Revival Bar+Kitchensmall portions for priceThe food was great. However the portions were small for the price. I don't think it would have cost the resturant any more to make the portions a bit bigger.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMShould be better knownRevival's kitchen has been spot-on the last few visits. This one featured a grilled asparagus appetizer with a delicious meyer lemon sauce, carrot & ricotta ravioli with fresh spring vegetable garnishes in a kaffir lime & cream sauce, and a really interesting mixed grill of goat, the star of which was a confit-style rack of little riblets. Delicious desserts of poached pears with ice cream, caramel and crumbled cookies and a peanut-chocolate mousse-like affair. Each dish is well-balanced, with vivid flavors and fresh high quality ingredients.
It's a fairly big and spacious restaurant, but lively, with a range of ambience depending on whether you are at the bar, in the middle, or near the windows. Good friendly service.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat drinks, food and service --We were really happy with our food and experinece (if slightly rushed). People clearly eat here before going to Berkeley Rep so the food comes out pretty darn fast. We were not going to the theatre but our food came very fast. My hsband said the duck was the best he has ever had and I really loved the preserved lemon on the goat tangine (and the goat was tasty). I agree with others that I do think it is expensive for what you actually get -- but I appreciate the very attentive service and the very vibrant atmosphere.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMHappy to return hereI seek low salt menu options and this can be hard to find in a place that specializes in charcuterie. But I was happy to find the parsnip soup and the salmon (prepared on request without the preserved lemon) were extremely good and also low salt. I do wish there were more options like this on their menu. My husband enjoyed the meatballs appetizer (perfectly spiced) and the goat mixed grill. The service was excellent and the martini was very good.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMReally convenient and a veryReally convenient and a very pleasant spot for Berkeley theatre and movie nights - food, service and ambiance are consistently very good!5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a surprise!It was good, portions are HUGE... no complain at all!5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMloveI love Revival. I've eaten here three times, and it's consistently excellent. The specialty cocktails change all the time and I've enjoyed each one I've tried. I tried goat (Moroccan goat tagine) for the first time there and it was tender and juicy with amazing flavor. The desserts are yummy and the made-to-order Blue Bottle coffee is a great pre-theater pick-me-up. I would recommend Revival to anyone.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMEnjoyed the whole mealI chose Revival because the reviews were good, the menu interesting, but mostly because it was close to the Shattuck BART station and we had a plane to catch. When we ordered I warned our server of our time constraint and she did an excellent job of making sure that we even had time for dessert before we had to take off.
The menu was interesting with the focus on a few meats - duck, goat, beef and halibut. Food was all beautiful - but especially the composed salad - the prettiest thing I have ever been served. Delicious, too. I'd go back for that alone. Desserts were a hit with our party - especially "Snickers Bar" another beautifully composed dish with chocolate, peanut, peanut butter elements.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect supper before the theaterWe reserved at 6pm before our 8pm Aurora play. We enjoyed wine by the glass (good recommendations from our server and my date). Our lettuce salad came with lots of shaved carrots and radishes, and just the right amount of vinaigrette. The pâté plate was generous enough for two as an appetizer and came with mustard, pickles and bitter orange marmelade - the mustard and marmelade I would normally have ignored, but they were excellent with the pâté and the baguette toasts. We chose the goat merguez (sausage) flatbread with parsnip cream, basil aioli and onion - wonderful combinations! Too full for dessert, we opted for cappucinos. Timing was perfect, as was the service.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMWe eat here often and haveWe eat here often and have had some very poor service -- this time was great. We thought our waiter was very attentive and helpful. The restaurant was very full so more wait staff must have been hired as things went very smoothly! We also greatly enjoyed the 3 courses we ordered -- very delicious and beautifully presented.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMa specialty restaurantIt's a kind of specialty restaurant with an unusual menu. Hard to find things to order as main dinner courses. We always end up with the flatbread. It's very good, but not exactly a conventional main course. We were feeling limited in our choices. Wine was wonderful.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMWe go to Revival every timeWe go to Revival every time we are at the theater in Berkeley - we've been there about 12 or 13 times and they never disappoint. RIght now they have goat on the menu and it is wonderful.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMComfort With A TwistNose to tail focus creates some very interesting dishes. The menu changes regularly, but the quality and variety doesn't. It's a great place, casual but very together. And I enjoy the recycled decor, almost as inventive as the food. Consistently great service too.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was delicious, andThe food was delicious, and the service excellent. Highly recommended!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic food and sustainable.Amazing place to eat just before an evening at the theaters .4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMJust go, just eat, just enjoyRevival just gets better. We had a large birthday party dinner and they handled it magnificently. The food is getting more sophisticated—there was an amazing potato side dish to my (delicious) ribs. They have rethought the kale salad and improved it considerably—and I thought it was great before! And the prices are still reasonable. Vegetarians and meat eaters, those with insatiable appetites and those trying to keep skinny, we were all completely satisfied.
Just go, just eat, just enjoy—but give yourself enough time to savor the food!4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was wonderful, serverFood was wonderful, server was wonderful....bus boy/clearers try to take your food to quickly....I was mid way through my salad and he must have asked/tried 4 times to take my plate....4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMbEST bAR IN bERKELEYAmazing bar scene - and lots of options; Their drink of the month Toronto very good and immediately had a nice alcoholic buzz.
Duck - best ever!
Wonderful paced restaurant - with a great bar scene. Plan for a relaxing leisurely dinner....
close to theaters and music halls so good pre-show place as well.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything was delicious!Everything was delicious! We recommend the nettles flatbread, the sunchoke / artichoke plate, turnip soup, the sublime composed salad with pickled green strawberries, fava beans, kumkuats, and 'soil', the braised short ribs (always a favorite!) and the Meyer lemon pie, plus the chocolate pot de creme.... Can't go wrong!
ENJOY3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious, creative organicDelicious, creative organic fare from the fabulous Chef Amy Murray!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMOverviewEnjoyed the restaurant and was glad to be seated by a window in the back. It was a little quieter.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMThis spot is perfect for diningThis spot is perfect for dining before attending one of the local theaters or concert venues. One can order a full meal or small dishes. The ingredients and preparation are outstanding. The people behind the bar are attentive and fun to watch if one sits at the bar. It is a bit noisy.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMFinger-licking good goatGOOOOOD food. It was a wee bit too loud for me but that wouldn't deter me from coming back.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous evening all aroundEverything was absolutely fabulous - genius lurks in this kitchen... The salads are inspired, especially the blood orange with lettuces and almond hummus. The trumpet and hedgehog mushroom flatbread w goat bacon....yum!!! Plus the sunchoke / artichoke starter and the veggie fritters - we left w full but healthy bellies.
Actually, we snuck in a wedge of the Meyer lemon pie - what a delight! With a tart little grapefruit rind sprinkling, HEAVEN.
Edible Spring!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved it! Out for a celebrationLoved it! Out for a celebration for friends. The server was patient with our desire to drink and visit, as well as eat. I had the duck for the second time. It was just as good as last time. We shared the lemon meringue pie. It was delicious, but tiny. Watch out for those cocktails - they mean business!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMGood as always - great saladsGood as always - great salads and appetizers - really liked the sardine3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat variety ,innovativeGreat variety ,innovative cocktails, tasty apps and sides. Never a disappointment1/13/2013 12:00:00 AMLiving Up to its PotentialThis restaurant has experienced a quantum-leap. Another in a series, actually. Every time we eat here feels like one of the best meals I've ever had! Revival has always been good, but lately... just superb. Highlights: artichoke & sunchoke appetizer (subtle, succulent), goat sampler (rich, tender, thoughtful accompaniments), duck (a must-have, in my book), and the Silk Road Sour cocktail (welcoming and lively). Finished with the meyer lemon meringue pie, and walked out pleased and satisfied. Service was polished, timely, and unobtrusive.
Our earlier visits to Revival showed a lot of promise, but the place was still finding its footing. They are now on solid, adventurous culinary footing. Excellent.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a fabulous night.We had a fabulous night. I have come here for both romantic special occasions and fun nights out with friends. The ambiance seems perfect for both. The food is great--locally sourced and organic, but, for those who don't care about that, each dish was amazing. The trout was the best I have ever tasted. My whole table of 8 was happy with all that we ordered. My salad was remarkable. I love their flatbread. The chocolate pot de creme was perfect. Great bar. .3/30/2013 12:00:00 AM