On a brisk, slightly misty San Francisco evening, a world away from the trendy shops and bars that neighbor along Chestnut Street, it’s a welcoming sight to see that brightly lit green oval sign that shines brightly against the red brick and ivy. Sharing its name with a southern Italian highway that stretches from Naples to Canosa, A16 could possibly be the most charming restaurant in the Marina that’s perfect for just about any occasion. Whether its drinks and some light apps on a high top near the front of the restaurant, or a more extensive sampling of the menu at a table near the open kitchen in the back, the warm wood burning pizza oven helps make this place a cozy and warm dining experience away from the rain. When weather permits, the small covered rear patio provides yet another dining experience that feels more like a backyard dinner amongst close friends.

Serving up rustic seasonal Italian fare, A16 specialties include their customizable Neapolitan pizzas from their wood burning oven, house-cured salumi, creamy Burrata, ricotta gnocchi, and their meatballs just to name a few. Each dish here can find its pair with one of over 500 selections of Italian and California wines, so with choices abound, navigating the wine menu can often be best served with some pairing recommendations from owner Shelley Lindgren. |A16|

Hours of Operation:
Lunch:
Wed-Fri: 11:30am – 2:30pm
Dinner:
Mon-Thurs: 5:30pm – 10pm
Fri: 5:30pm – 11pm
Sat: 5pm – 11pm
Sun: 5pm – 10pm

Inspired by the family-run food stores that dot Southern Italy, Il Cane Rosso is a casual, quick service rotisserie and sandwich shop created by Chef Daniel Patterson of Coi and Lauren Kiino. The menu focus is on fresh seasonal ingredients and its |Ferry Building| location enables this place to source fresh produce and products directly from the local purveyors at the Farmers Market.

Many of the menu items utilize the rotisserie, which is where the whole roasted chicken, pork, and other meats are cooked to perfection. For breakfast, choices include their fried egg sandwich, toasted Acme pain de mie, bread pudding, and granola. Favorite sandwiches include their Porchetta, the warm egg salad, spit roasted pork, and the beef brisket. Choices of salads and soups are homemade, seasonal and rotate often. With lovely views of the Bay Bridge all lit up at night as a backdrop, their three course family-style meal for $25 per person is a reasonable dining option for some wholesome and rustic Italian fare. |Il Cane Rosso|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 9am – 9pm
Sat: 8am – 9pm
Sun: 9:30am – 9pm

When in the Mission district and the mood calls for some mouth watering Neapolitan thin-crust pizzas, contemporary Italian comfort food, and inventive cocktails, Beretta is a must try. The dimly lit upstairs is often brimming with diners packed into tight tables adjacent to the bar area, with some tables offering views of the open kitchen at the rear of the restaurant. For large groups, their set menu options in their private dining room downstairs are reasonably priced for the amount of food they provide and allow diners to sample some of their most popular menu items.

Their selection of pizzas offer a lot of variety that should appeal to any palate, and with options to add burrata, or even an egg as a topping should be reason enough to visit. Notable favorite dishes include their bruschette of fava bean and pecorino, eggplant caponatina with burrata, risotto with prosciutto, leeks and goat cheese, and their arugula and fennel salad with shaved parmesan. The meat antipasti mixed plate was fantastic, and is probably one of the best I’ve had in the city. Specials rotate on a daily basis and repeat visits are definitely required to sample their large menu of courses. |Beretta|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 5:30 pm – 1 am
Sat-Sun: 11 am – 1 am (bar open late)

Situated amongst the clusters of chic boutiques that dot this busy stretch of Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights, one could easily make the mistake of walking past this charming Italian restaurant with its unassuming black exterior and matching black awning. The name SPQR, which is an acronym for Senatus Populesque Romanus, and translates to “The People and Senate of Rome”, should explain its menu of rustic Italian dishes and great selection of Italian wines.

|Chef Matthew Accarrino| and his team have been hard at work, creating a diverse menu of dishes that change seasonally to showcase the best local ingredients. Much time and care goes into every dish, preparing everything including their pastas from scratch. Pretty impressive feat considering the staff can serve so many people every evening and still produce amazing food from its compact open kitchen. It’s often you’ll find owner |Shelley Lindgren| working the front of house as the wine director, and she is a great resource for wine paring recommendations. With friendly and professional service, coupled with delicious and sophisticated Italian fare, it’s no surprise this place is packed every night. Advanced reservations can be booked via their web site and are highly recommended, unless you are fine with the possibility of eating at the bar/chef’s counter. |SPQR|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sat: 5:30pm – 10:30pm
Sun: 5:30pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun Brunch: 11am – 2:30pm

Long before sandwich chains drew national acclaim for adding toasted sandwiches to their menus, Submarine Center has been serving them quietly here for over 25 years. This West Portal district staple has gained a loyal following from locals and jealous out of towners alike for their freshly toasted sandwiches.

Eating at one of the wood tables inside, it’s cool to see the various autographed San Francisco 49′ers memorabilia that adorns the wall; telling an interesting story of the affinity this sandwich shop shares with its fans on the team. Favorites include the BBQ Beef, Italian, and Pastrami sandwiches served with all the fixins. |Sub Center|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sat: 10am-7pm
Sun: 10am-5pm

From the owners of Beretta comes Delarosa, a modern Italian restaurant that’s conveniently located on Chestnut Street in the Marina district. Though the signage looks more at home on a stainless steel Italian espresso machine, the interior is warm and inviting, with its share of high top communal tables encouraging conversation amongst diners.

Chef Ruggero Gadaldi’s menu features a mix of antipasti, salads, pastas, and Roman style pizzas, all complimented by a large selection of draft beers, wines and cocktails. Best of all, Delarosa is open late until 1 am most nights and also has a weekend brunch perfect for some daytime drinks. |Delarosa|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sun: 11am – 1am
Sat & Sun Brunch: 11am – 4pm

One of my favorite restaurants in the Mission for its sleek and modern design, Farina’s ambiance is so inviting it just exudes cool. The curved curtain of glass that wraps around the frontage is beautiful yet functional, able to slide fully open to allow the breeze to circulate through. Skylights help keep the space bright with natural light, while the comfortable designer furniture helps to define the setting.

Chef Paolo Laboa relies on seasonal and fresh ingredients to bring out the best from his rustic yet elegant dishes influenced from his upbringing in Liguria, Italy. Freshly prepared pastas with their signature Genovese Pesto is a popular favorite here, as well as their Neapolitan pizzas. With so many delicious choices, it’s always fun to sample a bit of everything, just leave room for some of their amazing desserts. |Farina|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Thurs: 5:30pm-10pm
Fri-Sat: 5pm-10pm
Sun: 9am-3pm, 5pm-10pm

Italian for “by jove”, “wow”, or just sheer astonishment, Perbacco strives to pleasantly surprise the senses with their take on regional Italian cuisine from Piedmont and Liguria. Chef/Owner Staffan Terje utilizes seasonal, local ingredients to drive the diverse and well-balanced menu, enabling patrons to experience new dishes with every visit. With so many enticing choices on the menu, sharing is encouraged especially with the pasta tastings and cured meat platters served family-style. Perbacco is a perfect place for a fancy business lunch or a date to impress, the best seats in the house being the booth tables located upstairs. |Perbacco|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 11:30am-10pm
Sat: 5:30pm-10pm
Sun: Closed

On a warmer than usual evening in North Beach, a group of hungry friends happened upon a blue neon glow coming from Washington Square Park. The iconic Moose’s sign that used to shine brightly here has since been removed, being replaced by the names Joey & Eddie a couple years ago. Such changes, while unexpected, seem to reflect the neighborhood better with its family-style menu of Italian favorites like Spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmesan, and seafood linguine.

Hearty portion sizes, rustic and straightforward dishes, and friendly service make Joey & Eddie’s a great choice for a relaxed meal with friends. While I do miss the old Moose’s sign, it’s nice to see the blue neon remains.

Located on the corner of 24th and Castro in the Noe Valley district, Subs Inc. combines choice deli cuts, freshly baked bread, tomatoes, crisp iceberg lettuce and onions, all to create a satisfyingly delicious sandwich.

A good sandwich always starts with the bread, and Subs Inc. has some amazing Dutch crunch. Try it with their roasted turkey and cranberry sauce or their hot pastrami. The meatball sub is also delicious, perfect on a sweet roll. For dessert, there’s plenty of ice cream to sample.

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Sun: 10am-8pm