Eccolo--CLOSED

We happened upon this charmer of a restaurant for lunch during a shopping excursion, and it was so terrific, we made dinner reservations. For lunch, we had a delicious chopped salad with roquefort and chicken breast, and a yummy roast pork panino. The dinner menu was more varied, and delicious. We loved our heirloom tomato and romano bean salad, and a great antipasto plate. Ligurian fish stew and grilled rabbit were wonderful, and a simple plate of perfectly ripe plums and figs made our dessert. wine by the glass were reasonably priced and complemented the dishes we chose. Pros: Pretty room, Good parking, Great Food more

It's even better than most restaurants in Rome at that! Chris Lee's cooking is superb, imaginative and truly elegant. I have never eaten a dish at Eccolo that I didn't like and remember for a long time thereafter. The Tuscan fries with sage and rosemary are to die for, the stuffed zucchini flowers are worth the trip alone, and the risotto melts in your mouth. Zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta and fresh herbs are a similar delight. It's light food, it's fresh food, it's natural food. My favorite. Pros: great food, great atmosphere Cons: service can be iffy, too far from SFO more

Since its opening over a year ago, Eccolo has straightened out the occasional kinks of its first few months of service, about which there were justifiable complaints. Without any shadow of doubt, it now serves the best and most original food in the entire Bay Area, bar none - and including San Francisco. Chris Lee's cuisine is sensuous, refined, succulent - and always refreshing. Unfortunately, it is also very addictive . . . I wish I could eat there 365 days a year! The dishes represent personal and original favorites, tending mainly to Californian and nouvelle Italian - and Nouvelle-Lee. A real winner. Pros: kids-friendly, good free parking, romantic more

The food wasn't terrible, but it certainly wasn't good, and it was terribly overpriced. The menu, in an effort to be interesting, has sacrificed taste. I won't go back. Cons: overpriced, food isn't good more

I was very excited to try eccolo as it has been remodeled very nicely. However the service was too cute and insincere for its price category. staff needs some work as the food is less than exceptional. more

I loved the location, loved the ambiance, loved the service, loved the idea of a great Italian place in Berkeley. It's the kind of place you could REALLY enjoy for Tuesday night, but with Saturday night prices. I'll definitely go back! Pros: location, ambiance Cons: price, unauthentic italian more

Considering the pedigree of the chef, this place should be better. Mind you, it's not bad and I go here often, but it lacks flair and deep flavors and that WOW factor. It's kind of just functional. Pros: nice spacious room, open air, not crowded tables -- Cons: , no parking for lunch more

After another Untermann rave review, I had high hopes especially given the Chez Panisse roots of Chef Lee. Things started out with a spectacular lemon rosemary bread (from Della Frattoria in Petaluma) and an awesome Clerico Barbera which the waitress decanted for us in a superb decanter. Unfortunately, my duck was unacceptably over-salted and undercooked to the point of being tough and sinewy, difficult to cut even with a steak knife. I believe the delicious rich, dark, deep smokey flavor of duck is not achieved until the meat nearly begins falling off the bone (as Julia Child's steam-roasted method!). Eccolo's, however, disappointed: $25.00. Pros: Fabulous Bread, Warm Service, Great Location Cons: , Undercooking, Just OK Desserts more

Our reservations were for 7:30. We were seated at 8:00. You expect that in SF but not in Berkeley. The waitress mixed up our food order, never brought simple things like sugar for iced tea when asked 3x! The waitress brought one entree 10 minutes after the rest of us got our entrees. Like some of the other reviews it just took way to long and the staff looked like they were all lost. They did take our first round of drinks off the bill but it still did nothing for our mood. It just was not a good experience. more

I'm surprised to see so many negative reviews of Eccolo, and I think they stem from some less than sophisticated expectations. The menu is small and focused, and when the food is at its best, it's astonishingly good. There are a few oversights, like no seasoning on some of the fried items (which I guess could quickly ruin your opinion of a dish), and a so-so slab of beef at $32. But, the bollito misto and the grilled tuna were so perfect and tasty that I'd go back just to eat them again. Don't go to Eccolo ready to compare it to Chez Panisse or anything else--enjoy it for what is: beautifully prepared, simple, vibrant food. Pros: wonderful ingredients, great service Cons: , very limited menu more

It took us 2 1/2 hours to eat 3 courses!! Every course took at least 25 minutes to get to our table. And the food was not worth the wait, either. The fritto misto was bland and my pasta dish was SO dry. The only dish i actually enjoyed was the gelati which by the way took them 30 minutes to bring. How long does it take to scoop 3 scoops of ice cream into a bowl?! Definitely not worth the wait or the price. more

Went there for Sunday lunch. Menu looks good but when the food arrived, they were quite small. Pasta dish I had was too salty, so I returned it. I was brought the same dish but again it was way too salty. I'll try this place one more time. Pros: Good service more

i was apalled to read the review on ginger island. this is my favorite restaurant in berkeley and i would choose it over any other. the drinks are consisntently perfect with the bloody mary's with thier extra spice and whole crushed pieces of crushed ginger. and they come with a plastic palm tree as decoration. but their wasabi mashed potatoes are my other reason for being. the only come with certain entrees so choose wisely. i have had nothing but the best filet, and chicken and salmon here, and even my snobby aunt who thinks she is hoity toity was impressed. either way, i'm a serious fan of this place. you should be too. if not, your loss. :) Pros: ambient, trendy feel, good drinks Cons: pricey, ?? more