Italian Restaurants

Down by the San Carlos beach on the edge of the pier, sits Osteria Al Mare (Restaurant at the sea, in Italian). Come enjoy the beautiful pier, sea lions, and the taste of the old country. All of our ingredients are locally sourced and are as fresh as could be found. While our menu does change to reflect the freshest of ingredients, we offer such stables as Fritto Di Calamari, Stinco di Maiale alla Birra (beer braised pork shank) and our Pan-seared salmon. These items Maurizio perfected in Italy more than 30 years ago.

Housed in a former chapel, Acquerello is simply heavenly. The stunning pitched roof and calm, peaceful setting offer a cheerful and elegant setting, but it is the service and cuisine that keep guests returning. Chef Suzette Gresham offers tantalizing renditions of modern Italian cuisine, with vibrant, creative dishes such as wide ranch egg pappradelle with moist duck ragu, beet tortelloni filled with spinach and beet greens in gorgonzola cream sauce, and pancetta wrapped diver scallops over wilted Swiss chard. Co-owner Giancarlo Paterlini oversees an impressive wine program, graciously complimenting everything that comes out of the kitchen. Prix fixe menus allow …

Palio d’ Asti is a well-known Italian restaurant in San Francisco’s Financial District. The interior of the restaurant permits the viewing of the chefs in the open kitchen preparing the Italian cuisine with seasonal ingredients according to regional influence. During fall and winter, the focus is on Piemonte and Toscana. During the spring, the focus is on Rome and Umbria, while the summer is dedicated to Sicily and Naples. Dishes like the Carpaccio di Tonno, which is thinly sliced and hand-pounded raw ahi tuna with bottarga di tonno, arugula, lemon, and horseradish, can be found on the menu.