Calzone’s
I don’t go to North Beach often, not because I don’t like it, but because it’s usually flanked by tons of tourists (the only neighborhood that’s worse is Fisherman’s Wharf). I found myself there a few months ago to see Dave Chappelle at Cobb’s Comedy Club and afterwards, I was famished.
My dining companion and I settled on dinner at Calzone’s, a bustling restaurant on Columbus Avenue in the heart of North Beach. I had the fresh fettuccinne with Dungeness crab, a dish I’d first tried here a few years back.
Sadly, the crab was less flavorful than I remembered it and the sauce was sort of bland too. Its saving grace was the fresh pasta itself, which was more of a pappardelle. It was tender but not mushy, with a silky texture.
I’m yet to find a really outstanding restaurant in North Beach, so if you know of one, drop me a line. I want to love North Beach, I really do.
You MUST go to L’Osteria Del Forno. It’s been years since I’ve been, but I still think of it when I’m hungry for Italian food (even though I live in LA now). It’s very non-touristy, and the food is insanly yummy.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/l-osteria-del-forno-san-francisco#hrid:Zzkoo0Q_T0ox9_hzSCt8Ow/query:pizza
Thanks for the recommendation! Just took a look at their menu, it looks delicious. I’ll have to try it and report back.
Only Italian place I like going to in that area is Fior d’Italia..one of the oldest Italian restaurants in the country. It’s very homey and food was really fresh, from what I remember.
Thanks Vette! I’ll have to try that one out too.
yeah…not really feelin that place either
l’osteria del forno is good indeed.
maykadeh has really good kubideh in my opinion (everything else is average…but you’re persian and i’m sure much more seasoned with those tastes. so i don’t know what you’ll really think!
)…on grant and green.
golden boy’s pizza corner is yum super thick crust pizza. they cut em into squares….they have this clam flavor that’s kind of their signature…it’s good…but i usu just get down with the cheese. i think that’s grant and vallejo.
giordano brothers on columbus and broadway has super dope sandwiches. get the steak one. my homie likes the pastrami but i’m not feelin it the same.
e tutto qua has good pasta whenever i’ve gone. and whenever they have a pasta special with mushroom cream sauce (which i’m slightly obsessed with), it’s always banging. i like their fettuccine with salmon in blush type sauce as well.
little vietnam is also on columbus and broadway. pretty bangin vietnamese sandwiches for like…$3.50. i know they’re cheaper and better in oakland…but hey!
you’d think there’d be more kick ass italian restaurants there, but not from what i’ve found so far.
Yeah, I’m pretty mixed on Maykadeh too. I know it’s supposed to be the go-to place in the city for Iranian food, but in my experience I’d rather have homecooked chelo kabab any day.
I am totally noting these Italian restaurants – I’m clueless when it comes to Italian in North Beach. I love pasta so will definitely be trying E Tutto Qua. Thanks for the recommendations!