon as an appetizer. As main courses, we ordered chicken and asparagus wrapped in bacon and served with mushroom gravy over mashed potatoes; fresh tuna served over grilled mushrooms and tomatoes and finished with wasabi sauce and balsamic vinaigrette; and creamy mushroom risotto. Everything we ordered was good and my personal favorite was the tuna (just a note: if you don't like sushi, I would not recommend this because it is seared). At a total of $68.00 for one appetizer, two salads, three entrees, five pints of Guinness, an endless flow of coffee, our dinner was definitely a good value.     In addition to the relaxed atmosphere, good food, and reasonable prices, the service at Zack's is attentive and friendly. Our waitress made our breadbasket seem bottomless, kept the drinks flowing, and even offered clean coffee cups with each refill. She definitely went above and beyond!     Whether you are looking for a good pint of Guinness or a satisfying meal, Zack's is a good choice. As a recommendation to me from a friend, I was happy with my experience and would certainly pass this suggestion along without a second thought.