Italian steakhouse????

[afs]

Hi all-
I'm in SF for the weekend visiting family. Can anyone suggest a great Italian place that's has it all Steaks, fish etc., NON tourist spot??
Cocktails service would be a plus.

Thanks,
AFS

[Nancy Berry]

I was also going to recommend Alfred's Steakhouse -- great steaks with an Italian feel. Here's the menu: http://www.bestofsanfrancisco.net/alf...

[P. Punko]

Note that Alfred's steaks are entirely unseasoned, only aged. I was disappointed in the flavor, but at least the meat was cooked perfectly. Alfred's does have OK fries.

[Nancy Berry]

What you say about Alfred's seasoning policy is somewhat, but not entirely, correct. They don't use salts or peppers while grilling these beautifully aged steaks over mesquite, but they do offer a number of complimentary sauces with the steaks ( PEPPER, WHOLE GARLIC, BEARNAISE, CHIMICHURRI) and they will salt and pepper steaks while grilling if you ask them to. Also, they have on their menu some specialty steaks that have other sauces or seasonings (e.g., a Tuscan T-bone, seasoned with rosemary, garlic, and olive oil and a filet mignon pan-seared with black pepper, garlic and olive oil.) Whenever I've been there, they've tried very hard to please everyone at the table. And, by the way, they're one of the last restaurants in the city that still makes their Caesar Salad Dressing at the table. It's fresh and wonderfully bright tasting because of this.

[P. Punko]

The sauces are great- this is true, especially the mashed whole garlic. The "unseasoning" policy was not expected, and I missed it on the menu (I think it was mentioned on a display on the way out). I would have definitely asked for a little salt and pepper while cooking. It is important to know. Oh the Caesar is indeed fantastic!

[mpalmer6c]

Alfred's is an old-line steakhouse with a menu that at leasts leans Italian. I'd also suggest Original Joe's, and I don't consider the menu iffy at all. The filet of sole, for instance, is terrific.

[echo]

my guess is that you'll find exactly what you're looking for at a variety of places, from capp's corner on the low end to fior d'italia at the top. these are old (very old) local hangouts, as opposed to hip, trendy, or foodie meccas. not touristy, in fact you might have to ask for directions.

l'osteria del forno or rose pistola might have steaks too.

[Robert Lauriston]

No steaks at l'Osteria del Forno. The meat dishes are all done in the oven.

Rose Pistola is very touristy, though by no means a tourist trap.

I don't find any recent reports on Fior d'Italia, which in its post-fire location is surely even more touristy than before.

Original Joe's is Italian, and has good steaks, but anything other than the steaks is iffy.

[OldTimer]

Uhhh...you don't stay in business for over 50 years usually packed serving iffy food.

[Robert Lauriston]

Sure you can. John's Grill. the Old Clam House, and Joe's of Westlake, for example.

Neither longevity nor popularity is proof that a place is good, especially in a neighborhood with lots of tourist and/or bridge-and-tunnel traffic.

[OldTimer]

You got me there, Robert. How Old Clam House has survived is certainly a monument to mediocre longevity. What, pray tell, is the secret? John's Grill, on the other hand, was excellent before the fire. The delay in reopening resulted in a loss of just about all personnel, and it never recovered. I always heard that Westlake Joe's was very good. You must admit, however, that Joe's survival and sucess in that neighborhood is remarkable...and for years they had competition from Polo's. I can only assume that you are not a Joe's regular, but an occasional steak-eater.

[Robert Lauriston]

If you've always heard that Joe's of Westlake is very good, you should read some of the reports in the archive here.

I understand the appeal of Original Joe's, but most of the food's too retro for me. Might stop in if I'm in the neighborhood and craving a a steak or burger, but the pasta and vegetables are scary. I'm curious to see what the new generation does with the place.

[Atomica]

I'd add Val's Restaurant & Lounge in Daly City to the list of long-time survivors with very mediocre and pricy food.

Old Clam House {{{{{shudder}}}}} I live so close--if it were just a notch better, it would be so convenient for a weeknight dinner. Once was more than enough.

Dago Mary's has been open since 1930.

[Robert Lauriston]

Delfina usually has a steak among the entrees, but good luck getting in on such short notice.

None of the other great Italian restaurants in SF has steak as a regular item on the menu, and they have extensive wine lists but not cocktails.

[mrsricho]

The only place I know of that's both Italian and a steakhouse with cocktails is Joe Dimaggio's. It's a bit off a tourist spot but I hear great things about the food, going for the first time next weekend.

[Robert Lauriston]

Reports on Dimaggio's have been mixed. I don't think anybody thought the food was great overall.

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