Dinner at Rivoli on Solano Ave., Albany
Though we did not have reservations on Thursday, husband and I were fortunate to snag a 2 top in the bar/entrance area around 6:30. We had not been here in 5 years, primarily because we are rarely in this part of town. We've always enjoyed our meals here, and tonight was no exception. We ordered the mushroom fritters and the brandade gnocchi with a lobster cream sauce. The gnocchi was the lightest I'd ever had and the lobster sauce was fabulous. We kept dipping the excellent bread into that sauce. For my main course, I ordered the chicken roulade stuffed with cornbread, with a large serving of bright spinach and creamy grits. The grits, like the gnocchi, were unbelievably light and flavorful. Husband ordered the Mediterranean plate with lamb, couscous and a bisteeya filled with duck meat (excellent). For dessert we shared the hot fudge sundae. Service was attentive. The main dining room was full of folks celebrating graduations. We walked out wondering why it took us 5 years to come back here.
Inquired about the new restaurant and was told that June 10 is the new scheduled opening date. It will be a Florentine bistro. Can't wait.
By anli
on May 26, 2008 11:02 AM
View »
Topic on Corso, their new place on Shattuck:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/491328
-----
Rivoli Restaurant
1539 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94707
Permalink | Reply
Thanks for the report. That gnocchi sounds great. I've wondered about that seating in the front. Do you think it would be okay for a couple to sit there and share a few apps, without ordering a full meal? Or would that get us dirty looks? It would be fun to drop by on the spur of the moment without spending too much.
Permalink | Reply
The last time I was at Rivoli, the front was so packed with people that it was hard to imagine hanging out at the bar.
Permalink | Reply
We went to Rivoli on impulse last night after a movie since Nizza had closed early and we wanted a quiet place. At around 9:15 on a Wednesday the place was almost full but they had a couple of two-tops in the main dining room. I didn't much care for the crowded entrance / bar area, probably would have gone elsewhere rather than sit there.
Purée of artichoke soup, truffle oil, shaved parmesan ($8.50) was very good, just a mild artichoke flavor. The portabella mushroom fritters with aïoli, parmesan, arugula and caper vinaigrette ($9.75) were great as always.
Wild mushroom cannelloni, ricotta, rainbow chard, rouille, roast shiitake mushrooms, fonduta, toasted breadcrumbs, parmesan ($17.50) were great, one of the best vegetarian entrées I've had in a while. Oddly, the rouille gave it a sort of Mexican touch. Sonoma Liberty duck breast in blood orange "jus" (seems more like an old-school demi-based sauce) with confit leg and thigh, polenta and pecorino sformatino, slow braised collard greens, and duck cracklings ($23.95) was wonderful.
With a $35 bottle of excellent Château Falfas 2005 Côte de Bourg, the total bill was $95 before tax and tip, which I thought was an excellent value.
My only sort-of complaint is that the food's richer than I'm usually in the mood for, though it's nice once in a while.
-----
Rivoli Restaurant
1539 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94707
Permalink | Reply