Best Hot Spot Restaurants in Mission District

Everything was really wonderful however I asked for a to go box and the waiter ended up taking it away to box it and when I returned home I saw they removed half of my food so I didn't have my full leftovers. That was really disappointing.

Super happy with the service! Came to celebrate my birthday and was able be sat early and enjoy the energy of the restaurant! I love the juicy cuts of meat and my party was able to finish their meat and get an extra slice after!

We have been coming to the restaurant since its opening in 1998, me as recently as last October. We felt the kitchen has never been better. We shared anchovies with butter on toast, the spaghetti pomodoro (perfectly executed and still justifying its legend), the pesce del giornio (a 2 pound American snapper) and the insalata di campo (well sourced lettuces and on point dressing). An interesting red from Piemonte. Warm, well informed, attentive service. Still one of our very favorite restaurants anywhere. Will continue to be a highlight of any San Francisco visit. Already anticipating our next meal here.

We got lucky getting the best table in the restaurant, across from the bar in a nook under the stairs, so we easily heard each other! We chose a plant forward menu and our waiter Kai (sp?) decided on the order of the dishes. I’d trust his judgment again because we had a great time. The pigs head hid a shaved fennel and pear salad underneath. I delightfully learned how different parts of fennel tastes when shaved so finely. The Hokkaido scallops were soooo good and fresh and compared to a sushi restaurant, a very good value. My partner normally doesn’t like shellfish but he loved the scallops. We ended the savory portion of the meal with the seaweed noodles and the grilled cabbage with dill pickle butter and roe. Both plates had amazing, complimentary sauces and Kai brought us some bread to savor the last drops. The One Punch Man cocktail complemented entire the meal so well with its fruity yet creamy flavor. We got the chocolate semifreddo for dessert for the texture. It had a toasted umeboshi meringue that tasted like dates if they were slightly pickled. I left food drunk and with very happy tastebuds. I loved the restraint in all the flavors. I think a lot of dishes could’ve easily gone sideways in less capable hands, or even the meal because this menu had a lot of citrus and pickled items, and instead they nailed it just right.

This is one of our very favorite restaurants in San Francisco. Food and service are impeccable. It is particularly lovely to sit in the main room with the fireplace where they are often roasting meat. It is a special place. Don’t tell too many people!!