Riva Cucina - Berkeley

This is one of our aims to eat and they can never fulfill our expectations.

Varied and healthy menu. everything we have eaten was delicious. friendly and attentive staff. room between tables. perfect lighting.

Riva cucina was my place, it has now been checked several times, it is overcrowded, reserve. my salat with pancetta was in order, except the pancetta was much to overbid, could not chew, my porcetta was good. friend got seafood risotto, was meh! that was a nice place, now it seems to be suffering and lacking. server was great!

Everything was excellent, but the entrees were disappointing. The ambiance and service were superb. We started with 2 signature cocktails and the scallops, which were both excellent. The beet salad was good, but lacked an ingredient that pulled them all together... perhaps balsamic?? And I remembered the bread and olive oil in to be outstanding, but the bread was toasted instead of fresh... think this may have changed from before??? I ordered the seafood risotto, which was disappointing. The seafood was diced small and while the shrimp came out good, the rest was just ok. It was tomato based, but not very flavorful. My husband got the osso Buco,which was tender, but served over spinach instead of the roasted veggies. Again, just not very flavorful. We loved this place last time we came. Perhaps the chef changed? We may try one more time.

The food here was off the charts. We were a group of 7 and shared everything and I have to say the risotto and the pastas were some of the best we have ever had!!! And the service was fantastic. Definitely will be back, and soon.