CALZONE’S CUCINA—The menu offers traditional entrées and pizzas with sidewalk dining along the main drag in North Beach. $$. Serves lunch and dinner (until 1 am) daily. 430 Columbus Ave. 397-3600 Map 1, D3
CASTAGNOLA’S—Casual dining with great views overlooking Fisherman’s Wharf and the bay. The menu features fresh seafood and steaks. Large bar with live piano on F and Sa evenings. $$–$$$. Serves lunch and dinner daily. 286 Jefferson St. 776-5015 Map 1, B2
EMPORIO RULLI—Gary Rulli attracted acclaim with the authentic Italian pastries at his Larkspur shop, which grew into a mini chain of cafés and wine bars. With elegant decor, the gran caffé on Chestnut Street is a full-service restaurant specializing in northern Italian fare. $$–$$$. 2300 Chestnut St., 923-6464 Map 2, H2. Café locations: Stockton Street Pavilion at Union Square. 433-1122 Map 1, D6. 464 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur. 924-7478 Map 3, D4. San Francisco International Airport (kiosks at terminals A and G, plus boarding area F at Domestic Terminal 3). Map 2, J9
FIOR D’ITALIA—Established in 1886, this North Beach fixture recently moved to the San Remo Hotel. The menu includes a comprehensive selection of northern Italian pasta and meat entrées. $$$. Serves lunch and dinner daily. 2237 Mason St. 986-1886 Map 1, C3
IL FORNAIO—Housemade pasta, rotisserie meats and wood-oven pizzas are hallmarks of this restaurant, with multiple Bay Area locations. $$–$$$. Serves breakfast M–F, lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sa–Su. Levi’s Plaza, 1265 Battery St. 986-0100 Map 1, E3. 125 Bulkley Ave., Sausalito. 332-1350 Map 3, D4
PALIO D’ASTI—A mural in the dining room depicts the Medieval bareback horse race from which this restaurant, specializing in refined Piemontese cuisine, takes its name. $$–$$$. Serves lunch and dinner M–F. 640 Sacramento St. 395-9800 Map 1, D4
STEPS OF ROME—The cozy Trattoria offers an intimate setting for pasta and grilled meat and seafood specialties on North Beach’s main drag. Just a few doors away, the bustling Caffé is a casual setting for dining, socializing and living la dolce vita. $$–$$$. Trattoria serves dinner nightly. 362 Columbus Ave. 986-6480; Caffé open M–Th 10 am–2 am, F–Sa 10 am–3 am. 348 Columbus Ave. 397-0435 Map 1, D4
THE STINKING ROSE: A GARLIC RESTAURANT—Garlic is king at this rustic North Beach restaurant. Specialties include 40-clove garlic chicken, thick-cut pork chops, roast Dungeness crab and even garlic ice cream. Children’s menu available. $$. Serves lunch and dinner daily. 325 Columbus Ave. 781-7673 Map 1, D4
TRATTORIA PINOCCHIO—Savor Sicilian cuisine, including meat, seafood and housemade pastas, while people–
watching through floor–to ceiling windows or from heated sidewalk tables. Serves brunch, lunch and dinner daily. 401 Columbus Ave. 392-1472 Map 1, D3 |
