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Perbacco

230 California St
San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: (415) 955-0663
Perbacco
Price:
$$$$
Cross Street:
Battery Street
Best of Citysearch:
Italian Food 2007
Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30am-10pm, Sat 5:30pm-10pm

Editorial Review for Perbacco – by Gina Goff

The Scene
A steel sign bearing the restaurant's name (an Italian expression that loosely translates to "wow") welcomes diners into this befittingly striking eatery. Soaring ceilings with blond-wood accents and a sleek, marble-topped bar add modern appeal to the 6,000-square-foot, historic warehouse space, which retains its 1912 brick wall. Partially carpeted flooring softens the din from the exhibition kitchen in back, where an eight-seat chef's table resides nearby. Well-versed servers easily transition between power-lunching daytime diners and the more languorous evening crowd: a mix of silver-haired society folk, small groups conducting business after five and well-dressed 30-something couples.

The Food
The seasonal menu takes diners on a culinary tour through Piedmont by way of Liguria and Provence. An array of meltingly tender crudo and house-cured salumi are simply plated to showcase the fresh flavors. Other highlights include the gorgonzola-butter-dressed ribeye and handmade, filled pastas, which are taken to new levels with the ricotta-and-chard-stuffed pansotti in a mouth-watering walnut-butter sauce.

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

Insider Tips

The Extras

The flaky chocolate tart with dulche de leche, candied hazelnuts and fresh-whipped cream provides the perfect sweet finish.

What to Drink

A wide selection of quarter liters, half-bottles and by-the-glass options allow oenophiles to taste their way through the wine list. Don't be shy about asking for help with pairings.

Parking

Valet parking in a secured lot is offered in the evenings for $10.

User Reviews for Perbacco

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/28/2008 Posted by Iseedumbpeople

i swear people like you make people in the restaurant business wanna spiit in your food. Why would you come in to a restaurant at the last minute? You should know that everyone in there has had along day and just wants to go home.Then people like you that walk like they have a pole up there aasss come in an try to be all high and mighty. Work one day in there shoes and then tell me you had bad service. Check out the movie waiting and thats the kind of service i would give you people..

Pros: everything

Cons: dumb people

1 Star Rating: Not Recommended

03/23/2008 Posted by buttermilk

I was looking forward to Perbacco based on some of the reviews I had read about it, but left disappointed and with somewhat of a bad taste in my mouth. I went with a group of four for the last seating on a Friday night. Upon sitting down, we were promptly informed that the kitchen was closing and we had t hurry. This set the tone for the rest of the evening, where the staff rushed us almost to the point of rudeness. For example, three separate runners came by to try to take our shared appetizer plates, the first of which came by when we were only half finished. In addition, the tables are supported by a big round foot on the bottom, making it impossible to pull your chair in very well. As a result, I was bumped by at least six different servers as they made their way to other tables, and not once did one of them apologize. The space is so cramped that I almost knocked a tray of water out of a passing server's hands simply by turning around in my seat -- and was a little surprised to be glared at for this. On the positive side, the house-cured meats were excellent, as is the wine list. Pastas were on the down side, with tired noodles and overdone, gelatinous sauces. They tasted like they been under a heat lamp for half an hour. They probably were, ever since the first person tried to take our half-eaten appetizers! My final observation is that there were some very interesting customers; either the female customers in this restaurant have horrible fashion sense or the place was crawling with Ladies of the Night. Given its business district location, I'm betting on the latter. Overall, Perbacco is worth neither the price nor the hassle.

Pros: Wine list, house-cured meats

Cons: Service, pastas

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Editor's Review

Urban sophistication meets rustic tradition at this Northern Italian restaurant in the heart of the Financial District.  See the full editorial review.

Insider Tips

The Extras

The flaky chocolate tart with dulche de leche, candied hazelnuts and fresh-whipped cream provides the perfect sweet finish.

More Insider Tips

Restaurant Information

Parking

  • Pay garage
  • Metered

Hours

  • Mon-Fri 11:30am-10pm
  • Sat 5:30pm-10pm

Cuisines

  • Italian

Payment Types

  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • Discover
  • American Express

Meal Price

  • $$$$

Amenities

  • Lunch Spot
  • Notable Wine List
  • Group Dining
  • Private Rooms
  • Fine Dining
  • Chef's Table
  • Bar Scene
  • Historic Setting
  • Dine at the Bar
  • Valet Parking
  • Business Dining
  • Date Spot
  • Online Reservations
  • Local Favorites
  • Special Occasion Dining

Recognition for Perbacco

2007 Editorial Winner - Italian Food

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