02/14/09

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!!

by goldrush09

I travel to the city from time to time and found this to be a wonderful place to eat. The atmosphere is quaint with the Chanti bottles hanging from the ceiling. The Italian music in the background adds a very nice touch. Most impressive though was the FOOD. Simply fantastic! I highly recommend the Cioppino. The ingredients were fresh and the sauce was incredible. WHAT FLAVOR! There was a great selection of wines and I had the homemade Tira Misu for dessert which just made the whole meal. The service was excellent as well. Thank you Luisa. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

• Pros: Food was excellent, service professional, atmosphere pleasant.
• Cons: None

11/07/08

You don't want to miss out!

by MalaHite

This is a taste of Italy! Luisa's is a small, quaint, romantic restaurant in the heart of the City. The service is very personal, the menu is expansive, and the food is authentic. And it's better than that . . . if you know good Italian food, you will be delighted at how incredible your experience will be! Start with the bruchetta, then savor the gnochi with aurora sauce, stuffed calamari or my other favorite, chicken piamontesse . . . OH MY GOD! You can't go wrong with anything you choose. And if you are really lucky, you will have the pleasure of meeting the lovely Luisa, who will make a perfect recommendation for you, and charm you throughout the evening!

• Pros: Everything!
• Cons: I don't live close enough to dine there often!

09/18/08

i like to get drunk and not be annoyed

by capncrunch

this bar is great! the food is overpriced, but the owner is a money grubbing she-dog who has nothing to do but shaft her customers, what can you do. happy hour is good though, nice drinks, nice bartenders, nice atmosphere, great margaritas!! 10 different beers for 3 dollars each??

• Pros: drinks, people, atmosphere, bartenders, grey goose in the well?? woo hoo
• Cons: i spend too much money

08/10/08

Trash Bags in front all the time !

by DXFJ

I never had dinner here because every time I walk by, they always have either big plastic bags filled with garbage or waste boxes in front of their restaurant. The sidewalk in front their restaurant is dirty from their garbage. Sometimes they even left broken glasses there. There are so many dogs and people walking on Union st.

Doesn't the city care about the health issue?

04/16/08

Amazing, warm, & hearty (Roma) Italian Atmosphere and Cuisine

by tylerblaine

This is absolutely my favorite Italian restaurant in the city! I have eaten at many Italian restaurants in North Beach and would definitely recommend Luisa's over all of them. It is also great to see the owner, Luisa, walking around, chatting with her clientele, and making new friends. The decor in the restaurant is quintessential Rome with a home-style touch.

When I go to Luisa's I do find it hard not to order my favorite signature dish, Osso Bucco. I consider myself to be a connoisseur of Osso Bucco and Luisa's is one of the best! I would say the menu is a hearty affair, so if you're in need of some serious comfort food this should be your place; that being said, if you're looking for lighter fare, then Luisa's might not be a perfect fit.

• Pros: Excellence in hearty italian and warm, inviting atmosphere
• Cons: Not a calorie counting menu

04/16/08

Very romantic and cozy place.

by perica73

My husband and I had a nice italian dinner recently at Luisa's Italian Restuarant on Union Street. We were both pleasantly surprised as all of the tables were bussed, and very clean as well as, the silverware. The atmosphere was very cozy and when the server arrived to take our orders and offer suggestions, she was very courteous and helpful. She was perfect - not too intrusive, but very responsive and friendly - excellent service overall.

I had the house ravioli's and they were perfect. They were not over cooked and mushy and the red sauce was nice and thick and very tasty like what my father (who's Italian) made for us growing up. The portion size was good (not huge, nor just bird food) and the galic and basil flavors were not overwhelming.

My husband had the house spaghetti with meatballs and his noodles were also cooked perfectly and strained correctly (not in a pool of water like some restaurants) and he also said the tomatoes in the sauce tasted very fresh and in general it tasted home made.

I would recommend this restaurant for any couple that's looking to have a small romantic dinner without the loud noise and bustle of buzy bodies moving all about like other large restaurants.

• Pros: cozy, quite, good food and service
• Cons: a little pricey

03/03/08

Fun place with great food!

by smithy11

Luisa is the best! The portions are large and the rigatoni with meatballs are very tasty! With the wine bottles hanging from the ceiling this place has a warm friendly vibe and I would eat here again in a heartbeat.

• Pros: Great, friendly ambience
• Cons: It's small so get there early!

01/18/08

Best pasta and warm atmosphere

by Logan969

Being a pasta lover, I know what I?m talking about. We opted for the gnocchi and fettuccine so we could share a bit and believe me the portions are more then adequate to split up. My sorrentina sauce was fantastic and my wife?s fettuccine was exceptional. The menu has plenty of authentic choices, but I gotta have my pasta. If you want more of authentic Italian taste and feel and less of corporate restaurant, Luisa?s is a must.

• Pros: Warm and inviting atmoshpere
• Cons: Kills hunger fast

08/21/07

A real Italian Ristorante

by ramyc

We were surprised to find a real Italian cuisine in this area. Not ?American Italian? but genuine Italian delicious dishes as we had several months ago in Rome and let me tell you that the prices in Rome are higher and in Euro :) The place is noisy like a good Italian restaurant, friendly and each dish we tried was the best. We were four people and tried the Tomato and Minestrone soups (wow), beef carpaccio (cannot go wrong), salads and fish ? red snapper and salmon ? all real good. The tiramisu was the best we had outside Italy! The owner joined us during the meal and then we learned that this remarkable 79 years young lady cooks the food herself in addition of buying more and more restaurants in town and managing her business on her own.

If you are looking for real Italian food in SF ? try Louisa?s.

• Pros: Italian Food!!!
• Cons: Noisy like a real Italian and you need to wait for a table

04/21/07

Delicious and authentic without the attitude

by blkestin

We've been to Luisa's twice now, and had a terrific experience each time. The service was friendly, responsive, and prompt. The food is very authentic and delicious. You can almost imagine a bunch of old ladies in the kitchen, making food that they make for their own families and that was made by their grandparents before them. The eggplant parm is among the best I've ever had. The meats, salads, and desserts are all wonderful. Reservations are easy to get, but you may be able to get in simply by walking in off the street. The atmosphere is warm and cozy - perfect for a chilly and/or rainy night when, personally, I crave Italian comfort food. Yum.

• Pros: The food, especially the cheesy eggplan parm