San Francisco Italian Restaurant for 14
 

I am looking for suggestions for an Italian restaurant for 14 of us (cousins in town to celebrate a birthday) for a Friday night. We will be staying in Union Square but don't have to eat there.
We need a place with some great pasta dishes, and other excellent food, nice atmosphere, and large enough to accomodate us without us taking over the restaurant (no very small intimate place/hole in the wall). I would also prefer that they serve liquor in addition to beer and wine, as some of us like our cocktails!

In my research so far, I am interested in
Delfina,
E Tutto Qua
Ideale
Cafe Tiramisu - maybe .....any other suggestions or comments on these?
I have not tried any of these.

I have been to Perbacco and didn't like it - burnt soup (inedible), wrong orders, indifferent service....I know it gets great reviews, and we probably hit an off night, but still.... also not interested in something like Original Joes. I've been to Scala's (overpriced but fine for pre-theatre) and Kuletos (ehh). Aquarello will be too expensive. So there you have it. Suggestions?

We had a Fodors GTG dinner at E Tutto Qua and it was lovely! Great food and excellent service.

Flour and Water has a private room that might work.

I don't think Delfina can accommodate a group that large, you'd have to call to ask.

Even if Delfina can accommodate you (which really has almost 0% of happening), it would be so loud that nobody could carry on a conversation.

We attended E Tutto Qua with Deb & gang of about 14, and it was fine. We could carry on conversations.

We've never dined at Flour + Water because their menu has never appealed to us. They may not have a hard liquor license, however. Best to call - it's not on their web site.

Ideals is quite small - doubt if 14 will fit in there.

IMO, Delfina and Flour + Water are outside of walking distance from Union Sq & taxi/bus will be difficult for 14 people.

I would go to North Beach Restaurant
http://www.northbeachrestaurant.com/index.html
They have several private rooms & corners. Ask for their Salami room.

We dined at Perbacco three weeks ago - excellent. We've been there 5 times.

Stu Dudley

Personally I like Scala's Bistro. I'm sure they can accommodate 14 and the menu is diverse, good pasta and they serve great cocktails.

Thanks for all of your advice. E tutto Qua ended up being my first choice but is closed for vacation during our weekend visit. We decided on North Beach Restaurant as I think everyone will be happy with the menu selections there.

If you don't dine in the salami room - at least go downstairs and wander through it.

We first dined at North Beach Restaurant in 1975. It's where my wife's parents always wanted to go when they came out to visit us from Indiana.

Stu Dudley

Many Fodors GTGs at Mona Lisa. They were always wonderful with groups. Will do great anti pasta platters, order your entrees.