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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brendan
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.
JOHN C H
Yet again, a delicious treat, impeccable service, warm, friendly and professional. Catherine, makes you feel as if you're in her home, with everything well spaced and knowledgeable recommendations. A go back to chance to treat yourselves, in a neighborhood treasure! Thank you, Donato & Co. and staff John & Susan Stewart
Great food, responsive service, and a relatively quiet environment. I will go back on my next trip to Berkeley.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Santosh Bhaskarabhatla
Not bad - but not great either. I have been to Donato twice now. My first experience was good, but my more recent experience was so so, and left an unpleasant taste both literally and figuratively. Everyone was nice and welcoming, but the food service was surprisingly slow, and my order had meat when I specifically requested vegetarian options for religious reasons. Italian cuisine is normally very accommodating towards vegetarians, and Donato's menu is surprisingly meat filled, almost intentionally so. That said, given that this is a Berkeley restaurant, and how many people have dietary restrictions, I am surprised how difficult the menu is to interpret. I don't plan on returning anytime soon.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Jami Jones
Service mediocre, example is that they cleared 1/3 of the table post service but when we asked for the check, they never returned to finishing clearing. They did not ask about food allergies or restrictions. Food was difficult to eat. Bread stale, dishes without much flavor. We do not recommend.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Patti
The food, the service... everything was excellent. We always have a lovely time when we go to Donatos. Well worth the money.
Laborious Johnson
First of - FELIX IS THE HOMIE! They are one of my favorite peoples. The eggplant caponata and Pasta Carbonara were GREAT! The service was GREAT! The atmosphere was GREAT! I WILL be BACK!
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
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.
Yet again, a delicious treat, impeccable service, warm, friendly and professional. Catherine, makes you feel as if you're in her home, with everything well spaced and knowledgeable recommendations. A go back to chance to treat yourselves, in a neighborhood treasure! Thank you, Donato & Co. and staff John & Susan Stewart
Restaurantji Recommends
Great food, responsive service, and a relatively quiet environment. I will go back on my next trip to Berkeley.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not bad - but not great either. I have been to Donato twice now. My first experience was good, but my more recent experience was so so, and left an unpleasant taste both literally and figuratively. Everyone was nice and welcoming, but the food service was surprisingly slow, and my order had meat when I specifically requested vegetarian options for religious reasons. Italian cuisine is normally very accommodating towards vegetarians, and Donato's menu is surprisingly meat filled, almost intentionally so. That said, given that this is a Berkeley restaurant, and how many people have dietary restrictions, I am surprised how difficult the menu is to interpret. I don't plan on returning anytime soon.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Service mediocre, example is that they cleared 1/3 of the table post service but when we asked for the check, they never returned to finishing clearing. They did not ask about food allergies or restrictions. Food was difficult to eat. Bread stale, dishes without much flavor. We do not recommend.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
The food, the service... everything was excellent. We always have a lovely time when we go to Donatos. Well worth the money.
First of - FELIX IS THE HOMIE! They are one of my favorite peoples. The eggplant caponata and Pasta Carbonara were GREAT! The service was GREAT! The atmosphere was GREAT! I WILL be BACK!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
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