Trattoria CorsoDeliciousThe food and service were both outstanding. We'll be back. This was our second visit to Corso. Both times we went for an early dinner; 5:30 or 6. The only thing we found puzzling is that both times, they were almost out of their specials by 5:30 or 6. Their first seating for dinner is at 5:00.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother excellent Corso mealThis was our fifth meal at Corso in 2013. The meal was as usual outstanding. For a small trattoria their menu is inventive while retaining many favorites such as tripe and pannacotta. Their fish dishes are always first class--value for money it one of the best restaurants in the Bay Area.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMCorso Of CourseWe went on account of visit from Dad/Grandpa from East Coast. I ordered whole baked fish, which was moist with a nice salty flavor around the skin and crust that penetrated into the fish but did not over power it. Done just right. I had fava bean ricotta ravioli appetizer, the highlight of which were the tiny, garlic soaked squash blossoms garnish. The carafe of Valpolicella was quite fine for our meal. Only downside--there was basically nothing of interest or appeal on the menu for our 11 year-old son. Luckily he ate finger food snacks earlier at home before we got to the restaurant. What about having a simple pasta with tomato sauce or oil/butter/"sprinkle cheese" for young diners?5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMoverpricedWe have been to Corso several times. This time we found it overpriced.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMNeighborhood gemThis is quickly becoming one of our favorite spots. The food is reliably good, the service excellent and the ambiance very neighborhood-y. It is always a pleasure to go there.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was our 23rd wedding anniversaryIt was our 23rd wedding anniversary and I wanted Italian .... an excellent choice - I let my friend who recommended it know that it was perfect.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good Italian food - notVery good Italian food - not the best I've ever had but very satisfying. Nice ambiance. Only downside was our server seemed a bit overworked and didn't come around to ask if we wanted to order/needed anything quite as frequently as I would have liked.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMCorso has top notch food withCorso has top notch food with great seasonal menus. The first time we ate their I was sold, and I knew I had to come back to see what they would have on their next menu. The staff is responsive and attentive, and they are really knowledgable about their wines, but I'm not a wino so unfortunately I wish they had a better selection of birras! I have to say that the portions are small, my fiancé had to order two servings of his entree to get full, but he liked it so much he ate it twice! The baked polenta with marscapone is to die for.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMSo good! A real gem!Branzino was excellent. Panna cotta the best there is. Staff is most helpful. We love it!4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMWe found this restaurant byWe found this restaurant by 'accident' as another favorite is closed on Tuesdays, and we were very impressed - the food was excellent: we had dinner (blue nose sea bass, Branzino and Cotoletta Milanese, plus a pasta dish to share as appetizer and a coppa amarena for dessert), and the wait staff could not have been any more pleasant.
Excellent dining experience! Next time we will book a table earlier so we can get in at a later dinner time (5:15pm is too early for dinner for us).4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had run into traffic, butWe had run into traffic, but the restaurant accommodated our late arrival. We were meeting with another couple to discuss some plans and had the room (not too crowded) and proper noise level to do so. All of that is on top of the excellent food. It was a new place for all of us since none of us lives in Berkeley, and we were delighted. It is also super close to Freight and Salvage (where we were going) and Berkeley Rep -- another plus.3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMMy cousins from NYC were amazed.My cousins from NYC were amazed. Nothing like it in Manhattan.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMGem in BerkeleyThis small, classic Italian restaurant serves beautifully prepared and presented food. The salads, appetizers, pastas, and main dishes all shine, and the panna cotta dessert is among the best I have ever tasted. I especially recommend the branzino whole fish, and the petrale sole. The gnocci is amazing as well.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat and even improving with ageUnlike many restaurants, Corso just gets better with age. The food is Italian, of course, with all the local sourcing you would expect in Berkeley -- or in small-town Italy, for that matter. You cannot go wrong with even something as simple as chicken liver crostini (made with vin santo to counteract the intensity of capers and anchovies) or as delicate as petrale sole. The 500 ml carafes of wine are also a nice touch.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMI dine regularly at Corso.I dine regularly at Corso. I generally sit at the bar because my visits are solo or meeting just one. Since my friend had never been to Corso, we took a table. Had a fantastic waiter, Brian, who made some recommendations. He was attentive but allowed us to maintain our conversation.
Each course was well presented and quite tasty. The service and food quality are consistent so I'd recommend it to everyone except that I'm finding it difficult to get a reservation now :-)3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMDisappointed in BerkeleyHonestly, I was disappointed! We went for our anniversary and it just wasn't special. I had butter/lemon chicken, not an inspired choice, true but seriously? It was a chicken breast, floured, and sautéed in butter....with a small slice of lemon on the side. That is it. That little voice "I can do that" couldn't help but speak up. It was tasty, but 3 large tablespoons of butter makes anything taste good.
My husband had lamb and very easy to please tastes. He said it was bland, and it was.
We had side dishes beans and escarole, again very bland. Spinach was actually bitter, which is hard to do.
I sooo wish it had been better.1/1/0001 4:00:00 PM