Being 100% Italian, I happen to think Italian cuisine is the best. I know I’m biased. With that said, surprisingly, I rarely eat Italian food out. I grew up surrounded by great Italian cooks and I was spoiled. There was no need to go out to a restaurant to enjoy Italian food.
However, when I have out of town visitors, I’m frequently asked to recommend or take them to an Italian restaurant. I mainly steer people towards North Beach, but there are many good Italian restaurants scattered all across the city.
As is my usual disclaimer, this is certainly not an exhaustive list, only my personal recommendations for where to go for great Italian food in San Francisco.
My favorite destination is in North Beach at Trattoria Contadina. Located at 1800 Mason Street at Union Street, this is always my first recommendation. It’s a great choice for impressing a date or for celebrating a special occasion. This gem is located only two blocks walk up Union Street from the bustling and touristy Columbus Avenue, and ironically it feels a world away. It’s a bit of a local secret. Although the space looks small upon first inspection (there is additional seating in a backroom), it’s HUGE on flavor. Italian speaking waiters serve really good food. For antipasti, I recommend the roasted bell pepper with asiago, mozzarella, and Bel Paese cheeses, and spicy tomato cream. For entrées, my favorites are Chicken Saltimbocca (with prosciutto, mozzarella, sage, marsala, tomato sauce, spinach, and roasted potatoes), or Chicken Valdostana (smoked mozzarella, prosciutto, sage, madeira, broccoli and roasted potatoes). If pasta is your preference, try Pavarotti (circa 1984) with fusilli pasta, chicken, prosciutto, zucchini, sun dried tomatoes, and cream. Stick with the Tiramisu for dessert. Reservations are highly recommended any day of the week, especially weekends. Call 415-982-5728.
My other favorite in North Beach is Trattoria Pinocchio located at 401 Columbus Avenue. This is a perfect choice for a date, as well as for families. Trattoria Pinocchio offers an inviting space, warm ambiance, Italian speaking waiters, and a large selection of classic Italian fare sure to satisfy even the finickiest of eaters. When I’m here, I’m apt to order a simple bowl of pasta, a glass of wine, a basket of bread and a salad, or Chicken Saltimbocca. This is simple Italian food done well.
I admit I’m a pizza snob. I’m from a town known for pizza and has a style of pizza named after it, so my expectations are high, and my experience has been lackluster in the Bay Area. When I learned that Tony Gemignani won the World Pizza Cup in Naples and offered a New Haven style pie on his menu, I ran right down to 1570 Stockton Street to Tony’s Pizza Napoletana. Tony’s a local celebrity and truly appreciates his customers. His menu will amaze and overwhelm the pizza aficionado. Tony offers many different styles of pizza, whether you prefer Napoletana, Detroit, St. Louis, New York, Rome, Sicily or New Haven style. There are also delicious appetizers and other entrees besides pizza. The bar scene is buzzing, but alas, reservations aren’t accepted. You may be able to snag a few seats at the bar without waiting. Tony’s is located at the corner of Stockton and Union Streets right on Washington Square. Tony’s is closed on Tuesdays, in which case you can grab a pizza by the slice a few doors down at Tony’s Coal Fired Pizza located at 1556 Stockton Street, or grab a slice at his AT&T Park location when you’re at a San Francisco Giants baseball game.
It’s hard not to order everything in the glass case at Stella’s Pastry in North Beach. Located at 446 Columbus Avenue, Stella’s offers Italian cookies, cannoli, sfogliatelle, neopolitans, cream-filled horns, cream puffs, eclairs, and their patented Sacripantina (multi-layer sponge cake made with zabaglione, cream, and rum). They also serve espresso, cappuccino, mochas and Italian sodas. Seating is limited inside, but you can take your goodies to go.
In Nob Hill, the Nob Hill Café serves simply prepared Italian dishes with flavorful and satisfying portions. Located at 1152 Taylor Street at Clay Street, Nob Hill Café doesn’t take reservations, and lines can be out the door. Look for the specials on the chalkboard. For starters, I recommend the Insalata Caprese (Caprese salad with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil) or the Insalata Mista (mixed green salad with a light and tasty lemon herb dressing). I enjoy a simple bowl of pasta and recommend Fedelini alla Cecca (thin spaghetti with tomatoes, basil and garlic) or Linguine Aglio Oglio (linguine with garlic and olive oil). Save room for dessert.
In SOMA, Ristorante Umbria, located at 198 2nd Street, is an excellent destination for Italian food inspired from the Umbrian region of Italy. The dining room has a buzzing ambience. It’s perfect for starting your night on the town. I recommend Insalata Umbria, mixed greens with cherry tomatoes, gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, balsamic reduction and olive oil or Saltimbocca di Pollo, with chicken, prosciutto, mozzarella, marsala wine and sage. If you have a sweet tooth, try the Chocolate Mousse or the Affogato di Limoncello, lemon sorbet with a shot of chilled Limoncello and fresh mint.
In Union Square, my favorite destination for Italian cuisine is Puccini & Pinetti, located at 129 Ellis Street, next door to the Parc 55 Hotel (my favorite hotel in the city!!). I always keep it simple and order the Capellini, with plum tomatoes, garlic, basil and fresh mozzarella. I take out of town guests to Kuleto’s, located at 221 Powell Street, connected to the Villa Florence Hotel, which serves up Northern Italian cuisine. I often enjoy the simplest of dishes, either the Capellini with Roma tomatoes, basil, garlic and extra virgin olive oil or the Linguine with Manila clams, pancetta, parsley and white wine.
Buon Appetito!
The next SF Bay Girl post is scheduled 3/6/2016.
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