Unpretentious warehouse-chic atmosphere, reasonable prices, and chef/co-owner Craig Stoll's superb seasonal Italian cuisine have made this family-owned restaurant one of the city's most cherished. Stoll, who was one of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs in 2001 and a 2005 James Beard Award nominee, changes the menu daily, while his wife, Annie, works the front of the house (when she's not being a mom). Standards include Niman Ranch flatiron steak with french fries, and roasted chicken with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and royal trumpet mushrooms. The winter menu might include slow-roasted pork shoulder or gnocchi with squash and chestnuts, while spring indulgences can include sand dabs with frisée, fingerling potatoes, and lemon-caper butter or lamb with polenta and sweet peas. Trust me -- order the buttermilk panna cotta (custard) if it's available. A plus: A few tables and counter seating are reserved for walk-in diners. Delfina also has a heated and covered patio that's used mid-March through November -- and don't miss Pizzeria Delfina next door (tel. 415/437-6800; www.pizzeriadelfina.com), where you can enjoy the same high-quality ingredients in a more casual, less expensive setting. Note: A second pizzeria is at 2406 California St. (at Fillmore St.; tel. 415/440-1189) in Pacific Heights.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
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