Corso Trattoria
1788 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 704-8004
Category: Italian
Neighborhoods: Gourmet Ghetto, North Berkeley
3 star rating
Just ate here on Wednesday nite, walked in around 6pm with 5 people (one child) and were seated immediately. Shortly after the last 2 top was gone and a line started to accumulate outside the door. So reservations or an early dinner are recommended.
Space was elegantly decorated if a little spartan. Noise levels were very loud, to the point of not hearing the other people across the table. We had to wait a little to order but the waiter was affable and got our drinks quickly. We ordered family style but everyone loved their own dish so I didn't share so much as just snatching quick bites off plates before the fork tines ended up in my hand.
Cauliflower Sformatino- mashed cheesy cauliflower goodness
Mixed salad- says it all, good dressing and fresh croutons
Fried calamari- crispy with tentacles, slices of meyer lemon, baby red onions, garlic
Bread (provided only on request -- stated on the menu) crusty & tasty but foccacia was dry and grainy.
Spinach sauteed w/ garlic and chili flakes- very plain
grilled fish- Whole fish, slices of meyer lemon, baby red onions (similar flavor profile to calamari appetizer just not fried. Next time I'll order only one of the two)
Kale soup- with sunny egg yolk & grilled bread (My sister loved it, but the couple next to us were grossed out by the idea of "raw" egg yolk in their soup and pulled it out)
braised beef- tender and succulent
pasta & butter- kid friendly, plain and initially too hot for tiny mouths
All in all very good food- solid B+, if a little ordinary. However service was harried and inattentive. I'll definitely go back, but can't give too glowing a review yet.