Citysearch Editorial Review.

by Patrick Heig

Because there are so many tourist-trap Italian joints in North Beach, anyplace with an Italian name and sidewalk seats on Columbus Street is viewed with Suspicion, but Delucchi is entirely legit. The dining room has a clean, modern feel, and on sunny days, the outside tables are almost always full. A mix of locals and tourists come here primarily for breakfast and brunch (try the breakfast BLT, or the house-made biscuits with sausage and gravy) and a peppery Bloody Mary garnished with a grilled prawn. At dinner, dishes like carpaccio--seasoned, paper-thin slices of beef; house-made pastas smothered in rich sauces, and hearty mains like pan-roasted chicken breast stuffed with pancetta and spinach are the perfect foil for foggy SF nights. Don't forget decadent desserts, including an ultrarich chocolate truffle mousse.

08/14/08

Sensational Food! Out of this world! And Affordable

by travellingaddict

My husband and I stayed in SF for a long weekend over a year ago and randomly stopped at this restaurant after a long day of city exploration. We were delighted to find amazing service, a lively and hip setting, and food that absolutely rocked our world. While we reminisce regularly about that meal, we could not remember the name until I recently came across the card. When asked by a co-worker where she should go in SF this weekend, i could think of no better place to send her than De Lucchi. I had a fettucini dish with peas, prociutto, mushrooms and a cream sauce. My mouth still waters when I think of it. I have been to Italy 3 times for a total of 6 months and would put this dish against most of the food I had there!

• Pros: Sensational Food
• Cons: none - only that its not located in my own home town!

05/23/08

terrible terrible experience

by lizdibartolo

Terrible terrible dining experience. Do not go to this restaurant. I was at Cafe DeLucchi last night with a group of 6 for a birthday dinner. Everything started out okay; the waitress took our order, and our orders were delivered in a timely manner. HOWEVER, it was all downhill after that. Our server disappeared for the entire length of our meal (approximately a half hour). Before she disappeared, she asked if we wanted any drink refills, which a few of us said yes, but then she disappeared and never tended to us again. There were a couple other waiters who were not our servers who helped us a little bit, but other than that the service was HORRIBLE. As for the food, we ordered various appetizers and entres, and they were all mediocre and lacked salt. However, the cheese plate was very tasty, but that would be hard to mess up. Also, we were automatically cahrged 15% for gratuity which was definitely not deserved. Overall, this was a TERRIBLE dining experience. I strongly advise everyone to avoid this place like the plague if you want to have good food or good service or a good time.

• Pros: the cheese plate
• Cons: everything else (i.e service, food)

05/17/08

Great food. Honest employees.

by bugmenot21856

We had a great experience eating here, it was probably the best Italian food we've had for a long time. My husband had the capellini e gamberi and it had a lot of tender, and delicious shrimp. I had the lasagna. The pasta was tender and the sauce was flavored very well with sausage and sweet bell peppers. The service was great, my husband was so tired from a busy sightseeing day that he forgot his digital camera under the table. When we noticed the next day that it was gone, we called the restaurant and they had kept it safe and sound in their safe. Losing the camera would have ruined our vacation, it is good to know that there are still honest people in this world. Viva Caffe Delucchi!

• Pros: Ambience, food, service

04/06/07

Great quality, always happy

by nblocal

I've been to Cafe Delucchi 3 times now. Each has been better than the next. Pasta is wonderful, pizza is lovely, desserts are yummy. Waitstaff has always been very attentive and friendly (even referred us to another restaurant one evening when we got there too late to get in). Reasonably priced. Only downside is that it can get a little on the loud side at peak hours (lots of tables in a small space); we like sitting at an outside table when weather permits for this reason. Nonetheless, you can still have a conversation and they're not blaring obnoxious music or anything like that. Overall, we really like this place a lot and continue to have great experiences here consistently.

• Pros: great food, really nice staff
• Cons: not the most romantic place (more bright and bustling), but classy enough

Well-executed Italian classics and warm, friendly service are the trademarks of this North Beach gem.

by Contributor

In Short
The dining room has a clean, modern feel, and on sunny days, the outside tables are almost always full. A mix of locals and tourists come to this heavily trafficked area of North Beach to dine on dishes like carpaccio--seasoned, paper-thin slices of beef; house-made pastas smothered in rich sauces; and hearty mains like pan-roasted chicken breast stuffed with pancetta and spinach. Don't forget decadent desserts, including an ultrarich chocolate truffle mousse.

11/15/06

Great food and prices

by elpibe

My favorite italian restaurant in north beach. Great especially for lunch as it is a little bit cheaper. Raviolis are great. Porttions could be bigger, but taste makes up for it. Inexpensive for the quality of the food.

• Pros: food, prices
• Cons: none

11/02/06

Stick with the pasta

by cuisinenoi

Had brunch there this weekend with my dad and my sister. Since the place offers brunch, paninis and pasta, we ordered one of each. My sister had the shrimp omelette, nothing fancy, just stuffed with shrimp. The omelette was little dry to me. My dad had the Delucchi special panini and we expected the bread to be sliced, grilled sandwich but just on a ciabatta bun, not too well toasted either. I had the gnocchi, which was the best of the three dishes; the gnocchi and the mushroom marsala sauce was decent, not too rich, just right. Prices are alright but next time I'd go for the pasta.

• Pros: prices, pasta
• Cons: parking

08/13/06

Pretty decent

by towergirl

No, the service is not super great but the food is usually pretty darn good--especially for a sidewalk cafe. The pastas are definitely tasty and so are the sandwiches. Give them a break--they're usually slammed with customers. I definitely would recommend it for a casual lunch/dinner.

• Pros: Interesting and varied menu
• Cons: The wait sometimes

11/23/05

Not a good experience

by aeharibo

We brought some people who were new to the area here for lunch, and it was a mistake. The service was slow, and they really could have cared less if we were there. We were seated 15 minutes before a larger table came in, and they still got their drinks/appitizers faster than we did. Once the food did arrive, it was below par for the prices paid.

• Cons: service, prices