Authentic Italian restaurants in San Francisco? Places to avoid?
My boyfriend and I are planning to have some good Italian food for dinner in San Francisco this weekend, and we could use some recommendations (I’d hate to sound cheap, but preferably places that don’t charge an arm and a leg, since I’m a college kid on a tight budget). And are there also some not-so-good or overly priced restaurants to avoid?
Avoid Bucca de Beppo, the Stinking Rose and Pasta Pomadoro. Life is too short to eat in chain restaurants.
Calzones on Columbus is ok for coffee, drinks and people watching but the food is not very good.
North Beach has lots of great Italian food here are my favorites in NB:
Café Macaroni – Columbus at Jackson – Wonderful Italian food, opt for smaller space on east side of Columbus.
Rose Pistolla on Columbus near Green incredible food get a table on the sidewalk and watch the world go by. Upscale, may be out of your budget
Marios Bohemian Cigar Store at Union and Columbus, a good place for lunch, try the meatball sandwich or chicken pannini…mmmmm!
Golden Boy Pizza on Green near Columbus. Foccachia style pizza by the slice, I’ve heard this described as "Life Changing Pizza." I don’t know that I’d go that far but it is really good pizza!
And other good Italian food outside of NB.
Scala’s Bistro – In the Sir Francis Drake Hotel on Powell at Sutter – Creative upscale Italian food served in a bustling, warm environment, slightly more upscale.
Gaspare’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant 5546 Geary @ 20th Avenue. This is the kind of place that reminds east coast folks of their pizza places, plastic grapes hang from the ceiling, That’s Amore on the juke box, excellent calzone and pizza, great pasta with your choice of traditional sauces. A neighborhood favorite with families and couples alike. Along the same lines Georgios on Clement at 2nd. They make their own sausage and the staff is friendly.