This is the perfect neighborhood Italian place like in Manhattan or SanFrancisco. Absolutely delicious, we’ll-crafted Italian food that elevates the ingredients. My husband and I split a pizza and each had a salad plus a bottle of wine. Pizza amazing, wines amazing, salads lovely. Been wondering why Berkeley didn’t have places like this.
Masi A.
I think this is my third review in 10 years, so hopefully you can recognize how excited We were about the food at this restaurant. We were a large group of 9, celebrating my daughter's graduation. Calamari, truffle fries, and prosciutto/ burrata appetizers were amazing. Highly recommend the gnocchi and ravioli. A great experience!
sirpa t.
I love Passione - it's in my neighborhood & the best of all: - I get to practice my italiano there. The owners are a great brother-sister team. My Bologna-grandchildren approve of the pizza there - they both gave it an A+ - and these kids are very picky - having learned to appreciate great food all their lives. Besides pizza their pastas and paninis are wonderful as well . . . and the squid . . . and yes - then gelato or an affogato with a perfect macchiato! Molto buono!!! Go & check Passione out!
Alice P.
We went here durning restaurant week,when we go out and find new places. This place is a Standout. The mussels were some of the best we had ever had, the main was smoked salmon ravioli ( but I don't like smoked salmon so everyone else got to eat them.). They were in a pesto sauce that was delicious. The lemon cake with house made vanilla ice cream was wonderful. We were happy and stuffed. Will be back for more. There was a steady stream of pizza going out the door, so I expect that to be good too.
Mr C.
Did a pickup. Hidden gem!!! Pizza is fresh, dough is top notch and they are not cheap with ingredients. Will definitely come again for a sit down. Keep up the great work! Berkeley pizzas are mediocre, glad this place opened up.
Lucas
Excellent pizza, great variety and quality.
Sagruilla P.
We are so happy to have found this Italian restaurant in our neighborhood! It is authentic Italian food--I would love to try other things, but we have been getting pizza over the past few weeks, and it's our new family favorite. Chewy and tasty crust, you can taste the olive oil and salt, and the cheese is good quality--not rubbery or greasy. Not too much sauce. Strips of julienned basil top it off. It's ready very fast, and it's a good value for what it is.
Rene Kindinger
Dude, amazing place. It looks small from the front but behind the scenes they are quite busy handcrafting absolutely every food item on their menu. From the handmade pastas to the specially crafted sauces, and again to the unique and fresh gelato flavors, this place has got it going on. They're mostly regular ITALIAN entre dishes, however, the back part of the menu are their designer pies. And people, I'm talking about the zaaahhh (PIZZA, duh!).As if this spot hadn't already started calling to you, I almost forgot to mention the complete modesty of the menu s pricing. Realistically, I've seen places of this caliber charge much more than even the most expensive things on the menu. They also have a lunch menu averaging slightly less as well. Everything here is going to be around the $20.00 and below mark.Where you may end up coming out of pocket slightly is going to be on the appetizers or your wine selection...both of which, pared with the perfect dish, absolutely will make your dining experience here something to brag about, especially if you are the first of your friends to find this gem and test it out.
Amy B.
This is a tiny brother-sister run spot about a block further down the road than you'll expect. Not far from the retail of 4th St. it is SO superior to any food ever served on 4th you won't believe it! Crisp, freshly tossed pizzas. Unctuous, deliciously sauced pasta of so many cuts. If fig panna cotta is on the menu DO NOT SHARE!! In fact, order two for yourself! Try the organic Italian wine. They'll help you choose!
Carol W.
We have had mixed experiences here. My first experience was getting pizza dough here for a Pizza Palooza party. The dough made perfect pizza! Yay! I tried their sfogliatelle to go and it was fantastic, really perfectly baked, moist and tasty inside a total "10". Days later I went by and picked up a few to take home. They were overdone and dry. Whaaa((. We went for dinner- a red pepper and tomato soup to start was another "10" I rarely like tomato based soup as it can be too acid, this was so good I almost licked the bowl BUT the mussels were overcooked and the calamari over breaded. The Espresso at the end was heavenly! Yesterday we had the Pizza which was very very good. It could have been a little hotter but otherwise, perfect. We ordered macchiato and sfogliatelle for dessert. The server making the coffee, did not make it nearly as well as our first visit. She brought what was more like a cappuccino, and I asked her to just make an espresso and let me add the milk. She was very gracious but not well trained in the espresso making. Bottom line. There is real love and expertise here, but it is inconsistent. I am guessing this is because it is very hard to find enough staff who can deliver this love and expertise consistently. I will be back but i will be asking for the expert to make the coffee and try some of the other items.
Great pizza, pastries, and pasta! Especially the margherita. Friendly staff. Try lemon olive oil cake
Benjamin Reid
I ordered my first pizza (GH delivery) from this place tonight, so I’m reviewing that, not inside or service etc. I’m disappointed. Crust is doughy, slightly sweet, and undercooked for my liking. Also, they appeared to have cut it but it’s not cut completely, so you end up ripping it up and toppings fly everywhere. Not much cheese or sauce. Toppings (mushrooms and basil) are all overly centered making the center soggy. First bites you have toppings and then 1.5-2” of crust. IMO there’s quite a few better options in the area. I will try their other pastries and goods and update this if needed but I’m bummed out for this meal. They offer 2 sizes, this one being the larger one, and it looks too small for the box.
Midori Journal
Great pizza, friendly service; delicious gelato. What more could you want !
Brad Morris
We love this new pizza place in our neighborhood! The frutti di mare pizza is amazing
This is the perfect neighborhood Italian place like in Manhattan or SanFrancisco. Absolutely delicious, we’ll-crafted Italian food that elevates the ingredients. My husband and I split a pizza and each had a salad plus a bottle of wine. Pizza amazing, wines amazing, salads lovely. Been wondering why Berkeley didn’t have places like this.
I think this is my third review in 10 years, so hopefully you can recognize how excited We were about the food at this restaurant. We were a large group of 9, celebrating my daughter's graduation. Calamari, truffle fries, and prosciutto/ burrata appetizers were amazing. Highly recommend the gnocchi and ravioli. A great experience!
I love Passione - it's in my neighborhood & the best of all: - I get to practice my italiano there. The owners are a great brother-sister team. My Bologna-grandchildren approve of the pizza there - they both gave it an A+ - and these kids are very picky - having learned to appreciate great food all their lives. Besides pizza their pastas and paninis are wonderful as well . . . and the squid . . . and yes - then gelato or an affogato with a perfect macchiato! Molto buono!!! Go & check Passione out!
We went here durning restaurant week,when we go out and find new places. This place is a Standout. The mussels were some of the best we had ever had, the main was smoked salmon ravioli ( but I don't like smoked salmon so everyone else got to eat them.). They were in a pesto sauce that was delicious. The lemon cake with house made vanilla ice cream was wonderful. We were happy and stuffed. Will be back for more. There was a steady stream of pizza going out the door, so I expect that to be good too.
Did a pickup. Hidden gem!!! Pizza is fresh, dough is top notch and they are not cheap with ingredients. Will definitely come again for a sit down. Keep up the great work! Berkeley pizzas are mediocre, glad this place opened up.
Excellent pizza, great variety and quality.
We are so happy to have found this Italian restaurant in our neighborhood! It is authentic Italian food--I would love to try other things, but we have been getting pizza over the past few weeks, and it's our new family favorite. Chewy and tasty crust, you can taste the olive oil and salt, and the cheese is good quality--not rubbery or greasy. Not too much sauce. Strips of julienned basil top it off. It's ready very fast, and it's a good value for what it is.
Dude, amazing place. It looks small from the front but behind the scenes they are quite busy handcrafting absolutely every food item on their menu. From the handmade pastas to the specially crafted sauces, and again to the unique and fresh gelato flavors, this place has got it going on. They're mostly regular ITALIAN entre dishes, however, the back part of the menu are their designer pies. And people, I'm talking about the zaaahhh (PIZZA, duh!).As if this spot hadn't already started calling to you, I almost forgot to mention the complete modesty of the menu s pricing. Realistically, I've seen places of this caliber charge much more than even the most expensive things on the menu. They also have a lunch menu averaging slightly less as well. Everything here is going to be around the $20.00 and below mark.Where you may end up coming out of pocket slightly is going to be on the appetizers or your wine selection...both of which, pared with the perfect dish, absolutely will make your dining experience here something to brag about, especially if you are the first of your friends to find this gem and test it out.
This is a tiny brother-sister run spot about a block further down the road than you'll expect. Not far from the retail of 4th St. it is SO superior to any food ever served on 4th you won't believe it! Crisp, freshly tossed pizzas. Unctuous, deliciously sauced pasta of so many cuts. If fig panna cotta is on the menu DO NOT SHARE!! In fact, order two for yourself! Try the organic Italian wine. They'll help you choose!
We have had mixed experiences here. My first experience was getting pizza dough here for a Pizza Palooza party. The dough made perfect pizza! Yay! I tried their sfogliatelle to go and it was fantastic, really perfectly baked, moist and tasty inside a total "10". Days later I went by and picked up a few to take home. They were overdone and dry. Whaaa((. We went for dinner- a red pepper and tomato soup to start was another "10" I rarely like tomato based soup as it can be too acid, this was so good I almost licked the bowl BUT the mussels were overcooked and the calamari over breaded. The Espresso at the end was heavenly! Yesterday we had the Pizza which was very very good. It could have been a little hotter but otherwise, perfect. We ordered macchiato and sfogliatelle for dessert. The server making the coffee, did not make it nearly as well as our first visit. She brought what was more like a cappuccino, and I asked her to just make an espresso and let me add the milk. She was very gracious but not well trained in the espresso making. Bottom line. There is real love and expertise here, but it is inconsistent. I am guessing this is because it is very hard to find enough staff who can deliver this love and expertise consistently. I will be back but i will be asking for the expert to make the coffee and try some of the other items.
Restaurantji Recommends
Great pizza, pastries, and pasta! Especially the margherita. Friendly staff. Try lemon olive oil cake
I ordered my first pizza (GH delivery) from this place tonight, so I’m reviewing that, not inside or service etc. I’m disappointed. Crust is doughy, slightly sweet, and undercooked for my liking. Also, they appeared to have cut it but it’s not cut completely, so you end up ripping it up and toppings fly everywhere. Not much cheese or sauce. Toppings (mushrooms and basil) are all overly centered making the center soggy. First bites you have toppings and then 1.5-2” of crust. IMO there’s quite a few better options in the area. I will try their other pastries and goods and update this if needed but I’m bummed out for this meal. They offer 2 sizes, this one being the larger one, and it looks too small for the box.
Great pizza, friendly service; delicious gelato. What more could you want !
We love this new pizza place in our neighborhood! The frutti di mare pizza is amazing
So delicious!!!!