With views of crumbling industrial warehouses creating a unique ambiance from just across the street, one may be surprised to find gourmet street food being served from such a location. Operating out of a roll-up garage door in the Dogpatch neighborhood, Kitchenette’s slogan of spontaneous organic covert nourishment delivers just that. Specializing in delicious sandwiches, the menu rotates daily with two choices like their smoked pulled pork, fried chicken, porchetta, corned beef, hot dog and burger varieties. There is usually also a vegetarian option like grilled cheese, portobello burger, and eggplant banh mi just to name a few. Side dishes include their roasted pumpkin seeds, 4505 spicy chicharrones, and cookie of the moment. Seating is basically a few benches so this place is ideal for those looking to grab something quick to take back to their desk. Cash only. |Kichenette SF|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 11:30am – 1:30pm

A place that could very well have invented the Mission-style burrito years ago that countless taquerias have imitated since, La Cumbre is one of the familiar faces on Valencia Street in a gentrified sea of hip restaurants, hipster-friendly boutiques, and yoga studios. Walking into this place could be a bit of a time warp as the decor has probably changed little over the year, as has the menu of reasonably priced Mexican dishes. The rather large menu of choices includes some great tacos, their signature burritos, enchiladas, chile relleno, quesadillas, nachos, and plenty of options to further customize. Beverage options range from ice-cold cervezas and margaritas, to non-alcoholic options like Mexican sodas, fruit juices, and horchatas.

I usually come here when I crave a bit of rice in my burrito, and it’s a great place to stop by after a long night of touring the watering holes nearby. I love that this place provides a side of chips for free and offers a salsa bar that’s free for sampling, I just wish that the other taquerias in this city did the same.

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sun: 11am – 2am

Also found in select locations throughout the Bay Area, Roli Roti is one of the best versions of mobile street food, utilizing high quality local produce when in season and free range organic meats. The popularity of this mobile rotisserie is quickly apparent with lines that often stretch down the street, regardless of the weather. Patrons love Roli Roti for their whole roasted spiced chickens, rosemary roasted potatoes, succulent porchetta (pork loin wrapped in pork belly), and roasted pork knuckle. Keeping the menu simple is key when serving customers quickly, and the stand operates efficiently with their assembly line of workers processing orders.

While they do operate in multiple locations, the gourmet Porchetta sandwich is only served at Ferry Plaza, which is reason enough to come to the |Farmers Market| on Thursdays and Saturdays. Served on a fresh roll from Acme Bakery, the sandwich is topped with carmelized onions, seasonal greens and a mound of tender pork deliciousness. For hours and locations, check out their web site. |Roli Roti|

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

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

While nearly every neighborhood in San Francisco has its fair share of wine bars, some simply cannot be classified as merely a place to just have drinks. Enoteca Ottomista strikes a balance of being both a great wine bar and restaurant with its delicious rustic Italian cuisine, complimented by an expansive wines list that specializes in Italian varietals.

From the warm and rustic dining area that surrounds the rich wooden bar, to the wrought iron vintage tables and chairs in the heated front patio, the design completes the whole experience. The ambiance is reminiscent of a charming little restaurant somewhere in the Italian Tuscan countryside. Highlights from my last visit include the special pizza del giorno, the beet frisee salad with toasted sunflower seeds and pistachios, and the salumi plate. |Ottimista SF|

Hours of Operation:
Mon: Closed
Tues-Thurs: 2pm-11pm
Fri: 12pm-2am
Sat: 11am-2am
Sun: 11am-10pm