I am looking for Italian food in San Francisco, something not so famous but very good. Thanks

We were in San Francisco a little over a year ago.(So, not a recent review). We loved the Mona Lisa restaurant in North Beach. It came recommended here by LoveItaly and it was very good. We actually went twice because we found the price reasonable and the food very tasty.

Here is teh list teh concierge gave us at the Grand Hyatt UNion Square:
Kuleto's
Fino
SCalas Bistro
Zingari
Uncle Vitos
Brindisi
Cafe Tiramisu
Puccini & Pinetti

I don't know if you would consider it Italian but the Stinking Rose sure serves alot of garlic...

There are only 3 good Italian in San Francisco:
Delfina,
Incanto, and
A16.

We loved loved loved Franchino. It was a very small, authentic Italian restaurant. The food was homemade and delicious. It is on the main drag in North Beach with all of the other restaurants.

In addition to the North Beach advice you've already been given here, just go to North Beach and look for the holes in the walls. Or Clement Street, same advice. Avoid the "hot" trendy places. SF has great Italian food, always has had. Big Italian population, so of course!

Acquarello would be the 4th best. French-infused, pricey but good.

All others, especially the tourist-favorites in the North Beach area are mediocre when compared to the top 4.

A16 -- in the Marina. Get reservations well in advance.

hmmm, I thought of Delfina too!

We LOVED the Italian food we ate in North Beach and ate at Stinking Rose & Mona Lisa.

bill_boy has got the good ones covered. To his list I would add Antica Trattoria and La Ciccia, which is a Sardinian place. None of these restaurants are your typical red sauce with everything type places. In particular, the food at Incanto is so authentic that it would seem "weird" to someone thinking strictly of sphagetti and meatballs. Speaking of meatballs, the ones served at A16 (I believe only on Mondays) will show you a whole new meatball territory. The wine lists at A16 and Incanto are superb, with unusual offerings particularly from southern Italy and Sicily. Reserve ahead at any of these places.

bill_boy, you have offered some good suggestions here, but if I want authentic ethnic cooking of any kind, I avoid any restaurant with the term "infused" attached to it!

I agree with Bill_boy...but I also love Rose Pistola and I think the pasta at Pane e Vina is always excellent.

Dovima--you are supposed to keep La Ciccia a secret so that we can still get in!!! I agree with billboy's recommendations if as dovima has implied you are not looking for typical Italian/American types of places. I don't agree that these are the only 3 good Italian restaurants in SF, but that is a matter of opinion. The problem with responding to such requests is we have no idea what the OP has in mind.

BTW Bill and dovima, try Perbacco and see if you would add it to your lists.

Puccini & Pinetti excellent food, nice decor, children-friendly.

Mona Lisa: good food, garish decor.

Fino: good food, quiet but can get noisy if full.

Cafe Tiramisu: tiny overpriced portions.

I am glad to see Uncle Vito's on Jar's list as I'll have a mini-GTG with a Fodorite there.

Ti Piacera on Polk street is good, if you are in that area.

Dear SAB,
Whoops, loose lips sink ships! However, I think the trek out to 30th and Church will daunt the casual diner.
Thanks for the pointer on Perbaco - I must try it soon.

>>you are supposed to keep La Ciccia a secret so that we can still get in<<

Fortunatly, not may tourists mae it out to the Noe Valley. We're dining at La Ciccia tomorrow night.

Stu Dudley

Stu: Say buona sera to Lorella and Massimo (if he comes out of the kitchen).

It's amazing how may very nice restaurants are located in that section of Church St. now. When we first moved to the Noe Valley in '75, there were none - except for a pizza parlor or two, a cheap Chinese restaurant, and Hans Spreckman German restaurant.

Tomorrow we're starting with a "flight" of white wine at Incanto & then walking a few blocks to La Ciccia for dinner.

Stu Dudley