Lovely little spot upstairs of a Victorian in the Castro. Beautiful atmosphere and charming decor both inside (low romantic lighting) and outside (heat-lamp patio full of plants). Ample seating on an early Tuesday evening. Happy Hour is a great way to sample a variety of their discounted appetizers and smaller versions of entrees (can't go wrong with any of them). Not cheap by any means for HH but a nice splurge if/when you can! (Around $50/person after tips for 4 dishes and 1 house wine). Definitely coming back! read more

Poesia - Happy hour menu - Agnolotti bites, Bruschetta, Calamari fritti - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is a wonderful, cozy and welcoming restaurant with great Italian dishes. Tonight I had the most enjoyable Christmas Eve I've had in many years. The restaurant was festive and lively without being too noisy. The porcini flan was amazing and I had the panettone as well as the plum cake with Prosecco-poached pear sauce. I will definitely be going back, and I plan on having my next Christmas Eve here. read more

I love this place! It's beautiful, and I have had some memorable dinners here. Delicious pastas, and I had the most amazing sea bass, years ago, but remember it still, it was that delicious! I stopped by for happy hour yesterday, and was just going to have a quick cocktail, but saw there was something on the menu I had to try, sardine saor. It was served on top of gorgeous squid ink polenta,and was divine! The owner, Francesco, told me the chef is from Venice, ( it's a regional dish from there. It came with some of their scrumptious house baked bread! I sat at the bar, and chatted w/ Chad, who provided prompt service and is friendly and charming. My " one cocktail", a blackberry mojito(!), after running errands turned into drink/wine/late-lunch(I have a wonky meal schedule)/and then espresso and cheesecake! I'm so glad I stayed for more! read more

A friend treated me to dinner here when I visiting San Fran. It is an amazing Italian place that really takes pride in their food, service and atmosphere. The seating is an open area sort of close togehter which makes it a little loud, that is the only thing I didn't love . . . if you are looking for quiet this might not be it, but get over that because everything else makes it worth it tenfold. You can tell they make everything in house. They have a nice wine selction. The branzino dish was spot on and tasted amazing. Enjoy! read more

I have very mixed feelings about Poesia. Even though we had a reservation, it took about 15 minutes for us to get seated. After getting seated, it took about 15 minutes for us to get any type of service including a half-filled glass of water. After we were finally able to order our food, it took maybe 30 minutes for our food to come out. They also forgot one part of my order and I had to ask for it after everyone was almost done eating. It seems like they only had one server so I'm not sure if they were expecting it to be a slow night since it was a weekday. Another strange part about our dining experience is that one of the employees was very pushy about which wine we should try. We started with one bottle that was suggested by the staff and decided to get a different one for our next bottle. The employee made us feel very bad about wanting to try a pinot noir and continued to try to push us to buy a more expensive bottle. I'm fine with suggestions, but if we know what we want, why push us so hard? As for the food, everything tasted pretty good. As you can see from my pictures, the appetizers were pretty unconventional. When I ordered the mixed green salad, I was expecting the typical plate full of greens with various toppings. Instead I got a fancy tower of veggies that tasted great. I was also expecting a bowl of fried squid when I ordered calamari, but instead got a plate of greens with large chunks of calamari around the edge. Even though it wasn't what I was expecting, I was pleasantly surprised with how it tasted. I wish I took a picture of the current menu because their website is not updated, but all of the pastas that were ordered between our table were delicious. I probably will not return to this restaurant for my Italian cravings in SF, but I'm glad I was able to try it. read more

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the food here is authentic!!! It was so delicious, service was great, and seating is nice and spacious. This is becoming one of my favorite spots. read more

Poesia - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Is it too much to ask that ALL ingredients be included on your fucking menu?! I ordered a sandwich that mentioned nothing about prosciutto only to find it had it! read more

Six years on, things are vastly different at Poesia. It's become a go-to place for us in the Castro now. The menu is great, the food delicious and service is friendly and speedy. Great cocktails too. Access pathway to the outdoor dining area is via the kitchen. Don't let that deter you, once you get there, it's relaxing and spacious. read more

Happy Hour is all right. Entrees were full of salt. Yuk :( Sorry wanted to like it service was nice. read more

Poesia - Salty salt salt. - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

We loved Poesia and high recommend it! I arranged a 9 person outdoor dining experience there for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. From the first contact to set the reservation to when we left the restaurant the experience was delightful and smooth. The food is fabulous and well prepared. The outdoor area was large with plentiful heat lamps. We are excited to go back soon! read more

Really cute Italian spot in the area! I can't believe it was my first time dining here but it has such a nice ambiance and you can definitely tell locals come here. Came with a group of friends and got burrata to share which was a nice way to start our dinner. After looking at the menu I had to go with my favorite pasta and get the Tagliatelle al ragu "Della Nonna" which did not disappoint. read more

We were seated in their back patio, which requires walking a very narrow path through their kitchen and out the back door to the patio. The first thing I noticed was that there was no exit from that patio, except the narrow path back through the kitchen and through the dining room out the front door of the restaurant. The patio seats about 40 people. Had there been a fire or other need to evacuate, it would have been very difficult and stressful. And if the fire had been in the kitchen (which is, of course, the most likely place for a restaurant fire), it would have been a disaster. There was little space between the tables. Having 40 people crammed in that patio - all without masks - did not feel Covid safe, especially with very little air circulating on the patio. On a cool night, the patio was uncomfortably warm, a combination of overused gas heat lamps and a hard plastic flat room covering the entire patio that trapped the heat in. Any feeling of being outdoors was completely lost. We stripped to our t-shirts. The noise level was horrible. My friend's decible meter app rated it a 90. Having a conversation required us to raise our voices and lean towards each other. By mid-meal I my throat hurt. I still have ringing in my ears thanks to the noise level. Having fewer tables would have reduced the noise level. At the very least they could have turned off the music. It added nothing to the atmosphere as it could not be heard or enjoyed - it just contributed made it louder. The food was great (it always is there) and the service was excellent (ditto), but if you cannot enjoy a conversation when you are dining out, not much else matters. I have never understood why restaurants don't get this. read more

I'm Italian born and raised and every time I'm in San Francisco (I live in NY) I make sure to pay a visit. The food is excellent, the service is impeccable and the atmosphere is unique. Great drinks and cocktails as well read more

Poesia - I went on a Tuesday evening early. Loved the atmosphere - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

The best Italian restaurant outside Europe! And I think the Vitello Tonnati is just amazing!!

Wonderful experience! Greeted at the door by owner Francesco, who was welcoming and warm. Early dining in spacious patio was perfect for us(we had a tiny baby), became lively and bustling at prime dinner time. Food was delicious, service excellent. Delicious Pear Salad and appetizers, pastas delicious and homemade, enjoyed the Calabrian wine. Definitely will return, thank you! read more

Amazing food, I love all the fresh pastas and the staff here is amazing. I go for the pappardelle and the agnolotti usually. Will need to try other menu items soon! BTW: they make their own bread, so good! read more

A favorite restaurant in the Castro, Poesia is the go-to place for good meal in an otherwise not food-savvy neighborhood. Their fresh house-made pasta is the way to go and they have a decent cocktail and wine list. The stand out pasta for me is the the Agnolotti al Plin, a pinched pasta stuffed with veal/pork and parmigiano and served with a veal reduction sauce. The shape is rustic but uncommon comparatively and the veal filling and sauce make this special. The Tagliatelle al Ragu is another good option yet more classic; the house-made pasta has the perfect bite and is paired with a savory bolognese ragu. Food, service and ambiance have always been top notch at Poesia making it one of the best restaurants in an area where fast-casual establishments reign supreme. read more

Oh my - so happy I finally tried this wonderful place after many years in SF. Such a warm greeting in welcome; lots of Italian spoken by staff - always a good sign. Our vegetable platter appetizer was superb - why can't other restaurants do that with vegetables? My husband's pesto tasted like the basil leaves had just been crushed. My bolognese was perfect. A special treat was the Italian vintner having dinner next to us; after our inquiry, the host shared a generous tasting. Beyond wonderful. That engagement tells you the worth of the restaurant. We look forward to many future visits. read more

Food was authentically Italian. Perhaps the chefs were Italian, or trained really really well. San Francisco forces most restaurants to charge too much, but it was delicious and the ambience interesting. I guess the building used to be apartments... read more

Went here for a dinner date, and the vibes of this place is unmatched. It's very hip. The food was pricey (as expected) but overall worth it for the quality. Staff was great with quick service! read more

Cozy spot with attentive staff. The food is much improved from my pre-pandemic visit! I've dined recently in the dining room and it felt as though I was in someone's home. I hosted my team in the Cafe's room and it was the perfect spot for a big group. The staff was attentive, warm and informative! read more

Walking down the street, this quaint little restaurant caught our attention. It was late at night, but the unique decor from the outside, along with the vintage film playing in the background, was enough to peek our interest. We were greeted at the door and decided to sit at the bar. We ordered drinks and socialized with the bartender and other patrons. The bar had an extensive list of cocktails to choose from and the bartender offered suggestions along with wine samples. The restaurant was super cozy and people seemed to be enjoying their meals. Pasta and meats appear to be the specialty. I can't wait to come back and try the food. read more

Poesia - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great little Italian place in San Francisco. I got the Tagliatelle al Ragu "Della Nonna" and it was amazing. Smaller portion but if you are into bolognese beef-pork ragu then this is a great choice. Wine selection is great as well. Rad pricy but worth it on every bite or sip! read more

A very cute place and food was absolutely delicious! My margaritas were nothing special, tasted a little watered down. The server was nice, but barely checked on us and took a while to get a second drink. I'll give it another chance because the food was good. read more

Poesia - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

So glad I came by to visit Poesia. It's been such a transformation seeing all the outdoor seating popping up in the Castro. The staff and food are phenomenal. We sat outside - there's some seating upstairs a couple tables along the road. There are no heaters but it was a pretty warm night while we were there. We were taken care of by Alessandro who is an absolute gem! Super helpful with all his menu suggestions and even told us what kind of dishes to expect in the upcoming winter. The cocktails here are divine - I went with the mezcal based one and my friend chose the mule. Definitely want to return and try some more - it was difficult deciding on one. We were basic and went ahead and chose burrata / olives for appetizer - can't really mess that up. Moving onto the main dish, the branzino - delicious!!! I've had branzino countless times and this one will definitely rank high on the list. read more

Don't waste your time reading this review.. Just make reservations already! We live in the neighborhood and we have gone a few times and they are consistently great. Nicely presented, perfectly balanced dishes. Great wine section and super yummy desserts... read more

Poesia - Soup and salad starters - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Over priced . $29.00 for Pasta Bolognese. And bread isn't complimentary it's $10.00. Then to add insult they charge a 5% employee surcharge benefits fee. Isn't that part of running a restaurant? At $29.00 for a pasta dish surely they should be able to afford to pay their employees a decent salary. Sadly California was supposed to ban these ridiculous surcharges but the politicians gave into the lobbyists from the restaurant industry. read more

Just your typical Italian osteria with decent food and warm ambience. It's charmingly situated on the second floor of a bar, and last night, opportunely looked over Pride festivities. Their menu changes seasonally but I think the burrata and the filet mignon we got were staples on the menu. DO get the burrata if you want a good starter. DONT get the filet mignon. The mushrooms were good on the side but the meat was terribly tough and mediocre in flavor. Go get a nice piece of steak from Whole Foods and do steak night yourself. We also got the Angolotti al Plin and I hope this will be a permanent menu item! The pasta dough was perfectly al dente and the filling inside was generously oozy and meaty. The broth with Parmesan was also so flavorful. We were dipping the components of the other dish into the broth lol. Overall, it's alright. Would recommend maybe reserving the patio table for a special occasion. read more

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This isn't just a great Italian restaurant it is probably the best restaurant in the Castro. Enjoy the classic Italian food but also terrific cocktails. My favorite is the Ellis Island -- an herbal Manhattan read more

Poesia - Scallops - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Very unhappy I did an reservation trough open table on dec 19. I drove 30 minutos from my house to the restaurant with a friend and we arrived there, they said they were only open to take out and delivery ! I don't understand why did not cancel my reservation if they we were closed to the public! read more

3.5 stars. Very cute patio seating that is mostly covered but does still have airflow! Protective against the wind and rain. I also like that they do fresh pastas (not all are, but they have several house made options!). No bread basket. Portions on the smaller side, but as expected at this type of place. Anyway onto the food: Crostini con pate di pollo - 3/5. I love pate, so I still liked this, but yeah not much else going on. It's pate on bread with onions. I could probably make this myself by hitting the grocery store. Tagliatelle al ragu " della Nonna " - 3.5/5. This was solid, I enjoyed this. Similar to other great restaurants who make a great house ragu tagliatelle. Too salty though :/ Agnolotti al Plin - 3/5. Nicely made, very savory but a little too monotone. Not enough complexity of flavor, not really a memorable dish. Also too salty. Paccheri ai frutti di mare - 4/5. Yum! Delicious sauce and a nice mix of seafood (shrimp, mussel, clam, squid, octopus). This was also on the saltier side but not overly so (unlike the tagliatelle and agnolotti). Caponatina di verdure - 4/5. Tasty, but a little heavy on the oil. And definitely made me go wtf I'm paying $9 for this. It's something that I normally would expect to just come along with an entree. I was sad they didn't have any squid ink pastas on the menu as those seemed popular on Yelp. Bummer. I could see myself back here for a cute vibe with decent pastas. I'd probably only get the paccheri frutti di mare. And maybe try another starter / veggie dish. read more

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Just what kind of Italian restaurant screws up a bruschetta? An Italian restaurant in the Castro, I guess. It sounded good when the waitress described it, and it looked good when it arrived (see photo). But when I put one in my mouth, it was like a wedge of balsa wood. I really thought I would break a tooth because I kept gnawing at it like a hamster on meth. The mushroom and parmesan topping was fine, but what a disastrous start to a dinner I was having with Jamie W. and my friend Carlos and his partner whose name coincidentally was also Jamie W. The rest of the meal went without a hitch, though I didn't find anything I had that extraordinary. I think Carlos made the best choice, the $15 Orecchiette al Forno, which came mixed in provolone, walnuts and warmed radicchio, but the portion was on the stingy side. My Jamie W. ordered the $17 Fettuccine al Ragu', which sounded tempting since it came in a tomato sauce with slow-braised lamb shank (see photo). It was tasty enough but not terribly tantalizing. Mine was better, the $18 Ravioli al Granchio, about five reasonably-sized rounds stuffed with an unlikely mix of crab meat and smoked Pancetta and covered in a brandy sauce (see photo). Our starter was a simple $9 Insalata di Barbabietol, which combined diced golden and red beets with radish and goat cheese (see photo). Good, sweet and rather predictable. I was worried the place would be cramped since it is in what looks to be the parlor of a converted Victorian. But it wasn't that bad. Relatively low-key considering all the tables were full up. The service was attentive, but I have to admit that inedible baguette at the beginning really haunted my whole meal. After all, I could have gotten a fresher bun for my burger at Slider's for half the price. FOOD - 3 stars...reasonable though not stand-out, need to ding them for the stale baguette used for the bruschetta AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...busy but cozy enough...and such a huge restroom that I wanted to eat in there SERVICE - 4 stars...no complaints on this front TOTAL - 3 stars...that damn bruschetta! read more

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Intimate, warm space with silent movies projected on the wall. Long haired Italian speaking waiters. Tasty cocktails with even more tastier Italian food. Welcome to Poesia. Start off your evening with a Negroni sbagliato while you whet your appetite with their creamy burrata. Several pastas are available gluten free and as any true self-respecting Italian would have it, they're all hand-made. Try the half moon shaped squid ink ravioli stuffed with dungeness crab. This is paired with a bright lemony-olive oil based sauce that was so simple and yet flavorful! how do they do that?! DIVINE. The bf's tagliata di filetto were perfectly medium rare accompanied by sweet potato puree and broccoli rabe. Highly recommended for an authentic Italian dinner in the Castro. Buon appetito! read more

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Wonderful restaurant! Options for vegetarians are definitely limited. But the sage brown butter spinach ravioli was absolutely delicious! We also enjoyed the tiramisu and a dessert that had a cracker base and an orange ice cream on top. It was absolutely unique and tasted great! Their wine selection is long and there's plenty of great options to pair with food! Oh and dogs are allowed. It did feel a bit awkward walking our dog through the indoors area and by the kitchen to get to the outdoor seating. But everyone seemed to be cool about it! read more

Stu S. already hit all of the right descriptors in his review a few months back. Charming. Tiny. Upscale. Italian. Delicious tapas. Reasonable happy hour. Delicious, like REALLY delicious cocktails. Definitely a cute place for a grownup to grab a cocktail with a co-worker at 5:30pm. I'd recommend sitting at the bar. It seemed to be the only place that wasn't a bit cramped for space. And as a 6'6 dude, that means something to me. read more

Excellent service, food cooked to perfection, the out door patio is gorgeous! You feel like you are on a relaxing vacation in Italy. read more

Poesia - Agnolotti al Plin Home-made pinched pasta. Veal, pork, rabbit, spinach and Parmigiano-Reggiano filling. veal reduction sauce. - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Poesia is such a lovely hidden secret right in the middle of the Castro scene - a quaint juxtaposition of the thumpa thumpa from the bars around. It's like dining at a friend's place. The space is intimate, warm, and welcoming. To boot, the food hits the right marks too. Totally love the grilled calamari salad. Nice char on the squid with a salad that hits the right balance of acid. Also had a zucchini blossom gnocchi that was quite lovely. Top all of this off with lovely service and Poesia is quite a winner. If anything, starting a night of drinking here prevents an immediate kamakazi dive into drunken lunacy with the plethora of two-for-one drink specials around. At the very least, you get some good food to start the night. read more

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Over priced and unnecessarily fancy. The burrata portion was extremely small. The pasta I got was too simple - like pasta + marinara for more than $20. Paid 220 for 4 ppl, without alcohol and dessert. A beautiful place, very well setup and the food looked amazing. read more

This is LONG overdue, but better late than never. My husband and I booked Poesia for our intimate wedding reception September 2019. Francesco was amazing in helping us coordinate everything from the menu and drink options to the actual decorations and setup on our big day. We were a party of 40 and everyone fit comfortably in this beautifully intimate restaurant. The food was amazing, we were able to bring our own music and they even moved all tables after dinner for some dancing! His staff helped make for a beautiful evening we will treasure for years to come! Thank you for everything! read more

A new young Italian Chef is in the house, and he's really making a difference. Poesia was always a great place to go, but with this addition to their team we may be reserving a table more often and with more excitement to try all the dishes. Best Italian rest in town 2021? Keep up with the good work Marcello! read more

Poesia - Sicilian wine - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California