Looking for Nice Italian Restaurant for Dinner

[curiousgeo]

My wife and I are staying in the Union Square area, but are willing to walk, taxi or BART for a good Italian meal. We were disappointed to learn that Antica Trattoria has closed as we really enjoyed the food and ambiance there.

So we're looking for someplace similar to eat and are thinking of trying Ristorante Milano or Ristorante Ideale. How are these places for a good, moderately priced meal. Any particularly good dishes there you could recommend? I'm also considering Original Joe's for their ribeye steak and spaghetti, but I think my wife would probably prefer someplace else. Open to other suggestions as well. Thanks in advance for your help.

[curiousgeo]

Thanks for your replies, I really appreciate your input. We'll definitely consider Perbacco, a bit more expensive perhaps, but not unreasonable and the menu looks very good. I'm glad both Ideale and Milano are also well regarded neighborhood restaurants. We tend to favor restaurants that are comfortable, unpretentious, that serves good, reasonably price food.

[dannyboy6]

I enjoyed Original Joe's,a lil pricey,but still Great,Veal Parmigiana and Ravioli's,make res. and get a booth.

[curiousgeo]

Yup, Original Joe's would be good for me. Old school, traditional red sauce place for a great steak or veal parmigiana with a side of spaghetti. It's just that my wife would like someplace a bit more,......refined I guess would be the term I'm looking for. Which is ok as I need to consider her preferences as we make our restaurant plans.

[dannyboy6]

Stop for a drink and see the movers and shakers of San Francisco,and the Old School Politicians,Famous Bartenders(Mc Court) etc.I believe OJ's is refined now,it's in fior d italia's old spot,were not talking Taylor St.

[DavidT]

Original Joe's, while very good, is not especially similar to Antica Trattoria. OJ's is much more "Italian-American" than Italian in the vain of Antica Trattoria, Ideale, Milano or Perbacco.

[walker]

Original Joe's, now located Union/Stockton in North Beach, I consider a bit elegant -- lots of potted white orchids everywhere. Wonderful booths and you are not sitting on top of the next people like at Milano and Ideale. You can have a conversation. Prices are not excessive and quality is much better (portions smaller) than at the old Tenderloin location. They don't close in between lunch and dinner and are open daily.

[DavidT]

Milano and Ideale are both very good neighborhood-type restaurants. As noted above, Perbacco is very, very good. But it is a bigger, glossier, more expensive place. The good news is that, even though it is more expensive, it is not overpriced.

[Dustin_E]

perbacco and milano are priced the same, almost exactly:

http://assets.dineactive.com/MENU/1340155404917_dinner.pdf

http://milanosf.com/menu.html

[Robert Lauriston]

Of the good Italian places in SF, I think Perbacco's closest in style to Antica Trattoria. More expensive than Ideale or Milano, which are both good.

[little big al]

I like Ideale,having only recently been a few times after more than 30 years on Tel. Hill (the poor side). The veal tortelloni are memorable, as is the anchovy cheese bruschetta. In the same neighborhood, I also like L'Osteria del forno on Columbus for the crespelle , spiedini d'agnello, and the pork roasted in milk. Incidentally, that is where I tasted my first Negroni, and I am eternally grateful.