Menu is outstanding. The rockfish was perfectly cooked. The bartender is better than both of those.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Abby
I've long enjoyed this restaurant and was happy to find that the food has not diminished in creativity or tastiness. Prices are moderate compared to other options in the area, and value is higher than most. The interior space is very noisy (despite mitigation by addition of acoustic panels several years ago, which has improved matters), which can make conversation challenging, particularly for people with any hearing impairment. Service was professional and attentive without being annoying.
Adrian Espinoza
The food was delicious. Especially the veil. We had a wonderful experience and our server Natalie M. Was amazing, she made our experience even better
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hsien-wen
Returning customer. Fantastic food. Standout was Scorfano alla Griglia Grilled, Local Chilipepper Rockfish and Gamberi e Fagioli in Salsa Verde Poached Shrimp, Iacopi Farms Italian Butter Beans in Salsa Verde. The service was impeccable. Delicious
adrian
The food was exceptional. And I wanted to recognize our server Natalie her for providing outstanding service that truly elevated our visit.”
Richard
We ate family style and the wait staff was very helpful in setting this up at the table. Staff members were very friendly and attentive. The food was delicious and the wine selections recommended complimented the dinner exquisitely. Corso is one of our favorite restaurants in the East Bay.
Geoff Smick
Lovely and popular Italian restaurant. We’ve been coming here for years, and even though they changed ownership post-pandemic, there is a very thoughtful attention to quality food that has allowed the restaurant to thrive. Good cocktails. Seating available at the small bar or tables. Reservations recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Artemis Huntsman
The food was incredible, crostini and the pasta were my favorites. The potatoes and eggplant were a pass for me personally. It was very loud and crowded inside the restaurant, we had reservations and were seated late. Also had to wait a long time for waters so I would recommend a reservation for sure on a weekend. $200 for everything pictured including tax + tip.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Heidi
Menu seems more limited - especially on the appetizers. That said, husband wanted the special but wanted to sub out polenta for pasta. Not acceptable. Then he relented and decided on another main which had Brussels Sprouts which he asked if they would sub for any other veg. Easy fix, right?Again, no substitutions. So he had to order a a second choice and less expensive main meal of pasta. When the total bill for dinner comes to $240 and a chef is so rigid and a restaurant so unaccommodating... one questions, returning. And we've been enjoying this restaurant for many years. Bottom line, there are Too many amazing competing Italian restaurants to enjoy who can accommodate picky customers. See ya
Minjeong C
We really enjoyed every bites of their food and the moment we interacted with the attentive staffs. It became our favorite in the area. During our 4 nights visit to Berkeley, we came here for dinner twice. The wooden patio in the nice North Berkeley made our dinning experience even more special!
Meal was outstanding. Saturday night was packed. The noise level was high; diners all around were practically yelling at each other to be heard. My wife and I had to speak loudly to hear each other. Outdoor dining seemed to be much more relaxed sane in terms of noise level when we left the restaurant.
Eleanor
We love this place! Great for special occasions and any other time. Great food, top-drawer service and a warm, cozy parklet.
Sally
Year after year, changing menus, seasons after seasons, Peter Chastain creates incredible culinary experiences for his guests. Last nights chopped chicken liver crostini was amazing and the bacon wrapped quail was a delight to the palette. The staff members are warm and welcoming and the crew in the kitchen keep turning out one delicious plateful of food at a time. Everyone is most excellent in their jobs. Oops, forgot about the bar! Stunning cocktails and a fabulously curated wine list.
Dave Mandel, Stony Broke Music \u0026 Records
An awakening: decades ago, the then-owners of the slightly fabulous Rivoli decided to open a second venue, Corso. We tried it early on and were very disappointed. Years passed with us dining elsewhere.
Seeking an easy short drive to New Year's Eve 2025 dinner, we looked at Corso's menu and thought to give it one more try. A winner!
Why: quick, polite & attentive service, despite the very full house; very nice salad opener; the quail was prepped & presented perfectly; the tagliolini con granchio had that perfect lightest of touches with lemon, garlic, oil & herbs that gave full flavor while allowing the real flavor of the generous lumps of crab to come thru in each bite. The cannoli dessert was the best cannoli I've had in the last 3 decades -- the candied fruits, chocolate nibs, and mascarpone/ricotta filling burst with true cannoli flavors. And the amarena cherry gelato was perfectly tangy.
Thanks, Corso -- we'll happily return. ;-)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
nicci woodward
We have been here a couple of times and they make you feel like family from the moment you arrive. The service is wonderful and the food is amazing. The whole experience is special. When I am there I feel like I am in Rome, that’s how good it is. It’s not trendy, it’s real, real people and real food with a lot of thought and passion put into it.
Menu is outstanding. The rockfish was perfectly cooked. The bartender is better than both of those.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've long enjoyed this restaurant and was happy to find that the food has not diminished in creativity or tastiness. Prices are moderate compared to other options in the area, and value is higher than most. The interior space is very noisy (despite mitigation by addition of acoustic panels several years ago, which has improved matters), which can make conversation challenging, particularly for people with any hearing impairment. Service was professional and attentive without being annoying.
The food was delicious. Especially the veil. We had a wonderful experience and our server Natalie M. Was amazing, she made our experience even better
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Returning customer. Fantastic food. Standout was Scorfano alla Griglia Grilled, Local Chilipepper Rockfish and Gamberi e Fagioli in Salsa Verde Poached Shrimp, Iacopi Farms Italian Butter Beans in Salsa Verde. The service was impeccable. Delicious
The food was exceptional. And I wanted to recognize our server Natalie her for providing outstanding service that truly elevated our visit.”
We ate family style and the wait staff was very helpful in setting this up at the table. Staff members were very friendly and attentive. The food was delicious and the wine selections recommended complimented the dinner exquisitely. Corso is one of our favorite restaurants in the East Bay.
Lovely and popular Italian restaurant. We’ve been coming here for years, and even though they changed ownership post-pandemic, there is a very thoughtful attention to quality food that has allowed the restaurant to thrive. Good cocktails. Seating available at the small bar or tables. Reservations recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was incredible, crostini and the pasta were my favorites. The potatoes and eggplant were a pass for me personally. It was very loud and crowded inside the restaurant, we had reservations and were seated late. Also had to wait a long time for waters so I would recommend a reservation for sure on a weekend. $200 for everything pictured including tax + tip.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Menu seems more limited - especially on the appetizers. That said, husband wanted the special but wanted to sub out polenta for pasta. Not acceptable. Then he relented and decided on another main which had Brussels Sprouts which he asked if they would sub for any other veg. Easy fix, right?Again, no substitutions. So he had to order a a second choice and less expensive main meal of pasta. When the total bill for dinner comes to $240 and a chef is so rigid and a restaurant so unaccommodating... one questions, returning. And we've been enjoying this restaurant for many years. Bottom line, there are Too many amazing competing Italian restaurants to enjoy who can accommodate picky customers. See ya
We really enjoyed every bites of their food and the moment we interacted with the attentive staffs. It became our favorite in the area. During our 4 nights visit to Berkeley, we came here for dinner twice. The wooden patio in the nice North Berkeley made our dinning experience even more special!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Meal was outstanding. Saturday night was packed. The noise level was high; diners all around were practically yelling at each other to be heard. My wife and I had to speak loudly to hear each other. Outdoor dining seemed to be much more relaxed sane in terms of noise level when we left the restaurant.
We love this place! Great for special occasions and any other time. Great food, top-drawer service and a warm, cozy parklet.
Year after year, changing menus, seasons after seasons, Peter Chastain creates incredible culinary experiences for his guests. Last nights chopped chicken liver crostini was amazing and the bacon wrapped quail was a delight to the palette. The staff members are warm and welcoming and the crew in the kitchen keep turning out one delicious plateful of food at a time. Everyone is most excellent in their jobs. Oops, forgot about the bar! Stunning cocktails and a fabulously curated wine list.
An awakening: decades ago, the then-owners of the slightly fabulous Rivoli decided to open a second venue, Corso. We tried it early on and were very disappointed. Years passed with us dining elsewhere.
Seeking an easy short drive to New Year's Eve 2025 dinner, we looked at Corso's menu and thought to give it one more try. A winner!
Why: quick, polite & attentive service, despite the very full house; very nice salad opener; the quail was prepped & presented perfectly; the tagliolini con granchio had that perfect lightest of touches with lemon, garlic, oil & herbs that gave full flavor while allowing the real flavor of the generous lumps of crab to come thru in each bite. The cannoli dessert was the best cannoli I've had in the last 3 decades -- the candied fruits, chocolate nibs, and mascarpone/ricotta filling burst with true cannoli flavors. And the amarena cherry gelato was perfectly tangy.
Thanks, Corso -- we'll happily return. ;-)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
We have been here a couple of times and they make you feel like family from the moment you arrive. The service is wonderful and the food is amazing. The whole experience is special. When I am there I feel like I am in Rome, that’s how good it is. It’s not trendy, it’s real, real people and real food with a lot of thought and passion put into it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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