Which would you pick for quality, ambiance, price - an overall good SF dining experience: Far East Cafe, Michelangelo Caffe, L'Osteria del Forno, Tommaso Ristorante It., Fior d'Italia?

I can tell you that we had a miserable time at the over-rated L'Osteria del Forno. It's a crowded little place and popular for reasons that I don't understand. Fior d'Italia looks nice, but it was booked the night we were wandering around looking for a place to eat. While you are in North Beach go see the fabulous, hilarious, and over-the-top Beach Blanket Babylon (see their web site).

Last visit we tried a place called Panta Rei on Columbus at Stockton when we couldn't get into some of the places you mentioned. It was great! The service was excellent and the food terrific.

Have not been to any of the restaurants you listed but did eat at Trattoria Contadina at Mason and Union. It is small but they did take reservations. Had a good meal at a very resonable price. It was close to Beach Blanket Babylon which we had tickets to. Check out the website.

www.beachblanketbabylon.com

It is quite an experience.

Michelangelo's is a simple & fun, family Italian restaurant. Not high cuisine but good. Trattoria Contadina mentioned above is also good, and again not a fancy place. One of my favorite North Beach Italian restaurants is Steps of Rome on Columbus near Broadway.