San Francisco Other Cities

Welcome to Citysearch!

Find what you were looking for? (Hint: You can use the search box in the upper left-hand corner to track down anything you want. We're here to help, so click around.)
 | close

Best of Citysearch

San Francisco Look Hot, Feel Good 2008

More

Vote Sponsored By

My Summary

Recently viewed

Recommended for you

Incanto

1550 Church St
San Francisco, CA 94131-2048
Phone: (415) 641-4500
Incanto
Price:
$$$
Cross Street:
Duncan Street
Hours:
Wed-Sat 5:30pm-10pm, Sun-Mon 5:30-9:30pm

Editorial Review for Incanto – by Bethany Jean Clement

The Scene
With its gleaming, marble-floored foyer and spotless stone archways, Incanto feels like a rustic European dining hall that's been given an L.A. makeover. The upscale clientele doesn't mind the noisy acoustics of the big open room, which is almost always full to brimming. Servers are friendly, but can be spread too thin.

The Food
The ever-changing menu offers Italian country dishes rendered elegantly. Refreshing interpretations of classics might include a delicate Caesar-like salad of little gem lettuce with white anchovy and hard-boiled egg, or a coarse pork ragu on paper-thin handkerchief pasta. But generally, the best dishes are the more unusual ones: Sardinian fregola--tiny, tender orbs of pasta with lovely squid in salty, savory squid ink sauce, or roast porchetta, an unabashed celebration of pork fat that's house-cured with fresh herbs and served with huckleberry potatoes. The occasional misstep--chewy mussels or over-seared lamb tripe--is forgivable.

Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.

Insider Tips

Know Before You Go

The enormous all-Italian wine list is truly impressive. The featured wine flights are also fun and a good bargain, and each wine has a little paper collar identifying it.

User Reviews for Incanto

2 Star Rating: Below Average

02/24/2008 Posted by Steven2

I found Incanto to be OK but not great. Definitely over rated. I knew I was in for pretense when the menu stated that they served filtered Hetch Hetchy water. Any kitchen faucet in San Francisco and a Brita filter can produce filtered Hetch Hetchy water. False advertising. Pretense. San Francisco's tap water comes from Hetch Hetchy. I also found the food to be overly salty, especially the olive oil ice cream. The final insult was an added 5% kitchen service charge that was conveniently added to the check without telling the customer. I feel it is the responsibility of the restaurant to pay the kitchen help -- not the customer. The decor was pleasant. The service friendly and competent. It was overpriced and not worth it.

Pros: Nice atmosphere. Good wine by the glass.

Cons: Pretense. Over priced. Salty. $3.00 charge for olive oil to dip your bread in was ridiculous. Filtered water claim and unadvertised 5% kitchen tip were unacceptable.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/10/2007 Posted by joanie881

Shoot, I didn't notice this 5% charge that people below are talking about. But we had a great experience, nice friendly waiter who let me taste the wine I'd asked about (and nice glassware). Liked the bustling room and enjoyed our meal: asparagus app, pasta and pork loin plus ginger cake w/ caramel sauce and gelato for dessert. $90 for that plus 2 beers, tax and tip isn't bad.

Pros: great service, interesting menu

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

Users Like You Also Viewed

Spruce
3640 Sacramento St
San Francisco, CA 94118

Teatro ZinZanni: Love, Chaos & Dinner
Pier 29
San Francisco, CA 94111-1028

Related Searches

Editor's Review

An upscale take on unusual Italian country fare wows an urban crowd at this Noe Valley favorite.  See the full editorial review.

Insider Tips

Know Before You Go

The enormous all-Italian wine list is truly impressive. The featured wine flights are also fun and a good bargain, and each wine has a little paper collar identifying it.

More Insider Tips

Restaurant Information

Parking

  • Street

Hours

  • Wed-Sat 5:30pm-10pm
  • Sun-Mon 5:30-9:30pm

Payment Types

  • Visa
  • MasterCard

Cuisines

  • Italian

Meal Price

  • $$$

Amenities

  • Romantic Dining
  • Group Dining
  • Dine at the Bar
  • Notable Wine List
  • Private Rooms
  • Outdoor Dining

Site Links:

Citysearch is a registered trademark of Bluefoot Ventures Inc., and is used under license.
© 2008 Citysearch.com All rights reserved.

Partner Sites: