“Important news flash: they do BRUNCH in addition to incredible dinners. I could write a whole post on how amazing and lovely this is as a date spot for dinner and how much I freaking love their salads and gluten free pizzas (possibly my favorite one in the bay), but this is about brunch.We had no idea they did brunch and when we looked at the menu for it online, it didn’t list any mains. But we went anyway and were blown away. I’m adding a pic of the actual brunch menu so you can see the real selection offered.Y’all, they have a BREAKFAST PIZZA and I promise it’s even better than you would imagine. Do you like breakfast? Do you like pizza? This is a heavenly chimera of two of life’s greatest joys.?? Don’t sleep on the brunch! But also the perfect date spot. Get yourself a restaurant that can do both, and support local.The owner was there during our visit and went out of his way to create an excellent experience. Also, the patio is very dog friendly ?Dietary restrictions: The best gluten free pizzas in the area“
“First time I had Lucia's pizza was at their pop up at the Grand Lake farmers market in oakland, and completely fell in love with the 4 cheese pizza! Decided to try the restaurant a couple of months ago and the didn't disappoint! Pizza was delicious and staff were super nice and friendly! Totally recommend them if you're looking to have a legit Italian pizza experience!“
“Dropped in during an unexpected encounter - I was drawn in from the sidewalk and wanted to know more. I liked the interior a lot - it was bright, clean, open, the walls were adorned with various photographs, from the tables, chairs, lighting fixtures, to the way the condiments were placed out on the tables, everything carried my eyes to wander and admire. I entered during a time when there was only one other person waiting for a to-go order. The guy who was working was nice - especially when I kept asking questions. All of the food looked great, well-stocked, and the display they had showing its name was well read. There was a lot I wanted to try, but I limited myself to two slices of their pizzas. - Capricciosa $7 (one of their most popular ones - mushrooms, olives, artichoke, mozzarella, and ham) - San Daniele $7.50 (this might be a seasonal one as its not listed on their website - had prosciutto and arugula) Checking in on the Yelp app, I received a free piece of their focaccia bread which he cut in two pieces for me. I would love to come back here for their aperitivo (happy hour) which is held from 4-6:30pm. I find that this place is great for a quick bite, grab n' go, and dining in for the cool atmosphere. There are a few two person tables which could be combined together for a larger group and a few bar tables along the wall which is good for two people, along with a few cute tables for outside dining which I'd love to see more of in the state of California. The food tasted amazing! Shared and eaten once I arrived home. I wish I had gotten more to try!“
“Seeking fantastic southern Italian foods? This is the place! My 1st time here.. they had newly opened on a Friday, I came in on Saturday back in the 80's... I've been returning ever since. The meatballs are Off the Hook! For sure You will find something you like! No disappointments here!“
“Vegetarian options: I had the Mount Etna salad and it was one of the best salads I've ever had! Really colourful with interesting textures and flavours, and warm ingredients were welcome on a cold rainy day! There were lots of other vegetarian options that looked tempting too.“
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“We did take out of a pie - large - and haven’t eaten it yet. Very soon! We took a chance with the online number guess and lost. Our consolation price was a free large salad - Yay. Because the place is so new the manager didn’t know about the salad offer but as soon as he read my offer on my phone he had staff make up a beautiful salad for us to take home. Nice customer service.“
“Gypsy's Trattoria Italiana at UC Berkeley is a total win! Always hit them up for their lasagna or Godfather pasta - never disappoints. Fresh, fast, and oh-so-good. Bummed they stopped Uber Eats to my area, but still worth the trip. Also, check out the pool hall across the street. Solid gold!“
“We wanted a good restaurant close to the Berkeley Playhouse, which had an excellent rendition of Rent, and we were not disappointed with Donato&Co. One of the best things about this restaurant is the wine list – you can get any glass, carafe, or bottle of wine. This is a rarity, especially in the bay area, and it gives you a full spectrum of choices to enjoy. Food was excellent, Including a fantastic black truffle appetizer over a flan like cheese and toasted Parmesan. Pastas were fresh and delicious. Great server who provided excellent recommendations. Highly recommended! “
“A Birthday Celebration to RememberI recently celebrated my girlfriend's birthday at Passione Emporio, and the experience was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we walked in, it was evident that this restaurant knows how to make special occasions truly memorable.The food was simply amazing, and the service exceeded our expectations. Our server was not only attentive but also took the time to explain each dish with great detail, enhancing our overall dining experience. We opted for the trilogia and the pork belly, and both dishes were nothing short of perfection. The flavors were rich, and the presentation was impeccable.The dessert menu offered a tempting array of options, and we decided to indulge in the tiramisu and profiteroles. Each bite was a delight, showcasing the skill and expertise of the kitchen. It's evident that Passione Emporio takes pride in offering a diverse and delectable selection of desserts.To complement our meal, we explored the extensive wine list. The variety was impressive, and what stood out was the honest pricing. Passione Emporio offers a wide range of wines that cater to different preferences without breaking the bank.Overall, our evening at Passione Emporio was a delightful celebration. The combination of fantastic food, attentive service, and a well-curated wine list made it an experience we won't soon forget. If you're looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy an exquisite meal, Passione Emporio is the perfect choice. Five stars without a doubt!“
“A long overdue review as I came here in May for BRW to go. We got 4 BRW prix fixe menu for $40 each for us and my parents and added a lamb shank from their regular menu as well. The mushroom soup was light and flavorful with every sip due to the porcini broth. Since I rarely fry things myself, anytime I see arancini available, I almost always get them and these definitely did not disappoint. Three of us got the crab raviolis which just like the soup was delicious from the first bite to the last. The porchetta was good but personally I preferred those crab raviolis instead. Since my dad loves lamb shanks, we had to order one to try and it was dad approved. For dessert, it was 50/50 chocolate torte and blood orange panna cotta. For chocolate lovers, that torte is decadent and satisfying. For non-chocolate lovers, that panna cotta was a great alternate, but again for me, chocolate was the way to go.“
“The Italian homemade company is some of the best Italian food I’ve had in the Berkeley area!Their Gnocchi was super fresh tasting and their pesto sauce was very nicely balanced. I will say that the portion was smaller than expected for $17.50 Rate:8.2/10Their meat lasagna with Bolognese was spectacular! Very filling portion size and I appreciate that it came out piping hot. The ratio of bechamel/meat/pasta was fantastic with my only criticism being that it could’ve used some (more?) cheese between the layers. Rate 9/10Tiramisu. Not traditional in any sense but superb! Lady fingers were more dry than I’m used to for sure. 9.3/10Vegetarian options: All sauces have dietary restrictions listed next to themKid-friendliness: The build-your-own pasta aspect of things is super kid friendly“
“We ran out of the restaurant because we had a tired toddler about to cry and I don’t like disrupting customers, but we took our food to go. I made two stops yet when I got home our pasta was still al dente and warm, my lobster ravioli was decadent. My children devoured the pappardelle alla bolognese and my toddler adored the butter noodles ❤️ the service was great, I was a momma struggling and they were kind and patient. Thank you ?“
“This was a celebration of International Women's Day for a group of close neighbors, some of whom had not experienced Corso before. The hostess greeting was perfection, as was Vito, our server, Michael our expeditor, and the food was superb❣️ The perfect evening for gratitude to our Women!“