Best Cozy Restaurants in Pinole

Your prototypical neighborhood restaurant and bar that’s achieved something of a landmark status over the years (thus, attracting patrons and actual tourists from greater distances) for serving hearty meals, providing warm attentive service (by waitstaff, some of who have decades of tenure) and by offering a level of conviviality, bonhomie and ambience that makes you feel as if you’re dining with family and friends. Please forgive the evident bias in my review. I’ve been a proud “member” of The Casa (as it’s known by we locals) Family since 1971.

It was a cold, rainy and raw evening so entering Via del Corso was a welcoming relief to the harsh external conditions. The enthusiastic and genuine smile of the hostess instantly made me forget about the weather. Claudia, my waiter, was exceptional: Thoughtful, attentive, very knowledgeable of the wine list & menu and responsive. I ordered the Lattuga (Little Gem) salad, Ravioli Stuffed with Braised Oxtail and paired it with a bottle of 2019 Brunello Montalcino, a perfectly structured Brunello. I finished dinner with the delicious Budino Di Cioccolato, which paired nicely with my Brunello. After such an exquisite dinner, I bravely faced the rain and high winds as I waited for my Uber. Verdict: Don’t let bad weather stop you from enjoying a wonderful dinner at your favorite restaurants in the EB. Make that reservation; call your Uber or Lyft; and enjoy yourselves while supporting our fine restaurants.

One of our party has food limitations and prefers firm fish, dishes without alliums and low to moderate spices. The only main course on the menu available with those restrictions was the Kingfish and , at $45, it was overpriced for its value. Other than that the rest of the food, the service, atmosphere and overall experience was excellent. It’s probably our fault for not checking the menu but, as this was a special occasion, the reservation was made in advance.

Great for the Jazz brunch. Highly recommend. The jazz combo was lovely and we could still talk.

Excellent food and service! Wish there was some traditional jamon. Otherwise, awesome happy hour deal.