SF North Beach Dining
Oct 24th, 2004, 03:11 PM
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SF North Beach Dining
Any suggestions on which Italian restaurant to choose in this area? Doesn't have to be fancy, a hole in the wall with excellent Italian fare and good wine is all we desire.
Oct 24th, 2004, 03:22 PM
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love7220. Well I don't think they want to think of themselves as a "hole in the wall" hehe, but it is a smaller resaurant.
The name is Mona Lisa. Owned by an Italian from Southern Italy. Almost all of the employees are from various areas of Italy. They are darling.
The food is very good. My son-in-law from Rome even likes it. Of course it is twixed a bit for the American taste, but seriously it is very good. Many locals go there and talking to tourist (from even Europe) that eat there they usually come back another time.
Kitchen is out in the open which is fun. Few tables and chairs outside.
Very happy lively crowd.
It is on Columbus, west side, just a few doors down from where Vallejo St., crosses Columbus, going south on Columbus. So right in the heart of North Beach. And they do have some wine from Italy also.
If you go, mangia!!
The name is Mona Lisa. Owned by an Italian from Southern Italy. Almost all of the employees are from various areas of Italy. They are darling.
The food is very good. My son-in-law from Rome even likes it. Of course it is twixed a bit for the American taste, but seriously it is very good. Many locals go there and talking to tourist (from even Europe) that eat there they usually come back another time.
Kitchen is out in the open which is fun. Few tables and chairs outside.
Very happy lively crowd.
It is on Columbus, west side, just a few doors down from where Vallejo St., crosses Columbus, going south on Columbus. So right in the heart of North Beach. And they do have some wine from Italy also.
If you go, mangia!!
Oct 24th, 2004, 09:13 PM
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TY LoveItaly...I have not heard of the Mona Lisa and don't mean to offend by the term "hole in the wall". Stinking Rose keeps popping up but sounds too tourist-y. Just looking for a place with great authentic Italian, not necessarily white linen, silver and crystal glasses.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Oct 25th, 2004, 07:40 AM
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Avoid the Stinking Rose unless you just want laughs about the garlic. The food is mediocre at best -- and yes, quite touristy.
I really like Buca Giovanni. Was very disappointed in the highly rated an very popular "hole in the wall, L'Osteria del Forno. I think Rose Pistola is excellent but pricey and maybe a bit too fancy for what you want. And I really love Trattoria Contadina, which is up the hill from the center of North Beach on Mason Street. In fact, that would probably be my first choice!
I really like Buca Giovanni. Was very disappointed in the highly rated an very popular "hole in the wall, L'Osteria del Forno. I think Rose Pistola is excellent but pricey and maybe a bit too fancy for what you want. And I really love Trattoria Contadina, which is up the hill from the center of North Beach on Mason Street. In fact, that would probably be my first choice!
Oct 25th, 2004, 09:10 AM
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love7220, no offense taken, I have used that term many times myself. MonaLisa does seem to be the description of a restaurant you are looking for. Many SF residents go there, all ages. Have always enjoyed it. Welcome to San Francisco. Enjoy your visit!
Nov 2nd, 2004, 12:46 PM
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We recently visited SF and North Beach. There are several restaraunts to choose from, whose food all looked great and had customers all looking quite content with their food and surroundings. The ones we checked out all were operated by native Italians, which added to the atmospher. We had a hard time choosing, but finally went with the Volare on Columbus, and would recommend it. They have a website at http://www.volarecafe.com/ If you like strong garlic, the Stinking Rose looked like a winner. If you lean toward fish, Michaelangeo look good. If you get to Chinatown, we took someone's suggestion from here: great food at Hing Lung at 674 Broadway where mostly local Chinese families go - not fancy, but great food.
Nov 3rd, 2004, 09:20 AM
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Kal: some of the best calamari I've ever had was in CA. We will be in the area on Sunday, however, not Friday.
Thanks for all the great info, it will be hard to choose the one to eat at.....
Here's another one to throw at ya: we'll be staying in a B&B around Alamo Square, just in case we want steak instead, any suggestions?
Leaving in two days!!!!!!!
We have lunch reservations at the Slanted Door and dinner reservations Saturday evening at Stomp. Good choices? Local opinions are truly valued.
Thanks for all the great info, it will be hard to choose the one to eat at.....
Here's another one to throw at ya: we'll be staying in a B&B around Alamo Square, just in case we want steak instead, any suggestions?
Leaving in two days!!!!!!!
We have lunch reservations at the Slanted Door and dinner reservations Saturday evening at Stomp. Good choices? Local opinions are truly valued.
Nov 8th, 2004, 07:24 PM
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love7220, I am so very happy you enjoyed the MonaLisa. It is always scary IMHO to suggest a restaurant because everyone has different perceptions of what they are expecting etc. And than of course any restaurant can have an "off night". Again, I am glad you were so pleased.
Hope all of your trip was wonderful. Take care
Hope all of your trip was wonderful. Take care
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