Most romantic Italian resto in SF Cozy, hip, dim, with classic Italian films projected on the walls, and unpretentious Italian fare + a great bar to complement it all. I've returned to here again and again, because it's just one of those spots that never fails to make it feel like a special night
Michele S.
I love this place! It's beautiful, and I have had some memorable dinners here. Delicious pastas, and I had the most amazing sea bass, years ago, but remember it still, it was that delicious! I stopped by for happy hour yesterday, and was just going to have a quick cocktail, but saw there was something on the menu I had to try, sardine saor. It was served on top of gorgeous squid ink polenta,and was divine! The owner, Francesco, told me the chef is from Venice, ( it's a regional dish from there. It came with some of their scrumptious house baked bread! I sat at the bar, and chatted w/ Chad, who provided prompt service and is friendly and charming. My " one cocktail", a blackberry mojito(!), after running errands turned into drink/wine/late-lunch(I have a wonky meal schedule)/and then espresso and cheesecake! I'm so glad I stayed for more!
Michael N.
Had the perfect Italian valentine dinner here. It was perfect. We shared three appetizers including their pate and roasted veggies. The pasta course was amazing and then the lemon dessert quite extraordinary. The service was impeccable. AND oh my, the ambiance was like I was dining in an Italian home albeit with a Fellini film playing on one wall..So romantic
Clayton Adams
Wouldn’t recommend. Server had trouble taking simple drink orders. Apps came out before the drink despite only having 3 tables filled in the restaurant. Had high hopes for the food but came out unseasoned and very small for the price you pay. Martini still had the sticker on the lemon rind.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Alison K.
the food here is authentic!!! It was so delicious, service was great, and seating is nice and spacious. This is becoming one of my favorite spots.
Joe Todaro
This is my favorite place for a nice dinner in the Castro. The cozy upstairs location feels miles away from the craziness down on 18th Street. I love the interesting cocktail specials, the pasta dishes, and the tiramisu for dessert. We had an especially nice meal there for Thanksgiving.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeremy Geiger
Secret: There's a special VIP seating area in the back (need to go THROUGH the Kitchen!)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Laura Batara
Nice house salad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ravioli Primavera
Barry Lewis
Delicious every time I've been here, whether for dinner with friends or just to pop in for cocktails and a snack. In the heart of an energetic area near Castro street, it's easy to get to and plenty of entertainment along the way. Chad is an outstanding
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Charissa Schaefer
I love to sip a coffee, nibble on a sandwich, and play a round of cards here.
Nice place to enjoy a meal with excellent service.We were greeted immediately and they had our table ready for us upon arrival. Servers were very courteous and prompt. The overall space is nice and gives you the feeling of visiting a friend’s home as a dinner guest.The food overall was good, but nothing to rave about. I probably would not go back unless a friend insists.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
JP G
We enjoyed the special prefix Thanksgiving menu, Each of the dishes was unique and included seasonal items. It was the take on Thanksgiving in some cases, for example though ravioli with turkey in it. The salad, secondi and dolce were all really good too. Staff were really great and it had good suggestions for the drinks. The interior was nice and cozy not too crowded for a big holiday.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stephen S.
On Christmas Eve, after the Gay Mens Chorus concert at the Castro Theater, we had dinner at Poesia, their prix fixe traditional Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes. Having eaten in some of the legendary San Francisco restaurants and at eateries around the world for six decades, I state without reservation or hesitation, this was the finest meal I have ever eaten. It was without compare. Each dish was perfect and delicious with the freshest ingredients (the muscles tasted liked they'd been plucked from sea an hour before). I do not say this with hyperbole. I have waited a week to see if my enthusiasm would wane, but it has not. The service was quiet and confident without being obsequious. We were not rushed, even on a holiday evening. This was a meal my friends and I will talk about for decades. A new standard has been set. It will be a new tradition in my family and I have already called for reservations for this coming Christmas Eve. I hope I see you all there. You will be glad you came.
Torrpedo T.
Is it too much to ask that ALL ingredients be included on your fucking menu?! I ordered a sandwich that mentioned nothing about prosciutto only to find it had it!
Samantha C.
Always looking for another great pasta restaurant in SF. What I love most about Poesia is the ambiance - a charming restaurant nestled in an old victorian house while classic Italian movies play on the wall. To start we shared the bruschetta and the burrata. The tomatoes on the bruschetta were amazing - so fresh and juicy. The burrata was good but a small portion. Their pastas are made fresh so we knew we had to try a couple. We got the Agnolotti al Plin and the Cavatelli al Pomodoro e Burrata. The agnolotti was a favorite but again a little small on the portion size. The cavatelli was so fresh and the tomatoes were delicious. Poesia is a great option for your next date night!
Most romantic Italian resto in SF Cozy, hip, dim, with classic Italian films projected on the walls, and unpretentious Italian fare + a great bar to complement it all. I've returned to here again and again, because it's just one of those spots that never fails to make it feel like a special night
I love this place! It's beautiful, and I have had some memorable dinners here. Delicious pastas, and I had the most amazing sea bass, years ago, but remember it still, it was that delicious! I stopped by for happy hour yesterday, and was just going to have a quick cocktail, but saw there was something on the menu I had to try, sardine saor. It was served on top of gorgeous squid ink polenta,and was divine! The owner, Francesco, told me the chef is from Venice, ( it's a regional dish from there. It came with some of their scrumptious house baked bread! I sat at the bar, and chatted w/ Chad, who provided prompt service and is friendly and charming. My " one cocktail", a blackberry mojito(!), after running errands turned into drink/wine/late-lunch(I have a wonky meal schedule)/and then espresso and cheesecake! I'm so glad I stayed for more!
Had the perfect Italian valentine dinner here. It was perfect. We shared three appetizers including their pate and roasted veggies. The pasta course was amazing and then the lemon dessert quite extraordinary. The service was impeccable. AND oh my, the ambiance was like I was dining in an Italian home albeit with a Fellini film playing on one wall..So romantic
Wouldn’t recommend. Server had trouble taking simple drink orders. Apps came out before the drink despite only having 3 tables filled in the restaurant. Had high hopes for the food but came out unseasoned and very small for the price you pay. Martini still had the sticker on the lemon rind.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
the food here is authentic!!! It was so delicious, service was great, and seating is nice and spacious. This is becoming one of my favorite spots.
This is my favorite place for a nice dinner in the Castro. The cozy upstairs location feels miles away from the craziness down on 18th Street. I love the interesting cocktail specials, the pasta dishes, and the tiramisu for dessert. We had an especially nice meal there for Thanksgiving.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Secret: There's a special VIP seating area in the back (need to go THROUGH the Kitchen!)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Nice house salad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ravioli Primavera
Delicious every time I've been here, whether for dinner with friends or just to pop in for cocktails and a snack. In the heart of an energetic area near Castro street, it's easy to get to and plenty of entertainment along the way. Chad is an outstanding
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love to sip a coffee, nibble on a sandwich, and play a round of cards here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Nice place to enjoy a meal with excellent service.We were greeted immediately and they had our table ready for us upon arrival. Servers were very courteous and prompt. The overall space is nice and gives you the feeling of visiting a friend’s home as a dinner guest.The food overall was good, but nothing to rave about. I probably would not go back unless a friend insists.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
We enjoyed the special prefix Thanksgiving menu, Each of the dishes was unique and included seasonal items. It was the take on Thanksgiving in some cases, for example though ravioli with turkey in it. The salad, secondi and dolce were all really good too. Staff were really great and it had good suggestions for the drinks. The interior was nice and cozy not too crowded for a big holiday.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
On Christmas Eve, after the Gay Mens Chorus concert at the Castro Theater, we had dinner at Poesia, their prix fixe traditional Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes. Having eaten in some of the legendary San Francisco restaurants and at eateries around the world for six decades, I state without reservation or hesitation, this was the finest meal I have ever eaten. It was without compare. Each dish was perfect and delicious with the freshest ingredients (the muscles tasted liked they'd been plucked from sea an hour before). I do not say this with hyperbole. I have waited a week to see if my enthusiasm would wane, but it has not. The service was quiet and confident without being obsequious. We were not rushed, even on a holiday evening. This was a meal my friends and I will talk about for decades. A new standard has been set. It will be a new tradition in my family and I have already called for reservations for this coming Christmas Eve. I hope I see you all there. You will be glad you came.
Is it too much to ask that ALL ingredients be included on your fucking menu?! I ordered a sandwich that mentioned nothing about prosciutto only to find it had it!
Always looking for another great pasta restaurant in SF. What I love most about Poesia is the ambiance - a charming restaurant nestled in an old victorian house while classic Italian movies play on the wall. To start we shared the bruschetta and the burrata. The tomatoes on the bruschetta were amazing - so fresh and juicy. The burrata was good but a small portion. Their pastas are made fresh so we knew we had to try a couple. We got the Agnolotti al Plin and the Cavatelli al Pomodoro e Burrata. The agnolotti was a favorite but again a little small on the portion size. The cavatelli was so fresh and the tomatoes were delicious. Poesia is a great option for your next date night!