Every few months, my three friends and I meet at at Donato's for our respective birthdays. We always have a fabulous time. Great food, great environment and great service. Last Sunday we had the pleasure of being served by Jill. She was the best waiter ever. She added to the fun and was very attentive to our requests. We highly recommend Donato's for a place to celebrate or just have a good time.
Kathryn
This is our favorite restaurant to bring guests in town. The service is always friendly and efficient and the atmosphere is casual and vibrant. The food is always excellent and beautifully presented. My favorite on the menu is the risotto. The desserts are sublime and the wine menu is varied and a treat.
Megan
Donato&co. was a great dining experience when we stopped in for lunch. The menu had plenty of enticing options and everything we ordered was delicious, made with fresh ingredients and thoughtful preparation. The service stood out! Our waitress was personable, humorous, and attentive, which added a nice touch to the meal. The wine list was extensive though a bigger variety in price points would have been appreciated. Overall highly recommended for a casual yet elevated meal.
Kelley
The food waa very small portioned, expensive and overpriced. The food for four of us in our party took a very long time to come to the table and did not come at the same time. Will not be returning.
Tracy
Excellent attentive service, all around. Food - pasta was too al dente without tooth (not sure how that's possible), lamb and bitters salad delicious and interestingly flavorful.
Ostap
Had special prix fix 4 course Neopolitan meal paired with Neapolitan wines with visiting vintner explaining each pairing. Delicious meal with Italian regional uniqueness and authenticity at a great value. table also visiting by chef Gianlucca. Wonderful time!
Corlyne
It's a great place if you want great food and a quiet experience. The pastas, the appetizers, and the desserts are excellent. We had an enjoyable time, and we could hear each other.
Lissi
We came to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary with our family. Ordered bread and one type of bread had mold. We told the waiter and without a word took the bread basket and brought a new one never apologizing. It's a $5 cost for this. The Cappelletti was served cold.
David Karamian
family and friends and always enjoyed it—until now. We went for my wife’s birthday, expecting the warm atmosphere and great food we remembered. Instead, the vibe was dull, with either no music or the wrong kind. The carpaccio appetizer arrived dry, so I asked for olive oil. We were given barely two teaspoons—and then charged for it. At that point, I half-expected to see a charge for salt and pepper, which we also had to request. Sadly, this was our last visit to Donato.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Bob Jewett
Interesting, tasty food in a nice setting. The prix fixe dinner was excellent and the portions were large.
Donato is a MAGNIFICENT restaurant. The food is authentically Italian. My companion and I, more than once, said it is like being in Italy!... from the caprese salad to the gelati... wonderful! The host was friendly and the server charming... Grade A all the way.
Peter Smith
Very nice evening. Sure to return. Everything we had was very good. The Santos and biscotti dessert was great, served like we had in Italy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Barry
Great wine list (love the ‘carafe' option, perfect for two people), amazing appetizers & dishes, attentive (but not intrusive) service: our go-to for good Italian cooking!
Jocelyn Pou
delicious food; great staff and good value with a nice atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jennifer
My second time here. I had the same appetizer as last time - the Vaseto - because it is mind-blowingly delicious. I chose a different entree this time - the Branzino filet with grilled squash and zucchini flan. It was amazing. Husband got the Arancini appetizer and Cappelletti entree (I think I got that last time) and said he loved it. Stepson was visiting for the weekend so this was his birthday dinner. He had the Scarpeta appetizer and I don't remember what he had for his entree but I heard no complaints about his order.It was probably either steak or lamb. He and I both got gelato for dessert and his came with a candle as it was his birthday celebration. We also got wine which was very good and my husband also got a cocktail I believe. Great service, great restaurant, and a great place to go for a special occasion or date night. Or just whenever you want excellent food in The Elmwood in Berkeley.
Every few months, my three friends and I meet at at Donato's for our respective birthdays. We always have a fabulous time. Great food, great environment and great service. Last Sunday we had the pleasure of being served by Jill. She was the best waiter ever. She added to the fun and was very attentive to our requests. We highly recommend Donato's for a place to celebrate or just have a good time.
This is our favorite restaurant to bring guests in town. The service is always friendly and efficient and the atmosphere is casual and vibrant. The food is always excellent and beautifully presented. My favorite on the menu is the risotto. The desserts are sublime and the wine menu is varied and a treat.
Donato&co. was a great dining experience when we stopped in for lunch. The menu had plenty of enticing options and everything we ordered was delicious, made with fresh ingredients and thoughtful preparation. The service stood out! Our waitress was personable, humorous, and attentive, which added a nice touch to the meal. The wine list was extensive though a bigger variety in price points would have been appreciated. Overall highly recommended for a casual yet elevated meal.
The food waa very small portioned, expensive and overpriced. The food for four of us in our party took a very long time to come to the table and did not come at the same time. Will not be returning.
Excellent attentive service, all around. Food - pasta was too al dente without tooth (not sure how that's possible), lamb and bitters salad delicious and interestingly flavorful.
Had special prix fix 4 course Neopolitan meal paired with Neapolitan wines with visiting vintner explaining each pairing. Delicious meal with Italian regional uniqueness and authenticity at a great value. table also visiting by chef Gianlucca. Wonderful time!
It's a great place if you want great food and a quiet experience. The pastas, the appetizers, and the desserts are excellent. We had an enjoyable time, and we could hear each other.
We came to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary with our family. Ordered bread and one type of bread had mold. We told the waiter and without a word took the bread basket and brought a new one never apologizing. It's a $5 cost for this. The Cappelletti was served cold.
family and friends and always enjoyed it—until now. We went for my wife’s birthday, expecting the warm atmosphere and great food we remembered. Instead, the vibe was dull, with either no music or the wrong kind. The carpaccio appetizer arrived dry, so I asked for olive oil. We were given barely two teaspoons—and then charged for it. At that point, I half-expected to see a charge for salt and pepper, which we also had to request. Sadly, this was our last visit to Donato.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Interesting, tasty food in a nice setting. The prix fixe dinner was excellent and the portions were large.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Donato is a MAGNIFICENT restaurant. The food is authentically Italian. My companion and I, more than once, said it is like being in Italy!... from the caprese salad to the gelati... wonderful! The host was friendly and the server charming... Grade A all the way.
Very nice evening. Sure to return. Everything we had was very good. The Santos and biscotti dessert was great, served like we had in Italy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great wine list (love the ‘carafe' option, perfect for two people), amazing appetizers & dishes, attentive (but not intrusive) service: our go-to for good Italian cooking!
delicious food; great staff and good value with a nice atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My second time here. I had the same appetizer as last time - the Vaseto - because it is mind-blowingly delicious. I chose a different entree this time - the Branzino filet with grilled squash and zucchini flan. It was amazing. Husband got the Arancini appetizer and Cappelletti entree (I think I got that last time) and said he loved it. Stepson was visiting for the weekend so this was his birthday dinner. He had the Scarpeta appetizer and I don't remember what he had for his entree but I heard no complaints about his order.It was probably either steak or lamb. He and I both got gelato for dessert and his came with a candle as it was his birthday celebration. We also got wine which was very good and my husband also got a cocktail I believe. Great service, great restaurant, and a great place to go for a special occasion or date night. Or just whenever you want excellent food in The Elmwood in Berkeley.
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