North Beach Italian Restaurant?

[zboni]

Are there any really good authentic Italian restaurants in No. Beach for 6 foodies? I was told North Beach Restaurant (an old staple) has passed it's prime. Need a few suggestions for first week in Nov. Thanks!

[walker]

Da Flora takes reservations and is walking distance to BBB. I loved the food (have only been once) and got along fine with the owner -- some reviews dis her. She recommended an excellent, reasonable wine.

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Da Flora
701 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

[L C]

Agree with Tony's Pizza Napoletana, Ideale, L'Osteria del Forno and Tommaso's (don't take reservations on the last 2). Also add: Sodini's Green Valley Restaurant, E' Tutto Qua, and Franchino (great pastas).

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L'Osteria del Forno
519 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

Sodini's
510 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94133

Ideale
1315 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

Tommaso Ristorante Italiano
1042 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94133

E Tutto Qua
270 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

Franchino
347 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

Tony's Pizza Napoletana
1570 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133

[Robert Lauriston]

I think L'Osteria and Tomasso's are problematic for pre-theater since they don't take reservations and often have a waite. Post-theater, no problem.

[virtualguthrie]

Tomasso's on Kearney is always a good bet. A North Beach, family run classic that hasn't changed much in decades. Great pizza and home-made ravioli.

[DavidT]

The best Italian restaurants in San Francisco are no longer in North Beach. Go to the upper right hand corner of this page and do searches for Perbacco, Incanto, La Ciccia & Milano.

As mentioned above, Ristorante Ideale (on Grant Ave.) is probably your best bet in North Beach.

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La Ciccia
291 30th Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Ideale
1315 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

[vulber]

What about Sotto Mare, L'Osteria del Forno, or Albona?

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L'Osteria del Forno
519 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

Sotto Mare
552 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94133

[ttoommyy]

We haven't been in over a year, but L'Osteria del Forno is always a favorite. They serve a more authentic Italian menu as opposed to the Italian-American menu you find at many other North beach restaurants.

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L'Osteria del Forno
519 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

[Gustavo Glenmorangie]

I agree. Authentic oven-based Italian fare. But... 6 people could be difficult. They don't take reservations and there is always a line. The place has seating for, what? 24? 30, max? at mostly two-tops and a few fours. Six is not going to be easy. Worth it though.

I've never been to Albona (<http://albonarestaurant.com/>) but I/ve been wanting to go. Too many restaurants; too little time, alas. Thanks for reminding me of it. It's Istrian, the northeast corner adj to what used to be Yugoslavia,; which is certainly not mainstream Italian. It's aficionados -- and they are many -- love it. I once stood on the street reading the menu and two people walking by stopped to encourage me to eat there. If I were looking for Italian in North Beach, it would be the top of my list. Certainly way ahead of North Beach Restaurant.

[ttoommyy]

"But... 6 people could be difficult. They don't take reservations and there is always a line. The place has seating for, what? 24? 30, max? at mostly two-tops and a few fours. Six is not going to be easy. Worth it though."

Very true. Thanks for pointing that out Gustavo. I'd hate to recommend the place and have the OP go only to get frustrated.

[zboni]

Thanks so much everyone. I was able to get a reservation for 6 peeps at Albona Ristorante for before BBB, and I got a reservation for Saturday evening at 8PM at Perbacco. Can't wait for both!

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Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

[zboni]

Thanks David. I just wanted something close to Beach Blanket Babylon which is at 8:00, and since that's in No. Beach, I was looking for something close to that. Any suggestions besides Italian then?

[mariacarmen]

Tony's Pizza Napoletana. Haven't tried anything else off the extensive menu, but their price-winning pizza is divine.
http://www.tonyspizzanapoletana.com/l...

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Tony's Pizza Napoletana
1570 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133

[wolfe]

Very close non-Italian Is Yuet Lee.
Yuet Lee Seafood.
http://www.chow.com/restaurants/2409/...

[vulber]

I haven't been, but the main complaint I've heard about North Beach Restaurant is not regarding the quality of the food, but how obscenely overpriced it is.

I did go to Ideale last week and enjoyed it, but it's not exactly a foodie destination.

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Ideale
1315 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133