All photographs by Stephanie Wright Hession. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved.
Green Street, North Beach, S.F.: Italian immigrants settled in this neighborhood, bringing their language, skills and regional fare from their native homeland. They opened restaurants, delis, bakeries, shoe repair shops, grocery and hardware stores and more. Despite the influx of tourists and 20 somethings coming here to party on weekends, some of the old North Beach remains in the family owned businesses where generations of Italian Americans continue their traditions.
1. Amante
570 Green St.: Unwind with
a martini while perched on a comfy seat in the lounge area or with a beer while
watching sports at the bar in this jovial neighborhood spot. The Chubby Noodle also
serves up Korean pork tacos, buttermilk brined, organic fried chicken and other
small plates here. (415) 362-4400, www.amantesf.com, www.thechubbynoodle.com.
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| Amante |
2. Gigi’s Sotto Mare
552 Green St.: At Gigi Fiorucci’s place, it’s all about the cioppino, the fresh
fish and the shell fish. From oysters on the half shell to mussel and clam
steamers to cracked, Dungeness crab to Boston style, clam chowder to baccalà, this is the place for seafood
lovers to get their fix. (415) 398-3181, www.sottomaresf.com.
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| Gigi’s Sotto Mare |
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| Gigi’s Sotto Mare |
3. Vicoletto
550 Green St.: Sit outside
and people watch while dipping, house made focaccia bread into bowls of rich
olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Choose from Francesco Covucci and Peter Fazio’s
menu, which draws from the cuisine of their native Calabria. Standouts include the
lobster raviolis topped with sautéed prawns and a tomato brandy cream sauce (415)
433-5800, www.vicolettosf.com.
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| Vicoletto |
4. Dante Benedetti mural
Jasper Alley (at Green
Street): Anyone who dined on the family-style meals at Dante Benedetti’s New
Pisa Restaurant couldn’t miss the baseball mementos the collegiate coach displayed
on its walls, an expression of the passion he held for the sport. Sadly,
Benedetti died in 2005 but friends including Gigi Fiorucci honored him with
this mural.
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| Dante Benedetti mural |
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| Dante Benedetti mural |
5. Gino and Carlo
548 Green St.: If you want to get a sense what North Beach used to be like, stop at Gino and Carlo, a sports bar and cocktail lounge opened in 1942. Start a conversation with the regulars—some whose families have frequented this establishment for generations—and hear their personal tales of the neighborhood. (415) 421-0896, www.ginoandcarlo.com.
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| Gino and Carlo |
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| Gino and Carlo |
6. Golden Boy Pizza
542 Green St.: At age 19,
Peter Sodini opened Golden Boy Pizza in the late 1970s. Today, his sons
continue to make its square pizza, sold by the slice or the sheet. Varieties
include
a pesto vegetarian, the combination
made with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, tomatoes, zucchini and onions, and the
clam and garlic.
(415) 982-9738, www.goldenboypizza.com.
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| Golden Boy Pizza |
Of Note:
North Beach Festival activities include blessing of
the animals, Italian street paintings, live music, poetry, arts and crafts
exhibits, gourmet food booths and beer and wine gardens throughout the North
Beach neighborhood. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16.
Rain or shine. Free. www. www.sresproductions.com/north_beach_festival.html.
