Trattoria Pinocchio

Doesn't Recommend

pacificpalate

Joined 6 years ago

bland food, bland atmosphere, just boring. I get the name, you lie about the food being good, and you feel bad because you want to tell the truth.

Doesn't Recommend

robertmc

Joined 7 years ago

My nose grew as we ate!. As a NYC foodie and first time SF visitor (see my Boulevard and Gary Danko reviews), my girlfiend and I wanted to hang out on Columbus in North Beach one night and have a good Italian meal. We shouldn't have chosen Pinocchio's. From the very beginning, when the server couldn't understand the cocktail I wanted, a Scotch Manhattan! (I eventually had to get up and go talk to the bartender myself - a first!) - to the appetizer, a passable, bland Clams & Mussels, to the entrees - a dry tasteless Spaghetti Bolognese and a flavorless Chicken Limone - this place certainly put a damper on our evening. No dessert, thank you. The tab came to $64. A Waste.

Recommends

karrietea

Joined 6 years ago

Yummy!!. My boyfried took me here for my birthday a few months ago. We made reservations and were able to sit outside. It was so nice, the weather in the city that night was killer! We had carpaccio for our appitizer, cioppinio and a fresh pasta with seafood dish and a nice bottle of white wine. It was perfect. Our dessert was delicious too. The service was great and the food was mouth watering!!! I loved it!! I will be back for sure! The only thing about that area in the city is parking, that no good, but it is worth the wait!

Recommends

audreyjl

Joined 7 years ago

Good food. We were able to get in with not too much of a wait on a Friday evening for outdoor dining. The service wasn't the best, but overall would rate it was good. The food was delicious. The waiter had a decent knowledge of their wines and recommended and very good bottle. With the tons of outdoor italian places in North Beach this one is up there with a few of my favs. Definitely better than Calzones across the street which has much worse service and not very good food. Will be coming back.

Recommends

arce

Joined 6 years ago

Great food with "okay" service. I went to Trattoria Pinocchio a few times and the food was GREAT every time. The service could have been better, but will defintely return.

Recommends

julesinthecity

Joined 7 years ago

Good food but not worth the while. My family and I went here on a Sunday night and were seated all the way in the back by the kitchen, on the way to the bathroom. Avoid sitting here! It was loud to the point that it seemed like they were TRYING to throw around pots and pans to make noise. The bread was too dry as well. To their credit, the waitress and food runner were VERY accomadating and provided great service. We had to head out early because it was just too loud, but once I finally got to my vodka penne, it was very yummy. Still, the good food wasn't enough to make me want to go back...I can get something just as good for a cheaper price and better ambiance.

Recommends

Gina Goff

Joined 9 years ago

Familiar Italian favorites served to a tourist-heavy crowd on North Beach's main drag.. The Scene
Diners are wooed into this warm corner eatery by a persistent but friendly sidewalk greeter, who seats couples at intimate outdoor tables under suspended heat lamps or at oversized, round tables in the airy front room. Further back, a waiting area with a large, granite-topped bar leads to a smaller dining room with counter seats overlooking the open kitchen. A faint soundtrack of Italian music is piped throughout the space.

The Food
Authentic preparations of traditional Italian staples are the restaurant's forte. Elegant starters include fresh, smoked salmon served over a pile of spring greens with onions, capers and tangy lemon vinaigrette dressing. Classic pastas consistently satisfy, including gnocchi sorrentina--house-made, fluffy potato pillows tossed in a light marinara sauce and sprinkled with fresh mozzarella--and beef tortellini, topped with a robust veal and pork ragú sauce. Whipped chocolate mousse covered in frothy vanilla cream is a decadently rich finale.

Recommends

tsavio

Joined 8 years ago

I don't know ambiance but I know food. The gnocci with gorgonzola sauce was excellant. My wife had linguini Palermo with red sauce shimp and scallops and black olives which was tasty but a bit salty for my taste. We had proscuitto withe melone for an appatizer. The melone was ok ;however, the proscuitto was perfect. Not slimy or stringy. The sweet aand the salt flavours blended nicely. We ate there for lunch and we shall return.

Recommends

bo68

Joined 10 years ago

Excellent chicken parmesan. I disagree with the negative reviews. This is a charming restaurant. It's neat walking back to the restroom... you pass by the chef's cooking away (fresh) alongside the path. The CHICKEN PARMESAN was outstanding!!! Wonderful sauce with it and nice size portion. Location is great too... right on the corner of Columbus and Vallejo. Park at the public garage 2 blocks west on Vallejo.

Doesn't Recommend

llee71

Joined 10 years ago

anonymous. this place is horrible! don't believe the rave reviews! the fish was tough & cold, the gnocchi was blande and overcooked, & the polenta was mushy and blande!