Divino - Berkeley

[evacarleton]

I was excited to find out that a new restaurant is opening up on University (where Fellini used to be). It will be Italian (inspired by Ligurian Food - yummy, yummy) using fresh and exciting ingredients. They have a facebook page as of now, have some proposed menus up (sound great to me!) and will open sometime in December. And, in addition to many other things, they will make fresh pasta and pizza - also available gluten free. I can't wait to try it out.

[chocolatetartguy]

When I drove by at 8:15 last night they were open and crowded.

[kzukor]

The phone message says they will open February 26th for dinner.

[chocolatetartguy]

Yes. When I passed by on the way home last night, I poked my head in and they confirmed that they would open on Sunday evening.

[milklady]

Exactly. I happened to meet one of the two chefs last night, and she said the same thing. They are hoping for a community meeting place type of vibe, where everyone wants to come. They are particularly excited about their pizza ovens.

[rworange]

I had a valid question removed due to over due diligence, so i'll answer it myself since I called Divino for another reason.

Though the sample menu on the facebook page looks a bit like Fellini's this place has zero to do with that restaurant.

I asked about whether they had sand dabs like the sample online and he said yes ... but ... then went on an enthusiastically about the shrimp they have. i'd suggest to anyone going .... get the shrimp.

They really are such nice people. This was my second call and each time they were just so pleasant. I'll have to try to get over there sometimes next week.

I was hoping they had Sunday brunch, but it won't start for a few weeks. The dinner hours aren't working so much for me currently so looking forward to hearing what people try there.

[Robert Lauriston]

Nothing to do with Fellini. The manager and one of the chefs own the new liquor license. Divino's menu includes red meat, Fellini drew the line at poultry and fish.

[milklady]

I can't find the facebook page and sample menus. Do you have a link?

[rworange]

Just because I like you, just this one time
http://www.facebook.com/Divino.Berkel...

[milklady]

thanks!

[JesseLou]

Has anyone eaten at Divino yet? I'd love to hear a review.

[Rapini]

They have a Facebook page that suggests they may have just opened, or are about to--hard to tell.

[wolfe]

I walked by recently and they didn't look close to being ready but who knows. In Berkeley the building is easy it's the permits that will kill you.
http://www.divinoberkeley.com/

[chocolatetartguy]

I pass by twice each day on my way to and from my mother's. They are definitely not open yet. They did open the coffee bar, but as far as renovation goes, I have always seen only the same guy working inside by himself.

[Robert Lauriston]

Fellini already had all the permits. Opening a new restaurant in one that recently closed doesn't usually require much paperwork.

[susancinsf]

Does anyone know if there is a relation to Divino in Belmont (which in turn is related to Bacco in San Francisco?)

[Robert Lauriston]

The chef-owner of the Belmont place is Vincenzo Cucco The chefs at Divino are Joan Gallagher and Richard Bartlett and the GM is Marco Polo Garbarino.

[chocolatetartguy]

That spot (1.5 blocks from my mom's house) seems to be death to restaurants. I usually pass by there on my way home from work around 8 and back in the day Fellini was always packed. Lately not at all. I don't recall a successful restaurant there since Tingo's burger joint occupied the place in the 60's. They had a light-up map of the US?

[Robert Lauriston]

Links:

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Fellini
1401 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702

Divino
1401 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702