We're looking for a fun, not too stuffy, sort of reasonable restaurant, maybe in the North Beach area. Have heard about North Beach Restaurant, Ideale, La Felce, Panta Rei. Any suggestions? Thanks.

New Pisa is very good.

http://www.bestofsanfrancisco.net/newpisa.htm

We just ate at Ideale and I would say skip it! We had considered Osteria del Forno which I would also still recommend. It does not take reservations so the wait was too long for us. I had heard Ideale was good and is run by the same folks who used to have Bonta. All I can say is..it was one of the worst Italian meals I've had. The bread was burned, the pasta bland..my carbonara came with scrambled eggs..and the wine had a vinegar taste.
You might also check out Cafe Macaroni.

I generally dislike when people give advice based on their trip from several years ago, but I'm going to do exactly that - shame on me!
We really enjoyed several times, different trips North Beach Restaurant, even saw Mayor Brown there once - with a hot young blondeEnjoyed drinks and apps at Rose Pistola.
Don't forget that Beach Blanket Babylon is in the area, too, if you're looking for some entertainment.
Have a great time in The City.

"Caps Corner" in North Beach is a great family-style Italian restaurant. It's charming, casual, and very reasonably priced. It has a very friendly and cozy appeal. My family and I go there every time we visit the Bay area.

Another vote for the New Pisa - that's where we S.F. natives go.

I also loved Rose Pistola!!

I love Michaelangelo's (on Columbus Street). VERY casual and great food. The restaurant has about 20 Tiffany style lamps hanging from the ceiling and the walls have copies of Italian art. They pass a massive wheel of cheese around the restaurant for patrons to hack at. The wine list is not so great--but the most evpensive bottle they have is under $20. After your meal you will be served some little cookies and gummy bears. Just a note--they DO NOT take credit cards! (We still can't remember--many meals have ended with me running up the street to the ATM).