onthegogo

We're getting 7pm tickets to BBbabylon (can hadly wait to see it) and want to have dinner before (5 or 5:30? - early I know), then go out after for dessert and drinks. Any suggestions for a good med. priced restaurant (pref. Italian) within walking distance to theatre (since we don't have a car) and also recommendation for dessert and drinks after. Saw the ticket website advertising The Stinking Rose...but it looks like a chain of sorts, and that's not what we're looking for. Want some good, reasonably priced (with bottle of wine of course) Italian or other good food! Hope you'll share your experiences and advice. Thanks.

TexasAggie98

Can't help on restaurants other than I've been to The Stinking Rose in San Fran but didn't know it was a chain. It was really busy and loud and a TON of garlic is used in everything so beware! I'd probably pick somewhere else for dinner before a show. Have fun!

Budman

We ate at the Stinking Rose, didn't know it was a chain, and absolutely loved it, garlic and all!!!

There is an Italian restaurant on the corner up the street from the theater (as you're facing the front of the theater, to the left). Can't remember the name, but it was a Fodorite recommended restaurant. Couldn't get in because we failed to make a reservation. Our loss -- it looked really good from reading the outside menu.

We had dinner at an Irish Pub down the street in the other direction from the theater which was very good.

But you want Italian -- Hope someone on the board can help with the name of the restaurant I'm referring to.

Patrick

Are you aware that people start lining up at BBB about 6, and I think the doors open at 6:30 as even with tickets the seating is "first come, first seated"? I'd think to be safe you're now talking about 4 or 4:30 -- almost lunch. The show is over before 8:30. Are you sure you don't want a more relaxing dinner after the show? You could do some drinks or wine and snacks before at one of the nice cafes just a block east of the theatre. Just a thought.

crefloors

There are a lot of little places close to the theatre so you are sure to find someplace for either a snack or an early dinner. I can't name anything in particular but we found a little place and at that early hour we had no trouble getting in. BBB is a blast. You'll love it.

volcam

Three restaurants in the nearby area that we've enjoyed over the years are as follows: Capp's Corner, Rose Pistola and Moose's. Capp's Corner is on the northeast corner of Powell and Green Streets, close to Club Fugazi (where BBB is staged). It is an Italian family-style trattoria. Rose Pistola is farther away, at 532 Columbus Avenue near Stockton Street. It is Italian and honors the neighborhood's Ligurian roots. Moose's is on the other side of Washington Square Park from where Club Fugazi is located. Moose's is at 1652 Stockton Street near Union Street. My wife and I love this place, where politicians and media types show up. The menu is excellent, and the ambience is exciting. The neat neon "Moose's" sign signals to you from across the park. Hope this helps!

LoveItaly

Hi onthegogo, I would have a very late lunch or an early dinner. The Mona Lisa is a casual Italian restaurant on Columbus St., just a couple of doors down from Vallejo St. owned by a man from Italy. All the staff there are from Italy. You will love their accents. The service is delightful. Very Italian. The kitchen is an open one, so fun to see them cook if you like. Decent prices and very good food. You can order pretty much what you want, light snacks, a full meal etc.
And wine of course!

Their address is 353 Columbus and their ph. no. is 415-989-4917. They take reservations. They are just down the street and around the corner from BeachBlanket Babylon so a perfect spot for you.

After the show you will have fun checking out all the action in North Beach and will find everything open so that you can have whatever you want to drink, a dessert etc.

Have a fun stay in SF!

JBC411

onthegogo, Capp's Corner, mentioned by Volcam, is without question the restaurant whose name Budman was trying to remember. This is a fine old well-established family style place which I think is probably the single most popular place for BBB watchers to dine, and as such is very crowded before and after.

If you want the real classic North Beach small, great value, family style place, not quite so jammed with theatergoers, try the Gold Spike around the corner on Columbus. Unchanged since the 1920's by the four generations of the same family which have run it. The real deal, loads of atmosphere. My top recommendation for Only in S.F.

These two and several other good places, some mentioned by other posters, some not, are discussed in more detail in the link below. Note that in the text about the Mona Lisa, they've put an extra, incorrect digit in the address. Love Italy above, who recommends it, has got the address right, as you can also see it on the restaurant's canopy at the picture on this site.

http://www.coastnews.com/restaurant-...orth-beach.htm

I'd also recommend eating afterwards rather than before. It does pay to stand in line for the best seat in your price range, and the atmosphere in line is usually festive and fun. And if I remember correctly, you can get snacks along with the drink service at BBB, if you're worried about hunger pangs. Double check this with them before relying on it.

onthegogo

Thanks everyone for all your great suggestions. I didn't know about having to line up and didn't even realize no assigned seating...how did I miss that!!! So now I know. Read somewhere that all seats are pretty good...but I do think its much better to get the best one can. Standing in line for 1-1/2 hrs doesn't sound appealing.....but from all comments -- worth it. Thanks again.