Trattoria Pinocchio

We sat down in the outside patio, and the nice hostess turned on the heater for us. I liked the romantic Italian music that complimented the atmosphere well to create a relaxing ambiance. The waiter came to greet us and take our drink orders. I ordered a capuccino. It came done properly as I would expect.
Then, I ordered the Marsala. The chicken was done well, and did not come dry, the vegetables were steamed the right amount, and the potatoes were delicious as well.
The Marsala sauce was very good and not too sweet.
Service was nice. But the waiter could have been more attentive. The restaurant was not that busy. The busser compensated for that. Our waiters name was Stephano and the busser’s name was Luis.
The tiramisu was good.
Overall, it was a good experience.

What a joke. This was my first time in San Francisco and my first dining experience in the city. We got two steaks costing $ 70 for both. After eating one bite, my friend and I both sent the steaks back because it was not good. The server refused to remove the steaks from the bill. $ 70. Then I ordered a $ 33 bottle of wine that showed up on the bill for $ 39!!! The waiter refused to correct the bill for the wine! This was the WORST experience and will strongly suggest you stay away from this restaurant.

Came here for the first time after years and years of passing on it. Was sadly confirmed on my fears, this place is over priced for what it is. The food was okay the the gnocchi was what it should be and that’s why it gets two stars. Two people in our party had to send back food that they ended up charging us for and then they overcharged us for the bottle of wine we ordered. Server was nice enough but clearly trying to take advantage of «tourists». Very disappointed that this place confirmed what I always say: don’t go to north beach for Italian food.

Stay away!
I ordered a the Filet and they couldn’t do medium rare at all! Went with a Calzone and it came back cold in the middle.
Also the prices on the menu are NOT the prices you’ll be charged. Watch the receipt.

Let me start by saying I love this restaurant. While living in the SF Bay Area my wife and I would go here every Sunday for lunch and many times for dinner as well. The food is absolutely delicious and the service is wonderful as well. My favorite waiter is Antonio who has worked there for a while. Certain pastas are made fresh daily such as the gnocchi, tagliatelle and ravioli.
Gnocchi Enzo — One of my all time favorite dishes. Fresh homemade gnocchi in a gorgonzola cheese sauce. The sauces in this place have amazing flavor and the gnocchi literally melts in your mouth since it’s made fresh.
Penne Amatriciana — Their Amatriciana sauce is very different then other Amatriciana sauces I have had at Bay Area restaurants. The flavor is spectacular ! The pasta was cooked al dente which is the way it should be done. So may Italian restaurants in America and Americans in general seem to like their pasta overcooked. Try this dish and you will be addicted.
Butternut Squash Ravioli in cream sauce — The butternut ravioli is sometimes on the special menu and it is delicious. the ravioli is homemade and very fresh. The difference between boxed and homemade pasta is huge. There is no substitute for fresh pasta made daily.
Pasta Festa — Also on the special menu from time to time. My wife hade this meal and the pasta was tagliatelle with a cream sauce and seafood. It was delicious and the portions were huge as well.
Prosciuotto and Melone — I have started my meals frequently with this appetizer. The melon is always fresh and the prosciutto always top quality. The perfect balance between salt and potassium. Great flavor. Salt raises the blood pressure and potassium from the melon keep the blood pressure in check. This is a nice, fresh, cold appetizer.
I miss San Francisco and this restaurant especially along with Trattoria La Siciliana. two of my favorite haunts. When I die I plan on haunting this place and stealing pasta from patrons’ dishes lol. You can’t go wrong with any of the food here. Prices are higher for some dishes but the pastas are made fresh and I would imagine the rents in North Beach are quite high.
Carpaccio — Another winning appetizer. beef sliced super thin with arugula, capers and bread and shaved cheese. The flavor is great when you put them all together.
Panini Sandwiches — If you choose any of the Panini sandwiches you can’t go wrong. My wife and I have tried the veggie, chicken, prosciutto & Mozzarella and the Italian sausage and they were all delicious. They know food in this place.

Had to «yelp»! Just had lunch at Pinocchio’s! Typically we have dinner here! By far REAL dishes from Romo! We had the Bolognese and puttanesca pasta dishes. Simple delicious. Service was impeccable. Had the lunch special, so it came with either salad or «zuppa»! We went for greens and although a simple mixed green salad, the dressing was perfect — balsamic but just the perfect amount! Bread was served warm! I highly recommend if you are looking for true Italian food in North Beach! Mangia bene!

We found this place just walking around North Beach. We were on a double date and this was the PERFECT place. The wine bottle prices were decent, and the food was great. Yea it was pricey overall, but I didn’t find any restaurant in the area that was any cheaper so I’m not complaining.
The food was amazing. Everyone there was Italian so I felt good about it. The service was slow, but after being to Italy myself, I’ve learned that’s how Italians are. And besides, we weren’t in a rush.
It was a beautiful night with great food and everyone was SO nice. I can’t wait to come back here again!

My husband and had a great dining experience at this restaurant. The service and food was just wonderful!
We started with an appetizer Piatto di Formaggi
(parmesean & gorgonzola cheese with pear & walnuts.) This nice and light.
I had Fettucine con Pollo (house made fresh fettuccine, sautéed chicken & vegetables in an Alfredo cream sauce.) The sauce was creamy (thin) and flavorful… just superb!!!
My husband had Linguine del Pescatore
(mussels, clams, calamari, prawns & fresh fish in garlic tomato sauce.)
We would definitely recommend this restaurant.

Apparently this s. hole is only for dinner, do not try to do it back works because the d… bag owner won’t let you do it otherwise. According to the drunk «owner» who was sitting at a table next to you as a customer «can’t «have dessert unless you buy dinner. He will go out of he’s way to kick you out if you are do not following proper procedures at he’s restaurant dinner — dessert not only dessert. 5 of us we have been with family and friends to this place for a long time and we decided to finish the night here .WHAT A F… Mistake. North beach has lots of great places. I will NOR recommend this place at all!!! Spend you money some where else.

The best Penne Arrabiata I’ve had! The dish was ACTUALLY spicy as it is meant to be, and had a nice kick. Many Italian restaurants lack the spicy factor. The sauce was delicious and flavourful!
Our group had the calamari as an appetiser, which was a solid choice. The service was attentive and polite. The restaurant has an authentic Italian feel, with music and some singing during dinner hours. Parking was hard to find, but where in the city isn’t it? I’m very happy with this dining choice, and will be returning on my next visit to San Francisco!

Husband and I stumbled across this place as we were walking through North Beach last weekend. We went here for a late lunch. The host was very friendly as we browsed the menu from the sidewalk, so we decided to try the place. I ordered the smoked salmon panini and my husband had the spaghetti bolognese. The panini, which was served with a side salad was good and my husband enjoyed his pasta dish. Service here was ok overall.

I’m italian so I know what I’m talking about: food is bad and overpriced, the waiter is nice though.

I came here because Dr. Savage recommended it. We came earlier in the day. The food was great. Nice staff. I need to come back in the evening and give it another shot. I’d come back when visiting S.F.

We love this place!
We came a little late after a business conference, and they were more than accommodating and super friendly. Our server, Jimmy, was knowledgeable and great. The wine was excellent. The food was out of this world. super authentic and gave us a great Italian feel. If in San Fran, you should check it out, you wont regret it. :)

Genuine, friendly, but overpriced.
Good, fresh food at this hilltop restaurant with a view on the neighborhood’s life. Unfortunately the service, though very friendly, is slow and altogether it is quite expensive.
Good place, but you can probably find better and cheaper in LI.

My co-​worker claims that their veal lasagna is better than the one she makes at home and she is Italian. Unfortunately I couldn’t try it because I don’t eat veal but apparently the cheese that was used knocked her socks off. I tried their minestrone soup as well as bruschetta and both were excellent. The restaurant is very traditional if you sit inside but outside seating offers good people watching.

Boa comida. As pastas são boas. Se gostaram de molho pesto, peçam pelo linguine al pesto Giovanni…

This is a great restaurant to sit outside and take in the streets of San Francisco! With the Transamerica Tower as a backdrop we enjoyed a great lunch here. The Gnocchi was awesome, the bruschetta was also terrific. Service was great. Really happy to have found it, and would return again when in the area.
«Toodle-​oo, Stromboli»
Jiminy Cricket

Well pull my puppet strings!
Don’t ask if there’s a Pinocchio doll here, because there isn’t, I already asked.
As for the food, I’ve only had one thing here, the Linguine al Pesto Giovanni
(housemade basil, pine nuts, parmigiano & garlic sauce), and it was delicious.
Rich, creamy garlic minced with basil.
Came here in the spur of the moment because I was beginning to look like the Walking Dead going without lunch or breakfast when I spotted this place.
Saw the menu, checked Unilocal to make sure, and went.
Solid pasta dish.
No lie.
See, my nose isn’t growing.

5 Stars for 5 solid reasons.
My brother and I were in North Beach after watching the Fleet Week Air Show. We were walking back to the Caltrain Station (yes, a LONG detour) and decided to stop somewhere for a glass of wine. After passing a few restaurants that just didn’t look inviting, we stumbled on Trattoria Pinocchico. There were no cute tables available outside so we found 2 stools at the bar and ordered 2 glasses of Pino. Unfortunately the wine I wanted was not available so we were offered a very nice Sangiovese. The pour was hearty and the entertainment behind the bar kept us there for dinner.
I’m guessing the character behind the bar was the owner and honestly … he made our experience one we won’t forget and can’t wait to come back to enjoy again. Sarcasm, silly, old school, honest, engaging and passionate. These are only a few reasons we fell in love with this Sicilian man who is way bigger than life. His energy and spirit were addicting and so much fun to watch him interact with other guests. So you get that I enjoyed his «Entertaining» personality, but the food was even better!
We ordered:
Gnocchi Enzo: light, fluffy potato dumplings covered in a delicious gorgonzola cream sauce. Sinful and decadent and I want more!
Tortellini Bolognese: homemade pasta made with love smothered in a rich, mouthwatering meat sauce that you know was someone’s grandmother’s recipe.
Needless to say my brother and I licked our plates completely clean. This is a place I would be addicted to and proud to be called a regular at if I lived in the City. I’ll be back again and again for sure.
5 star justification:
1. Engaging owner
2. Beautiful setting
3. Fantastic Food
4. Reasonable pricing
5. Italian accents … need I say more?

Nous étions 7, les entrées sont arrivées en deux fois parce que le serveur s’est trompé de table. Il se sont trompés dans la commande (cette erreur né nous a toute fois pas fait attendre plus longtemps).
Enfin au moment de payer ils ont comptés 8 menus au lieu et le serveur nous a «gentiment» fais comprendre que cela l’ennuyait que l’on paye chacun notre part.
Bref peut-​être n’avons nous pas eu de chance mais pour nous ce sera un lieu à éviter pour la prochaine fois.

A spider with extremely long legs fell onto my head and then fell into my soup. Need I say more? No, but I will because I understand that there are things that the restaurant cannot completely control. Though, I think most people would give this place 1 – 2 stars just for that harrowing experience.
We were exploring Little Italy on Saturday and came across this place only because it was centrally located and all the good spots like Molinari Deli had long lines. Trattoria Pinocchio had a few tables outside that overlooked the hustle and bustle of Columbus Street. Since it was a pretty day, we decided to sit outside. They have heaters outside which is great because I get cold very easily.
Anyways, I ordered the Pinot Grigio ($ 8) which was pretty good, and my friend ordered the Sangiovese ($ 8) which tasted like it had been opened for too long. When my friend brought it to the waiter’s attention, he said that it was a new bottle. The waiter did not offer to pour her another glass or to get him another wine that was more to her liking.
I ordered the corn soup ($ 8) and loved it! The only downside was that a spider fell into it. When I told the waiter, he seemed very indifferent. He didn’t offer to bring me a new soup. I had to ask him if he could bring me another soup that did not have a spider in it.
There are so many other great places in Little Italy; I will bite the bullet next time and wait in the long lines to get a table. Otherwise, I might end up at a mediocore restaurant with a spider in my soup. Lesson learned!

Pâtes excellentes, mais malheureusement la quantité était insuffisante. On s’attend à d’avantage de quantité pour une trattoria typiquement italienne. Les prix étaient plutôt élevées pour ce qui nous a été servi, mais le patron qui vous parle en italien vous donne une immersion totale dans little italy.

Guter Mittagstisch und top Tiramisu !

Un restaurant italien sympa (prix moyen) à l’entrée du quartier italien de San Francisco.