rivoli on shattuck?

[blexo]

Just walked by the former Misto Italian Bistro and saw a liquor license change notice where the new owners are listed as Rivoli Restaurant Inc.

Anyone know if this is a move, or a new venture?

[grishnackh]

It almost has to be a new venture. Rivoli is far too popular and well-situated on Solano to move. How could they give up that space with the glassed-in garden out back?

[milklady]

Wow, that's really interesting. I don't remember the Misto Italian Bistro. What is the cross street (or neighborhood)?

[meemster]

It's on the west side of Shattuck between Francisco and Delaware, where Phoenix Pastificio used to be. Misto didn't last long there.

[wally]

Is that the place that used to be Phoenix Pastificio?

[santoku45]

Rivoli's current spot is a superior location, and must be a solid money maker. Every time I drive by it at night the front room is crowded. Maybe this new location will be an offshoot, less posh, more bistro-y.

[amydeastbay]

I happened to have reservations at Rivoli last night, so I asked about this. It is indeed a new venture, a more casual offshoot that will feature pizza, pasta, and small plates (I didn't get any further details about these). The owners expect to remain primarily at the existing restaurant on Solano, so I'm not sure who will be doing the cooking on Shattuck. I was told that they're hoping to open in April and will be serving lunch and dinner every day.

By the way, there was surprise that Chowhound was already reporting the new location. Apparently, the sign had gone up only the day before.

[santoku45]

"By the way, there was surprise that Chowhound was already reporting the new location. Apparently, the sign had gone up only the day before."

Truth be told, the "liquor license transfer placard" has a distinctive look. A Chowhounder driving by is obligated to slam on the brakes, flip on the flashers, leap out and see who the new owner will be, then feed us the news. Especially good news like this.

[grishnackh]

Thanks for the info, guys! I look forward to trying their more casual venture when it opens.

[Claudette]

LOL, santoku45! And one of the best reasons to be a CH!

[kmah]

Corso's chef is Elaine Rivera, who spent many years at Oliveto. I think they're new opening date is around June 12th.

[Melanie Wong]

Per Wendy Brucker this afternoon at the Slow Food event, Corso will open tomorrow, Monday, June 9. Plan is 7 days a week, lunch and dinner.

[Robert Lauriston]

Today's Chron reports it will be called Corso, will serve Florentine specialties, and should open May 1.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article...

[ggdweller]

Just read the Chron snippet... I would HIGHLY recommend to the owners that they consider a slightly more extensive remodel than what was described in that article. I thought the Misto decor was just terrible. Personally, I don't think the decor at Rivoli is anything to write home about -- except for the gorgeous garden, or course. I forgive them this because the food is so good. But I think they are doomed to fail if they don't chic-up that Shattuck space a bit. I think Cesar and Fonda have been so successful because they provide great food and drink in a sophisticated environment that is largely absent from the East Bay, and certainly from Berkeley.

I live just a couple blocks from there and have my fingers crossed! I hope it injects a little culinary adrenaline into the 'hood.

By the way, does anyone know anything about the wine and dessert bar that just put a "proposed development" sign up across the street and just south of the soon-to-be Corso, in one of the brand new condo/retail spaces?

[santoku45]

Totally agree. That dreary and darkish interior of Misto was as off-putting as the food. Time to raise the bar.

[Robert Lauriston]

The Pastificio cafe was charming during the day.

Cesar and Fonda make much of their money on their (full) bars. This space doesn't have a liquor license and getting one seemed to be problematic for the Pastificio folks.

[Morton the Mousse]

Pastaificio's licensing problems were unrelated to the location of the cafe, and will probably not apply to future owners of the restaurant space.

[keg]

The same license "problem" will not apply to the Wendy and Roscoe.

[chemchef]

Has anyone been by Corso recently? Is it still scheduled to open May 1st?

[meemster]

I went by it last week and there was nothing new posted. I'll stroll by when I get coffee today and see if there is anything new. The latest development I've seen was putting brown paper up on the windows.

[Salty Bear]

Corso, the new restaurant will have a liquor license without a doubt and is still planning to open around the beginning of May but they are still doing construction so they have not firmly set the date.
I also hope they spruce the place up a lot. Misto was just awful and their food was horrible and overpriced.

I am also curious about the wine and chocolate bar opening across the street from Corso. If anyone has any information I would be very interested.

[Morton the Mousse]

Walked by today.

Per a sign on the door, Corso will open for dinner on Tuesday, June 10 at 5pm.

Lunch and Brunch are "coming soon."

[Scott M]

Website is still under construction but here is the link for future reference.

http://www.trattoriacorso.com/

[bigchowfun]

Dinner @ Corso June 11
Had an unexpectedly child free evening and decided to check out Corso based upon Morton's post. Arrived about 6:45, restaurant was full, but we only had to wait about 5 minutes for a table. The restaurant has an open kitchen with a counter, a separate bar area, and what appears to be a communal table.

The menu is totally a la carte, divided into antipasti, primi, secondi, pizza, contorni, and desserts. The wine list is totally Italian, but appears to be very reasonably priced. Selections are appropriately limited to the size of the restaurant with 4 to 5 selections in each category.

We split a pizza funghi to start ($12) - crisp, charred crust, very flavorful, with a touch of truffle oil. We had pasta with sugo ($9.50), a luscious slow cooked pork/beef combination and the bollito with salsa verde ($15), not a misto, but a generous portion of slow cooked, melt in your mouth beef. For sides, we chose polenta with mascarpone and spinach prepared with garlic and olive oil ($6 each). Both were delicious.

It's still a work in progress. We found the noise level higher than we would have liked. They said that they're looking at toning it down a bit. And there were a couple of service missteps, but overall a fine experience that will only get better.

The bad news: no reservations, so once the word gets out, be prepared to wait.

Almost forgot the dessert - a carmelized pear served with a vin santo based sauce with a little whipped cream - absolutely heavenly!

[chocolatetartguy]

How soon is soon? Are they doing lunch yet?

[Robert Lauriston]

Probably not, since they've been open only a week.

[megek]

I tried out Corso last night. It was quite busy (we waited 1/2 hour plus at about 6:45/7pm on a Thursday). Some small kinks to work out as far as service, but the food was all tasty and I will definitely try it again (maybe after it settles down some – it’s only been open a week and a half). I think part of the wait was more due to slowish service sorting things out, but it was full inside.

3 people, bill $81 before tax and tip

1 mixed greens with balsamic – simple (just greens) but nicely dressed and nice lettuce mix
2 romaine salads, one with anchovy vinagraitte, one with balsamic – pronounced tasty, one friend ordered hers with the balsamic instead since she fears anchovies, but tasted the anchovy one and enjoyed that too. Nice croutons.
1 cauliflower soufflé – nice intense cauliflower flavor, not super light in texture but really quite tasty. Polished it off quickly.
1 spinach – perfectly cooked, nice and garlic-y with yummy olive oil
1 fagioli beans – melt apart soft yet held there shape. Nice earthy flavor and well seasoned. Sopped it up with bread.
1 braised beef with chili verde sauce – healthy portion, also pronounced delicious (I didn’t try)
1 shrimp dish – lovely shrimps nestled on a bed of beans and crostini (looked like garbanzos?)
1 mirror pond ale
1 glass abbruzo wine – nice, inexpensive glass ($5?). I like that you can do ½ glasses, whole glasses, or half carafes.

All in all, potentially a great addition to the neighborhood.