Popular Berkeley Eatery Shutters

BERKELEY, CA — Another popular North Berkeley eatery has shuttered amid the pandemic.

The circumstances surrounding Rivoli’s closure are unclear, but a brief note on the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant’s website confirmed its shuttering.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, Rivoli is closed until further notice,” the note reads.

Rivoli’s closure was first reported by Berkeleyside.

Located in a cottage just stone’s throw from the Albany border at 1539 Solano Ave., Rivoli served up “Northern Californian cooking with a hint of regional Americana” according to the Michelin guide.

“It’s popular with smartly dressed couples, who come here to savor items like an artfully presented arugula salad with winter citrus, Marcona almonds and avocado, or a highbrow riff on gumbo with chicken confit and andouille sausage perched atop Carolina rice,” the authoritative eatery guide wrote of Rivoli.

“The excellent gâteau Basque, a caramelized wedge of creamy custard, is a must-order.”

Rivoli changed ownership last year, when founders Roscoe Skipper and Wendy Brucker sold it around the same time they shuttered Corso, another popular North Berkeley restaurant, Berkeleyside reports.

Current owner Blake Peters told Berkeleyside Rivoli “was closed due to a confluence of factors beyond our control.”