Rivoli Restaurant

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1539 Solano Avenue (at Around Town)
Berkeley, CA 94707

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(510) 526-2542
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Rivoli Restaurant - Berkeley, CA
Rivoli Restaurant - Berkeley, CA
Rivoli Restaurant - Berkeley, CA
Rivoli Restaurant - Berkeley, CA
Rivoli Restaurant - Berkeley, CA
Rivoli Restaurant - Berkeley, CA
Rivoli Restaurant - Berkeley, CA
Rivoli Restaurant - Berkeley, CA
Rivoli Restaurant - Berkeley, CA
Reviews
( 7 )
( 6 )
( 3 )
( 0 )
( 2 )

Best

Rivoli is not to be missed!!! Each dish is prepared with soul and elegance. It really seems as if the chef takes pride in each dish they turn out. The pumpkin gnocchi appetizer,...

Worst

I've been to Rivoli several times and am only treated well if I'm with a friend of mine whose parents are long and loyal customers. Otherwise, the whole atmosphere is very snobby ...

Worst Customer Service in the East Bay 9/16/2008

I've been to Rivoli several times and am only treated well if I'm with a friend of mine whose parents are long and loyal customers. Otherwise, the whole atmosphere is very snobby and the waiters are terrible. One time we booked a reservation for my father's birthday and we had to wait 45 minutes. Once we got our table our elitist waiter said that he had ""taken the liberty to order an appetizer for us"". Great....\r Another time, we went on a Monday and there were clearly tables but they said they were booked and we had to sit up front...\r Terrible. more
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NOT TO BE MISSED!! 10/15/2007

Rivoli is not to be missed!!! Each dish is prepared with soul and elegance. It really seems as if the chef takes pride in each dish they turn out. The pumpkin gnocchi appetizer, chicken two ways and gingerbread cake are DEEELIIISH!!!! I'm from LA but I will be coming back to the Bay just to eat at Rivoli. more
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Great restaurant. The atmosphere is nice; the back dinin... 6/9/2007

Great restaurant. The atmosphere is nice; the back dining room has a view of a garden which lights up... more
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Great restaurant. The atmosphere is nice; the back dinin... 6/9/2007

Gemmy Provided by Partner
Great restaurant. The atmosphere is nice; the back dining room has a view of a garden which lights up nicely at night. In terms of appetizers - t... more
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An old favorite 1/12/2007

Rivoli is my favorite restaurant in the East Bay. The portobello mushroom fritters never disappoint, and most of the menu is very well executed. It is not Chez Panisse or Olivetto -- and does not try to be. But if you want interesting and satisfying food, a menu with reasonable variety, a very sensible wine list -- all at a reasonable (not cheap) price, Rivoli will not disappoint. Service is best when Roscoe is in the front of the house, but can be a little hit-and-miss at other times. more
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Parlez-vous Rivoli? 11/29/2006

In the mood for French? This little delight can be found on Solano Avenue. The restaurant is on the small... more
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Parlez-vous Rivoli? 11/29/2006

Peter Provided by Partner
In the mood for French? This little delight can be found on Solano Avenue. The restaurant is on the small side so call for reservations unless you ... more
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I love this resturant, balanced menu, good service 11/25/2006

Always pleased with the menu, fresh and comforting.\r Consistently good food and service always a pleasure\r Although the main room is small it overlooks a charming garden.\r more
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Good but better restaurants in the area 4/20/2006

Decent food but not much flare or pizzaz. Definitely not a good value. Would feel better if they hadn't charged as much. Appetizers and drinks were excellent. Main courses and dessert were pretty good. Service was fine but not memorable. more
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Incomparable food flavors 4/9/2006

I've been to Rivoli twice, and each time, the food flavors were perfect, and I don't use that word lightly. Moreover, all the flavors in each dish complement each other. There were several times during each meal that I simply withdrew from conversation, closed my eyes, and savored the symphony of tastes. From the appetizers (the portobello fritters are a must) to the main courses, through the smallest of desserts (who knew a 1-inch ball of pineapple sorbet could be so satisfying?), every taste is a delight. The cooks even accommodated my vegan friend, who thought her meal was scrumptious. The waiters know which wines to recommend, and the service is prompt and attentive. The ambiance is upscale casual, and the glassed-off garden is lovely to look at. You'll spend some coin here, but the meals and the memories are worth it. Pros: great food, v. good service, pleasant ambience Cons: cramped when full, on-street parking, expensive more
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Excellent all around 9/29/2005

I've visited this restaurant twice and had an outstanding experience both times. The restaurant is cozy and warm, but tables aren't so crowded that you feel you have no privacy. The service is excellent from start to finish. Both times I had waiters who were attentive, answered all my questions and kept my water glass full. The food is exquisite. Although the menu is short (you can check their website for the weekly menu to make sure there's something you'll like), everything I've had there - seafood, pork, salads, appetizers, dessert - was excellent. The portions aren't skimpy; you'll leave there nice and full. It is a little pricey but definitely worth every penny. Be sure to make reservations - I went on a Wednesday night and they were packed. If you're taking a date, ask for a table by the glass door - you'll get a beautiful garden view. Pros: Service, Food, Ambiance Cons: Pricey more
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disappointed 8/14/2005

I was disappointed, mostly by the waiter and manager who were subtly snooty. The food is tasty, but a little on the oily/heavy side. We were one of the earlier seatings but waited almost 10 minutes with no water or bread while people who were seated after us got their orders taken. I made the mistake of ordering ""Belgian endive and arugula salad with bleu D'auvergne, candied walnuts, nectarine and champagne walnut vinaigrette."" Who knows what ""bleu D'auvergne"" means? I don't eat blue cheese so ended up picking out each piece. more
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A terrific East Bay restaurant 6/21/2005

My wife and I have dined at Rivoli with other couples four times in the past 9 months. Each time we have found the food to be wonderful -- creative, fresh, interesting, and plentiful. The interior is pleasant, though the tables are a bit close together, and the service has been very good. Prices are extremely reasonable for what you get. Pros: Food , Prices, Dining experience more
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Goodbye to Rivoli 11/11/2004

I have been a devoted fan of Rivoli since it opened, but after several disappointing meals there recently, I don't plan on going back. The food can still be very good, though less dependably now. But it's the rest of the experience - the long waits (even w/reservation) in the uncomfortable and busy waiting area, the tightly crammed tables in the dining room, and the rude service, that are turn-offs. The sharp and frosty attitude of the ""host"" at the podium especially gets things off to an bad start. For my money, there are so many other fine restaurants in the area that offer a warm welcome, delicious food and a relaxing environment, and that is where I will be in the future. Pros: Food Cons: , Long Waits, Cramped Seating more
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great food, excellent service 5/11/2004

i've been there once, but it really impressed me.simple menu, and they change their menu quite often. i tried their fried mushroom, it was fantastic, juicy and crispy. i also recommend their chocolate cake dessert too, it might be too sweet for some people but i really like it too. i highly recommended to make reservation before you go, because i've been there three more times without any reservation and i cant get a spot to eat. it is a tiny restaurant with just about 60 seats only. service was fantastic too, i believed they have about 6-7 servers to serve only like 10-12 tables. Pros: good food, great service Cons: , small dining room more
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wonderful! 11/12/2003

wow, we had such a great dinner here last weekend. having recently moved to the east bay, we've noticed that the service is often horribly lacking in many restaurants. Rivoli was like a breath of fresh air. everyone was so nice and we felt perfectly comfortable all night. The food was mouth watering and done very well. all in all a great experience! Pros: great service, awesome food Cons: need reservations, quiet atmosphere more
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The Best!!! 10/26/2003

Definitely one of the best restaurants in the Bay Area. Food was scrumptious, service was excellent, and ambience was very very comfortable. Pros: Food, Service Cons: Parking more
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god stuff 8/7/2002

The food is well executed and imaginative, the service is attentive without being overbearing, the decor is nice, and in the evening, the raccoon parade through the picture window is a treat. more
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Menu for Rivoli Restaurant


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Families and couples jostle past academic types enjoying informal service at the bar and head to the simply decorated dining room, with views of the shaded back garden. The Chez...

  • 5/27/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday To Thursday From 05:30 PM To 09:30 PM Friday From 05:30 PM To 10:00 PM Saturday From 05:00 PM To 10:00 PM Sunday From 05:00 PM To 09:00 PM
  • Payments: Discover, Master Card, Visa, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: Albany, Berkeley Hills
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