north beach | San Francisco, CA

Noel F.University of California, DavisNov 21, 1997

Someone wrote:
: I'm looking for a good restaurant in North Beach. Any suggestions?

Rose Pistola, an wonderful Italian eatery.

Louis J.gte.netNov 21, 1997

Someone wrote:
>  I'm looking for a good restaurant in North Beach. Any suggestions?

Caffe Macaroni and Ristorante Ideale are two good, moderately priced Italians.

Louis J.gte.netNov 22, 1997

>>Louis J. wrote:
>> Caffe Macaroni and Ristorante Ideale are two good, moderately priced
>> Italians.

>John E. wrote:
> How do they compare to L'Osteria Del Forno?

L'Osteria (which is also to be recommended) specializes in light dishes and pizza, whereas the other two are oriented to full-course meals.

Price-wise, L'Osteria's snacks plus wine can easily add up to the same total you'd have when ordering light at Macaroni or Ideale.  For atmosphere, Ideale has the largest and prettiest dining room of the three, Osteria is a straightforward storefront cafe with interesting window seating, and Macaroni has perhaps the tiniest street-level dining space you'll ever see, shoehorning in about 12 people right next to the open kitchen (there's also a low-ceilinged upstairs room, equally cramped, but downstairs is more fun).

LJ