Eccolo
Berkeley, CA 94710
Phone: (510) 644-0444
- Price:
- $
- Cross Street:
- Hearst Avenue
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 11:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm, Fri 11:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm, Sat 11am--3pm, 5:30pm-- 10pm, Sun 11am--3pm, 5:30pm--9:30pm
Message from Eccolo
Featuring the former chef of Chez Panisse.
- Extensive wine list
- Brunch menu
- Perfect for private parties
Paid advertisement by Eccolo.
Editorial Review for Eccolo – by Scott Hocker
The Scene
Heavy maroon drapes mark the entrance to two dining areas. Dark hardwood floors and tables, plus light bulbs dangling from thin copper conduits lend an air of sophistication, while a partially open kitchen provides a peek into the culinary goings-on. Berkeley residents, from urbane professorial types to youngish parents toting newborns, fill the straight-backed chairs.
The Food
Christopher Lee's Cal-Italian menu revolves around pristine local ingredients. A simple salad of endive, frisee and endigia with rough-chopped chicken-liver toast is a sublimely dressed wonder, and a delicate house-made chicken galantina gets a zingy jolt from a spoonful of salsa verde. The trend continues in the mains: Juniper-rubbed, spit-roasted Liberty Farm duck, cooked above typical medium-rare, maintains its tenderness. Wild baked king salmon hums with a springtime accompaniment of English peas and fresh mint. The dessert selection includes silky hazelnut and pistachio gelati with espresso granita and a plate of dead-ripe seasonal fruit.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
When to GoThe bar begins serving libations at 2:30pm.
Save MoneyThe all-Italian wine list is reasonably priced, and corkage is $15.
User Reviews for Eccolo
02/17/2008 Posted by kulal
Eccolo has a relatively decent wine list with a focus on Italian wines. At the beginning, the waiter was quite helpful in regards to our wine selection. However as time went on and it became busier, it seemed the waiter was overworked. We had to wait almost an hour for our entree to come. For the price of the entree, the portion size and flavor was definitely lacking. We waited another 30-45 minutes for the waiter to order our dessert,which almost made up for the main dish. It had much more flavor and was almost bigger than our entrees. I would recommend Eccolo to someone looking for desserts and drinks, but not or a main course.
Pros: Desserts, Ambience, Drinks/Wine
Cons: Slow Service, Small Portions
03/27/2007 Posted by jmvan
I ate at Eccolo with a party of 7 on a recent Sunday evening. When we arrived at 5:30, the restaurant was maybe 1/4 full. It took a while, but our drink and dinner orders were taken and we were served water. Our wine arrived, then nothing happened for about 40 minutes. No refills on drinks, no appetizers.. When the appetizers finally arrived one was missing. We didn't do anything about it because we were just hoping dinner would arrive soon. 30 minutes later dinner finally arrived and we were shocked at the portion size. 3 of us had ordered a seafood stew that had a good flavor but almost no seafood in it. Another in our party had ordered a beef dish that again had good flavor, but was mostly lettuce/greens. Of course we wanted dessert after that, but had to track down a different waiter to get the dessert menu. I've never left a restaurant so hungry. There was a big party that started at around 6:15pm, and it seemed like all the staff was focused on that party. I would never eat here again.
Pros: Good location and ambience
Cons: Service, food
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