Gondola Servizio
Category: Local Flavor [Edit]
568 Bellevue Ave(between Ellita Ave & Perkins St)
Oakland, CA 94610 (510) 663-6603
- Good for Kids: Yes
17 reviews
Neighborhood: Telegraph Ave
"New York has Greenwich Village, London has Soho, San Francisco has Haight-Ashbury, and Berkeley has Telegraph Avenue. Telegraph is always…" read more »
14 Reviews for Gondola Servizio
Angelino is wonderful! Everything about our gondola ride was magical. We brought cheese, olives, bread, and wine. We began our ride just as the sun was setting and we were fortunate to have one of the warmest eves in February! His voice is soft and soothing and the skyline is beautiful. I'd never seen the whole lake and we really got the grand tour.
When they move into the new boathouse this summer, I think it's going to be much more difficult to get a reservation so check out this gem before it blows up! It's well worth your time and money. Sit back and relax.
People thought this was:
Useful (11)
Funny (6)
Cool (12)
I bookmarked this place immediatly after reading a fellow yelper's review and was just dying to go on a romantic gondola ride with a special friend.... but guess what? my sister's gonna beat me to it....
because of a superly expedited wedding and not having much time to save for a more hefty wedding gift for my sister, I gave Gondola Servizio a call... she's always dreamed of going to italy and i've secretly always wished i could grant that wish for her...but anyways, she's getting married this coming thursday and i thought a "substitute" italian gondola ride for her and her new hubby would work ...at least until they were able to save up for a trip to europe.
I give April and Angelino a call late Friday evening and leave a message about rushin an order for their 55min service... Not long after, April returned my phone call, completed my transaction and had my ticket ready for next day pick up! Thank you thank you thank you april and angelino for doing this for me!!
So five stars for being super easy to work with and for rushing the delivery of tickets.
**Lake Merrit is stunning! if you decide to take a gondola ride, i recommend setting aside a day to enjoy the whole park/lake before going on tour with angelino..... nb: $3.00 charge to enter park during weekends....
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
Forget Venice. Never thought I'd say this, but OAKLAND is where the romance is at(!!).
Gondola rides on Lake Merritt for $45 per couple. You can bring wine and snacks and I hear the gondolier even sings for you...
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Funny (2)
Cool (3)
Taking a gondola ride is one of the best ideas my ex ever had. We brought our own wine and snacks and just kinda hung out. With the right person this is AWESOME. I can't fault the gondola people for the fact that halfway through the ride I wanted to swim for the shore - the desire to flee was based on the company I was with that night.
People thought this was:
Useful (7)
Funny (15)
Cool (8)
It's amazing what the Bay Area has to offer hidden behind high rises and city pollution. Gondola Servicio is yet another little romantic way to woo that special someone on a clear night. It doesn't have to be a particularly warm night. Just as long as the sky is clear of clouds and rain, then you have a perfect set up for a romantic evening. If it is cold outside, make sure you bring a warm blanket to throw over both of you. It adds warmth to your already romantic idea of fun. Pack a little basket with wine, cheese, and crackers and let your imagination take you away from Lake Merritt and onto Venice, Italy. The best part is being serenaded in Italian by the Gondolieri (person who steers the gondola). To really add fire to a flame, take your significant other on the Gondola ride as a surprise.
I only rated this wonderful experience 4 stars because the Gondolieri was late to pick us up from the dock. But, it was so worth the wait. Don't let that hinder you from experiencing a little romance on Lake Merritt. :-)
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Cool (2)
We've been to Venice on our honeymoon and we did not go on a gondola ride there. It seemed way touristy - we left that activity to the fanny packers and spent our time in Venice getting lost looking for the next bacaro stop. But we have gone on a gondola ride on Lake Merritt and that was WAY cool. Why? Because it's in Oakland. In Oakland, nothing is touristy and everything is just a little cooler.
Tip: If you plan to drink wine, bring enough to share with the gondolier - it's tradition and most will appreciate it. You may get another aria out of him.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
Because sometimes you just want to hang out with your girlfriend and be a wimp.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (7)
Cool (2)
Fellas! If you want to score some brownie points with your girl, Gondola Servizio is the way to go. Ask any woman what her dream vacation is and she'll probably tell you 3 places in Europe. One of them being Italy. Well if you can't afford to bring your girl to Italy. Bring Italy to your girl!
Gondola Servizio is the perfect date. Just go to their website at www.gondolaservizio.com and book a reservation for 2. You won't regret it, I swear!
The gondola ride was one of the best dates my wife and I have ever had. You ride in this authentic gondola built in Italy around Lake Merritt.
I brought some wine, cheese and crackers along to snack on. The captain will sing songs in Italian, giving the experience that extra special romance. If you book your ride around sunset, you get the bonus of the beautiful sunset and the Lake Merritt lights.
Tell your girl to drop all her plans for the night. You got something you want to show her. Don't tell her what. Just show up to Gondola Servizio, and watch her mouth drop.
So lets recap:
www.gondolaservizio.com
Book reservations for 2
Show up surprising you woman
Wine and cheese
Italian man singing Italian love songs
Sunset
Lake Merritt lights
You Can't Lose!
Enjoy!
People thought this was:
Useful (9)
Funny (3)
Cool (9)
I took this lovely lady, and I shall never regret it......ever. Where do I begin and how, I can't explain the moment or the emotion. I just know that this special ride took us far from everything, and everyone. All I knew in that hour was her skin, her scent, her tears, her laughter, her hair, her smile, and her hand in mine. Perfection existed this night since the moment we left our apartment door, she was dressed to kill like always and I had the wine she lives for. Angelino was an angel on earth and gave me the opportunity to have one more special moment with this gorgeous lady that was mine. If you feel like the one you kiss at night makes your bass deeper, then I suggest this even if you don't end up together forever. The taste this rides leaves in your mouth you will NEVER forget.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
My husband surprised me with a 7:30 cruise. The lights around the lake were beautiful and it was beautiful. Our guy was professional and helpful. He sang to us in italian but didn't try to chit chat.
The gondola's were amazing and comfortable. We brought wine, cheese and some cured meats and had a relaxing beautiful time.
Take your sweetheart on this and you will not be sorry.
People thought this was:
Useful (8)
Funny (2)
Cool (7)
8 o'clock warm indian summer night, Angelino rowing the gondola, singing in Italian, me and my date completely bestilled and brought to tears by the ineffable beauty around us. The peace and awe I experienced during this ride was nothing less than divine. the entire lake was ours, oakland was ours, the storks and egrets and ducks were ours, the moon was turned on just for us that night...
i'm crying again writing this review...
ineffable, i tell you, ineffably amazing.
thanks again Angelino,
*for being incredible and for treating us like lesbian royalty*
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (5)
What can I say to get you take a cruise on Lake Merritt by gondola? Well, the original proprietor is back at the helm of these hand crafted imported venetian gondolas and he is spectacular. He is from Italy and full of beautiful music and great travel advice. The feeling of gliding over the smooth water at night with the necklace of lights shining on the water is relaxing and romantic.
We actually had many of our wedding party on two gondolas (singing and drinking champagne). On our 7th anniversary we toast ourselves again.
There are glasses for byob and lap blankets to snuggle under.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Cool (3)
This was fun, I went on a gondola ride a few years back. Definitely an authentic gondola. It was a beautiful crisp night. We had a little food basket with our ride, it was very enjoyable.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (3)
What a romantic treat! My bf took me on this beautiful gondola ride around Lake Meritt on my birthday. It was an authentic Venetian boat, complete with Italian singing and everything!! We went during the afternoon so the surrounding landscape was illuminated on the water, which was spectacular. What was also cute were all the people waving to us as we passed!
My bf definitely got points for this one!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
the 94610 baby!
Places that made me move to my neighborhood, and… -
Playing Tour Guide / A…
I went to college on the (b)east coast and lived…
Hot and New
- yoCup
143 reviews
Neighborhood: SOMA
- Jubili Frozen Yogurt and…
254 reviews
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA
- Gary Danko
981 reviews
Neighborhood: Fisherman's Wharf
- Icebee
179 reviews
Neighborhood: SOMA
- Zebulon
280 reviews
Neighborhood: SOMA