Trattoria CorsoPerfect Friday NightWe arrived a few minutes late for our reservation and was greeted with kindness and warmth. We decided to sit at the counter overlooking the kitchen, which is a great way to see the menu before you even order. The Italian wine list is spectacular and a welcome change to the predominantly California selections I usually see. The food was absolutely delicious, from the head-on shrimp appetizer to the whole grilled fish and house cured salami plate. Though we didn't have the pastas, though the dishes that I saw going to tables looked wonderful, and I'll certainly try one next time. Gracious service and a comfortable fun atmosphere make this Berkeley spot a perfect night out.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways Consistent!Love Corso's - the place we go to when we want to have Comfort Food: reliable high quality eats, great staff, good environs,and terrific wines. Nothing to worry about ever; the customer service is superb.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMMore authentic than mostWe spent some time in Florence recently eating well, and so we were very interested to see how Corso measured up to their promise of Florentine cuisine. We were pleased. The dishes with the more delicate pasta forms were somewhat overdone but the flavors were authentic. The risotto was nicely cooked and flavorful, the appetizers were good and the selection of wine by the bottle and glass had many appealing choices. We would definitely return to Corso.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMdelicioso!food was creative and delicious. service could not have been better. hope to return again and again.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMButtered ChickenThe buttered chicken is to die for and the flourless chocolate cake is out of this world!6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMItalian Fare with an Urban FlareFound this gem based on high Zagat Rating on food and was not disappointed. Very fresh menu with authentic italian dishes created with a hint of artistry. I've been told the menu changes based on what is freshest and most appropriate for the season. I can only speak on what was on the menu during my visit and it was delicious. There were so many great items on the menu that my husband and I tried more dishes than normal since we couldn't decide (2 antipasto, 2 salads, a primi, a secondi, and a side order of the most fabulous polenta w/asiago cheese). Yum! The atmosphere was very warm and inviting yet had an upscale feel to it. Definitely can't miss with this place. Mangia! Mangia!6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfectThe Caesar salad was exactly right, not too zingy and not oily -- a rare achievement to get something so elemental absolutely right. The stuffed squash blossoms were so inspired I considered canceling everything else and having more squash blossoms for a main course, and for dessert, too. But I'm glad we didn't because the branzino was crisp on the outside and succulent inside, and the side order of cauliflower was the most elegant comfort food. The wines were perfectly paired since my friend had asked for advice, and the service was smooth, knowledgeable, charming, bemused, and correct. If I lived in Berkeley, I'd probably tear the kitchen out of my house and just eat here.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent foodA lovely dining experience,with vey inventive dishes,and moderately priced.
Their wine list is excellent,and reasonable,especially by the carafe5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMCorso is one of our favoriteCorso is one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants. Their menu is not extensive, but everything is delicious. The service is friendly and informative. Love the Chocolate budino !!5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMDeliciousThe 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 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 AMGood Food - No FrillsA short, frequently changing, menu of well prepared rustic Italian food - one of the best, if not the best, Italian restaurants in the East Bay. The room is nothing special; it can get very noisy; and the service is spotty - but the food is consistently good. If you're one of those people who just wants a good meal and the heck with the frills - Trattoria Corso is your kind'a place.4/22/2013 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 AMMust have the chicken!Love, love, love the butter roasted chicken breast!!!4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMcordial at Corso'sFriendly, attentive, and the food was good, even though in small portions;
Wine prices were for the most part high, but there were a few alternatives,
All in all, the four of us had a good experience.4/13/2013 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 AMGood Rustic Italian FoodSolid four star rustic Italian food, (although sometimes the chef gets a little heavy handed with the salt), at three star prices - the short menu changes frequently and there's almost always something a little unusual. It's a small place and there are a lot of hard edges - it can get pretty loud. The wine list is interesting, but there aren't many bargains - if you like to BYOB, this is a place to do it. Service is friendly, but not necessarily efficient - if you're uncomfortable bringing your needs to the attention of your server, you may wait a VERY LONG time before s/he notices.3/1/2013 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