Address: | 1788 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709, USA |
Phone: | +1 510-704-8004 |
Site: | corsoberkeley.com |
Rating: | 4.3 |
Working: | 5–9PM 5–9:30PM 5–9:30PM 5–9:30PM 5–10PM 5–10PM 5–9PM |
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Nathan Dekker
Great idea, comfortable seating but service was absolutely lousy!! Its a real shame that the wait staff get there tips in advance. First off the table we sat at was dirty. Had to flag down a waitress to clean it off. Did so sullenly and didnt bother to wipe it down. Husband ordered a drink that never came. When asked where it was were informed they didnt have it in stock and would find out if his next request was available. Never came back had to ask again. Asked for a glass of water with my meal. Never came. Ordered a caesar salad which arrived with no croutons or parmesean. When I asked to have it send it back - the waitress replied "oh you want all of that on it? I said "yes, thats what a caesar salad is."(There is delicious video on the i-Pad screen of a person making salad with both.) Husbands meal was barely warm. It was frustrating to watch three staff members standing around doing nothing but talking to each other. P.S. We are very friendly, laid back and forgiving customers and it is rare that we ever complain. Not only have I never provided a bad review before but this is actually the first time I have ever submitted a review. Thats how lousy the experience was.
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A Private User
The food was phenomenal, but I was extremely disappointed by the service and atmosphere. The service and atmosphere were so bad that I dont think that I will ever eat here again. My date and I were seated between two other couples and next to a table of extremely drunk, cackling women. The women were so loud that they managed to almost completely drown out all sound at the surrounding tables, and, regardless of repeated attempts by me, my date, and the other couples to ask them to be quiet, the restaurant staff did absolutely nothing to interfere. Furthermore, our waiter worsened the situation by almost completely neglecting our table. He left our glasses empty for most of the meal, failed to clear our dishes well after we had finished our various courses, and mistakenly spent most of his time assisting the table of drunk women, offering minimal customer service and failing to acknowledge the angry expressions and reactions of the other customers in his work area.
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Yulian Kuncheff
Went on Valentines Day, it was obvious they overbooked to make money. The place was cramped and very loud, especially with the open kitchen. Our waiter had no personality and was disinterested. He seemed like he really didnt want to be there. The food was great, and delicious but at the same time, was nothing all too special, and didnt really surprise. Two days later I went to Pizzalina in Marin, and their menu blew Corso out of the water, they are a more casual place, and for half the price we at 3x better than at corso with much more flavorful and unique food. We chose Corso because we loved the sister restaurant Rivoli, but for the same price, a lot was worse at Corso. I recommend go to Rivoli instead, or make your way up to Marin and stop by Pizzalina, its not just a pizza place, and the ambiance was great and casual while the food was spectacular at Pizzalina and Rivoli.
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A Private User
When I read the reviews about Corso on various web pages, I wondered whether I went to the same restaurant. Maybe I am spoilt, as we have lots of good and inexpensive Italian restaurants in Europe, but this one is nothing more than average. I was especially disappointed to get so little for so much money - $14 for the tagliatelle, $14 for a tiny pizza, thats ridiculously overpriced. If at least it had been particularly tasty, but my girlfriend and I prepare tastier pasta at home. Overall, it is not worth going there, better save the money for a trip to Italy.
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A Private User
The first time I ate at this restaurant, I had already been spoiled by being treated to lunch at one of my favorite SF restaurants, the Zuni Cafe. Even well sated as I was by an extraordinary lunch, I could not help being wowed by my first taste of Trippa alla Florentina. We had exquisite artichokes and a rabbit sauce over pasta. Like another one of the reviewers, we sat at the bar overlooking the kitchen and got to chat with the very amiable cooks while we watched them prepare appetizing dinners. We returned to Corso another evening and again were delighted.
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Chris Torek
I started with the Mista salad, which was very good. I had the Pollo Al Burro Alla Sostanza. Its clearly not low calorie, but it is simple and delicious. And I had the polenta, which I think is the best polenta Ive ever had. (The polenta at Mangia Mangia was very good but this was better. On the other hand, Mangia Mangia has the chocolate souffle. The chocolate dessert at Corso was quite good, but missing something; I have not quite figured out what.) Ive only been here once (so far) but will definitely be going back.
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Jessica Eskew
I loved everything we ate here. You will pay a big price, but it will be worth it. Easily the best fried chicken I have ever had (surprising from an Italian restaurant), and the cheese tart is great. Good wine selection, and the cocktails are very tasty ($12 a pop on average). Parking in this area is always tricky, so biking/bus is easier. People make reservations here so it can be difficult to get a table, but as a group of 2 we were able to get a seat at the bar in 10 minutes.
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Marty Strauss
Fantastic Italian food in a cozy dining environment. I had the confit flat iron beef, which was absolutely delicious, and my girlfriend had pasta with meat sauce (sugo) which was also quite good. We also shared the flourless chocolate cake for dessert which was really awesome. Pricey but worth it, I think.
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Julia Cui
Atmosphere was great but its the only restaurant around Berkeley where I realized both salad and main dish in my order was all far below my average exeperience-which was from all different levels of restaurants, only the dessert was fine. Hope its only that I made the wrong order.
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Santiago Andrigo
Very nice place. They pour "half glasses" of wine, which is great because neither my girlfriend nor I drink much. The chicken in butter and the polenta were awesome, though the lasagna was just good. Service was a bit rushed so that took some from the experience.
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Stefano DellaVigna
Corso has consistent high quality, I love their lattuga salad (Italian version of a cesar), pastas, and costata alla fiorentina. I am Italian and picky on Italian food, corso is always great to visit. Just know that Tuscan food is not known for desserts
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Owen Corso
This place is great. Id like to go back and create my own 5-course tasting menu of more delicious dishes. The delightful surprise of the evening was the Sardo. I need to bring my family here because it was so good and well... the place shares my name.
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Kristin Rimbach
My experience at Corso was average at best. The italian food was tasty, but not memorable. Server was short and inattentive. Atmosphere is dark, but not in a romantic way, but a "I cant see what Im eating" way... Perhaps worth another try.
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Steven dosRemedios
Went on a Monday evening to avoid crowds and noise, and had a delightful dinner with friends. Food was very good, service was excellent, and the ambiance was cozy. Sea bass was perfection as was the goat; pastas were very tasty.
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Jon E
A very satisfactory meal. i found the overall experience to be good from the food to the service to the ambience. It is perhaps a bit too lively to be a romantic spot, but it is tidy and friendly.