Acquerello

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Acquerello Review

For years, devotees of chef-owner Suzette Gresham-Tognetti's high-end but soulful Italian cooking have been swooning over her incomparable Parmesan budino (pudding), ridged pasta with foie gras and truffles, and veal loin rolled and stuffed with seasonal vegetables. Dishes are complex, refined, and also feature some cutting-edge touches and techniques. Dinners are prix-fixe, with three ($64), four ($78), or five ($90) courses and at least six choices within each course. Tognetti also tempts with a chef's eight-course tasting menu ($180, with wine pairings). The cheese course is definitely worth saving room for. Co-owner Giancarlo Paterlini (and his son) oversee the service and the list of Italian wines, both of which are superb. The room, with its vaulted ceiling and terra-cotta and pale-ocher palette, suits the refined food. This is a true San Francisco dining gem that is worth every penny.