A hidden gem for sure. I must have passed this place a hundred times, but it looks more like a Brooklyn antique shop than a restaurant from the outside. Came here for my girlfriends birthday dinner and everything from start to finish was incredible. The inside is very cute and cozy. Our waiter was incredibly helpful and helped us pick not only a bottle of wine but food as well, and he couldn't have done a better job. Wine was delicious, and the food was incredible. Can't wait to go back. read more

Another great experience at this establishment! Service was impeccable! Food was amazing! Omg, we tasted a wine there that had such a lovely story attached to it! The flavor was so distinct! This bottle was from Portugal, such a pleasant surprise! It was like exploring a fascinating novel! The steak is always a show stopper! The grilled octopus complimented by the fresh celery and paired with the white beans drizzled with the most delicious olive oil, yum! The duck ragu ravioli, radicchio, cinnamon apples! I'm not usually a fan of pastas featuring sweet elements but this is life changing! Simply superb! This is one of my favorite appetizers! I mean just an amazing night! Thanks to Sergio for making it such a memorable evening! read more

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Nice ambiance although it was chilly - I kept my coat on throughout most of the dinner. We were the first people seated for the evening, so initially the room was empty except for us and wait staff. However, no one came to take our drink order for about 10 minutes - and that was after I flagged someone down. The wine was delicious, and the wait staff was attentive about water refills. The waiter had trouble with English, so we could not understand most of what he was explaining for the specials. We ordered the squid ink linguine with shrimp and the whole sea bass. The flavors were very good; however, the shrimp came with tails and peels on, so we had to eat the pasta and then unpeel the shrimp with our hands - nothing like leaving a meal with seafood smelling fingers. The sea bass flavor was great, but I ended up having a bone lodged down in my throat which I had to extract in the bathroom - I'll refrain from the details. We had asked for the fish to be de-boned. When I informed maybe the manager (?), she was very nice and apologetic, and gave us our dessert on the house. The dessert was apple pie - tasted like a cookie with applesauce filling. Wish I had seen the review about all the cockroaches- never would have come. read more

I am new to Yelp so I must declare One of my favorites in all of New York City for over a decade... Decor Food Wine & Service since day one. I love this place. Don't think twice about it, just go and be transported to there Eurotopia right here in Brooklyn USA read more

Convivium Osteria - Wine Cellar - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I gave Convivium Osteria 1 star last time for rushing me and my girlfriend on Valentine's Day. And while it was still disappointing, the manager was kind enough to invite us back for a full free meal, and he even gave us a free bottle of wine. So the 4 stars are for their hospitality, except for the grumpy waiter, which is weird because our waitress last time was exceptionally nice. So i'd actually say that it's more of a review of the manager's hospitality. The food was good, not great, but good. The baby octopus was highly disappointing, though. It just doesn't make sense to serve a charred, over cooked, poorly sliced baby octopus COLD ceviche-style. Just very disappointing. In the end of the day though, it was good enough. read more

First time. Definitely worth checking out. Great wine selection, food was incredible. Lasagna was heavenly light. Panna Cotta with blueberry to freakin' die for! The decor was great especially down in the cellar. The only downside was that even though reservations were made, we were still taken a bit late. Place is pricey but worth it! read more

The food, ambience, and wine were amazing here. My girlfriend and I ordered mussels, their special pasta for the night, lamb chops, a cheese and meat platter, and two glasses of red wine under the recommendation of the staff. The mussels could have used a little bit more flavor as it was somewhat plain and tasteless. Wish there was more sauce. The pasta, cheese and meat platter, and lamb chops were amazing. I ordered the pasta entree, a type of pasta I've never had before and it was really good. We both liked it. The two wines we got were full body reds. One was Portuguese and the other Italian I believe. The ambience of the place was very nice. Brick walls, copper pan hanging on the walls, it felt like we weren't in NYC. Would definitely return for seconds! read more

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This is Manolo ruiz , I'm well known in the restaurant world. I am a food and wine connoisseur. Tonight I was at Convivium Osteria in Brooklyn, just few steps away from Barkley Center. This is an amazing place! The food is well known for it's fresh pastas and sea food. Romantic ambience. Great and professional service. The manager Angel is welcoming and enthusiastic host who will make you feel like at home. Highly recommended! Please enjoy! read more

Convivium Osteria - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Food - 9/10 Atmosphere - 10/10 Service - 5/10 Let's start with food: We started with the jumbo shrimp antipasti and had lamb and whole sea bass secundi. All the dishes were magnificent and totally hit the spot. The shrimp & bass were grilled to perfection. The lamb dish was one of the best lamb dishes I have ever had. Totally melt-in-your-mouth amazing. Atmosphere: Decor is on point. Totally transports you to a small hole in the wall eatery by the southern coast of Italy. Service: This is where Convivium Osteria fell completely flat. We got reservations ahead of time, knowing how busy this restaurant gets. When we entered the restaurant, my family and I were not greeted for 10 minutes. The servers kept pouring regular water into our sparkling water. Additionally, we noticed the server and the manager looking over at our table and snickering to each other. I'm not sure what about an Indian man and his Indian parents eating dinner is hilarious, but it made us extremely uncomfortable to say the least. All in all, the food & ambiance are amazing but, with service so horrendous, I don't see myself returning. I'd rather eat somewhere I feel welcome. EDIT: I noticed a few other reviewers feeling prejudiced due to their race. I concur completely. This service was straight up uncomfortable. read more

What Briana M. said. Mostly. The romantic lighting and rustic mise en scène at CO were quite enchanting - and luckily so, because we had some fifty minutes' wait past our reservation time* to take them in. "Everything tasted good. Nothing was bad." Truth! We nibbled from an herby olive montage while awaiting my olive-oil-puddled, braised artichoke ($13: equal parts tasty and awkward to eat) and my companion's spot-on-delicious, fig-garnished roast quail ($14). "Both were very good, but again, nothing transcendent." I second it! Our entrees featured creatures - his, a pine-nut-crusted rack of lamb, and mine, an unassuming duck dujour. The meats can most accurately be described as "solid", though the warmth of the wine and the ambiance together hoisted the meal en total to a four-star affair. *Normally, I would have departed in blaze of You've Been Yelped cards in the face of this indignity -but. I'd just come from The Social Network, which was so good that I felt generous enough to nurse a glass of wine with my date while the dining room got its act together. read more

Food is good, however, nothing out of the ordinary. 4 STARS FOR FOOD. -3 STARS - Petty servers who looks down on you, because they assume you can't afford their price tag. Plus gossiping behind your back. Just b/c I want to try a few dishes, sharing dishes is apparently too much to ask of them. Charge me a fee for sharing if that makes you happier. If you want a comfortable meal, don't come here unless you are going to start off with an expensive bottle of wine. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the mood for wine tonight. Do yourselves a favor, skip dinner and go straight across the street to The Chocolate Room; they are so pleasant and deserts will definitely brighten up your evening. IN REGARDS TO MICHELLLE P. (FEMALE OWNER) COMMENT: Great Business tactic on the comment. I would do the same to address my customer(s) concern(s), however, I would also address the issue(s) and apologize for the inconvenience(s). We ALL MUST be hallucinating when the busboy and waiter were literally talking behind our back, in which we heard most of their conversation(s). FYI: Prior to beginning our dinner that evening, my friend walked in for his reservation, in which it was made under his wife's name: Male Owner thought he was being funny/cute (btw, he was being serious) by making this comment: "Are you sure this is your reservation? Because if this was Manhattan, I would have THROWN YOU OUT already." As a business owner, he must be really proud of himself and he goes on laughing about his comment(s) with his employee(s) in front of my friend. I'm not exactly sure which restaurant(s) he's trying to compare himself to, however, it can't even touch the tip of the toe comparing to restaurants like, Bouley Restaurant (www.davidbouley.com), One if by Land Two if by Sea (oneifbyland.com), The River Cafe (therivercafe.com), etc. I was originally being really civilized with my original comment. If you want to have a similar meal nearby, drive the extra distant and go to The Stone Park Cafe (stoneparkcafe.com); A LOT BETTER IN EVERY-WAY IMAGINABLE. read more

My father has gotten better with his behavior as he's aged. My most recent bit of evidence was his birthday dinner in which my sister and I took him out. He didn't yell at anyone which was good, but he did make sure to show our waiter the bone he swallowed and coughed up into a napkin after he asked them to fillet it. My dad selected this place after hearing so many great things from several of his friends. After checking the reviews, I became excited myself. I dropped my dad off so he didn't have to walk and I looked for parking. Of course I had to get the lovely seat sticking out to the walkway and on top of it, these might be some of the most uncomfortable chairs to have a good meal in. They're too low to the ground. It's like a kids chair. Petty things aside, my father, sister, her boyfriend and myself were ready to really enjoy our meal. We got three appetizers to start. The best thing I ate all night was the grilled baby octopus. I highly recommend that, if you come here. The braised artichoke was alright but nothing special. Ditto for the polenta. For the main course I got what everyone has raved about from this place, the green apple and cinnamon ravioli with duck ragu. It was good, but it didn't quite live up to the hype. Ditto for my sister's gnudi, I just felt it was lacking. My sister's boyfriend got the berkshire pork sausage which was the best entree I tried. My father ordered the fish and as I mentioned, he asked them to fillet it. Soon enough after diving into it, he realized he swallowed a bone, went to the bathroom and proceeded to cough it up. It wouldn't be dinner with my dad unless he did something odd to our service people and he began to show our waiter, who probably didn't care to see it. He asked for the ravioli dish I ordered and enjoyed it, which is what was most important. To make up for it, they gave us a free dessert on top of the one we ordered for his birthday. I have to say, this was their saving grace. My father really enjoyed those desserts and they were phenomenal. I have to give them that, and I'm not a big dessert guy. In the end, I'm glad my dad enjoyed himself but he expressed disappointment in the end as well. It just failed to live up to the hype around it. And the fact he could have choked on one of the bones is a wet blanket on the whole experience. I don't think I'll be returning to Convivium. read more

An okay place, but for the prices, the food really should have been better. I thought it would be a great place for a large group dinner but the service was super slow and the food not much to rave about. The waiters were good about keeping us supplied with bread, olives, and oil though. I agree with John B. to say that the burrata was just so-so. One of our group ordered a pasta dish and it was meh at best. In general, I'm surprised this place merits a 4 star ranking on Yelp. There are much better places to go to for a group dinner/date night in Park Slope. Maybe the better reviews were made in the past? read more

I'm embarrassed to have suggested Convivium Osteria as a good spot for a family dinner. To be fair, my suggestion was mostly based on location and convenience. But any logistical advantages were badly outweighed by the food, which was expensive and unsatisfactory. I wouldn't recommend CO again. Then again, who knows when my suggestions will again be sought. I'd say that I'm surprised by the acclaim that Convivium regularly wins. But nothing about Park Slope really surprises me any more. Expose some bricks, hang some copper pans on the wall, and I guess people are so transfixed by the fantasy of 1890s Tuscany that they don't stop to consider that their pasta isn't properly cooked. Indifferent burrata. Nothing else to be said about that. A special shrimp and noodle dish was way too oily. The noodles were overcooked, and the shrimp had been cooked to a texture that I've never experienced. Disappointing, considering that shrimp are really, really easy to cook properly. I sampled some of the $82 steak for two. About which the less said, the better. Nice staff. read more

I recently made a reservation for 13 people based on a recommendation from a friend. The place itself is very nice and original. There are three different rooms, including a wine cellar downstairs... that is where we sat. The customer service from the initial time of reservation until the actual event was GREAT and helpful. The wine was incredible and food was very tasty. Since it was a larger group, I ordered some starters to share and everyone was able to select their own entree. I was very impressed with the quality of the dishes. While the setting was traditional, the food was contemporary and you felt like you were in a restaurant in Manhattan when you were actually in a great part of Park Slope. IT was very NICE! We ordered the chocolate cake in advance and it was very tasty. All in all, I was very impressed with this place Until they served their dessert and failed to ask if we want coffee or tea. I approached the manager and he was apologetic and said that the coffee/ cappuchino machine broke. I completely understand that this happens but I asked him if he can just boil some water and put tea out (to eat with the cake) and he said that the chef would not allow for it. As someone who is heavily involved in a private business, I understand the point of a policy, but also the need to please your clients. Although everyone was very nice, the inability to boil water and throw a tea bag in it threw me off. It was the last impression that we had of the place and unfortunately, tarnished the experience a bit. I contacted my friend who had recommended the restaurant, who had also made a reservation for 12 people a few weeks back. She said that they were unable to make any modifications to the menu. They are not able to remove ingredients from their dishes. They are not able to put hot water on the table if hot water is not part of the menu. Also, the online menu and menu on menus.com did NOT match, and was different than the menu at the restaurant. I was relying on them to serve duck but it was not on the menu. I suggest that they update their website so that the selections on the menu are more consistent. read more

But if I could give this place 4 and a half stars, I would. As a native of Spain, I was a litle suspect of the whole Portuguese/Spanish/Italian medley that Convivium proclaims to pull off, but the menu looked enticing and this place is right around the corner from my house, so my beloved and I finally tried it out. The food, especially the main fare, was spectacular: the rack of lamb was so good, my tongue danced for hours, desiring more of that buttery, tender deliciousness. The cauliflower on its side was so creamy and tasty, it could have been an entree in itself. My lover's raviolo was just perfect, too. The wine we chose, a well-priced Ribera del Duero, was wonderful once it aired it a bit. The space, too, is lovely. Very Portuguese inspired, I think, with its brown colors, earthernware decorative pots and soft orance glows. We ate in the back patio and I really felt transported to another time and place. I am now a believer. read more

Wow. I knew this place was highly regarded, but I didn't expect it to be this good. Stepping into Convivium Osteria is like stepping into a rustic, countryside restaurant in Italy. I second Glenn K.'s description of the decor. Think soft candlelight, stuccoed walls, heavy wooden tables, and copper cookware hanging from those walls. The atmosphere is perfect for romance. The place is a little on the small size, but this just makes it cozy rather than claustrophobic. Service is knowledgeable and professional; they leave you alone for the most part a la Italy. The table we had was a nook to the right as you come in and it was borderline private; I'll be asking to sit here again next time. And yes, there will be a next time. The montepulciano I had by the glass was surprisingly good and paired well with the food. We got the "Tagliere di Salumi e Formaggi"--AKA a cold antipasto platter--to start. It included proscuitto, lard, 2 other kinds of salami, green olives, pecans, and 3 different kinds of cheese. I typically find platters like this to be small and boring, but this was neither. Not only did they give us plenty of each item but everything was unique and worth tasting. For my main I got the pappardelle with pork shank ragu. The pasta was a great example of why homemade pasta is awesome. It was soft and delicate, but not overcooked or pasty like many fresh pastas at restaurants. The ragu was applied lightly but was full of fatty, porky flavor. I only wish the tomato stood out a bit more, but in this case it wasn't all that missed. With just a bit of grated cheese, this was a legitimately great dish. My girlfriend got the spinach and ricotta gnudi which I surprisingly didn't really care for. The texture of the ricotta was good but the flavor just wasn't there for me; she said it was in the asiago cheese sauce, which she'd already finished for the most part. Oh well. Absolutely great restaurant. I'd like to try it again before bumping this up to 5 stars, but I have no major complaints. Don't sleep on this one, folks. It may not be as new and trendy as other stops in the area, but it remains a seriously special place. Don't wait on it like I did. read more

5 Stars on ambience and decor! The yelp reviews were right on target. As soon as you step foot into the restaurant, you feel like you left New York and now in a rustic restaurant in Italy or in the Mediterranean. My friend recommended to make reservations to be seated by the window. It is by far the most romantic spot in the restaurant since it is secluded from the rest of the tables and seating areas. I went here with my bf for our anniversary and it was a perfect place. Food was delicious! The grilled baby octopus with beans was a light and refreshing appetizer. Thanks to the yelp reviews, I had the green apple and cinnamon ravioli with duck ragu and it was AMAZING! I definitely recommend this dish. It is such a unique dish with interesting and contrasting flavors that blend so well together. Everything about it was so perfect. The whole seabass was good, but it didn't pop out or anything. Flavors were a bit subtle, but that's how it is usually cooked in this region. This is one of my favorite restaurants and highly recommend it. I only went here once and I will be back many times for sure! If only I had known about this place before! read more

I thought long and hard about which location out of the 20 or so reviews I have pending deserved the distinction of being my 100th Yelp review. After a while, I decided on Convivium Osteria because it was responsible for one of the best nights I've had in a long time. My boyfriend took me here when I visited him in New York because he knew I loved Mediterranean food. The place is listed as Spanish, but it's really just European fusion, in my opinion. The rustic decor here is gorgeous, the perfect setting for a date. We were half an hour early for our reservation, but they were too full to seat us in the wine cellar, which is what we were hoping for. Instead, they graciously offered to let us taste their newest bottle of wine while we waited for a table to open up elsewhere. We ended up getting a cosy, romantic spot in the corner of the covered patio behind the restaurant, which was more than okay with me. We ordered the quail, the ravioli with duck ragu, and the gnocchi. The quail was absolutely amazing -- tiny, but so perfectly cooked and paired with the fig sauce. I was hesitant about how the apple and cinnamon in the ravioli would taste with the duck ragu, but I was pleasantly surprised by the combination. I tried a little of the gnocchi, but it was too heavy, though the wine our server recommended lightened the load of the cream sauce. Overall, portions were a little small for the price. Service was fantastic throughout the night, and even though we stayed past closing, no one rushed us. Thanks for a perfect evening, Convivium Osteria! read more

Outstanding Food- Cozy Atmosphere. Charming Date Spot. Service? Eeeeh- best described as arrogant and rushed. Don't let the limited menu fool you, remember bigger isn't always better! Every dish is well thought out and executed perfectly. My Suggested Menu for a Romantic Date: -Olive bowl -Any of their salads. -Salted Prawns (not the best choice for a first date if you're not an expert with de-shelling) -Spinach & Ricotta Gnudi, delicious. -Rib-Eye for Two, medium rare. Some find the cellar romantic, I personally find it claustrophobic. Also- if you are a small party, be prepared to share a table with other diners (that is, if you opt out of the claustrophobic dungeon and request to be seated upstairs) read more

I am in love with the chef - Iginio. Don't tell my husband. A dangerously close 3 blocks from my abode, Convivium is my solid go-to place for comfort food. Not mashed potatoes pot roast comfort, but Bottle of Wine, Plate of Meat and Cheese comfort. We cozy up to a worn table, sip a deep, earthy Spanish red unhurridly, and savor a truly delightful assortment of cheese, sweets, meats, and almonds. The stress flows one way as the wine flows the other. I am a particular fan of the lamb. The seafood appetizer for two is incredible -- my favorite octopus dish ever is a part of this plate. The artichoke is simple and satisfying because it is done perfectly. And the rabbit... what Iginio does to Thumper has me singing his praises (both the chef and the bunny). We did New Year's Eve dinner here for 2007, and it was a truly memorable experience. The staff really rocked out with new flavors and dishes, and makes me excited to try any and all new things that crop up on the menu! PROS: top-notch wine list, ambiance, quality mouthfuls of Yum. CONS: I can't afford to go here every day. Update 11/30/09: Ignio may have left, but the menu remains mostly unchanged. Which is great for my palate and my husband, but still bad for my wallet. Update 11/17/10: I threw a surprise birthday party for my husband here. They were GREAT about accommodating us for a menu, space, absolutely everything... best yet, the host played along completely, grabbing 3 menus and asking me, my husband, and my MIL to follow him downstairs for our reservation for a party of 3. The 25 people waiting downstairs: priceless! Extremely reasonable for the level of service and quality of food for this sort of event - can't recommend enough. read more

I have been mulling over how I want to write this review for a few days now bcz it merits & deserves a detailed review. Here's my attempt: My 3 dining campanions & I are of varied ethnicities, resonably well traveled, & highly passionate about good food. So, there is always a bit of trepidation when I'm in charge of choosing where we will dine. Kudos to me for this one! From the exterior, to the entry, the greeting thru to the intimate dining alcoves, the interior's warm theme to the attentive service to the abundantly flavorful yet balanced cuisine one can't help but be awed. Ample & appropriate adjectives escape me (thesorous plz)! We savoured (more like devoured): prawns - heads on over in house hand made tonnarelli pasta w olive oil, garlic & herbs, cockles w chorizo in a broth of wine, garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, grilled tender baby octopus, whole Branzini broiled - small portion but flavorful, delicate w new potatoes, and the fresh pillows of amazingness Gnudi - spinach and Italian ewe ricotta gnudi with asiago cheese- the velvety (but not buttery fat ladened) sauce surrounding the gnudi was a harmonious meeting of perfection. Execelent wine list which obviously compliments the fusion of Portugees, Italian, & Spanish cuisine. Wines from every reputable region of each country respectively. The interior is warmly light, exposed stone, brick, hard woods, terra cotta & copper pans accent, creating an atmospher reminiscent of dining in the the infamous Etruscan tombs in Italy. If one was placed here w/o knowledge one would conclude they were somewhere in an antique eatery in Europe. The service is prompt, knowledgeable, professional, courtiouse but brisk. They leave you to enjoy your evening but never leave you in need of anything. I hope it isn't too long before I have the high pleasure of dining here again. read more

Great Date Spot! But if you don't carry AmEx or a healthy amount of cash, get ready to excuse yourself for a moment while you go to the atm across the street. Once again: American Express or cash only. Besides their ridiculous stance on payment for one of the more expensive and well regarded restaurants in Park Slope, the service is excellent. The layout and lighting of the restaurant are impressive as well. So if you've screwed up big time with the lady, the atmosphere here could be your first step to getting out of the dog house. And you don't need to pretend to be the wine connoisseur that you're not but keep telling yourself you will be either. The staff has excellent knowledge of their various and expansive wine list, and will break down the region and aromas of each wine. Just give them a country and a color (when in doubt, always go for a red from the north region of Spain). When you order the $16 scallops for an appetizer, don't be shocked when the portion contains only 3 of them. Yes, actually, they were that good. And don't order the fish unless you want to spend the night picking small bones out of it. Yes, despite the setbacks, I'll still be returning here. This place is worth it. Did I mention you should bring cash or AmEx? read more

Ever since I moved to Park Slope, I've wanted to try this charming spot, saving it for a romantic night with my lady friend. It more than surpassed our expectations! The food was excellent, a mix of Portuguese, Spanish and Italian fare. I had the rabbit, she a Pasta Special, both quite delicious and unique. We also had some wine, and we were happy to see they had some great selections we recognized from our time in Spain. Sure, it's definitely pricier (in comparison to...I dunno, chipotle?, I mean c'mon) but you've got to expect that. Perfect for special occasions, cause sometimes you've got to treat yo'self. The interior decor is beautiful, definitely very authentic setting, nothing beats dinner by candlelight. Tip: Make sure to request seating in the basement wine cellar for a more secluded evening. Lastly, service was stellar. perhaps it's because I eat most often at the aforementioned Mexican burrito stand, but I felt like royalty all night. Not to mention our waiter was super helpful and even surprised us with something extra when we were feeling indecisive. Ten points to Gryffindor!! read more

This is our second time in this restaurant. It's a very warm, cozy restaurant with a great wine list and an even better food menu. I strongly recommend the seared scallops to start , the ravioli of the season with apple fillings is amazing and the rack of lamb - simply awesome. Even though we didn't have an reservation for a Friday night, we were really pleased to know that waiting time was like 30mins so we could get a drink first at the bar before dinner. Service was really attentive all around and was delighted with such a wonderful dining experience. It's a pity they don't do lunch anymore but I hear brunch may be in the offing soon! read more

I'd have to liken eating at Convivium Osteria to enjoying a finely written novel. A good novelist immerses you in a rich world packed with sights and sounds of a world other than your own. And for the time that you are dining here, you leave New York City behind. Once novelists have you in their grasp, then it is time for them to introduce you to their characters, and the staff here is really friendly. You get the sense that their motivation is pride in things well done. And finally there is the action, and that is the only way you can describe the cuisine here: bold spicy gestures, slow creamy strokes, zesty leaps, and sweet postures. My party shared everything with each other like pioneers in some Oriental locale, marveling at how they were previously unaware that such a ballet of flavors could exist. There are places in NYC that are all hype. And there are places that are all goodness. This place leans thoroughly to the latter. read more

I love the feel of the dining room; it's almost entirely candle-lit and the walls are lined with antique copper kitchen accoutrements, from pots and pans to trays and pitchers (DATE PLACE, it screams, DATE PLACE!). The bar area is small and comfortable, and their wine selection decidedly Mediterranean. Only a few selections are available by the glass, but this place really yearns for you to sit and relax, it's hard not to get a bottle of wine (twist your arm, the wooden tables and antique chairs do). The selection is pretty diverse, but stick with some big Italian or Spanish reds if you're unsure since those are all classics and just get better with food. The appeal for me lies at the communal table, where you can sit and mingle with strangers as they pass you on their dinner, asking you questions about why you're drinking that wine or what should we have to eat. Convivium, after all, means "living together" -- a shared experience like this is a must. The food is great; comfortable classics with a nod not just to Spain and the Basque country but, it seems, to all Mediterranean countries. (I have to admit, if I weren't a linguist, the menu would be a bit confusing, since they use Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Basque, and dialects on their descriptions! The couple sitting next to me was bewildered by this; as they read the menu aloud they tried to sound out the words a syllable at a time. The end result was an impromptu Romance language primer for the couple next to them.) Don't miss the quail with drunken figs, the extremely shareable seafood appetizer platter, the cinnamon-apple duck ravioli (it's worth the raves that everyone has about it), and whenever the kitchen has a pasta special, jump at the chance. You'll eat so well and drink so deliciously you'll forget your atmosphere. read more

Great Italian country side ambiance I had tagliatelli ragu Good portion fresh pasta The tricolor salad was very good aswell Owner not to friendly read more

Convivium Osteria has been a favorite of mine for years. I am in a deeply committed relationship with the cured meat and cheese plate. I may have to name a child "tabla de embutidos y quesos". Or maybe a band. Supposedly it serves 2. If they mean 2 lumberjacks --- then yes, but it serves 3 to 4 attractive 30-somethings just fine (provided noone is insanely hungry). Lots of seafood options, but very few vegetarian. I had the seabass last time and loved it. The rabbit is good, but on the salty side (which I like). I have yet to have dessert there since I am always stuffed. The ambience is rustic and romantic. I prefer the downstairs cellar to upstairs, but still need to try the garden. Service is always quite friendly. I've been there with 2 people and with 20 and always left pleased and planning my next visit back. If you are in Park Slope and want something special, but a little spendy, then check it out. read more

Convivium Osteria is as much a love story as a proprietorship for Michelle and Carlo Pulixi. As documented by Edible Brooklyn, they opened the restaurant as significant others, eventually marrying and raising their children in this fabulous and homey Spanish/Portuguese/Italian restaurant in Park Slope. in the 10 years since opening, they have also expanded out back and into the basement, hand-masoned by Carlo himself. I could go on about the vibe (rustic, romantic), the food (on another level of home-cooked amazing--if this place were in Manhattan you'ld never be able to get a table) and the service (all the people here are warm and wonderful), but it's been pretty well covered in this space. In my particular case however I will always have a special connection in that my wife and I chose to have our rehearsal dinner here. It was extremely reasonable allowing us to take the back section for a dinner for 30. Michelle was super helpful assisting us with putting together the menu, allowing us to offer all of our favorite dishes to our guests and their sommelier provided us with a complementary tasting to choose the wines to pair. The night of our rehearsal dinner, the staff led by our favorite waiter Lucca were fantastic at making the night go smoothly, starting the group with boards of cured meats and cheeses, and never letting anyone see the bottom of their wine glasses. Though their menu turns over quite a bit by season, many of their standards got raves from all diners whether it be the polenta with hen of the woods mushrooms to start, the green apple ravioli with duck ragu (my wife's favorite pasta of all time), the lamb chops or the steak for two (they say it's a 48 oz. ribeye but it's basically half a cow and delicious for every bite). Thank you to Michelle, Carlo and Lucca for one of the most special dinners of our lives. We'll see you on our anniversary and hopefully many nights in between!!! AMEX only. read more

My experience could not have been better! I was looking for a place to celebrate my anniversary with my boyfriend and Convivium Osteria was exactly the right place. It had a lovely romantic ambiance, the place was full but it wasn't frustratingly loud, and the staff was incredibly friendly... I can't eat gluten and mentioned that when I made the reservation. Not only was the chef very accommodating, he actually called me two days before to discuss my options. Whhhattt? I ended up getting the braised rabbit and my boyfriend got the pappardelle. Both us could not have been more pleased! Everything was a little pricey (the food is phenomenal, and definitely worth it) so I wouldn't come here every day but it's a great place for a special occasion. I definitely recommend making a reservation, you can walk in to get a table but the place was full to the brim, all night. read more

I wanted to take the girlfriend out to dinner, but stay somewhat local (she's in Park Slope). We'd never tried Basque cooking, so made a reservation at C.O. The manager was nice enough to point out their cash/amex policy up front, to prevent any kind of embarrassment on the night. The ambiance was exactly what we were looking for: cozy, low lighting (but enough to see the food/each other), and a pleasant level of chatter around us. Food was superb, you absolutely have to try the cinnamon/apple/rabbit ravioli, a real treat and one-of-a-kind dish, never had something like that anywhere else. The waitstaff were polite, smiling and attentive, but gave us our (snuggling) space while we ate. What? It was our anniversary! read more

American Express only. This past Saturday, I took my husband out on a dinner date to Convivium Osteria, a beautifully cozy romantic restaurant in the Park Slope. The staff was excellent and completely knowledgeable of the menu. I was amazed by the very resourceful spacial lay-out of the tri-level space. The food was great, not usually an olive fan but I must say, those were some of the best olives I've ever had, oh and the crusty bread. The menu was also very compatible to my pescetarian husband's diet. Five stars for Convivium Osteria. read more