Livermore and San Ramon Valley diners are blessed with a variety of quality Italian restaurants, most with a different spin on classic dishes.
Dublin’s entry to the group is Berevino Italian Pub located across the road from the east entrance to the Hacienda Crossings Shopping Center. It’s in the prime corner location of the strip center that is home to a wide range of businesses. We dined there for lunch the Friday before Christmas, when it was not very busy.
The meal started with a tasty dipping sauce of olive oil spiked with herbs and minced along with a warm sliced baguette. I stuck with my normal bourbon that was enhanced by a single large ice cube. My daughter and dining companion selected a tasty signature cocktail, The Red Lantern, with vodka, St. Germain, pomegranate juice, lime and soda. She thoroughly enjoyed it.
As is often our custom, we started with Fritto Misto ($20) with calamari, shrimp, kale, and green beans enhanced with a lemon-flavored aioli. The large portion was perfect for splitting—it would be a full meal for one person. It was prepared properly but nothing to write home about. That was true for each dish.
In the fashion of many restaurants today, it’s an all-day menu featuring pastas, pizzas, fish, and other entrees. That can make for a very pricey lunch with a garlic lamb shank ($39), while Branzino ($48) and grilled ribeye steak ($65) topped the list. Pizzas range from $18 for the Margherita to $25 for a combination with vegetables and meat. Pizzas are large enough to serve two people—half of the salami and pancetta, tasty but nothing too exciting, went home.
Being a fan of lasagna and knowing how challenging it can be to make at home, I decided to try Berevino’s version. It was a large portion with about half going home for lunch the next day. It again was serviceable, but nothing special. Reading the online reviews, it appears that the favorite dish is the Spicy Frutti de Mare.
Given the serving size of our entrees and the delicious bread, we were not up for dessert. The wine list offers both Italian and Livermore Valley selections. I enjoyed a chianti with my lasagna. The servers were attentive and pleasant, but, given the the other local options, we’re not likely to return.
You can check our other Italian restaurant features by following these links: Chianti Reserve, Piatti, Strizzi’s, Locanda Amalfi and Pasta’s Trattoria
By Tim Hunt