Tosca Cafe, a North Beach institution with neon signage and an antique jukebox, got a good polish from New York restaurateurs April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman in 2013. A lively crowd packs the red booth-filled dining room for a menu of killer Italian dishes (think antipasti, bucatini with guanciale, and an addictive house-baked focaccia). A hulking vintage espresso machine anchors the convivial front bar, bartenders stir up expert cocktails, and a Negroni couldn’t ask for a better setting. After dinner, indulge in the House Cappuccino: Armagnac, Buffalo Trace, SF-made chocolate ganache, and milk. And don’t miss the spicy, off-menu meatballs.
Cocktails: $12
Food: $4 – $42
Hours: Tue-Sun 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Address:
242 Columbus Ave.
San Francisco CA 94133
415-986-9651
