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EXPLORE LOCAL AREA | | | | | | | 1722 Sacramento St
San Francisco,
CA
94109
415-567-5432 | | | | | Description: NOB HILL. Elegant and subdued, this intimate restaurant (whose name means "watercolor") exhibits artistry in both cuisine and appearance. Its serene ambience and its vaulted, beamed ceiling evoke Acquerello's former incarnation as a chapel. Contemporary Italian dishes are the main draw, though, and a frequently-changing menu features dishes like parsley-encrusted pork loin, beef carpaccio with hearts of palm and black truffles, and tuna in fennel-dill crust with saffron sauce. The wine list features fine Italian and California vintages.
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| 1701 Jones St
San Francisco,
CA
94109
415-928-4002 | | | | | Description: RUSSIAN HILL. A great place to get together with friends and catch sight of folks in the political arena, intimate Allegro also promises lovely views and terrific Italian food. The elegant ambience is enhanced by subtle lighting, and patrons feel completely at ease as they tuck into wonderful pastas, rack of lamb, much-favored gnocchi, and a variety of hearty meat entrees. Service is friendly and accommodating.
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| 1915 Fillmore St
San Francisco,
CA
94115
415-775-4300 | | | | | Description: PACIFIC HEIGHTS. This casual French-Italian bistro is the perfect choice for a savory meal without all the fuss or gimmickry associated with some restaurants. Great food is the focus, as proven by succulent roasted chicken, duck confit, and a practiced preparation of steak frites. A small wine list is available by the bottle or glass. The space, albeit small, provides for easy interaction with other diners, a nice benefit of the cozy locality.
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| 1901 Hyde St
San Francisco,
CA
94109
415-928-1406 | | | | | Description: RUSSIAN HILL. Warm, intimate Frascati teems with neighborhood folks who appreciate its comfortable ambience and toothsome cuisine. (For people not so close, the Powell & Hyde cable car runs just beyond the front door.) The menu covers that nebulous territory that unites Italian, Mediterranean, and Californian fare to wit, lamb carpaccio with minted eggplant caponata, pan-roasted pork tenderloin with Italian sausage and creamy basil farro, and tiger prawn risotto with melted leeks and prosciutto. Cap your choice with artisan cheeses or the restaurant's coveted black and white chocolate bread pudding.
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| 1550 Church St
San Francisco,
CA
94131
415-641-4500 | | | | | Description: NOE VALLEY. Solid, rustic, comforting interiors impart an age-old quality to Incanto and work beautifully in tandem with a menu that honors traditional Italian fare and delights in offering what most restaurants don't. The kitchen cures its own meats; boasts a great, versatile, all-Italian wine list; and expands culinary horizons with dishes that capitalize on unusual recipes and cuts of meat. Possibilities include roasted lamb neck with kale and farro polenta, grilled quail with cippolini, and spaghettini with anchovies, pine nuts, and currants. For groups, Incanto will roast a whole suckling pig, goat, or lamb; for adventurous folks, an eye-opening tasting menu highlights the appeal of offal.
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| 640 Sacramento St
San Francisco,
CA
94111
415-395-9800 | | | | | Description: FINANCIAL DISTRICT. Colorful pennants accent a comfortably elegant interior at this restaurant, which also boasts a vibrant, always-tempting cuisine. In fact, diners can watch chefs at work in the glass-enclosed kitchen while enjoying homemade antipasti, cioppino, milk-braised pork loin, and brick-cooked chicken. The food pays homage to Piedmont and Tuscan traditions, and desserts include hand-rolled truffles, panna cotta, and a classic tiramisu. Service is outstanding. Reservations are accepted. Business dressy attire.
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| 1240 9th Ave
San Francisco,
CA
94122
415-665-9912 | | | | | Description: INNER SUNSET DISTRICT. Constantly bustling, this restaurant along the southern edge of Golden Gate Park offers a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. It also dishes up top-quality Italian food, friendly service, and great prices. A favorite with both locals and visitors, it has the feel of a rustic lodge, perfect for cocktails and dinner by the fireplace or a casual lunch on the heated outdoor porch. Menu items include hamburgers, steaks, wood-fired pizzas, seafood linguini, and poultry.
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| 532 Columbus Ave
San Francisco,
CA
94133
415-399-0499 | | | | | Description: NORTH BEACH. This chic restaurant specializes in Ligurian fare, native to Italy's northwestern region. Seafood is prominent, and cioppino is especially well-prepared. Other possibilities include roasted rabbit, panzanella, and wood-fired pizzas. Plus, menu items change from time-to-time, regularly offering new options. Hip locals often frequent the establishment, taking advantage of family-style meals and lively atmosphere. You'll also find live jazz most nights.
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| 432 Powell St
San Francisco,
CA
94102
415-395-8555 | | | | | Description: UNION SQUARE. Awash in burnished tones and murals, this warm restaurant creates incredible dishes in an open kitchen and also offers a see-and-be-seen atmosphere. Cozy seating makes chatting easy, and the menu is full of affordable options, like grilled octopus, braised lamb shank, pan-roasted monkfish, and steak frites. You'll also find pastas and a few pizzas. Desserts, created by the pastry chef, include pies, sorbets, and a melange of chocolate temptations.
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| 1257 Taylor St
San Francisco,
CA
94108
415-922-2545 | | | | | Description: NOB HILL. You'll always meet up with a strong contingent of locals at this rustic, romantic haunt. The cable car line runs outside, and inside, a wood-burning oven and Bay views impart especial charm. The menu's Tuscan cooking features gnocchi with mushroom cream sauce and gorgonzola, rosemary grilled lamb tenderloins, veal scaloppini, and seared ahi tuna over buttered spinach. End on a sweet note with mainstays like panna cotta, tiramisu, or Frangelico cheesecake. Cozy and inviting.
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